Style Magazine November 2020 RGBR

| editor’s letter |
What are you grateful
for today? For me, it’s
getting to work outside
at a neighborhood coffee
shop—cappuccino and
croissant in hand—sans
the smell of smoke, while my little lady “June
Bug” hangs with her grandparents. I’d be lying if
I said 2020 has been sunshine and rainbows, but
pandemic, politics, and poor air quality aside, we
can all find something to smile about—even if it’s
as simple as a quiet, kid-free workday.
In this issue’s Readers’ Choice Awards, we give
over 500 businesses a reason to pop a bottle of
bubbly. Voted the “Best of 2020” by more than
130,000 locals, each winner—be it a bookstore,
brewery, bike shop, restaurant, or real estate
agent—is a cornerstone of our community and
the crème de la crème in their respective industry.
Read about all the prized people and places starting on page 35, and then go and support
them! They need your patronage now more than ever.
We also share a special “Editor’s Picks” portion where you’ll find some fun, off-the-beaten
ballot categories, like “Best Binge-Worthy Show” (no spoilers here, but I highly recommend
streaming it stat) and “Best Woman-Owned Business.” If you’re new to the area and happen
to be on the hunt for a mental health professional, personal trainer, or other expert, it serves
as a perfect place to find a trusted favorite.
Though this month’s Thanksgiving gatherings are bound to look a lot different (i.e.,
smaller), for me, that’s one of the silver linings in the COVID-19 cloud. As a self-diagnosed
extroverted introvert, the Turkey Day dinners of yesteryear that included 30-plus people
were a bit unbearable for me. I’d much prefer a feast with immediate family and super
close friends, as opposed to one with forced small talk and strangers. But, rest assured:
The meal will still take center stage. In need of some new
“Gratitude is
the wine for the
soul. Go on. Get
drunk.”—Rumi
recipes? Turn to Taste on page 52 for 5 simple sides that
are easy on the eyes and even easier to make. Submitted
by beloved eateries, each dish is guaranteed to have your
guests going back for seconds (and maybe even thirds!).
With eating comes drinking, and on page 57 we share 6
Style-sipped, and approved, wines that pair perfectly with
a plethora of palates and flavors. Available at our region’s
wonderful wineries, each bottle also boasts a pleasing
price tag: under $30. I’ll certainly toast to that!
There’s plenty more uplifting, articles in the pages that follow—from social media stars
who live locally (“Almost Famous,” page 16), to a picture-perfect hike in Pilot Hill (page 32),
and a spotlight on area organizations fighting food insecurity (“Hunger Hits Home,” page
20)—so shift your attitude to one of gratitude and see where it takes you. Cheers!
— Megan // megan@stylemg.com
@meggoeggowaffle
Shop Local...Where it Matters.
#ShopLocal #SupportLocalBusiness #CommunitySupportingCommunity
Photo by Dante Fontana.
6 stylemg.com | NOVEMBER 2020 | /stylemg /stylemediagroup /stylemediagroup /stylemags