Four hundred of the Hudson Valley’s finest—business owners, bakers, brewers, yoga teachers, tattoo artists, vintners, visionaries—gathered at Hudson House & Distillery in West Park on August 14 to toast themselves and each other. It was our first time under our new banner: Chronogram Readers’ Choice Awards. You may remember the “Chronogrammies.” So did the Recording Academy. They sent us a cease-and-desist letter last fall. Yes, the Grammys. Turns out they own “-ammies.” We pivoted. We rebranded. And the people still showed up to celebrate.
DJ Dave Leonard got every rump in the room shaking. Astrologer Kathryn Andren offered cosmic counsel to anyone via her tarot deck. The poets of Little Histories clacked away on typewriters, handing out bespoke verses like party favors. On the patio, with the Hudson River unscrolling beneath the late-summer sky, conversations buzzed and cocktails clinked.
Some businesses rolled deep—shout-out to Hudson Valley Ambition, Creature Comforts Animal Hospital, Farmers Choice Dispensary, JFK Elementary, and the rest of the spirited squads that turned the night into a hometown pep rally. Speaking of Farmers Choice, thanks for sponsoring our photo booth, which documented much joy, glitter, and feather boas. And deep gratitude to Charles Ferri, Paul Seres, and the team at Hudson House for hosting us with such panache.
Here’s what the night celebrated: Over 800 businesses across the Hudson Valley, recognized by their communities as the best at what they do. Congratulations to all the winners, and thanks to everyone who made the evening a reminder of why we love this region: It knows how to work hard, play hard, and dance harder.
This article appears in September 2025.
