A Sea Change at Chronogram

I heard them first. A sound of yelling and car horns as I drove along Broadway in Kingston. My car inched along in traffic that was almost standing still. Then the source of the noise appeared as I approached the high school—a group of children, teenagers, standing on top of cars and in the street shouting and holding signs saying “Resist!,” “Down with Tyranny!,” and other familiar slogans. 

Arriving in the office, I asked Brian if he knew what was going on. 

“The students staged a walkout,” he said. 

Though student walkouts are not a new thing, the current rancor feels generalized and societal, like we are in the midst of a collective sea-change. It’s everywhere—in education, politics, social life, spiritual traditions, the economy. Old models are falling apart, connective tissue dissolving. We are invited to look anew to see what is really alive and necessary, what can be adapted and what to simply let go.  

We felt this close to home at Chronogram Media, the company that publishes Chronogram, this winter. Advertising from local businesses, the main source of financial support for the magazine, fell off sharply and an already tight budget was suddenly unworkable. 

This meant that staff had to go on “Shared Work” for a period and every expense scrutinized to see if it is really necessary. The shock and austerity gave a welcome forcing function to look anew at our model of local publishing. 

Among other things, I was called back after years working on other projects and out of the day-to-day operations. My business and life partner, Amara, who has been leading the company, asked that I take my turn working in the enterprise. 

Though at first the situation appeared dire I quickly saw that Chronogram is very much alive, and also in a fortunate position. In its 33rd year, Chronogram enjoys deep support in the overlapping communities of creatives, readers, and businesses.

I was humbled to recognize that the staff that makes the magazines and media is the most skilled, creative, and committed that it has ever been. So much was being done right, it was nearly impossible to see what needed to be changed or improved for the magazine to adapt to changing conditions and remain viable. 

But there is a sea-change underway. Old models are no longer serviceable and need to adapt. Fortunately Chronogram is a little organism, a small mammal among giant reptiles, and can be nimble while continuing to serve its mission of amplifying and activating the cultural life of the Hudson Valley in new ways that fit the times. 

One of my first tasks was to get a firsthand experience of Chronogram’s community. I talked to dozens of stakeholders—our staff, readers, advertisers. And I took on delivering the February issue to the locations that carry the magazine. Over five days, I visited scores of small businesses—cafes, markets, bakeries, visitor kiosks, stores that sell books, records, art supplies, artisan crafts, and many more. Any doubt that Chronogram is important to people was quickly dashed as I was greeted and warmly welcomed. 

I saw once again that the community of small businesses comprise an economy separate from that of public companies and chains. The owners were present in almost every location I visited. Many graciously made time to talk with me and tell me their stories. They were real human beings, actualizing a creative vision, doing work that is personal and essential. These human-scale businesses are a treasure and a key aspect of what gives the region its distinct sense of place and identity.

More than one person, learning that a founder of Chronogram was distributing the magazine, asked, “Aren’t you overqualified for this job?” Each time it gave me pause and I had to answer, “No, I am perfectly qualified.” Or rather I am gratified to be doing this work essential for the magazine, its readers and community, and learning about the people and community the magazine is meant to serve. 

Another realization is that Chronogram has always functioned as a community service, a not-for-profit enterprise in the full sense of the term. Our aim from the beginning, 33 years ago, was to vitalize the creative life of the region in which we live through publishing a magazine. 

And so the Chronogram Foundation is being born. It will appear and introduce itself to the community in the coming months. The new nonprofit will focus on the core mission of Chronogram—to foment a vibrant, equitable, creative and engaged community in the Hudson Valley. 

Stay tuned.

This article appears in March 2026.