From the Editor
Work is more than just a job; it’s a legacy. I learned early on that work isn’t just about punching a clock—it’s about pride, perseverance, and passion. Growing up, I saw firsthand the grit and determination it took to make ends meet, and I learned to appreciate the balance between hard work and the rewards that come with it.
My dad worked in a factory and had multiple “side jobs” to make ends meet. They called it “moonlighting” back in the day. Today they call them side hustles.
When he wasn’t at the factory, my dad drove a taxi. As a little girl, nothing was more exciting to me than a chance to ride in Daddy’s yellow taxi. Before surveillance cameras were a thing, my dad also worked as a local department store detective, posing as a customer, but always watching for shoplifters.
My mom also worked outside of the house long before most moms did. And at home, there was always work to be done. At a young age, I was snapping beans for dinner, mowing the lawn, or doing the dishes. Like my father always said, there’s no time for boredom.
As a reward for all that work, we had grand outings and trips to the beach with all the extras. “Work hard, play hard” was our motto.
When I met Bob in college in 1989, it was obvious that we shared the same work ethic. We bonded over fun, extraordinary experiences during the school year. Exploring new places, hiking or flying into the river on a rope swing were some of the adventures we enjoyed around our college campus in upstate Pennsylvania.
When summer came though, it was all about making money. Bob hauled furniture as a mover and I supervised kids as a summer camp counselor. As a young parent raising three children, I cleaned beachfront rentals every Saturday and tutored at the library in the evenings to make ends meet.
As years passed, Shore Local became our focus. On Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Bob and I work incredibly long days to prepare Shore Local to go to print. Other days we work less, but always some. Mixed into our week, we grab opportunities to play with our dogs and have adventures.
This issue of Shore Local is dedicated to the workers that keep our corner of the world going. We may take them for granted sometimes, like the gas station attendant, the cashier, or ride attendant. Take a moment and imagine how difficult and frustrating our lives would be without service workers. Our tourism and hospitality industries would crumble without the countless people that come to work every day to do their part.
Work also gives us purpose, a way that we individually can contribute to our community. If we are lucky, at some point in our lives our passions and work align. Bob and I are happy to say we are at that point now. However it was a long time coming with years of grunt work, side gigs and doing whatever it took to pay the bills and provide for our family. Every one of those jobs that we may have hated or simply tolerated shaped us into the people we are today. Difficult jobs and situations often give us the strength and endurance to get to where we are going. There is value in the journey.
Here’s to the workers that make the world go round. We know you make sacrifices every day to honor your commitments, support your loved ones or follow your dreams.
If you’re working this weekend, thank you for your service. We see you and appreciate you! And if you’re relaxing this weekend, cheers to a well-deserved respite.
Wishing you and yours a restful, relaxing and fun Labor Day Weekend.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
