This is my final column as an Evening Sun writer and I could think of no better topic than expressing my appreciation. When I try to think back upon some the first stories I wrote for the paper, beginning in August of 2006, it seems like forever ago. According to our electronic archive, I’ve submitted 1,516 articles during that time. In just a little less than three years, Photoshop tells me I’ve downloaded more than 20,000 images from my camera.
Each picture and each story represents a series of experiences unto themselves. My memories in putting them together include thousands of conversations with hundreds of people from all walks of life, most of them local. Some people I would see again and often, others never.
When I came into the job I felt a little lost. The community is closely knit. It was like suddenly being called to appear in the King’s Court for the first time. I felt I had to develop my own sense of who people were and how the they all interacted together. Though new to me, there was already an established social order to things. I think a lot of my early days were just spent trying not to embarrass myself while I slowly pieced how it all came together.
Though I had read The Evening Sun on a few occasions prior, at the time I was hired I felt completely ignorant of all things local. Like a lot of young people who grow up here, I felt the boredom of a one red light lifestyle grinding away my sanity. I think there is an easy tendency to attach undue resentment and bitterness to one’s hometown when frustrated by our own lives. There’s certainly a pace to life here most others would find a bit slower than the rest of the world’s apparent speed. Before being hired, I can’t say I ever really worried much about local politics or any hometown issue.
There is this point in the pro-con debate of Chenango County for all those who live here, where I think we realize all the once seemingly negative things are the area’s positive highlights. I’ve come to love and enjoy our remote peace from the rest of the world. I like how there are still places we can drive in the country and not hear any sound apart from nature. I like being able to see more stars in our darker rural skies. I enjoy the small town atmosphere. Though all of us can admit familiarity can sometimes cause a sense of dread (especially in those quick PJ runs to the grocery store) but more often it’s reassuring. It’s been so easy to meet so many. A conversation seems to be around every corner and where I once avoided random discussions, I now find myself making friendly jokes while waiting in line at the gas station.
There have been a number of people this past week who’ve approached me over my recently announced plans to leave the paper and move to Albany. A handful of them, four or five people, told me they never met me before but wanted to just say, “I liked what you wrote and wish you luck.” I hate admitting to even the slightest degree of celebrity; it’s not the word I would choose. But there is certainly an avid group of readers out there who have made themselves known to me over the years. I thank all of you for your interest, even the ones who respectfully approached me because of a complaint or a difference of opinion.
Today I find myself carrying a small degree of anxiety as I get ready to depart The Evening Sun and the area this weekend. It seems like it took so long to find, but I feel like I have a place here. Both as a reporter and as someone who’s basically lived here their entire life. I will not forget it.
