I <3 NY

I grew up in Carver (said Cava), Massachusetts, but got the hell out as soon as I could. It just wasn’t for me. It had nothing to do with an inability to "pahk the cah in Hahvahd Yahd". It was just hard to take seriously. I mean I grew up next to the Town of Plymouth, land of Ye Ole Pilgrims, a place where tourists actually take photos of a rock! On a side note, if you are ever there DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT be one of those jackass tourists that take a photo of Plymouth Rock. It is a rock with a good PR Team, but alas, it is still a frigging rock. NY on the other hand always called to me. (Imagine if the Statue of Liberty played Rock-Paper-Scissors with Plymouth Rock. Who would win? Ummm Lady Liberty – why you ask? Because she would forgo the game and skip Plymouth Rock across the water to Jersey!)

Ever since I can remember I wanted to be a New Yorker! This wish remained a quiet one as in MA talk of NY was taboo whether you are talking baseball or not. By the way, I am not a baseball fan, but I do find it funny that since I left the state all the pro teams (WTF) except the Boston Bruins (the only team I even cared for) have won their respective championship titles.

Often we are asked that introductory question: “where are you from?” I typically shoot off my sarcastic response of “my mother”. The truth is that this plays a large part. I didn’t have choice were I was born; my mother did all the work in that department. Yes, I am “from” Massachusetts, but in my opinion that matters very little for a person like me who makes a move and put down roots somewhere else.

I get a lot a flack that I am not a native New Yorker. Sometimes I get – you can’t be an advocate for NY or the North Country – you’re not one of us. The way I see it is I have just as much stake – I choose to make NY my home. In a nation of 49 other options, I choose NY!!! For the native New Yorker, I am not challenging you to a fight here. What I am saying is just like you have chosen to stay here, I have chosen to take root here. In fact it’s the only place I have moved to after MA. I didn’t wander like a gypsy going from place to place – I chose NY. I am no carpetbagger.

So excuse me if we should cross paths and you ask “where are you from” and my response is New York! Not born and raised – rather – rooted and staying!

Plattsburgh Downtown --- It is no Burlington, VT!

On any given day, I hear about how the City of Plattsburgh's Downtown is NO Burlington, VT.

The truth is that those who make this statement are 100% correct, but personally I do not want another Burlington. If I wanted that I'd live over in the Green Mountain State, and the only positive thing I see to living there is the view of the Adirondacks across Lake Champlain. Call me a NY snob if you like.

(I digress)

Growing up, my town was a one red stop-light type of community – I mean small. Downtown was nothing more than strip mall of three or four stores. The park across the way only used for Old Homes Day with a gazebo even Norman Rockwell wouldn’t have painted in the scene.

Moving to Plattsburgh I gained a lake and a downtown with several restaurants, coffee shops and boutiques. I guess our reflection of a community largely comes from our vantage points to compare and contrast. Please don’t get me wrong… Plattsburgh’s Downtown could improve. But it takes an investment. Before we start talking about money, the first part of the investment is a having dialog to created a shared vision of what we want it to look and feel like.

Instead of comparing ourselves to what is across the lake, why not become something others in our region want to be. I am not an urban planner, business owner, or elected official. I am just one person who is tired of saying what we are not and is asking “what do we want to be?”

A couple questions to stir your imagination…

• If you could redesign Downtown Plattsburgh what would be your top five changes?

• What are 3 things you like about our current downtown?

• What types of restaurants, shopping, ect would you like to see?

• What would the physical space look like and feel like?

“What Can We Do Tonight?”

Publish Post

A transplant to the North Country from a little town known as Carver, MA, I fell in love with the shores of Lake Champlain and the views of the Adirondacks. Since arriving in 1999, I have called this special place home. I am a graduate of SUNY Plattsburgh twice over and now a young professional working in the Center for Student Involvement at the college.

Plattsburgh State serves as my resource for arts, cultural enrichment and entertainment, but the college is often over looked as a source for these things for others. On any given day the campus has something to over.

There are staples in my mind which everyone should visit at least once. These hidden treasures include the Rockwell Kent Art Gallery, the Burke Gallery, and the Nina Winkel Sculpture Court, which just happens to be the second largest permanent exhibit of one woman’s work in the North America. This amazing collection of art work is right here in our backyard.

The college also offers an array of other activities ranging from faculty lectures, to event sponsored by the students themselves. We are fortunate to have as many international students as we do. One program that has become a tradition onto itself is the Club Caribbean Pageant held annually in the spring. The event combines the bright colors of the islands and the talents of some amazing people. The night includes singing, music and dancing that places you in the heart of a Caribbean Carnival.

If you’re looking for that off-Broadway production, the college is also host to numerous onstage productions ranging from one act plays written by students to larger main stage theater productions. The students are tremendously talented.

Equally enjoyable are the various musical productions held throughout the year. Too numerous to name, they feature a wide range of groups including the Jazz Band, the Cardinal Singers, the College Chorale, and the Gospel Choir.

Plattsburgh State played an important role in my life while I was obtaining my degrees, evening bring my wife and me together. Now, as I live and work in this community, I have found the quality of life I have looked for.

Montreal, Burlington, and other regional locations are wonderful places to visit. I don’t want to discourage you from visiting these other locations – I have my own favorite spots, too.

But the next time you think to yourself “We don’t have the arts, cultural enrichment and entertainment of a big city,” look no further then your own backyard. Many of these events are free. The rest are modestly priced.

Here’s to the possibility of bumping into you on the ground of the campus.

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Originally Published as Contributing Writer for Strictly Business
“What Can We Do Tonight?” – Strictly Leisure Section
*Modified to reflect current job title.