Southern Tier Life - March 2021

Southern Tier

Life

Covering Your Friends & Neighbors

COACHING DURING COVID COVID’S IMPACT ON LOCAL TOURISM START TO PLAN YOUR GARDEN UPSTATE GEECHIE STYLE CHEF’S BEST: 1157 NORTH

COVID -19 O N E Y E A R L AT E R Dee Reid tells us, in her own words, about her year long journey.

Volume 01. March 2021

ISSUE 001

SOUTHERN TIER LIFE MAGAZINE Editor In Chief Randy Reid

Guest Creative Director Kiersten Tarkett

Advertising Randy Reid

Editorial Assistant Dee Reid Sky Moss

Contributors

A’Don Allen, Chris Brewster, Sheri Hughey, Sky Moss, Bob Thomas

Contact

news@southerntierlife.com

Address

P.O. Box 704, Elmira, New York 14902

Publisher

Reid Media Group, LLC Reid Media Group LLC is a NYS Certified Minority Business Enterprise

Southern Tier Life is published by Reid Media Group. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved

CONTENT Impact of Covid 05 Tourism 06 Surviving Covid 10 Southern Tier Chef’s Best

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Upstate Geechie 16 Local Book Authors 18 Expats 20 Coaching Through Covid 22 Hot Shots 28

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Centuries of Experience.

A Name You Can Trust.

thedunngroup.com

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Editorial I developed Southern Tier Life as a new digital media to reach out and tell the untold stories across the Southern Tier. Everyone has a story and we are here to tell it. I’ve spent over 25 years in news and television and even the media landscape changes every 5 years. Gone are the days of sitting down and watching the 6pm News. You must reach people where they are and that is on their devices (phones and tablets) like where you are reading this now.

You don’t have to look far to see who has struggled during this pandemic. Look at our friends and neighbors who own small businesses. Many of the places we once frequented are either open with restricted hours, temporarily closed or will not ever open again.

I recently read a report from Yelp (September Local Economic Impact Report) that discusses how businesses have struggled since March 2020, when the country was essentially shut down from COVID. From the report: The restaurant industry continues to be among the most impacted with an increasing number of closures – totaling 32,109 closures as of August 31, with 19,590 of these business closures indicated to be permanent (61%). Since this data is from September 2020 lets assume the number of closures has gone up. This is proof that shopping local is vitally important.

A more real time analysis from a Harvard University run database drills down to activity on a more granular basis. As of February 2, 2021 the number of small businesses open across the Southern Tier decreased by an average of 36.67% compared to February 2020 according to TrackTheRecovery.org.

This database keeps tabs on the economic impact of the COVID 19. People really need to examine their purchasing power and decided to spend it locally not only to help small business owners but to help generate local sales tax revenue for our municipalities.

Our first Edition of Southern Tier Life is going to examine COVID - One Year Later. We take a look at the impact on Tourism, Our Youth and we will have a first person perspective on living through, surviving and the after affects of COVID 19.

Our group of contributors have prior journalism or writing experience and have embraced this new way to deliver content to you. If you have a story idea or comment please contact us at news@southerntierlife.com.

RANDY REID SOUTHERN TIER LIFE MAGAZINE 2021

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Photo Credit: Tioga County Chamber of Commerce

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PANDEMIC FORCES REGIONAL TOURISM TO SHIFT FOCUS

By Chris Brewster

Over the last year, nobody has been spared from the changes the global pandemic has brought. That includes our regional tourism organizations.

Like all of us, they have adapted to current situations and continue to find creative ways to show people what our area has to offer. In many cases, one of the biggest changes has been the target audience. With travel still somewhat limited – and very limited since last March – much of the focus has switched from marketing to travelers into the area to those who already live here.“Beyond visitors coming to tour Finger Lakes Wine Country, the largest drivers of tourism in Chemung County are business travel and events of all kinds,”

TIOGA COUNTY’S TOURISM PICK Whether you prefer a virtual or walking tour, check out Evergreen Cemetery in Owego. Established in 1851 by the Village of Owego. Today, it is filled with the graves of former residents, some who are notable for their contributions to shaping the history of the local community.

To Learn More: https://experiencetioga.com/evergreencemetery-virtual-tour/

said Cynthia Raj, Vice President of Tourism Promotion for the Chemung County Chamber of Commerce. “The latter includes large-scale regional events, such as race weekends at Watkins Glen International, as well as local ones, such as Clemens Center’s Broadway performances.

“Beyond these, we also benefit from weddings, college orientations / graduations, reunions, and traveling sports teams, such as hockey games at First Arena. All of these came to a halt.”

What that meant, Raj added, was a slight shift in focus. “Shortly after the lockdown, we began to work with local tourism businesses to provide the public with updates on safe activities and business openings/ closings during COVID-19,” she said. “We also shared relevant information to attractions and restaurants on webinars, grants, and loans related to COVID-19 relief options. Both of these continue to the present.”

An important first step, for not only visitors and residents but also tourism-based businesses, was becoming a key component in sharing information. “Shortly after the lockdown,” Raj said, “we began to work with local tourism businesses to provide the public with updates on safe activities

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and business openings/closings during COVID-19. We also shared relevant information to attractions and restaurants on webinars, grants, and loans related to COVID-19 relief options. Both of these continue to the present.”

For Judi Hess, Director of the Greater Binghamton Convention & Visitors Bureau, an emphasis on targeting both visitors and local residents was something they already had in place.

“Our social media presence has grown over the last few years to where it’s a healthy mix of visitors and locals, which really benefits both groups,” she said. “It’s been our best too through the pandemic. We’re not ready to take out large print ads, so we can do more of a soft sell through social media.”

Both Hess and Raj identified outdoor activities as an area that continued to thrive while other activities struggled.

“Our park system in the state set records, and our county parks did extremely well because of the outdoor activities,” Hess said. “The attendance really did elevate, and that continues to be the case. We recently did a session on how people can visit county parks and do winter activities.”

Raj sees this trend continuing to grow.

“The renewed interest in outdoor recreation, such as hiking and biking, will continue,” she said. “Destinations such as the Finger Lakes region, which offers an abundance of these, are likely to recover more quickly than urban continued on page 8

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destinations.”

ground running in 2021.

Another change in the Finger Lakes region was the reliance on tourism writers visiting and publishing articles about attractions. The pandemic caused this to be modified.

“We had already partnered with Steuben, Schuyler, Yates, and Tioga counties to further develop, Finger Lakes Farm Country, a multi-county agritourism trail which will launch in 2021,” Raj said. “The growing interest in agritourism, such as You Pick farms, orchards and farmers markets, will continue as people increasingly to want to know the origins of what they eat and of the significance of supporting local businesses.”

“Although our on-site media tours were largely cancelled during 2020, we safely participated in three tours with visiting writers that focused on outdoor activities,” said Raj. “We also reached out to writers who visited in previous years to provide them updates on attractions. Together these efforts have resulted in 19 published articles, featuring a total of 25 local attractions.”

Both Raj and Hess see local museums and similar attractions as popular destinations, especially since they’ve already opened with limited access.

“We’re still walking a tightrope of what you can promote and how,” Hess said. “We continually educate people that you can still be a tourist but you need to do it safely.”Raj agreed.

In Binghamton, officials took advantage of the proximity from New York City and other downstate locations to develop a film office.

“We knew that traditional conventions and events would take a little while to come back, and we’d had really good success with film already,” Hess said.

“We Identified locations and connected with people looking to do a project so we could show them locations here.

“We are close to city but not real close, and in many cases, the more rural nature of our area lends itself perfectly to something like this.”

Through Finger Lakes Wine Country, many of the regional tourism agencies had already started a promotion for agritourism, and that planning allows those businesses to hit the

“Overall, people are eager to get out of the house and explore new things, although closer to home,” she added. “Thus, the growing trend toward road trips will continue.”

TOURISM PICKS: Broome County: March’s First Friday Art Walk, sponsored by Broome County Arts Council will be on the second Friday, March 12, from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Binghamton.

See artwork at the Artisan Gallery, 95 Court Street, and Orazio Salati Studio and Gallery, 204 State Street. visitbinghamton.org/event/first-friday-art-walk-2-copy-copy-copy/ Chemung County: The year-round farmers market at Chamberlain Acres in Elmira, on Sundays from 11-3. It’s held in a large greenhouse that’s heated throughout the winter months and provides a fun way to get outside and to meet farmers throughout the region and buy from them directly. chamberlainacres.com Tioga County NY: Whether you prefer a virtual or walking tour, check out Evergreen Cemetery in Owego. Evergreen Cemetery was established in 1851 by the Village of Owego as a park-like resting place for a growing population.

Today, it is filled with the graves of former residents, some who are notable for their contributions to shaping the history of the local community, the state, the nation and even the world. This tour will guide you through the cemetery and introduce you to many of these people through historic and current photographs and descriptions of their lives. If you decide to visit in person, you can follow the walking tour and locate the graves using the map while enjoying the terraced terrain, towering evergreens and a panoramic view from the Sa-Sa-Na Loft Monument at the top of the hill. experiencetioga.com/evergreen-cemetery-virtual-tour/

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CLICK TO PLAY ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE.

Created by Sky Moss

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First Person

COVID SURVIVOR ONE YEAR LATER

by Dee Reid

Dee Reid pictured with her son Cameron who helped her during her heroing experience.

March 18, 2020 will forever stay in

the memory portal where flashbacks, dreams and discussions will be pulled from. The top story was COVID-19.

Little did I know that the top story was to become my own reality. It started as any cold would start on March 18 – my husband’s birthday.

Symptoms were similar to that of the common cold. Runny nose, sneezing, head congestion...hmm? Sinus infection? Maybe. Thursday started with fever and chills and then the headache. This one was different. By Friday I was feeling sickly.

Things went downhill with a quickness. A well-controlled asthmatic, 48 hours later my cold just felt different. Friday, March 20, 2019 breathing changed and lungs were under attack. My exact words to Dr. Cilip was, “something has moved in and I really feel it in my left lung.” Telemedicine provided this discussion and check in, which led to the hubby making a trip to the pharmacy (one of many) to pick up the prescription medications.

The next several weeks became an exercise of survival. The rebound effect happened – you know the day or two that the virus convinces the body that it’s finally over. That was a lie. The fight for my life ensued. The decision to stay home and forgo the trip to the emergency room won. My husband and son were right there for me.

Prayers, another round of medications, some old-fashioned Vicks Vapo-Rub and a return to my childhood asthma attack breathing techniques took hold.

Survival. This beast was not going to win. If it did, home was the place to be, with my husband, my rock.

The next couple of days passed. Alive, breathing but not better. Another chat with the doc. It was time to get tested.

Doc decided that the symptoms were too much like those of COVID-19.

Probably should have gone to the ER. The headache (completely convinced I was about to have a brain aneurism) the fever, the suffocation (so scared) and realizing that I could not smell or taste anything. My man was by my side.

The test will forever be known as the “Devil’s Test.” I can’t take credit for this namesake. A dear friend’s daughter coined this. Drive-thru testing. Drive up and the nurses come to the car. Okay this can’t be that bad, right? The nurse said “I have to swab both nostrils. I will know immediately when I hit the right spot.” Yeah, how will you know that. The answer was swift, jarring and left me feeling that I had been violated, not once but twice. The nurse actually told my husband to hold my hands. What for? I’m a big girl. The nurse stuck the first swab into my first nostril. This was bad, very, very bad. The world went black. There was five to ten seconds that will remain a mystery.

Fluid began flowing from my eyes, nose and mouth. Free hands would have knocked the nurse out. There was a brief pause and then the nurse did it again. Nostril number two was under assault and the same blackout, fluids flowing was underway.

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so much we don’t know so go slow.”

These were the new words to live by.

Three months had passed and it was time to get back into the flow. Those days were difficult. The exhaustion from a walk, a slow jog, even lifting light weights would result in a trip to the shower and directly to the bed.

Something isn’t right. Right?

The drive home from the testing site was spent staring, trying to understand what had occurred. Violated. No other word to describe the test other than violated. Those swabs touched a place that should never be touched. Touched unadulterated tender membranes that are so protected and safe. It was that sacred visceral space that interrupted my equilibrium, my homeostasis.

Created a PTSD that lasted for quite some time. No way, not ever would I get that test again!

For the first time during this fight, my strength wavered. Tears replaced the fluids, so many unanswered questions. Fear. Results came back positive. The call came in from the Health Department. Fourteen-day quarantine for the immediate family.

Daily temperature checks,daily calls and then notified of a personal check in. Now, a daily visit from the Health Department. Each interaction was a reminder that this virus had invaded personal space and life itself.

Our church, friends and family showed up and blessed us with water, soup, flowers, treats, calls, check-ins and just love. Both times, we were blessed and heard the concerns, felt the prayers. Thank you to all of you who were there. Recovery started to become a possibility.

Reaching for it, embracing it like those wishing to win the lottery became the new reality. So slow, fatigued, at times existing in the foggy bottom that is now known as COVID brain fog. Reading became a chore, listening and focusing was not happening and realizing there were moments during this illness that were in a place that could no longer be retrieved.

Another Telemedicine visit. “It will improve. It will take time. There is

Late summer: COVID hit home.

My ride or die, and youngest son became ill. Each had very different symptoms, my spouse after three tests (all positive) spent a little time in the hospital, our son recovered without any medical intervention.

Like so many, 14-day quarantine was required. For me, another test.

Worked through the shudders that still occur from the first test and realized that this test was different, only one nostril. The swab was inserted half-way for ten seconds. continued on page 12

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Okay. Not bad. Not at all like the first one. Another fourteen day quarantine but we were all healthy.

The summer came and went. Normal wasn’t quite normal. It was time to speak up and get some answers. A few tests later, blood work (no blood clots), Ecocardiogram (ECG), CT-Scan of lungs showed some scar tissue. Is this residual from years as an asthmatic or COVID related? Time will tell. One year later and finally feeling healthy and stronger. It took time.

Dee Reid is a Pharmacutical Sales Rep, a mother of four and grandmother of two girls. Dee lives in Elmira with her ADD husband of PHO25 years.

TO: -Select

The daily numbers of infections and death rate is mind numbing. To the survivors, congratulations and prayers for recovery. To those lives lost, and the families left behind: my deepest and sincerest condolences. The individual experiences of COVID survivorship varies from asymptomatic to those who are still suffering the after effects.

COVID PTSD? For many, it is real.

Masks, no problem, crowds of people not ready for that. New strains. The vaccines represent hope. The fear is still real.

INTERESTED IN WRITING FOR SOUTHERN TIER LIFE? Contact us at news@southerntierlife.com

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by Bob Thomas

Just one block off Route 14, (College Avenue to the locals) and you will find the first stop on our Chef’s Best Tour. 1157 North Is located at, you guessed it, 1157 North Main Street in Elmira. This place has charm and history; first opened in 1946 as the Palms Restaurant. The Palms operated continuously for more than 60 years before closing in 2015.

This neighborhood eatery was not shuttered for long. Joe and Mona Steigerwald came in with a business plan, knowledge of how to make fresh pasta passed down by former owner Mary Canali, a new American/ Italian menu and plenty of friendly faces.

Joe Steigerwald brings more than 40 years of hospitality experience to 1157 North. His journey began with a degree in Restaurant Management from SUNY Delhi, followed by years in the Hotel industry, and Country Club Management. His passion for the guest experience and

opportunity to craft a unique menu of fresh ingredients lead he and his wife Mona to jump at the chance to breathe life into the historic location, now known as 1157 North.

February 26 th marked the 5 th Anniversary of the restaurant’s opening. Joe recounts the growth experienced during the first four years, 20% year over year; and the rollercoaster year that COVID-19 has caused. A quick shift to takeout was doing well, adjusting again to reopening with capacity restrictions, and the struggle of a restaurant lying within an Orange Zone designation. Through it all the quality of the food never wavered, and that is why they are our first “Chef’s Best.”

The concept is a simple one, reserve a table and let the Owner and Chef pick their best to serve to you. Joe was given total control to select the wine, appetizer, and entrée for me, while my wife would

choose an entrée of her choice.

Upon arrival a warm greeting and smiling face was provided by Lisa, our server. She was just as excited to see how the night would unfold as we were. The relaxed atmosphere felt like home and when Joe stopped by to say hello, it was like meeting an old friend.

The menu was surveyed and the anticipation for the meal grew.

There were countless items I was hoping to see. What would it be?

First, the wine; a 2017 Louis Martin Cabernet Sauvignon from Sonoma County. Being more well-versed in wine from the Finger Lakes, it

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was nice to experience something new. The red had more body than something from our local vineyards, rich fruit notes with a buttery finish.

When my entrée arrived, this wine selection was a perfect pair.

for. Again, the menu offered many selections to suit every palette.

Fresh made pasta, USDA Choice cuts of steak, the finest seafood; you cannot go wrong. What the

Truth be told, while surveying the “Weekend Special” menu there was an appetizer item I would order in a heartbeat if choosing for myself. Any of the apps of the traditional menu

would have been welcome, from Italian favorites such Bruschetta or Meatballs, to the familiar Shrimp Cocktail and Coconut Shrimp. It was the Tuna Sashimi Tower that caught my eye, and that is exactly what the Chef prepared. The presentation was stunning, and the combination of textures and flavors were impeccable. I am a sucker for Tuna Sashimi and this dish hit it out of the park. Clean, bright, refreshing, balanced… it was everything a Chef’s Best dish should be.

If I was in sync with the Chef for the appetizer, the entrée was the experience this feature was made

Chef preparedfor my entrée was something I had never experienced before, Osso Bucco. Veal shank braised in vegetable and white wine broth, served with risotto and vegetables. I would never have sat down in this or any restaurant and made this selection. The veal was tender, but not soft. The sauce was rich and deep, but not heavy. The touch of mint sent the dish over the top. Oh, and I could not pass-up the indulgent, succulent marrow calling my name. Resting on a bed of perfectly cooked and seasoned risotto; this dish is now on the top of my list.

The wine, the appetizer, and the entrée; truly a Chef’s Best experience I will never forget. Thank you to the Steigerwald’s, Chef Mike and Lisa for a wonderful night.

Reserve your table, taste for yourself.

Just ask for the Chef’s Best.

Still there for our seniors in need during COVID Donate mealsonwheelschemung.org

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by Sky Moss

Mid-January for me means spring is coming.

I love to grow food, flowers, herbs and everything else. Growers anxiously await the mail this time of year. Many are more modern than I. We older folks still love catalogues. They are tactile and beautiful.

They also possess this wizard like power, mesmerizing you in the belief that, “I can grow anything”. Photographs of bok choy and asparagus will have you gassed. I love it. Annually I peruse new cultivars focusing on heirlooms. When I moved to Golden Glow my garden was 150’ by 45’. The bounty was large and along with my family I sold at the famers’ market across from Dewittsburgh.

We made $1,250 one summer. In reality there are few GREAT backyard growers. It takes a commitment and patience reminiscent of a kindergarten teacher.

As February approaches hardcore growers are preparing indoor seedlings. Thinking giddily about April.

or failed at it, reconsider. For me planting seeds, tending soil, weeding and …….. wait for it…… harvesting is life. Flipping through my catalogues today I am looking for new inspirations.

The staples are simple. Greens, tomatoes, peppers, beans, cucumbers belong in every garden. They occupy 50% of my truncated space. The other 50% is the adventure. Pumpkins and gourds captivate me. Every year I plant them somewhere. (My beds are fenced and monitored but I also plant seeds arbitrarily around our property. Amidst the four plus acres I sprinkle seeds everywhere. I grow potatoes and carrots along the grassline. They are potential deer and woodchuck food. I am OK with that.) Most likely I will put a pumpkin plant inside the fenced garden. Rouge Vif D’Etampes, Cinderella are my favorite, majestic and a fantastic soup pumpkin. That leaves me with sixty square feet of space to play with.

Quick Segway…..

My yard also features black walnut trees, two apple trees (difficult), raspberry canes, blueberries and hella wild black caps surrounding the periphery. One year we picked thirty quarts (farmer’s market).

Perennials are fantastic. If you are secure in your residence, gonna be there beyond five years, plant them. Many herbs are hardy returners.

Gardening is a twelve-month project. The dormancy of upstate winters suggests otherwise.

I let my old garden go feral. I am too old to manage that much space. Two years ago I moved my growing toward the house. It is now four, 12’ by 4’ beds. Limited space requires decisions. It was good for me.

My go to seed company is out of Maine. Pinetree seed Company was founded in 1979. It is a family run operation and they offer so many heirlooms. Their catalogue inspires. In 1979 I would flip through the Sears catalogue and write down the 100 toys I wanted for Christmas.

Most years I might have gotten three or four of those. Same thing with my Pinetree catalogue. By February first I will narrow the list, order by week two and sweat the mail thereafter. I have two new cultivars I’m crushing on. The next article will share more. Geeked.

Spring is coming. If you have never grown

Spring is coming. If you have never gardened or abandoned it

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due to frustration, situation, apathy, reconsider.

Eating food, you grow is different. It tastes different. You feel different. Working at Cornell Cooperative Extension I would read tirelessly on growing. One quote always reverberates, “1/3 for the insects, 1/3 for wild fauna, 1/3 for you”. Be prepared to fail. The successes you have, and they will happen will invigorate and strengthen you. Focus on the foods you love and anticipate harvest.

Spring is coming. Holla’ at me if you want any growing advice. Going outside to sprinkle some bone meal on my beds. Straight foreplay for real….

Sky Moss is an Associate Professor at Corning Community College

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Collection:

LOCAL AUTHORS how to put together a compelling story, he said. “It is an advantage to have the background as an English teacher,” said Pucci, who has published one book a year since his retirement. “The problem with some books you pick up is that they might have good ideas but they’re not put on paper effectively. “People appreciate a book that is well-written, and it definitely helps to be able to act as writer, editor and proofreader for your own writing.”

RETIRED TEACHER FINDS SUCCESS IN SECOND CAREER, AS A MYSTERY NOVELIST

By Chris Brewster

Normally, the first advice any prospective writer gets is to “write what you know.” In the case of retired English teacher Anthony Pucci, that advice helped him twice as much.

Pucci, who taught at Notre Dame High School in Elmira for 43 years, recently self-published his sixth mystery novel, “Winning Ticket,” featuring veteran English teacher Michael Bishop as the main character.

Like Pucci, Bishop teaches at a parochial school. Unlike Pucci, Bishop is also an amateur detective. All that experience in the classroom also helps Pucci tremendously in knowing

Having his protagonist share his profession is helpful as well. “I always told my students to write about what you know,” Pucci said. “Michael Bishop is an English teacher, so I’ve beenabletoincorporatemyknowledge in literature and the classroom.”

While writing’s always been something Pucci is interested in – he’d previously done a teacher’s guide for teaching a novel – he said he never envisioned writing mysteries. “I didn’t read many mysteries before I started,” he said, “but my wife reads a lot of them.

She said, ‘I bet you can do this,’ and I just started one day and found it enjoyable.”

Pucci said he starts each of his novels the same way. “I think everyone has their own style of writing, and I just start with the basic premise in my mind,” he said.

“I have an idea of who’s going to be the victim, who did it and why.

Once I start, I make it happen as you go. That’s one of the things I’ve found enjoyable – until I sit down to do it, nothing happens.”

That careful planning also goes into Pucci’s writing schedule as well.

“My goal has been to write to one a year, and I do like to take a break in between,” he said. “When you’re writing, the story is always on my mind. I’m always thinking about where to go next and how I’m going to do that.“When you’ve completed a book, there’s a great sense of satisfaction and also relief. So I like to take time in between and wait for the next idea to come.”

Those ideas have so far led to six books, and the work has been worth it. “It’s definitely work, it’s time-consuming, but I’ve found it enjoyable,” Pucci said.

“And people seem to like what I was doing. I never assumed I’d end up with 6 of them.”

Where to find Anthony Pucci’s books Books: “Winning Ticket” (2020), “Rooted in Evil” (2019), “Murder on the Marginal Way” (2017), “A Question of Judgment” (2017), “Schooled in Deception” (2016) and “Outline for Murder” (2015) Online: Books are available on Amazon, as eBooks and paperbacks.

Check Amazon Locally: Copies of all 6 books are available at Millport Landing, 2020 Crescent St, Millport, NY 14864. All are signed by the author. Reach Millport Landing at (607) 739-1400.

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MEET ME AT THE CLOCK CenterwaySquarehasbeen named best public square in the USA.

Location Centerway Square, Corning NY Photograph by.

Randy Reid

Would you like your photos published in Southern Tier Life?

Contactus at news@southerntierlife.com

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A YANKEE IN TEXAS

by Catherine White

I left the Southern Tier in 2010 because I had been laid off, during the Great Recession, and I hadn’t been able to find a steady job in the Twin Tiers that compensated enough to pay my bills and support myself.

On one hand, my heart was broken because, I had spent the previous eight years as part of a close-knit, dysfunctional, weird, wonderful family as a Features reporter at the Star-Gazette, my hometown newspaper. I had gained an even greater appreciation for the history and natural beauty of the Twin Tiers region in the time I had covered the arts, culture, history, events and people of the Twin Tiers and Finger Lakes region. However, I did find living in the same town I grew up in to be limiting. So many people have a hard time letting go of their perception of the version of you they grew up with. The opportunity to leave the comfort and security of “home” and the familiar was tempting.

I moved, with my sister and nephew, to Austin, TX in 2010, after visiting a college friend. Austin has a small-town vibe with big city benefits. Known as the “Live Music Capitol of the World,” before the pandemic, ATX was a fun, influential city where one had a wide selection of live musical genres to choose from on any given night of the week. As the state Capitol, it’s the seat of political power and theater. There were also more job opportunities.

innumerable opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts.

There’s also an appreciation for good food - an array of cultural cuisine that celebrates traditional dishes as well as futuristic fusions of regional ingredients. Breakfast tacos replaced breakfast pizza, and bountiful Tex-Mex restaurants have replaced the Italian-American eateries we frequented in western New York.

Texans are also very proud of their state, just like New Yorkers. Though, the pride that Texans have (and display) for their state is impressive. Everybody knows what the Texas state flag looks like – it, literally, adorns the front porch/yard of 90% of ATX homes. Any idea (without looking it up) what the New York State flag looks like?

Unless you work somewhere that you see it every day, or your in 4th grade, probably not.

Politically, I found myself in bizarro world. To use Texas Gov. Greg Abbott’s analogy – As Austin is considered the “blueberry in Texas’ tomato soup” … the Twin Tiers would be considered the “tomato in a chilled New York blueberry gazpacho”. I traded living in a conservative rural region of a liberal state to a progressive, urban region of a conservative state. So, different, but the same.

Since it is the Texas Capitol, the conservative viewpoint is well-represented in Austin. So is the weird, wonderful progressive side. Austin’s unofficial saint is a homeless crossdresser who ran for Mayor three times and whose activist spirit is still celebrated by Austinites.

I miss my hometown and have a deep appreciation for having grown up in a place with such deep, historical and cultural significance. I credit my passion and perseverance to growing up in the scenic small-town-centric Twin Tiers.

My appreciation and respect for nature and wildlife also comes from my hometown.

Another consideration for my move south was weather.

The milder temperatures– and, infinitely more sunshine, were big factors for the move to Texas.

I do appreciate the freedom gained by moving someplace new, learning new customs and community celebrations, having more job opportunities and, of course, a much shorter winter season.

In some ways, Austin is similar to western New York State. There’s lots of love for, and emphasis on, nature and outdoor activity. Austin has Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Zilker Botanical Garden, and

After 10 years, I’m finally starting to feel a little more Texan. Though, I still don’t have a flag so, maybe my heart still belongs to New York.

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Location Eldridge Park Lake, Elmira, NY Photograph by.

Randy Reid

Location Huck Finn Baseball Field, Elmira, NY Photograph by.

Randy Reid

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COACHING THR OUGH C

STUDENT ATHLETES LEARN VALUABLE LESSON It seemed like it was finally their time. March 5, 2020. A 39-19 run over the middle 2 quarters in the Section IV, Class AA championship game, cemented the Elmira Express Girls Basketball team’s 4th consecutive Sectional Title. They looked primed to finally make the Written By A’Don Allen

State Championship Run that had eluded this group of seniors. Their nemesis, Section 1’s Ossining Pride, had graduated their 3 stars and Elmira’s 3 senior stars were ready to add the missing piece to their

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amazing legacy. But fate, decided to play the cruelest of jokes on the Lady Express and every high school athlete in the area.

Southern Tier Life// ISSUE 01

COVID

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“I was bummed as I just sat down to watch St. John’s in the Big East tournament and we were up by 8 points at the half when they shut everything down. I understood it, I supported it, but I did not want that to happen although it was the right decision at the time.”

ROBERT KELLY

Waverly Varsity Girls Basketball Coach

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Coaching Through Covid continued

S H U T DOW N March 2020. The Nation became prisoner to the COVID 19 or Coronavirus. Right now, COVID has claimed the lives of over 400,000 Americans and has wreaked havoc on the livelihood of millions of Americans, including high school student-athletes. In an effort, to slow down the spread of the virus, states, county and municipalities shut down everything, including schools, which in turn, shut down high school athletics. The shutdown ended seasons, careers, and left doubts about the future. Including the chance for teams like the Lady Express hoops team, to achieve heights they had strived for. “My first thought was first one of disappointment, then quickly turned into sadness”, says Elmira City School District Athletic Director Thomas Morrell. He continued, “l felt so bad for all the athletes who were just into their first week of spring sports,

but we had player and teams who missed out on the opportunity for a regional and/or state championship.

I immediately thought of the Express girls’ basketball team, who have been knocking on the door to a state championship in years past, and now that group of seniors were ready to finally make that next jump to the state final four. I thought of the girls bowling team who was coming off a Section IV championship, who now had girls getting a chance to go to the state tournament to compete for a state championship. Then I couldn’t help but feel terrible for all those seniors in spring sports who were going to miss their second semester of their senior year, all the games, all the activities, prom, trip, etc. With all, I did understand the reasoning to why the shutdown happened. Our country was in the beginning stages of a worldwide pandemic, and we all had to do what was best for all our students and staff to keep them safe.”

“At the time it didn’t affect us so much because we were out of season, but I felt bad for the teams that were affected, especially the seniors. At the time I never would have thought that it would continue as long as it has, including into the fall, etc.” -Elmira Express Girls Soccer Coach Zach Sarno The Days of High School athletics being a strictly in-season sport, are long gone. The competitive nature has dictated a change in philosophy.

Coaches and players work all year long, honing their craft. But with the COVID-Shutdown, sports in general were shutdown. It wasn’t just workouts; coaches couldn’t meet with their athletes in person. Players were forced to utilize Zoom meeting, cell phones and working independently to prepare for a season, they weren’t sure they were going to have. “I stayed engaged with my players through text messages and emails.

I would occasionally see one or two of them when I played golf

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and we had a quick chat to see how things were going.”, says Waverly’s Coach Kelly. In this age of technology coaches use cell phones to do most of their communicating with their student athletes.

So as the shutdown began it was only natural to continue utilizing that method. Elmira Express Boys Head Coach Ryan Johnson says that he continued to speak weekly with his athletes. “We weren’t allowed to have contact with the kids, but I sent texts daily and weekly. I would give them individual skills and drills, cardio workouts, speed, and agility workouts to work on. I also tried to stay as positive as possible and very hopeful.”

“The last day of our spring practices where coaches could meet in person with the players, they all made sure they had the most up to date contact information, including phone numbers and email”, said Morrell “We then had coaches develop daily and weekly workout plans for the players to stay engaged. Originally, this was a two-week shutdown, so the coaches all worked on two-week plans, for workouts players could do at home, using minimal equipment, just to stay prepared when they come back to play. Once we found out that the shutdown was going to go into May and June, we then started to do more virtual workouts. The athletic department then worked on virtual senior recognition videos, to give all the seniors a nice send off. We also did a virtual sports banquet, where we recognize all the award winners for all the teams, as well as the overall award winners, including Male and Female Athletes of the Year.”

For Elmira Express Girls Soccer Coach Zachary Sarno, summer workouts arecrucialasbeingafallsport, getting his girls ready to begin in August in a normal year is routine. With the pandemic not allowing him to have contact he had to take an entirely different approach. He put the onus on his players to get better with his control.

“I basically gave players in the program workout ideas they could do on their own, and in small groups if they did it safely and their parents and families were ok with them meeting somewhere to do them.”

W E EKS T UR N INTO MONTHS. . . . .

“Initially I thought that we would only be shut down for a short time until the initial surge was over, I was unprepared for how fear can affect a nation, and how

truly unprepared our society was at the time.” Express Girls Basketball Coach Jake Dailey Initially, most experts thought the shutdown for schools and athletics would be lifted in time for the fall sports season. So, most coaches were prepping their players and teams for fall sports. However, the numbers began to spike as the summer turned into fall and Section IV made the tough choice to not play sports beginning in the fall of 2020. The lack of being able to have contact with athletes became tougher by the minute and the fear began to turn into frustration for the coaches. “Kept in touch with them the best I could, was hard cause everything was shut down and so off limits, so it was not easy, and even harder on the kids, especially as the fall hit, and other sections were playing, and we were not.” Said Sarno. The toughest part of the shutdown in the fall was the uncertainty but also the fact that other sections, including Section IV to the West of Section IV did play a fall season. Even more frustrating was the waiting. Schools, Sections, were waiting with bated breath to be able to provide some normalcy for their students and coaches.

Restrictions, plans, and procedures were being made, adjusted, and tinkered with, on the off chance that any day, the CDC, or any of the alphabets in control, would give the word to allow sports to continue. There was hope that the state would have made the call by early November, but in Section IV it wasn’t until January 2021, that the state finally made the call, but the call wasn’t 100% the call students and coaches were waiting for. The call was to allow workouts, which, while better than nothing, still wasn’t “Competition” but the sound you may have heard on February 1st, was relief, all sports would be able to begin. In that moment, it felt like normalcy was on its way. Elmira Girls Basketball Coach Jake Dailey is happiest for the students. “Can’t wait for the sights and sounds of a gym full of kids chasing their dreams, in our sport and others.”

RE S T RIC T ION S , RE S T RIC T ION S , RE S T RIC T ION S . . . . .

“I find it a blessing to have whatever game schedule we have as I believe these students/athletes needed it from a physical standpoint and an emotional continued on page 26

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standpoint. And selfishly, I also need a return to sports. Restrictions, we will handle them as stated and be thankful to have a season.”

-Waverly High School Girls Basketball Coach Bob Kelly The World of 2021 will look like no world we have ever seen. The schematics of a return to normalcy come with restrictions. Athletics are no different. Your favorite athletic sport is going to look vastly different. Masks, social distancing on the benches, and the toughest part, at least in the beginning, no spectators. In place is a step-by-step plan that gets kids back playing, but also continues to monitor the virus and keeps the kids and coaches safe. Morrell says “I feel that the plan we have worked out with district administration and county officials, is a very thorough and safe plan, following all NYSDOH, NYSPHSAA and local county guidelines. Watching the workouts, practice, and contests over the past month or so, seeing that all coaches and athletes are taking this seriously and following the guidelines, it’s apparent that we are all being safe for our teams and families.

We have also been administering COVID testing in schools and for athletes, including students and staff, and with an extremely low number of positive cases. The numbers show that the guidelines and the plans for the schools are working.” In this situation, there is quite a bit of responsibility put on the coaches and administration. There must be daily screenings, temperature checks, practicing social distancing when appropriate and always wearing masks. “I am excited, but also nervous a little bit about all the restrictions about doing something wrong, or not following something or missing something.” says Sarno. “Certainly, it will look much different and take a lot more attention to detail which can make the job of coaching that much harder.

While the coaches are anxious to get back to the field/court, athletics will be secondary this season.” said Sarno. “Safety is our #1 priority and if all coaches are following the guidelines, we should be in good shape moving forward.” says Elmira Boys Basketball Coach Ryan Johnson. “My

biggest concern is someone getting sick and taking it home to their families.” Wins and losses will not be at the forefront this season. It’s definitely about the students. “Can’t wait for the sights and sounds of a gym full of kids chasing their dreams, in our sport and others.” Says Elmira Girls Varsity Coach Jake Dailey. “Biggest concern is for the athletes’ safety, their immediate and long-term safety. Second concern is that we are extremely focused on the athletes while competing with the masks on, and what potential effects this will have.” said Dailey.

AC T UA L P OS IT IV E S FR OM COV ID? “Be appreciative to have the opportunities to compete and play a game(s) that we enjoy playing. An appreciation for others that may be going through tough times. An appreciation of having the opportunity of having high school athletics. I would say that’s a positive.” –Bob Kelly, Waverly Girls Basketball Coach

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328 days passed from March 11, 2020, when the State shut down sports indefinitely and February 1, 2021 when sports could resume. It was almost an entire calendar year for kids to not pursue their dreams. A calendar year where coaches couldn’t see their athletes’ eye to eye. A year of no wind sprints, a year of no whistles, a year of no tangible growth. But most coaches feel that despite no face-to-face contact, the lockdown/pandemic may serve as a learning tool. “The kids have learned to deal with adversity and not take anything in life for granted.’’, says Ryan Johnson. “Great family time as well, which is the most important thing in the world, in my opinion.” Ryan continued, “They will be stronger, more resilient, and more compassionate when it’s all said and done.”

Tom Morrell thinks that there are big positives all around, not just with the student-athletes, but with coaches and parents as well, and society in general.

“One of the positives to come out of this pandemic would be the ability to communicate more efficiently. We all had to be creative in the beginning, how we were making contact and communicating with the players and families. That carried over to this school year, with virtual learning, combined with in person learning, as well as virtual practices, parent meetings and information sessions. Our attendance for our informational sessions and parent meetings has been higher this year than many years in the past. I also think coaches had to be more creative with their lesson plans. This allowed coaches to evolve and think differently than how they coached in years past.

Change is sometimes hard, be it for a child or an adult, however, change is constant and, in many cases, makes people more informed and a well-rounded person. This pandemic has taken so many lives and hurt so many families, in so many ways. COVID has kept us home in quarantine or isolation and that has influenced those who are fighting depression or social-emotional issues. There have been many cases of social injustices over the past 10 months. These are all terrible, terrible issues that our country faces right now. However, these issues now have more awareness than ever before. So many people have stepped up to help fight for social injustices, or poverty, or mental illness. Fighting these country wide issues would be a positive, and a step in the right direction.”

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APPARATUS Content Coordinator: Steven Bigness

TO W N & CO U N T R Y F I R E D E PA R T M E N T, I N C TOWN AND COUNTRY FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS NINE RESPONSE VEHICLES: Engine 1631- 1995 E-ONE Pumper with 1000 gallon tank (Reserve Engine) Engine 1632- 2019 Alexis Pumper with 1000 gallon tank

The Department became incorporated on April 14, 1949, with headquarters at 130 Gardner Road, Horseheads, NY 14845. The current Fire Chief is Sean McInerny. The Town & Country Fire Department is a private corporation providing contract fire protection services for parts of the of Horseheads and Town of Veteran. Their diverse coverage area encompasses over 60 square miles of commercial, residential and rural areas. The department has 24 members, with 16 active responders and is run by a Board of Directors.

Engine 1633- 1999 Pierce Pumper equipped with Technical Rescue Equipment Engine 1634- 2007 Pierce Pumper with 950 gallons of water and 25 gallons of foam Tower 1651- 2003 KME 102’ Platform Ladder Tanker 1661-2010 Fouts Brothers 3000 gallon super tanker Brush 1671- 1995 GMC 3500 with 250 gallon skid unit Brush 1672- 2006 Kawasaki Mule Rescue 1681- 2001 Ford Excursion, NYS BLS First Responder Unit

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Town and Country Fire Department runs a yearround Can and Bottle Drive. They have a drop off area located across the road from their station on Gardner Road.

Members count and sort the cans and bottles and use the money to assist with purchasing various life safety equipment for the department.

The Department participates in many various community events throughout the year, including providing standby coverage for the Chemung County Fairgrounds. Members house an engine, medical response vehicle and a crew during the weeklong annual event. In addition, each year they hold an open house at their headquarters during Fire Prevention Week, featuring various demonstrations of their equipment. Applications are available for anyone interested in joining the emergency service.

For More information: townandcountryfd.com facebook.com/Townandcountryfd/

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