Guest Viewpoint

[Cat's Eye]

Saw this really nice viewpoint in the paper today. Thought I'd share it. This couple did a nice job recognizing the Tier's attributes. Kudos to them for seeing the glass half full! They've reminded a lot of us of the good things we should appreciate.

Enjoy!

 

GUEST VIEWPOINT

Tier Offers Plenty To Do and See

By Carol and Philip Cali

 

Let us praise the wonders of the Triple Cities, an ideal location to live, work, and play. We were reflecting on our previous viewpoint (Jan. 7) regarding the pros and cons of nostalgia and began to identify all the reasons why one would want to live in the Binghamton area. As we proceeded, we happily realized that the list would be quite long and would affirm what we firmly believe, namely, that the Triple Cities had a glorious past, has a satisfying present, and promises to have a shining future.

 

Let's highlight some of the cultural offerings of our region: the Binghamton Philharmonic (classical and pops), the Tri-Cities Opera, the Broadway League, the Binghamton Community Orchestra, the Madrigal Singers, Binghamton University Arts Offerings, the Cider Mill Playhouse, the Ti-Ahwaga Theater, the Know Theatre, EPAC, the Roberson Museum, the Kopernik Observatory, the area schools' theatre and music productions, the new Art Theatre, the exciting art galleries and First Friday events, First Night and so many more. Music venues proliferate throughout the area from folk to jazz to rock. Name entertainment and local musicians are featured regularly at the Forum, the Arena, Music City and other cafes and clubs. We may not be New York City, but we defy anyone to say that there is nothing to do in the Triple Cities.

 

Are you in the mood for shopping? Is there anything you can't buy here that necessitates traveling hours to find? True, the outlet mall fizzled, but the many sale offerings make most merchandise reasonably priced and readily available. Since we moved here in 1991, the number of restaurants must have doubled. In addition to the numerous chain restaurants, there are many family-owned establishments, all offering a vast array of foods including Indian, Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, German and Mexican cuisine.

 

If your interests lie with sports, whether professional and/or amateur, you have ice hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, et al. to keep you excited and interested. Parks, trails, lakes and mountains offer all manner of outdoor activities and are an easy drive away. If you want to experience the high life of bigger cities, then New York, Syracuse, Boston, and Philadelphia, among others, can be reached in a matter of hours by private or public transportation. While we cannot heap hosannahs on air transportation from Binghamton, we are nevertheless fortunate to have an airport to connect us with the outside world.

 

If you are a senior citizen, your options for volunteering with charities and hospitals and/or for participating in social events are unlimited. Lyceum is one example of an outstanding learning institute for people of retirement age. And speaking of hospitals, how lucky we are to have three exemplary hospitals in our own backyard. We've experienced all three and attest to their commitment to the best care possible for everyone. Housing costs here are dramatically lower than in other parts of the state and country and, while employment opportunities are not necessarily abundant, they are obtainable depending on your educational background and experience. Last but certainly not least, we have outstanding public and private schools, and three institutions of higher learning, Broome Community College, Binghamton University and Davis College, all of which are regarded very highly regionally and nationally.

 

We're sure we've omitted many more positive aspects of our community that you, the readers, can add (low crime rate, dedicated public services such as police and fire departments, summer festivals, well-stocked libraries, etc.) but whenever people ask you why you live in the Southern Tier, here's a list that's guaranteed to impress and make them envious. Enjoy what the Triple Cities has to offer, and we hope to meet you on the Washington Street Bridge as we admire the confluence of the Susquehanna and the Chenango rivers. Kinda reminds us of the Rhine River valley!

 

[Sleepless in Hillcrest]

Great post! Moved to St. Pete., Florida for 7 months in 1980. Hated it, couldn't wait to come home. I've been HOME ever since. I was born here and I'll die here.