In What Do We Have Pride?

In What Do We Have Pride?

Over the past several weeks several folks have publicly stated (TV and Newspaper) that a particular facility is the only thing we have to be proud of in Orleans County (http://rochester.ynn.com/content/556259/community-outraged-over-potential-nursing-home-sale/). It is understandable that the sale of a facility which has a long history in Orleans County (http://www.poorhousestory.com/ORLEANS.htm) would raise people's emotions and lead to emotional statements.

And yes ... Orleans County is a rural county in Western New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orleans_County,_New_York), its main business is agriculture, and it is not a major center of culture or commerce.

And yet, strangely, or perhaps not, there stirs within me a profound sense of pride in Orleans County, a place where I choose to live and work.

Traditional values still run deep in its residents, yet with a very strong vision towards the future, and progressive thinking (http://orleansny.com).

The Oak Orchard River is a world class fishery - there are very few counties in the country which can make that claim (http://www.flyfishingconnection.com/nyoakorchard.html).

How about the Erie Canal? In the past a thoroughfare for commerce, today a major recreational waterway. It runs right through the heart of Orleans County (http://www.orleanscountytourism.com/waterways/waterways.php?f_page_size=25&f_sort_field=&f_sort_type=&f__ff_Businesses_businessName_operator=like&f__ff_Businesses_businessName=&f__ff_Businesses_description_operator=like&f__ff_Businesses_description=&f__ff_Businesses_city_operator=like&f__ff_Businesses_city=&f__ff_Businesses_type_operator=like&f__ff_Businesses_type=Erie%20Canal&f__ff_selSearchType=0&f__ff_onSUBMIT_FILTER=Search).

4 H still has a very strong presence among the children and adults (http://www.orleans4-hfair.com/) and you haven't laughed until you've experienced the greased pole climb at the Fair.

And finally ... Orleans County major strength, and where its residents should place their most pride, is in the people who live in Orleans County, those who chose to live and work in their home county (http://journal-register.com/).