Last week the New York Times published a feature on Norwich and Chenango County entitled "Hunting, Snowmobiling and Rural Charms." It epitomized, at least in this writer's opinion, the downstate urban perception of life in the rural upstate regions. In fact, the lead photo was of the back view a big trailer loaded with baled hay, traveling north on Broad Street in front of the Colonia Theater. Nice touch, but how often does that occur?
While, by and large, the author of the article tries to be fair and complimentary, pointing out the scenic beauty and friendly, laid-back lifestyle of the area, her attention was equally focused on the "bargains" that were available in our real estate markets here. She especially highlighted the availability and cost of the more scenic residences that would be attractive as seasonal or retirement homes, accurately pointing out that real estate in those areas and counties closer to New York City, Long Island and New Jersey has become priced too high in many downstaters' opinion.
What made the article somewhat misleading was when the author kicked it off with a verbal image of what our area diners, restaurants and sport shops are like when deer season arrives. "They're all in there with their new boots, L. L. Bean flannels and a three-day growth. You can practically smell the testosterone in the air." If I didn't live here, I'd think the description far more appropriate to someplace like Jackson Hole, Wyoming during elk and deer season, where the hunters outnumber non-hunters. I wonder what she'd have thought had she viewed our area in the 1960s and early '70s, when we had many times more deer hunters than we do today.
Of course our area's sagging economy and scarcity of good-paying jobs is the price we long-term residents have had to pay to live here and enjoy the non-monetary benefits that many urbanites are now seeking. Many of those who would be interested in relocating here, either permanently or seasonally, are financially much better off than the vast majority of current residents. With higher incomes and also the potential for selling their downstate residences for a much higher price than equivalent residences sell for here, the potential to buy larger lots and build upscale residences here is much greater.
One section of the feature that pointed out our area's downside caught my attention since it seemed somewhat paradoxical to what potential newcomers found so attractive in our area. "Norwich lacks upscale shopping, and the nearest mall is in Binghamton, almost an hour away. For downhill skiing, you have to drive at least 45 minutes to a ski resort. And some second-home buyers consider the four-hour drive from New York City to be too far." And in another section, "... downtown has neither the fine dining nor the chic boutiques that characterize many small resort towns." Well, just because we're rural doesn't mean we're a resort town, at least yet.
I was also not overly surprised that some newcomers were shocked that people in our area were so outgoing and friendly. If you've ever spent much time in New York City or other huge urban centers, not being too friendly or too outgoing is almost a survival necessity.
I guess what this all boils down to is, will the majority of new residents from downstate areas be truly comfortable living in our area year-round? If they buy or build downwind of an operating dairy farm, will they be shocked when the prevailing wind carries the aroma of freshly spread cow manure to their nostrils? If they hear shots being fired during hunting seasons, will they call the police? When skunks, raccoons, coyotes, deer and maybe bears occasionally pay them a nighttime visit, will they still enjoy living so close to nature? Will they be content shopping and eating at local establishments? What will they think of a blizzard that dumps more than two feet of snow on their driveways and roadways?
While these might seem like silly questions, making the major mental adjustments required when relocating from densely populated areas to truly rural areas is just as important as having the finances and ability to do so. For those who would relocate here, I'd have some simple advice: keep an open mind and leave your urban-acquired attitude behind. Then you can come to truly appreciate why so many of us have chosen to live here for all or most of our lives.

Deer Season Off To A Good Start
Despite all the rain of recent weeks, many hunters have managed to find where the deer are hanging out, and as a result, the initial harvest seems to be relatively normal, considering the weather and soggy terrain conditions we've had so far. Saturday, the opener, saw more hunters afield all day than were out last year, probably due to the fact more deer management permits were issued this year.
Due to the recent weather conditions, deer often weren't where the hunters expected them to be, but rather in locations that offered some drier ground and shelter from the rains, wet snow and winds. I've spoken to hunters who said that in areas where they'd normally see a dozen or more deer during an opening day's hunt, they'd only seen a few or none at all this season.
However, it's a long season and the hunters who stick with it will have the best chances of filling their tags. But as my late Dad was fond of saying: "Deer hunting is usually 50 percent preparation, 50 percent skill, and one hundred percent luck."