I’ve come to the realization that I’m not willing to go completely cold-turkey on my explorations or travel writing. So, I’m going to try something new for the next couple of months. Let me know what you think!

Travel Tidbit #1

Looking for an excellent, economical way to learn more about the cities, towns, and villages in your geographical area? Birthday festivities offer the perfect means of doing this! March was Geneva, New York’s 125^th celebration and what a fantastic job the organizing committee did. Three of us attended the last day of the week-long celebration, held at the historic Smith Center for the Arts (aka Smith Opera House) serving the FLX since 1894.

A brass rendition of John Philp Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever, which coincidentally was played at the Smith on the very same day in 1898 (this gave us chills!) on the stage we were gazing raptly at in 2023, kicked off the event. This was followed by brief speeches from local dignitaries and an ovation-inspiring performance of The Battle Hymn of the Republic by Geneva’s popular MLK Choir.

A Geneva Trivia game, tango demonstration, and documentary Geneva, Then and Now, also gave the audience a real feel for the diversity and resilience of this special city. Of course, no celebration would be complete without refreshments from local restaurants, wineries, and breweries and fireworks (photo credit: Tammy Tuttobene) show worthy of 125 years of memories!