Howard's explanation of how he and Billie ended up settling in Batavia reminded me of the first time I moved away for a job and came back for a visit.
I was living on the Main Line near Philadelphia. The daily commute was by train, then a corporate sponsored shuttle to the office. The office was located in a huge complex constructed on farmland serviced by a two lane county road. If you are familiar with the area, King of Prussia Mall was about 3 miles from my home, but it took almost 1/2 hour to get to it because of the traffic.
Coming home, my first instinct was to run down Main St. and wave to the buildings that were left, "Hello Building and Loan", seemed to ring in my head. I learned, that day, that Batavia was my Bedford Falls. I hope that Howard and Billie eventually will feel the same way.
You seem to look past the problems facing the city; you look past the mall; you look past the ever growing commercial district west of the city (that makes entering the city look like entering any other city in the country). What you seem to focus on are the tree lined streets; the cozy little restaurants; and the friendly people. Coming home gives one a warm feeling. I hope that never changes.
There is much good to say about our area. Yes, it has problems, but the naysayers never seem to see the positive. Without the positive there is no hope of improvement. The saying, "if you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem" is so true. If you see something that needs to be fixed, talk about it but offer a suggestion or two on how it can be made better.
The City of Batavia and the county of Genesee offer so much. Marketing our area to attract businesses seems to fall short of the mark. Hopefully, this is turning around. I for one would applaud the effort.
I'm slightly jealous at the
I'm slightly jealous at the fairytale like stories people like you and Howard have behind moving here.
Wanna know why I moved here? Wanna? Yeah?
I moved here for college. End story.
Chris, that's cool too. Many
Chris, that's cool too. Many people leave and come back later. I think ya gotta expected some fairy tale stories of people who like Batavia. I myself dont have one.....I sure can complain all day but its the people that live and believe in Batavia that keep me here. I know of worse places to live. That sound okay to say ? Slowly things change and get better.
I didn't move here, I was
I didn't move here, I was born here. I moved away because I was transferred by Kodak to the Philadelphia area. Moved back to my Bedford Falls, then moved away again when I took a job with a dot.com in California.
No matter where I went, home was always Batavia.
These aren't fairy tales, Chris, they are emotions.
For you, this is just a stop on your journey towards a career. Most likely you will end up somewhere that will tug at your heart too. I hope so, it is a good feeling.
I hope someday that I live
I hope someday that I live somewhere that I find stimulating and enjoyable. I have lived in Genesee county all of my life. I can't wait to experience more of the world. When I move to Buffalo to go to UB that will undoubtedly bring about new opportunities.
David, when you move to
David, when you move to Buffalo absorb all that it has to offer. Search for the unexpected and you will be rewarded with experiences beyond your imagination.
Look beyond what college students normally find amusing and bathe in the history of the city. Tour the Frank Lloyd Wright homes; soak in the museums, take an interest in the cuisine both from the diners and dives to the better establishments. Listen and learn why Buffalo is such a big sports city. Go to the waterfront and watch a sunset. These are the experiences that make lasting memories.
These are the things that also make you think about making a certain location your 'home'. Whether it be Buffalo or wherever the wind takes you, always walk the path less traveled. Explore and drink in the adventure.
Bea, I admire your style. :o)
Bea,
I admire your style. :o) Such words of wisdom. We can all learn from you. Thank you!
Bea, Love your analogy and
Bea,
Love your analogy and completely agree. Plus it is one of those movies that I can recite all the dialog.
When my husband was serving in the Marine Corp we lived out of the area. Although I felt very connected with all of our military friends and we had the camaraderie that is very unique to that situation, I missed my home town.
When we landed back in LeRoy to raise my kids, I had my George Bailey moment. Hello Pizzaland, hello Jersey Side Deli, hello little league field, hello you old Woodward Memorial Library! It's home, it's a community, it's where my childhood memories were made.
It's a wonderful life! Especially when you connect to a community.
Mardell, just an old lady
Mardell, just an old lady musing.
Lori, I can recite the dialogue as well. Unlike some of my kids who can recite the entire script of Monty Python and the Holy Grail by heart.
I understand the sentiment of
I understand the sentiment of Chris above. You want to know why I left Batavia? Really? Yeah sure, I left Batavia because I met a girl who came to Batavia to go to college and I fell in love. I hitchhiked back and forth to Buffalo for two years after she finished GCC and left for the University of Buffalo, while I went to GCC myself, then I moved to Buffalo to join her. A year later we packed up in a VW Campmobile and wound up in a two bit Texas town (Freeport) until finally moving to Valhalla aka Austin, Texas. Do I have any regrets? No, not a single one but I would still be there in Batavia if I hadn't met her, of that I am certain.
Well, Mom has thrown the
Well, Mom has thrown the gauntlet down for the last time. You want Bedford Falls talk? You must mean two other trees. What are they, ducks? So, how did you happen to fall in? Get me! I'm givin' out wings! Why, I only wear this when I don't care how I look. You once called me a warped, frustrated old man. Well, I guess they do those things. Nope, nope, nope, nope - I mean a BIG case! Are you aware that there is a swimming pool under this floor? I said, "Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?" "...And dance by the light of the moon"
I moved from Batavia to join the Air Force 28 years ago this summer. Not a day has passed that I haven't thought of my home town at least a little. I do miss it, but - like George Bailey - I needed to see the world. Unlike old "Moss Back" George, a military career just about fulfilled that need! There are a few places I haven't been, but I'l get there. Batavia will always be the best place I could have come from. It was a terrific town to grow up in, and a great place to revisit. I heart Batavia.
"I'm shakin' the dust of this crummy little town off my feet and I'm gonna see the world." George, you didn't know how good you had it.
Oh yeah, Debbie and I saw "Spamalot" at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts last month. So, "How do you know so much about swallows?" "Well, you have to know these things when you're a king, you know."
lol, and not one reference to
lol, and not one reference to Monty Python.
There are some who have never seen "It's a Wonderful Life" and have no clue why quotes from the movie roll off the tongue with ease.
If you all haven't figured out, this is my oldest son - who is the REAL writer in the family. He and his lovely lady, Debbie, live in Anchorage with his son, Doug and her daughter Taylor, both of whom are in college.
J.D., where were you when we were walking down memory lane and the businesses in Batavia? And, what would you think about "Batavialand", combining the city and the town into one big entity?
His shy sister (my favorite daughter) also reads thebatavian.com every day, and I know she loves this movie too. Still waiting for her to come out of her shell and post ;)