I, too, grew up in the same small town. And until my Mom passed away this summer (at 99 with 9 kids) I always referred to it as going home. And my kids knew that meant Corning. My husband grew up there too. They love Aniello's. I really enjoyed your article. We really did live an almost magical existence. Toad was the best! And I recognized few other names too. Thanks for sharing. Ann Reilly Connor
I grew up in that same one place. And you were my first boss. The summer I was 15 I wanted a “real job” but I was too young for a work permit. I was a volunteer tour guide at the Benjamin Patterson Inn and a walking tour guide on Market St. You had an office in the Baron Steuben Place. And my husband worked with Molly at Amo’s office. Because that is life in a small town.
Peter, a great write up about growing up in the Corning Painted Post area. I’m going to share it with my children so perhaps they’ll understand why I still have such a strong attachment to it 45 years after moving away.
Glad you like it! I spent several weeks thinking about and writing it, and something that occurred to me that might be of interest to you is that everything I wrote about was just ... normal. Nobody thought of it as different or special -- it's just how life worked. It wasn't until I got out into the wider world, and did some living, that I realized it was unique, and the more the world changes, the more unique it was. These days, it seems like I grew up on some remote island.
I grew up in Corning,) a bit older than you are) and had a very similar experience. I was the oldest of 8 children and it was truly an adventure growing up in rural, western New York!
I enjoyed your reminiscing and knew most of the families mentioned!!
Peter - A wonderful article. I think the word you did not use that I would have would be rootedness. Rootedness is the feeling that you are part of something bigger. It subconsciously creates a sense of history of your past and a sense of responsibility for community and the greater good that seems to continue even after you have left your roots/home. You have roots. they help stabilize you when the winds of life try to blow you down. People today think that rootedness can come from social media. I don't think so. It can be maintained from it but it is not the source of it.
That's an interesting point, and I'm really glad you liked the piece. I think you've hit on something, but also just scratched the surface. People are social creatures, and I believe that a genuine sense of place that begins in childhood has an immense impact long before you can even conceptualize the idea of responsibility. I like the metaphor of remaining stable -- I think that's a good way to encapsulate this effect, which, as you pointed out, lasts a lifetime.
I, too, grew up in the same small town. And until my Mom passed away this summer (at 99 with 9 kids) I always referred to it as going home. And my kids knew that meant Corning. My husband grew up there too. They love Aniello's. I really enjoyed your article. We really did live an almost magical existence. Toad was the best! And I recognized few other names too. Thanks for sharing. Ann Reilly Connor
I grew up in that same one place. And you were my first boss. The summer I was 15 I wanted a “real job” but I was too young for a work permit. I was a volunteer tour guide at the Benjamin Patterson Inn and a walking tour guide on Market St. You had an office in the Baron Steuben Place. And my husband worked with Molly at Amo’s office. Because that is life in a small town.
Remember your mom and dad very well. Still live in PP but our today's are not like our yesterday's. Thank you for sharing. Well written.
Peter, a great write up about growing up in the Corning Painted Post area. I’m going to share it with my children so perhaps they’ll understand why I still have such a strong attachment to it 45 years after moving away.
Glad you like it! I spent several weeks thinking about and writing it, and something that occurred to me that might be of interest to you is that everything I wrote about was just ... normal. Nobody thought of it as different or special -- it's just how life worked. It wasn't until I got out into the wider world, and did some living, that I realized it was unique, and the more the world changes, the more unique it was. These days, it seems like I grew up on some remote island.
Great article grew up in painted post also. WHS Class of 82 GO Vikings
Jeff Hemly
I grew up in Corning,) a bit older than you are) and had a very similar experience. I was the oldest of 8 children and it was truly an adventure growing up in rural, western New York!
I enjoyed your reminiscing and knew most of the families mentioned!!
I feel like I just scratched the surface, too. Maybe there's a book in this.
Peter - A wonderful article. I think the word you did not use that I would have would be rootedness. Rootedness is the feeling that you are part of something bigger. It subconsciously creates a sense of history of your past and a sense of responsibility for community and the greater good that seems to continue even after you have left your roots/home. You have roots. they help stabilize you when the winds of life try to blow you down. People today think that rootedness can come from social media. I don't think so. It can be maintained from it but it is not the source of it.
That's an interesting point, and I'm really glad you liked the piece. I think you've hit on something, but also just scratched the surface. People are social creatures, and I believe that a genuine sense of place that begins in childhood has an immense impact long before you can even conceptualize the idea of responsibility. I like the metaphor of remaining stable -- I think that's a good way to encapsulate this effect, which, as you pointed out, lasts a lifetime.