Dear Friends,

There’s a saying that goes something like “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results”. I always found this saying a little defeating. I mean, how many times has someone tried to diet, exercise, stop smoking, or spend more time with family and friends, only to find themselves back where they started a few weeks or months later? Does that mean that we stop trying? This saying needs something added on the end. How about this: “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results, so try to go about it another way, and never stop trying”.

I think the definition of insanity is never trying anything at all, and expecting change. I can’t even imagine what our county and region would look like right now, if last March everyone threw up their hands and said “whatever, let it happen”.

This past week was so wonderful, and for many reasons. For the first time in a very long time, life felt almost … normal. I think I can finally see, and understand, what progress really looks like. It wasn’t just one thing, but lots of little things.

My daughter Rachael came home from college for a few days to visit. She said she came home because I kept telling her how much I missed her, so it was for me. Personally, I think it was because she missed her family, and home cooking, but we’ll just let her think it was for my benefit. I think it was a win-win because not only did I get to see (and cook for her) for a few days, but she brought home the infamous Krispy Kreme donuts, and new merch from her college gift shop; my new ‘Moravian College’ sweatshirt is so warm and comfy.

One night while she was here, I went in to say goodnight, and she said how weird it felt to be home at this time. It was exactly one year ago that we went to PA to get her, for what we thought would only be two weeks. We had no idea that she wouldn’t be going back until the following fall. She was not only devastated to have her year cut short so suddenly, but she had only brought enough stuff home for a few weeks, so was missing a good chunk of her wardrobe for a while. It was great to have her home for a few days, and it gave me a chance to guilt her into making the trip home for Easter in a few weeks. See. Win-Win!

Over the past couple of weeks, Gracie has been in a much better place because she has not only been back to school every day, but she started playing field hockey again. This past Saturday we made the trip to Vestal for her first Modified Field Hockey game. The kids were so excited to be together, playing field hockey and doing what they loved. I can’t express how happy it has made us to see what the past couple of weeks has done for Grace’s attitude and to see her spirits lifted. The normalcy of school, practice and then prepping for her big game was exactly what she needed. Not only has her mood improved, her grades are better, and she’s motivated in a way we haven’t seen in a long time.

Even work has been incredibly busy. It wasn’t until I had a conversation with a colleague that I understood what was going on. She asked me how work has been and I said “Busy. I can’t understand why things are so busy, but I feel like since January, it’s been non-stop”. She said to me “Kerri, you are a victim of your own success.” I thought about that and realized she was right.

In the past year and a half, Commerce Chenango has gone through a tremendous transformation. We rebranded, added staff, and marketed ourselves as the place to go to for education, counseling, advocacy, business resources, and economic development projects. Not only that, but we have been on the frontlines of COVID. From the beginning of the pandemic, through closing, then reopening, vaccinations, and now recovery, we have been there. Now all of that hard work is coming together.

Since the beginning of the year, it’s amazing to see how many people have reached out about wanting to start or expand their business. Developers are looking to bring businesses and projects to Chenango County, and we are working on new initiatives to make the county a destination location. Of course, we are busy! It’s no wonder why I am already looking at our staffing model, looking for ways to continue to expand on our success. If we are going to keep doing what we said we would do, we need the resources to back that up. It’s a great problem to have and I think it really shows that Chenango County is at the forefront of recovery.

All of this spells progress. Things are better, we are moving forward and people are feeling it. On a personal note, I was able to get my first vaccination this past week at the new mass vaccination site at SUNY Oneonta. Here’s my plug about getting a vaccine. If you have the opportunity to get one, please get it. And don’t be picky about which one. If you have questions about it, reach out to the department of health or your healthcare provider for the facts. Ok, back to my point this week.

I can’t believe that only one year ago the world around me was blowing up and now, just one year later, we are in recovery mode, planning for the future, and getting vaccinations. It’s really remarkable when you think about how far we have come. One year isn’t that long, and we did it – together.

You don’t know what you are capable of if you don’t try. And if it doesn’t work, try and then try again – just change how you go about it. Share your successes, no matter how small. They inspire others, lift them up and make them feel like anything is possible. I hope you have found some hope and comfort from my stories.

The definition of progress is “forward or onward movement toward a destination”.

Let’s keep #movingchenangoforward together!

~ Kerri