1) FORDO: FORDO staff and board members, RC Smith Foundation members, and local elected officials at the Turning Point Chenango County ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony on Monday, May 23. The center is located at 24 East Main Street in Norwich, and will provide area residents struggling with substance, alcohol, and marijuana use. (Photo by Sarah Genter) 2)Buckleys Float:: Buckley's Excavating won the Best Float category at this year's Parade of Lights with their theme "The Grinch that Stole Christmas." (Submitted photo)

CHENANGO COUNTY — It's been an exciting year filled to the brim with new developments and opportunities for the Chenango County area. Residents have seen the return of traditions, new local events, and the establishment of new organizations and small businesses.

From the litany of holiday events, to old favorites such as the Chenango Blues Fest and annual Parade of Lights, and new opportunities like the $10 million DRI grant and several new area businesses, Chenango County has fit a lot of exciting things into the year.

One of the biggest accomplishments this year was the development of the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) Strategic Investment Plan for the $10 million grant awarded to the City of Norwich.

After months of planning and discussions by the DRI Local Planning Committee (LPC) and the community, a final slate of projects was determined and submitted to New York State. Just this month, the state returned with their stamp of approval.

The plan includes nine total projects totaling $9.7 million. Projects included in the Strategic Investment Plan are creating the downtown Norwich boutique hotel, rehabilitating the Unguentine Building, rehabilitating the Heritage Building, rehabilitating 15 to 19 Lackawanna Avenue, establishing a small project grant fund, enhancing American Avenue, improving the East, West, and library parks, upgrading the Chenango Arts Council's Martin Kappel Theater, and upgrading the Colonia Theater.

Several area residents also made the choice to invest in themselves. Many new businesses have opened their doors this year, including downtown Norwich stores Ashby Ann, Me Time, and Jasmine Moon Wellness, as well as Bainbridge eatery the Bainbridge Market and Delicatessen.

The nonprofit Friends of Recovery of Delaware and Otsego Counties (FORDO) also made a move into the City of Norwich. On May 23, the Turning Point center at 24 East Main Street opened its doors to the local community.

The organization aims to help individuals recover from substance, alcohol, and marijuana use through support, understanding, and connection to resources. FORDO Program Coordinator Deborah Roberts said those wishing to utilize their services are welcome to stop by, or call the center ahead of time at 607-373-3825.

"They can call if they want to set up something ahead of time. Sometimes it’s just the process of stepping foot in a building is really intimidating, so if they want to call first and find out more about how the process works then they can do that. If they want to stop in they can do that as well," she said. "It’s really just a large room with a few offices, so it’s not scary or anything like that. We’re going to have a TV and everything, and we’ll have coffee, we usually have snacks. So it's really just a place where people can come and get what they need and not feel intimidated or pressured or anything like that."

2022 has marked a milestone year for some local organizations as well. One of the most notable is the Norwich Family YMCA, which is celebrating their 160th anniversary of serving the Chenango County community through fitness opportunities, youth sports, child care, and more.

But, Executive Director Jamey Mullen said his favorite program offered at the Y is their Open Doors scholarship, which provides membership fees for individuals and families that need it.

"Our best program that we have in this building is not a swim lesson program, or a child care program, or a youth sport, or an amazing fitness class. Those are all amazing, great programs, but our scholarship program that breaks down any financial barrier or stigma — that 'I can’t afford to come to the Y' — that breaks that barrier down and allows folks the opportunity to do any of those other programs," he said.

"I’m very proud of that program, very proud of our donors that support the Y, very proud of our volunteers, because the organization, yes, we have staff, but it’s very volunteer driven, volunteer focused," Mullen continued. "It allows people to give back and take ownership in the building and the work of the Y. I think that’s how and why the Y has survived 160 years in Norwich."

Also celebrating notable anniversaries this year are the Norwich Garden Club with their 90th year in service to the Norwich community, the Pink Door Thrift Store celebrating their 50th year, the Earlville Opera House ringing in 50 years as a multi-arts center, and Raymond Corporation's 100th year in business.

The past year has also seen the return of many beloved community events that have been a Chenango County tradition for years. Over the summer, the Chenango Blues Fest rocked the fairgrounds once again with their 29th annual festival.

The event featured a strong lineup of 12 bands, including headliner Jimmie Vaughan, several food and merchandise vendors, and a raffle of a custom guitar crafted by former Norwich resident Mike Aronson.

Additionally, leading up to the 29th annual Blues Fest was eight weeks of free concerts in Norwich's East Park, sponsored by NBT Bank.

"It’s the highlight of the summer for us and hopefully for a lot of people as well," said Blues Fest Organizer Eric Larsen. "We’re thankful to NBT for being our summer concert series sponsor once again and thankful for the great support we get from some local foundations that help put on national act shows for free. I always say it’s hard to beat; there’s not other communities really that have this available, and that’s thanks to all the great support we get."

But the fun didn't stop at summer's end. The holiday season brought the return of both the "Norwitch" Fall Festival, which had its second annual event on October 29, and the Parade of Lights on November 26.

The Business Improvement District's (BID) Norwitch Fall Festival proved to be a huge hit with area residents after its debut last October, and this year it returned better than ever. A true community collaboration, the event featured over 70 vendors, a bounce house donated by Live Event NY, breakfast sandwiches and hot dogs from the Norwich Rotary, music by Grady Thompson, a raffle basket giveaway, and a pumpkin carving and painting contest.

"I think the festival has grown substantially. I think now a lot of people are calling because they want to be a part of it, because they’re seeing how much it’s growing," said BID Board Member Mindy Chawgo. "It’s turned into a big family event and a family of vendors and I think that’s all that we could ever ask for. So we’re happy with how it’s turned out. We’re very lucky to know all these talented people."

As temperatures dipped and the holiday season approached, the BID pulled out all the stops for the annual Parade of Lights. Dozens of local businesses, organizations, nonprofits, clubs, and families decked out their vehicles in stunning lights and decorations, then paraded down Broad Street for thousands of spectators to enjoy.

The parade has been a staple of the local community for decades, and last year the task of organizing was passed to the Norwich BID. In a partnership with Chobani, the organization has been able to not only continue the holiday tradition, but make it even better.

"It’s very exciting to see the enthusiasm of everybody. Everybody that has contacted me has been so excited to participate," said Chawgo in anticipation of the event. "They’re all going with these great, extravagant themes this year, which is going to make it so much more fun for everybody this year to come and see."

In addition to keeping traditions alive, the Norwich BID also started a new event this year. Santa Claus wrapped up the Parade of Lights, being transported down Broad Street to his igloo in front of East Park by a horse drawn carriage from the Waite family. His arrival at the igloo kicked off the season of photos with Santa for local families.

However, this year the BID introduced the first ever Pet Photos with Santa events, in which local pet owners could bring their furry, scaly, or feathered friends to the igloo for a photo with Santa. Pets also received delicious holiday treats provided by Kacie and Company. A huge hit, Chawgo said she hopes to bring the event back next year.

It's been an exciting year full of major developments for Chenango County. The local community has shown not only its resiliency, but its care and support for each other. Time and time again, residents of the towns and villages large and small come together to explore new ideas, keep old traditions alive, and support the establishment and expansion of small businesses.

It may have been a busy year, but the Chenango County area is not slowing down. With more exciting opportunities on the horizon, 2023 promises to be just as extraordinary.