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As I look back
on my upbringing in Lyons, I am reminded of simpler times where community
pride took center stage above all other issues. When something good or bad
happened to someone in our community, everyone knew about it within a few
days and was always there to show support. I laugh now when I hear people
complain about small town gossip. Whether you like it or not, you have to
appreciate the efforts of your fellow neighbors and their willingness to
help in a time of happiness or sorrow.
Times have
changed for me now. I have graduated high school and college and have moved
out of state to Virginia. I have followed my dreams of moving to warmer
weather and experiencing some good ol’ Southern Hospitality. I love
Virginia for its charm. There are 400 years of history to explore here and
I never find a moment where I say “I’m bored.” Virginia is unique, whether
you are interested in the coast along Virginia Beach, the mountains out
west, or the plains in between; there is something for everyone.
Virginia also
boasts a pretty impressive Tourism Industry. According to the Virginia
Tourism Corporation website;
www.vatc.org , Tourism is a major industry in Virginia helping to
contribute over $13.1 Billion each year in revenue for the Commonwealth with
travelers’ expenditures totaling over $11.6 Billion. Virginia also
celebrated an unprecedented 35 years of success in 2004 with its “Virginia
is for Lover’s” slogan. Many states including New York have had similar
success with their imitated “I (heart) New York” slogan to attract visitors
to the state.
New York also
has some extraordinary resources to offer to visitors. We house the natural
wonder of the Adirondack Mountains, the melting pot of the world called New
York City, the Erie Canal that changed the way cargo was transported to the
West, and thousands of strolling acres of agriculture.
Lyons plays a
major role in the history of New York. The Erie Canal, Hotchkiss Peppermint
Factory, Ohmann Theatre, agriculture and the annual Farmer’s Market are just
a sample of all that Lyons has to offer. Not to mention the gateway to Lake
Ontario. Many people who participate in and attend attractions and events
in Lyons don’t realize that they are contributing to Tourism. All of us
want a better quality of life for our community and tourism dollars can help
to beautify what we take pride in and call home. Tourism revenue is money
that helps build schools, businesses, and infrastructure, such as power
lines and street maintenance, and lower taxes in a community.
One way to
establish Lyons as a destination is to open the long awaited Visitor
Center. Information about Lyons and all of New York State can be displayed
in brochures to help visitors plan their trips. People traveling through
Lyons on to other destinations have the opportunity to visit the many shops
and restaurants in downtown, enjoy the annual Peppermint Days Festival,
experience our local homegrown fruits and vegetables from the Farmer’s
Market, explore the historic Erie Canal, or stay in a bed and breakfast.
The potential
for awareness of our wonderful community is screaming to be brought to the
surface so everyone can take advantage of the treasures that citizens enjoy
everyday living in Lyons. Tourism can help preserve those treasures for
years to come.
I do love
living in Virginia, but I know that I’ll be back to Lyons someday because
that old saying is certainly true, “there’s no place like home.” Lyons is
always going to be home to me and I look forward to the simpler times with
friends and family.
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