SchuyLines

The author (pictured), a lifelong Alpine resident and a graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, was a Writing major in the Ithaca College Class of 2012.  She is a regular contributor to SchuyLines.

By Melissa Shutter

Recently I was granted a wonderful opportunity following a phone interview with the Internet/Catalog Copy Manager at Cabela’s corporate world headquarters in Sidney, NE… an all expenses paid trip for an on-site interview for the Copywriter II position within their Production department.  Airfare, rental car, meals, hotel, fuel – the works – were paid in full prior to my trip, or reimbursed to me by Cabela’s corporate office following the day of interviews.  Even given the depth of my vocabulary after having attended six years of college, earned three degrees, and finally graduated magna cum laude from Ithaca College last May, I struggle to find words worthy of describing this trip, what it meant to me, and what potential it had for my future as an individual, as a professional, and – most importantly – as an adult.  Below is the best I could do…

6:30am
Tuesday, March 19, 2013

My forehead is pressed against the cold surface of an airplane window.  The cabin is quiet, all pinging warnings and reminders from the cockpit have ceased.  Newspapers rustle.  The large man sitting on the opposite side of the aisle begins to slump and snore.  His breathing is heavy, unsettling.

My insides are a mess of anxiety and nerves, my mind unable to sit still inside of its shell.  Events from the previous 48 hours replay over and over again in my head, a reel of fast-paced, extraordinary happenings that could quite possibly lead me to “the good life” I’ve so desired for as long as I can remember.  My ticket for a one-way, one-stop, now or never express trip to the real world of eight to fives, TGIF’s and dress codes that consisted of more than yoga pants and booger-smeared t-shirts, suddenly within reach, shockingly real.  Adulthood and fulfillment were potentially — finally — calling my name… from a place far, far away.

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The author (pictured), an Alpine resident and a graduate of Odessa-Montour High School, was a Writing major in the Ithaca College Class of 2012.  She is a regular contributor to SchuyLines.

–By Melissa Shutter–

Recently, I traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey with one of my gymnasts for a competition.  While everything about the trip intimidated me – the caliber of the gyms I expected to see, the tightly packed, heavily trafficked highways and city streets, the sheer numbers of people – I came away from the trip with a few lessons learned, a heightened appreciation for the life I’ve grown up living, and a renewed love for the place I call home.

Coming across the water, the sky already dark, the city already glowing with lights – reds, whites, pinks, blues – I could find only one word to describe what is known as the Las Vegas of the east coast: beautiful. Flashing billboards told of visiting celebrities, comedians, and artists to places like Trump Tower, Borgata, and Cesar’s – many famous names and faces I supposed I should know, but didn’t.

Lisa Lampanelli.
C-Lo Green.
Peter Lemongello.
Steve Wyrick.

I’m sorry, who?

Dwight Yoakam (the single name that my guitar, Cadillac, hillbilly-music-loving self recognized in the slightest) seemed misplaced, an oddity with a twang amongst the faces of pop artists in gaudy sunglasses, and the glamour shots of blonde stars in too much CoverGirl.  Mr. Yoakam looked almost as out of place, perhaps, as I felt looking out at all of the names, all of those glowing lights.  Dwight’s face shone from the sign above me on that highway; illuminated on a pixelated screen that simpletons such as myself would be more than tempted to call a very large television.  His gaze was steady, calm, his face a bit more round than I remembered it being.  His posture was confident, relaxed from his perch on a simple wood-backed chair.  His arms wore plaid and hugged the neck of a guitar tight to his chest.  A simple man whose voice I still heard singing in a trademarked honky-tonk drawl about being a thousand miles from nowhere, and maybe one day being as fast as you.  Wide-brimmed hats, boots, and plain blue jeans didn’t seem the kind of attire that would cut it here.

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–By Charlie Haeffner–

They turned out in force, the friends of Max, to bid her farewell on her final evening in Watkins Glen. It was January 11, 2013.

There were roughly 200 people there, each hugging Max as she greeted them at the entrance to the Harbor Hotel ballroom lobby — site of the party, a gathering staged by friends, a trio of friends  in particular: Ken Wilson, with whom Max worked on many local projects that led the pair into the Schuyler County Hall of Fame; J.C. Argetsinger, retired County Judge and Max’s boss for the past three years at the International Motor Racing Research Center, where Max was director of administration; and Betty Vinti, who described herself as Max’s best friend.

The full name of the subject of this homage is Maxine C. Neal, a woman in her 70s who came here in her 50s and  — despite the long-perceived notion that outsiders can not effectively gain a leadership position in an isolated community such as this one — managed to gain exactly that. Now she was about to leave Watkins Glen, to move back to Vermont, to Stowe, where she could be near family.

Max — who is a combination of directness and warmth, of intimidation and appeal — earned a position in the societal fabric of Watkins Glen, and among its foremost leaders, that is probably unparalleled … for nobody can match her story or her impact. She is unique, and has long been devoted to a steadfast goal: the advancement and development of Watkins Glen.

She did this through involvement in a dozen different boards and countless committees, but most visibly through her role — her repeated role — as the face and voice of the area Chamber of Commerce.

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The following article about this school year’s Watkins Glen High School musical, “Grease,” was written by student Caitlin Connelly for publication in the WGHS student newspaper. The play will be presented in the school auditorium on March 22, 23 and 24.

–By Caitlin Connelly–

Every spring, Watkins Glen High School presents a musical to the public, completely made up of students. They make up all the performers, stagehands, and background dancers under the guidance of directors Tim and Michelle Benjamin. Last year’s show, Mame, was fun for all, but the best is soon to come as Grease is coming to the stage this year!

Over the years, seniors have become a majority of the play, last year making up nearly half the cast. Few underclassmen have taken notice of the opportunity, especially freshmen. During both the senior plays of 2012 and 2011, one freshman participated. Most of this year’s freshmen agree they think it’s awkward to perform in front of people, but every performer has felt this way at a point in their lives.

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