Embrace change this year, take stock of the last with excitement for what's to come

Once again, we have reached the end of another year. It is that time when we take stock of all that is happened, or the things we wanted to have happened.

Last year, I wrote about the risk of making too many resolutions that cannot be fulfilled but offer us some hope for the future. For this writer, this year has been less about making those types of resolutions, and more about letting go of control and seeing what can happen.

There are many different types of people in this world. That is a good thing, as it offers us the diversity that makes society a rich place. It would be so boring to think that we are alike and marching in the same direction.

Imagine if Joshua Whitney, the land agent of William Bingham and a powerhouse of early development in this community, had been just the same as Daniel Leroy or John Collier — two other developers at the same time. If they all acquiesced to each other, it would have lessened development.

Their competition helped develop streets, buildings and encouraged settlers to move here.

For this writer, I tend to be too optimistic and upset when things interfere with my grand dreams. Thus, I tend to want to be in control, and never just let things happen. At the end of each year, I would take stock of the things that didn’t go my way, rather than the things that did.

I wonder how many other figures through our history did the same thing, as most far-seeing leaders go the other way, and let the events of life work in their favor. As we look at this year, and turn to look toward 2024, we should work in that direction. Again, for me, I seemed to have let go of that control, and let things happen — and, indeed, they did.

An email that popped on my telephone as I waited to appear on Binghamton Now on WNBF radio with Bob Joseph for a consulting position with the Rochester Public Library intrigued me. For once, I took a chance and realized that I could be that consultant as that library wanted to create a regional history center in the public library. Letting go, for me, brought me that position and a four-month position where I was the one to develop that plan that may or may not bring that regional history center into reality. The rest is up to those officials.

That experience this year led me to take a long look at the job position statement for executive director of the Tioga County Historical Society in Owego. I thank Roger Luther for sending that announcement to me with the note that read, “in case you want more stuff to do.” As frequent readers of this column now know, I took that chance for a second time this year and let my normal tight control go once more. The result was an interview for the job.

As I write this column, I am sitting in my office in Owego as the new executive director of that society and its museum. I took that plunge, which I tend not to do. The result of that plunge is that I didn’t drown or sink, I rose to find a new career in history, and a real purpose for this chapter of my life. To say that the last few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind of activity would be an understatement. For me, this year has been one of excitement and change. It can only certainly be called different.

More: Looking back, former Broome County historian takes another step forward

It has also been one of sadness, as a few weeks ago, we lost the long-time president of the Broome County Historical Society, David Dixon. He retired as the social studies coordinator for the Chenango Valley School District and was president of the society since 1981. He was both my colleague and a friend. As the saying goes, he got me. He will be greatly missed by this writer.

To end on a happier note, rest assured that there will be more history to come. For now, I wish you a Happy New Year, take a chance and enjoy.

Gerald Smith is executive director of the Tioga County Historical Society and a former Broome County historian. Email him at historysmiths@stny.rr.com.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Broome's history came only with change. Embrace possibility in 2024