Caroline, New York: What brought you here? What keeps you here?

In 2022 I started this book, Connections, because of the passionate division within the Town of Caroline about a proposed zoning law. I collected stories and photographs—some from people who moved here during the last few decades and others whose families have been in Caroline for generations. I asked each person, “What brought you here and what keeps you here?” I found that the reasons to stay in Caroline are often similar, hence the title—Connections. Although the people you will encounter in this book have differences that may seem irreconcilable, they have enough in common to form a community.

I also wondered about people meeting in groups. Do people with conflicting political views still talk to each other? Is it possible to find places where all are welcome? Along with stories about families and individuals, I share what I’ve learned by visiting churches, fire departments, stores, and events in Caroline. These visits have helped me believe that people can get to know others who don’t share all their views. There is still hope.