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.
Carol Bone
Carol: I traded land with another family on our commune, moved to the Tompkins County side, and that’s how I came to live in Caroline.
Martin's Hubcaps
Robin Fisher Cisne: This is why we have hubcaps on our trees, and I love them. When our youngest son was two, he developed a fascination with wheels and hubcaps, and soon started a hubcap collection. What do you do with dozens of hubcaps? Obviously, you nail them on your trees. We had them at our home in Ithaca, and when we moved, we brought them here. With our hubcap trees, we knew this was our home.
Jake & Janet Jacoby
Janet: I love the kindness and friendliness of Caroline. We’re losing some of it, but the people are still the most warm-hearted folks I’ve ever met.
Matt Gelder
& Melissa Groo
Matt: In 2017 I created this shop. It’s special to have so much space to work. This is where I can take time to be present—to carve birds, make furniture, finish things for the house, and make gifts for people. I make whatever needs to be made. Having this space is one of the things that makes me want to stay. When I come home from work, this is where I want to be.
Steve & Janet Nash
Steve: I grew up here, know every inch of the town, and most of the people in it—people who are friendly, willing to help others at the drop of a hat, and not expect anything for it.
Charlie
& Chauquita Bailor
Charlie: We don’t agree about everything, but who cares? I don’t need to fight with people I don’t agree with. People help each other. You don’t have to know which political party they’re in to help a person.
Tony
& Michelle Tavelli
Tony: I would leave for work after getting chores done. I had to have a real job to support this bad habit I called farming.
Give or Take
Sandy Schoenfeldt: Give or Take is a place to donate clothes and household items for others who might need them. All items are free. I had a young woman come and try on a coat. She was pregnant. After she tried on a perfect coat, she goes, “No, I’m not gonna take it. In a few months I won’t need it, and somebody’s going to need it now.” People consider others who they can help in their neighborhood or family.
Mike
& Raylene Ludgate
Raylene: I just love that there’s so much land—so much green. And it’s a winter wonderland. I love winter and skiing and exercising in the woods. I could never have bought 42 acres on the edge of the state forest in a place around Boston.
Caroline Food Pantry
Ted Sobel: I’m not in charge. What I say is that we’re all volunteers, and I’m no different than the rest of them. I try to encourage people to volunteer—to get involved. Just by talking about it and doing it myself as an example.
Robert Maynard
Robert: While I had the dairy, my guidance counselor in school wanted me to go to college. In my senior year I had 14 cows that were in a rented barn up to Gregrows, so I told him I couldn’t go to college. He said, “I’ll get you into Cornell and you can drive back and forth for your cows.” So I went to Cornell University, had the two-year ag course, and milked cows here night and morning. It was ideal 'cause with summers off, you could do your haying.
Olivia Direnzo
Olivia: As horses are looking and listening, trying to figure out the trail, they are also trying to help you tune into what’s going on. If you’re on a horse, your full attention has to be with them. You cannot be distracted if you’re going to be in control. You have to be in the same world as they are.
Jim & Bev Liddington
Bev: When we moved in, it was a wonderful area to move into and bring up children. People were friendly. People were here for each other. They weren’t sticking their nose in your business, but they were here if you needed them.
Brooktondale Baptist Church
From a conversation in the kitchen: We’re a Bible-based church. The teachings are straight from the Bible, so we enjoy it. Our messages are gospel-oriented. We have our differences, but we set 'em aside. Christ is the common denominator that brings us all together in spite of our differences.
St. John’s Episcopal Church
A parishioner: “We don’t like change, but sometimes, change is what we need. It’s amazing how the Speedsville community comes together and supports St. John’s church.”
St. John’s sponsored a fund-raiser, Cooking for Christ, with three cooks: Rev Pat Kinney, Rev Phil Jordan, and Rev Richard Schaal.
Tom Whittaker
Tom: When Emerson closed the doors in 2010 they wanted somebody back that knew the system. So I went back for another 12 years. I know the plant. There were not many of 'em ever learned that much about it 'cause I’d been in charge of the boiler room for about 30 years.
Pete Hoyt
Pete: Herb Crispell was a gregarious person with a fantastic memory. He could pick up in mid-sentence where we had left off six months earlier. He was always go, go, go. When he was baling hay, he’d drive so fast that the wheels would be off the ground half the time. Herb wanted to get her done!
St. Thomas Episcopal Church
Emily Fanelli: I learned about St. Thomas from the website. I was raised Episcopal, and I wanted to find an Episcopal church that had community. Everyone is very happy to have me here, which I really appreciate. It is a really happy place, and I always leave here happy that I came.