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Move Over Bemus! Lakewood has “The Ave” and live summer concerts

Bemus, you know we love you, but here’s a vote to start calling Chautauqua Avenue in Lakewood “The Ave.” It’s a natural shortening that catches on when one avenue becomes the cultural heart of a community. I’ve been truly enamored with the transformation of storefronts, new businesses, and the diversity of services. If you haven’t walked The Ave lately, I highly recommend you do—on a Saturday, say, around lunchtime. And if you haven’t sat on our hill at one of the Rock the Lake concerts in Hartley Park, well, you can’t really call it summer anymore. Take a walk with ...

From full house to echo chamber

There came a time when, one by one, our kids grew up and left the nest to make their own way and begin their futures in whatever fields and endeavors they chose. Some people may be facing the same situation soon, as their graduates head to college, or the military, or a trade school, or to begin their lives, after High School/College/Training, and the homes they leave will seem/feel a bit (a lot?) emptier. Growing up, before leaving the nest, Chasy and Chrissy had to listen to my cautions of the outside world. They had to put up with the sugarless breakfast cereals, my reservations ...

Therapy session prompts reflection

Editor's note: This column by Marshall Greenstein will appear occasionally in The Post-Journal. A man named Leo contacted me for an appointment. His neighbor friend, Butch, gave him my name. He came without an agenda. Leo is retired, having worked as a rural route mailman for twenty-eight years. He and his neighbor spent their time playing games. He’s not clear what discussions they shared that resulted in Leo seeking counseling. Much to learn, he’s married and his wife is employed. As a couple, they reportedly socialize with Butch and his wife. They have three children and five ...

The art of letting go

Most often, when friends or family call to vent, it has to do with someone they feel has wronged them—a “You’re not going to believe what so-and-so said,” or “what so-and-so did.” Our biggest wounds are often about our disappointments in other people—some of which we will never ...

The bitter-sweetness of reunions

Quite often in the past, this publication would print reports of family reunions that were celebrated by large numbers of area families, usually during the summer months of the year. The reports often included those who were responsible for planning and pulling off the reunion for that ...

The iconic corner store

I like old things - things that have stood the test of time, surviving because of their charm, or because they are still needed. The authenticity of a place is important to me. And say what you want, but we are surrounded by authenticity in Chautauqua County. Whether you’re driving by acres of grapes, or up and down old country roads, or stopping by farm stands that have been there forever, or watching the summer sunset at a park by the lake...this is about as real as it gets in the world. And as someone who has been fortunate to see a lot of pockets of the world, I feel like I’m ...