More Than You Know. Closer Than You Think.
This is SoFLX and the stories of those who live, work, and play here.
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The Unexpected Path to Creative Freedom
Mark Schmidt a dancer and movement maker left for the big city to follow his dreams as a dancer. He’s realized that his return home has only made his creativity-fueled journey even better. This is his story.
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Finding Where Dreams Come True
Abby moved from Montauk, Long Island looking for something different. This is her story.
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The Best of Both Worlds Found
Though Alison Herman planned to move to the capital region of PA for work, some further research and a job offer changed it all.
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Falling in Love with Life in SoFLX
Michaune Tillman considered herself a “Big City” girl, and while that may still be the case, she has found even more to love about life in SoFLX.
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Following a Passion and a Dream
Brie Woods’ decision to purchase a historic inn and move to SoFLX was led by passion and a dream. She has not regretted it once. This is her story.
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Local Voices: Adrian McGrady
While his pursuit of music took him away from home, it was the perfect melody found in his community that brought Adrian McGrady back to stay.
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A World Traveler Finds Home
After a lifetime of traveling the world, Chris Walters wondered if SoFLX would have enough to offer. What he discovered was more than he imagined.
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Local Voices: Anita Lewis
For this feature, we wanted to highlight a local voice. Meet Anita Lewis, a native of Elmira, NY, whose love for her community and passion for her work has kept her deeply rooted here.
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A Perception Changed, A Community Found
On a leap of faith, Alex Fresonke moved to Horseheads, NY, with his wife and four children from Florida in 2023, unsure of what life in the Northeast would entail. This is his story.
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Finding Inspiration and A Rediscovery of Self in SoFLX
Cruz Newman is a Venezuelan artist who discovered inspiration and the courage to pursue her craft after moving to the lakeside town of Hector, NY. This is her story.
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Serving Culture and A Bit of SoFLX Happiness, One Dish at a Time
Nithya Krishnan moved to the SoFLX from the teeming metropolis of Mumbai, India, and is now serving culture and joy, one dish at a time. This is her story.
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The Joy of Big Passions and Slow Living in Southern Finger Lakes
Erik Lundberg is a preservationist and architectural professional who, along with his wife Anne, has found a culmination of his passions in our small towns.
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Finding Community in the Darkest Times
Classical Soprano Meagan Miller and her family moved from Austria and were excited to start their lives in the Southern Finger Lakes when a medical diagnosis threatened to uproot their plans. This is her story.
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A Love for Community and Voice to Empower
Meet Millicent Ruffin, a local executive and scientist who uses her voice to empower and educate her community. Read her story!
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The Journey to a New Life and Room to Grow
Dr. Rashida Vassell and her family moved to Southern FLX not imagining the professional and personal opportunities this new life would bring.
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Return to Where the Grass is Greener
Kara Collins left the fast pace of big-city living and returned to the life she enjoyed most growing up.
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Enjoying the Bliss of a Slower Pace
Emma Miran left the big city to move closer to family, finding not only new hobbies but also a more enjoyable pace of life.
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A Story of Love and Finding Home
Charlie Treichler and Joshua Jenkins met on a path to rediscovery and fell in love with each other, and then with the Finger Lakes.
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Finding Community and Home in SoFLX
Brian Lee Whisenhunt and Mitchell Smith moved to SoFLX for work, and in the process have found family, community, and home. Read their story!
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Where Faith Found A Home
Get to know Rev. J. Gary Brinn, Pastor and Teacher at The Park Church; about his move to Elmira – a city of hope and resilience, and how he embraces community, faith, and making a difference.
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Bringing Creativity and Colorful Inspiration to SoFLX
Sarah Shirley left a busy life in NYC and brought with her a sense of creativity and inspiring style to brighten up her hometown community.
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Finding Home Across the Ocean
Margareta, Dennis, and their young daughter Emma crossed the ocean from Germany to a new life in Corning. This is their story.
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Discovering The Charm and Influence of Small Town Living
Penn Yan native, Meg Hopkins, left the Finger Lakes in pursuit of something more. Yet her greatest adventure would be found closer to home.
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Locals Return Home, Bringing Inspiration & New Business
Andrew Sowers and Evan Olson, founders of ElmiraWorks, left the big city life to pursue a quieter lifestyle and professional ambitions.
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Big City Dreams Come True in Small Town, NY
Crystal Moran and Anddy Reynoso didn’t think their big city dreams would be possible in a small town but have realized you don’t have to live in NYC to make it.
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Peace of Mind and Growing Dreams in SoFLX
Meet Chef Kaylenne Brown and her family and learn about their relocation story from Virginia to Corning, NY.
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Back Home Sweet Home
In January 2020 Erin Panosian moved back to West Elmira from Pittsburgh, PA. This is her relocation story.
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Move to Bigger Dreams and a Happier Place
LaTeka Cooke-Davis was inspired to relocate to Elmira, NY, from CA for a slower pace and family. However, it has led her to bigger dreams and a happier, healthier lifestyle.
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There’s No Place Like Home in SoFlx
Dante Acquavella left the shores of NJ for a new life in the Southern Finger Lakes that is anything but boring.
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New Home and Endless New Experiences
Rukundo moved from the city, leaving behind things she loved…including her fave brunch spots! But, she is finding her new home has a lot more to offer than people may think!
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New Beginnings in the Finger Lakes
Steven Carson left his career in Boston for a life of new opportunities and flexibility to enjoy the most important thing in life: family.
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Happily Ever After in Finger Lakes
Bronx native, Stephanie Ferree, came to the Southern Tier to wait while her husband finished his studies. Read how her temporary stay turned into a move that changed her life.
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A Journey Back Home
Olympic rower, Olivia Coffey has traveled the world in pursuit of her dreams before her heart would lead her back home and to a happier place.
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Building on a Dream Come True in the Southern Finger Lakes
How a job search/vacation, turned into a dream come true for one of the Finger Lakes most beloved local chefs, Orlando Rodriguez.
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Finding Balance & Family Bliss in the Southern Finger Lakes
In their search for a work/life balance, Alex Jankowski found a new career, a beautiful home, and the perfect playground for his young family.
