Nestled in the Rolling Foothills
Quietly nestled in the rolling foothills of upstate New York, a few minutes drive from the Finger Lakes region lays the quaint sleepy town of Owego. Founded around 1787 the village of 4400 residents sits on the banks of the Susquehanna River. Peaceful side streets and a quaint shopping district have all the makings of life at its best. If you want to experience the
change of seasons and see some of natures beauty it doesn't get any better than this. The winters are mild, (many great ski areas within minutes), spring is beautiful, summer is fantastic (a multitude of lakes and rivers to enjoy), golfing is great, and the colorful leaves in fall here are the best in the nation. Parks, nature centers, libraries, shopping centers, and entertainment of every sort is available for you to enjoy at your leisure. Sitting on route 17, Owego is in the center hub of the east-west highway of southern New York. Just a few short driving hours from many major metropolitan areas, such as New York, Albany, Rochester, Buffalo, Scranton Owego is the best place to live in the United States of America. Having lived here my whole live (over 60 years) I feel that I know a little about Owego. We have the best restaurants, including but not limited to The Parkview, The Train Station, Wheels, and The Cellar. The unique shops in the downtown district are second to none. The merchants are friendly and always willing to help with that special present. Skip ar Van Horns was more than accomodating when I was undecided a few short weeks ago. Not only did he help me with the perfect gift, I got a handwritten thank you from him shortly after. Jamie at East of the Sun West of the Moon is another special merchant. Once again she is always right on. Pat at the Hand of Man has put more life into the downtown businesses with her efforts in every event that comes along. I think by far the biggest attraction to Owego is its residents. This was never more apparent than a few short years ago when Hiawatha Island was put up for auction. The Island is 112 acres a short two miles upriver from downtown. Word got out that a gravel pit operation was going to purchase it for the untold amount of trees so big around it takes five people to encircle them, top soil, and gravel. The townspeople banded together and with no money out bid the big bad pit owner. After five years, $750.000, and a lot of blood, sweat and tears these people paid off their loan for the Island and promptly GAVE IT AWAY to a local Nature Center. Now how cool is that? Because of these actions in keeping it from becoming a gravel pit we, OWEGO, NEW YORK, have a nesting pair of bald eagles with two siblings on this very Island. When word got around about the eagles, I have never been more proud to live in Owego. Our national symbol on our very own Island. WOW!!! Having graduated from Owego Free Academy and staying here my entire life, hardly a day goes by that I don't see one of my fellow classmates and get a friendly wave or hello. What a great place to live. We are the home of the new Presidential helicopters, huge lumber mills, and numerous other industries, but as I said before the people are second to none. I have raised my family here and would not trade it for any where else in the world.
