I’ll be honest, it’s been a slow week for Fringe Benefits-related news items, and a harried week for the Fringe Benefits author. As a result, I’m going to be shamefully uncreative and unabashedly rip off of my esteemed co-blogger’s latest wrap-up post. Here we go with a (hopefully as informative) review of my semester covering all that is weird, wonderful and entertaining about Ithaca.
What I’ve noticed most during my time blogging for Ithaculture is the community’s ability to steer clear of the trends that are plaguing the rest of the country in these tough times. Ithaca is wonderfully unlike the rest of the country in that small businesses are doing comparatively well. Faceless corporate robber barons like Wal Mart and McDonald’s are staying out of the downtown area and lingering on the outskirts of Route 13 where they belong. Stores selling their fantastically freaky wares like Jabberwockee and the House of Shalimar remain open and prosperous because Ithaca consumers like to see fellow community members do well in business ventures, and seem to be willing to pay the few extra bucks for goods that aren’t made in outsourced factories. In this way, Ithacans are far more patriotic than other regions of the country that showboat their patriotism and equate being liberal with being a self-hating American. Ithacans are contributing to their own economy, and to the American economy and to each other’s pursuits of happiness.
In short, Ithacans like to see other Ithacans do well. Whether you’re opening an authentic Austrian pastry shop or slamming opponents in a roller derby match, you can be sure that your fellow community members will cheer you on through your entire venture.
Adieu,
Norah
