Dear Reader,
When I graduated high school in 2020, I, like most people in the world, had never felt so uncertain about the future. I wasn’t even sure I would be able to graduate high school, but once I did, suddenly the path I had envisioned for myself became unclear.
But somewhere in the midst of the lockdown, I decided to pursue enrollment at SUNY Plattsburgh. Little did I know, making that decision would soon provide a sense of comfort among the chaos that was 2020.
Committing my next four years to SUNY Plattsburgh felt right during a time of such social disconnect, as it allowed me to reconnect with my passion for the environment around me. When I arrived on campus my freshman year, the surrounding Adirondack mountains brought an unexpected rush of clarity and nostalgia.
Having grown up just two hours south of Plattsburgh, admiring the environment has always been second nature to me. When I was younger, I would spend my summers exploring nature upstate. Many of my fondest memories took place outdoors, like camping, catching toads in creeks with my sister and climbing Mount Marcy in middle school with my best friend.
As I grew older, I recognized that having a passion for the outdoors goes beyond simply admiring what you see, you must advocate for it too.
The North Country has no shortage of outdoor beauty, or friendly business owners ready to serve you their take on a slice of Clinton County. DoNorth has given me the opportunity to explore the vivacious, rich nature offered in this corner of upstate wilderness and the tight-knit community embedded within it.
In this issue, you will get a glimpse into the lives of the passionate individuals who work to keep the North Country heart beating.
It has been a pleasure to step into a role that allows me to advocate for the beating North Country heart and all it has to offer.
As I continue my journey here, I hope you will join me and the rest of the devoted, talented writers and designers that make this magazine possible, as we
Go Forth, and DoNorth
