2025: A Year of Exploration and Growth
While the December holiday season creates a minefield of obligations, this time also invites reflection. Personally, this year was filled with exploration, growth, and love. I started cultivating this blog one year ago, and over the past twelve months, I have achieved more than I ever thought possible. The reflective essay I wrote about the Glens Falls Hospital in March certainly leads credence that this year is certainly a Crisis Unit success story.
The year began with marrying my husband, Michael Biele, in our home after ten years together. I created a section on my website to describe the ceremony through a mix of imagery and storytelling. Given the untenable United State Supreme Court decision in 2015 securing the legalization of gay marriage, the webpage will provide a shining example that love is universal and provide hope for queer folks that their love matters. Prior to the wedding ceremony, I had just accomplished a running goal of thirty-three miles, conquering Jack and Eugene’s World Tour Virtual Race series. While fictional, the audio missions described another love story through audio imagery and storytelling that weaved action, adventure, tearful regrets, and uplifting triumphs. Just like Jack and Eugene, Michael and I will embark on a new journey in our relationship as a married couple, spreading love and kindness to everyone.
Throughout the year, I ventured to the theatre, enjoying local and iconic performances across New York State. From a local production of Rent and Into the Woods by the Glens Falls Community Theatre, Anthony Richichi’s new stage production of his children’s book, Colorworld, to the breathtaking stagecraft of Stranger Things on Broadway, it was an incredible year of theatre.
At the end of March, I began a journey to become a local elected Councilperson of Glens Falls, collecting forty-three signatures to secure a place on the ballot in November. Throughout the experience, it had been filled with surprises, learning experiences, and creative endeavors. Not only did I walk around town knocking on some of my neighbor’s doors during this year, but I used creative methods to advertise my campaign sign. I flowed down the Feeder Canal with my sign in view on my kayak, adhered my sign onto a bike frame while riding with the Glens Falls Social Bike Club as well as got assistance adhering my sign to my back for the Glens Falls Run Club. Each trip around the city elicited fantastic reactions, and as John Reilly of the Glens Falls Democratic Committee told me to do, I had so much fun! On election day, I secured a narrow win, with the unofficial count showing a 27-vote lead against Robert Curtis, the Republican contender. He had been the City Clerk, Mayor’s Assistant, and Chair of City Redistricting Committee over the last thirty-seven years, culminating in an impressive lifetime of public service. It was a pleasure to be on the ballot with him, and I am excited to help the residents of Glens Falls Ward 5 over the next four years.
I had also begun a journey into freelance writing, securing a position at a local, monthly newspaper, Buying Local. Over the months, I published pieces about local businesses, like Just One More Chapter, a romance bookstore, Kitch-A-Vibe, a community cafe, Stinky’s Coffee, a new coffee shop, and Arcade Archeology, a playable pinball museum. Each publication strengthened my writing and interviewing skills, allowing myself to divulge exciting new additions to the local community.
Along with conquering a running challenge in January, I participated and volunteered at dozens of running road races this year. From organizing a gathering of my cousins to participate in the Philly 10K in honor of our grandfather, volunteering at the Glen Falls Goblin Gallop for the first time in six years, running in Open Door Mission’s Gobble Wobble 5K on Thanksgiving, to conquering the Warren County Bike Trail during the Race to the Lake 7-Miler and the tenth anniversary of Queensbury’s Churney Gurney 5-Miler, my legs and stamina were thoroughly tested. But through a steady pace and cheers from the sidelines, I reached the finish line each time.
During the past couple months, I wrote essays about experiences in the Adirondacks, like Chuck Copenspire’s inaugural Mind Blown punk rock festival at the Shirt Factory, the Adirondack Balloon Festival at the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport, the 34th Annual Duck Drop fundraiser for the Kiwanis Club of Glens Falls, to the hotdog eating contest at a Glens Falls Dragons baseball game. Each reflective piece helps solidify the memories, people, and places that made this year special. It also illuminated some amazing organizations and events for others to attend next year.
In the middle of the plethora of experiences were moments with friends and family, like relaxing on the beaches of Sea Isle City, New Jersey, attending my brother-in-law’s wedding in Massachusetts, cheering the Philadelphia Eagles during the Superbowl, watching the final season of Stranger Things, and enjoying a traditional, homecooked steak dinner the Rachet household in December. There are so many more moments not mentioned, along with so many people that made this year incredible. Looking back, my heart is filled with gratitude, knowing that I experienced life to the fullest. I am honored and excited about the future, as an elected Glens Falls Councilperson, husband, and friend.
Happy New Year to all, and I look forward to seeing you next year.
