Letter to the Editor
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Editor,
I like many, grew up in Oneida and moved away for work. I visit regularly and have been getting the papers one way or another for over 20 years.
Lately I’ve noticed the quality of the writing and reporting has greatly improved and I just wanted to pass it on.
Keep up the good work!
Justin
Dear Editor,
The paper has become so interesting and looking so sharp! Y’all are doing a great job!
Jean Davenport-Niles
To The Editor,
As someone who has traveled many miles to explore rail trails across the country, I’ve seen the incredile benefits they bring to communites – benefits I believe our own could share in by creating a local rail trail.
Trails like the Great Allegheny Passage, the Turkey Path in Grand Canyon of PA, Tunnel Hill State Trail in IL and the Chief Ladiga Trail in AL, to name a few, offer more than just scenic walks and bike rides. They’ve transformed unused rail corridors into vibrant community spaces that boost local econimies, promote outdoor recreation and perserve natural beauty and history.
Along these trails I have witnessed families out for strolls, small children learning to ride bikes with training wheels, long distance cyclists staying in local inns and campgrounds, and small business owners thriving thanks to trail users. Trails connect towns, promote wellness and create safe, car-free places for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy the outdoors.
Imagine that kind of energy and possibility right here in our own backyard!
A rail trail in our community could be a lasting investment in health, tourism, and quality of life. With so many successful stories out there, the question isn’t why we should build a trail – it’s why not?
Sincerely,
Phylis DeWeese
A Passionate Idea: An Orchard for Oneida
Now, I’m not trying to sell any land here, just tossing out a friendly idea that might fit nicely in our little corner of Scott County. Down the hill from Bethlehem Baptist Church, off Alberta Street in downtown Oneida, there’s that open field where the walkway loops around. It’s a calm spot, already inviting in its own quiet way. You can picture folks walking the loop in the fall, leaves drifting down, maybe catching the scent of baked apples in the air.
Wouldn’t that make a great place for a small apple orchard? Maybe with a simple cidery and bakery beside it, nothing big or flashy, just something local and homegrown. A place where people could pick apples, grab a fresh cider doughnut, or sit on a bench with a mug of warm cider.
It’s easy to imagine it turning into a community thing. Families could stop by on weekends, local schools could plan field trips, and the county could host small harvest festivals. Tourists heading through might pull over, stretch their legs, and realize there’s more to Oneida than meets the eye. It’d be a new reason for people to spend time together without changing the feel of the place.
Scott County already has great examples of what happens when young people get involved. Just look at the Scott High students helping care for the Scott County Museum, it’s hands-on learning that benefits everyone. Something like an orchard could be another way to do that. Maybe Oneida’s students could help plant trees, bake pastries, or learn a bit about running a small business. It’d give them something real to be proud of.
Heck, even the congregation from the adjacent church would be happy to get hot cider and apple pies.
All of this is just a friendly thought about how a little orchard might blossom into something special for our community. Sometimes all it takes is the right idea, the right spot, and a few people willing to make it grow. This article is meant to get attention for the idea.
Ethan Cotton