Growing up — and even now — you always hear people say, “There’s nothing to do here. I wish we had a [insert whatever chain restaurant or business is trendy at the moment].” And I’ll be honest: there were times I felt that way too.

But the older I get, the more I realize just how blessed we are to call Lycoming County home.

I am currently a selection for the Leadership Lycoming Class of 2026, which is an incredible program I’m grateful to be a part of. I’ll share more about that experience another time. But this past week, during one of our Leadership Days, we spent time learning about everything Williamsport has to offer. And let me tell you — after hearing about the Community Theatre League, Williamsport Arts, the CAC, and all of the incredible venues right here in our backyard, one thing became clear:

If you’re bored in Williamsport, you’re trying to be bored.

There are so many opportunities for a night out — or even an afternoon show or special event — if you’re simply willing to look.

We also have so many amazing restaurants, and I’m not talking about chains. I mean the true “ma and pa” places, the kind where the food tastes like someone poured their heart into the recipe. I would put Williamsport’s local dining scene up against any city when it comes to quality. One of my wife’s and my favorites is The Sticky Elbow. You get that big-city atmosphere with small-town service and absolutely incredible food.

And then there’s the beauty of living in a place that actually experiences all four seasons. Sure, I might not be the biggest fan of winter, but there’s something special about the way our seasons change. Just when the cold becomes too much, spring returns — and with it, a reminder of how amazing summers in northcentral Pennsylvania truly are.

Another thing to be proud of in our area is our rich history. I recently learned more about it, and it truly is something to appreciate. You can still see pieces of that history in the older buildings throughout downtown Williamsport. As part of Leadership Lycoming, we visited the Taber Museum and Wildwood Cemetery. If you want to feel the depth of our history and learn some incredible things, I highly recommend visiting those spots.

I’m thankful that when my brother and I were younger, our parents instilled in us a sense of pride — not only pride in everything we do, but pride in where we live.

So, I want to challenge you to do the same. Take pride in our area. If you see trash on the ground, pick it up. If you notice something out of place, fix it. And if you hear someone complain about where we live, share with them why this place is special and offer a few of the great spots they should check out.

At the end of the day, home is what we make of it. We can choose to focus on what we don’t have, or we can open our eyes to everything that’s right in front of us. Lycoming County is full of beauty, history, talent, and people who care. When we decide to embrace that, take pride in it, and invest in it — even in small ways — we make our home a place worth celebrating. Let’s be proud of where we live, and let’s keep working to make it even better for the next generation.

“Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you… Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” ~ Jeremiah 29:7