Geneseo is home for thousands of students, offering a place of comfort, fun and a sense of community. Everything in this town is almost sacred to those who call it home because they are accustomed to it. As students, we don't really like change. Although I haven't been here for a very long time, boy have things changed. Just to name a few:
1. The IB
At 12 a.m. this place became the spot where you could find anyone and everyone. This was the meet up place that defined night life. A crummy old red barn that was always packed wall to wall. Even describing the IB is a challenge, the things you saw there or the memories made. However, you loved it. Then when you got your fill for the night, you walked right up the street and got a slice or a garbage plate.
2. The Vital
Trivia Tuesday was the place to be. People from all different organizations got pretty competitive.The vital was also a great spot for some amazing chicken wings and loaded fries.
3. Kelly's Saloon
One of Geneseo's most well-known and loved bars. A perfect place to stop by and watch the sun set down Bank St. The best place to get a Tom Collins on the daily. Students could even participate in the challenge and have a TC every day near the end of the year until graduation. Hopefully they can rebuild this to the eclectic, beloved place it was.
4. The Statesmen
The Statesmen was kind of a hole-in-the-wall type of bar. It was not really a thing for many students until they had to step up once all the other bars closed. It was fun at first; they had good food and a large dance floor with lights. Then it started to imitate the IB, which I guess was a good idea, but still would never begin to compare. Now they close off the dance floor and there always is a problem.
5. The Social Host Law
Geneseo started to crack down on the drinking. They issued a Social Host Law making everything much more strict and putting a damper on the fun atmosphere Geneseo is known for. Charging students with huge fines and even arresting some for being "hosts." It is understandable why this was instated, but there is a better way to go about it.
6. Emmeline the Bear
Just recently a truck crashed into the fountain on Main St, causing Emmeline to fall to the ground. A symbol of the town that has been here for over a century came crashing down. Currently there is a stuffed teddy bear taking its place for the time being. Although it will be back up soon, we hope, still so surprising.
We are losing the things that have made Geneseo special. Yes, change is inevitable, but I guess it just seems like all of these changes were so sudden. It's scary. It feels like overnight everything happened and we woke up in a whole new town. Hopefully, some of these will be replaced, and there will be positive new additions to keep Geneseo as the town we all know and love.
