About Melissa Klinko
Posts by Melissa Klinko
Hidden Gems: Catskill Park
Jen Montanye, from Chemung County, sure knows how to keep herself busy during a pandemic. She recently visited Catskill Park in Upstate N.Y. and shares her experience with us! I spent a weekend in Catskill Park fastpacking in October, it was beautiful. Even driving there, we were surrounded by ponds and streams on both sides,…Read More »
Domestic Violence: The Silent Epidemic
Lisa Haskins, of Monroe County, wished she spoken up sooner about how domestic violence impacted her family. She wished more people talked about it so that domestic violence victims don’t feel ashamed or are afraid to speak up. Growing up, Lisa said domestic violence occurred in her family. Lisa said the cycle of abuse continued…Read More »
Taking Care of Your Mental Health
Lisa’s world was turned upside down a few months ago. As with many of us, the pandemic changed nearly everything about her daily life overnight. The mother of three had only been back to work at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield for about four months following maternity leave, when her job shifted to work from home and…Read More »
Helping Our Community – One Meal At A Time
Food banks across New York state are helping families put healthy meals on the table, obtain personal care items, baby food, diapers and household cleaning supplies, and take-home fresh items like meat, cheese, eggs and produce. Now more than ever, with school closures, job losses, and health risks, millions of people have turned to food…Read More »
Domestic violence and abuse can happen to anyone; it does not discriminate
News outlets across the country have reported a rise in domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic –when families are essentially confined to homes, where a victim can’t easily escape an abuser. Abusers have more tactics at their disposal when victims can’t easily get away from home. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1…Read More »
Foster Care: A Rewarding Journey
Growing up as one of six kids, Sandra Smith of Chenango County always knew she wanted to be a mother. “I’d always pictured that coming to me in the same way it did for everyone else. I believed I would fall in love, get married, get pregnant, and be able to care for my child…Read More »
Social Apps Are Keeping Us Connected
For many of us who are now working from home, it can feel kind of crowded. The kids are remote-learning at home, and spouses or partners are set up to conduct their business from whatever quiet corner of the house they can find. At the same time, it can feel a bit isolating with friends…Read More »
Binghamton High Poverty Area Gets Healthier
The north side of Binghamton, New York, was in desperate need. Not only does it have a high rate of obesity, but it also has the highest rate of poverty in the county. Making matters worse, the only grocery store in walking distance or on the bus line closed. It was hard to find affordable…Read More »
Hidden Gem: Whole in the Wall Restaurant
Binghamton locals refer to the Whole in the Wall restaurant as the best kept secret on the Southside of Binghamton. But the word is out and I was thrilled to see the place full of people when I recently visited the restaurant with my mother for lunch. What is Whole in the Wall? The Whole…Read More »
It’s Never Too Late to Become a Runner
George Jones sang about not needing a rocking chair when he grew old and that was the tune Laura Vallone hummed when she signed up to train for her first 5K run/walk this past summer. Laura read about the training program for seniors over age 55 in the Broome County Office for Aging Senior News…Read More »