About Melissa Klinko

Melissa Klinko

Melissa Klinko

Melissa lives in Vestal N.Y. with her husband and daughter and their naughty but lovable yellow lab, Molly. She only has one child but always has 3 or 4 more kids traveling with her to a fun event or most likely Starbucks. You might even see Melissa traveling throughout the neighborhood on her golf cart, wearing her Bryan Adams concert shirt, of course! Melissa is an Ithaca College Alum and visits Ithaca often to hike the falls or visit the farmers market. She is regional communications manager for Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

Posts by Melissa Klinko

Picture of a woman holding her head in her hands

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 »

Picture of a boy flying a kite in a park

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 »

Picture of an older man and a younger man on a couch looking at a tablet screen laughing.

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 »