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  • Writer's pictureCatherine White

Southern Tier Life: The Story

Website Showcases Creativity, Innovation of Region Rich in History, Community & Natural Beauty


Media executive Randy Reid, launched the digital magazine Southern Tier Life in February 2021 as a regional lifestyle website that would feature community news, local attractions, events and relevant content that celebrates and supports the businesses, organizations and people that make the area such a great place to live, work and visit.


Using a variety of talented freelance writers, Southern Tier Life kicked off with several features that, quickly, became popular, including Minding Your Business, which profiles small businesses doing big things throughout the region; ExPats, which catches up with former friends and neighbors of the area to find out what they’re doing now; and Upstate Geechie from SUNY Corning Community College Associate Professor Sky Moss, who shares his thoughts on rural life, fashion, history, politics, sports, gardening and much more.


Additionally, the digital magazine has profiled a variety of interesting area eateries, and given some much-deserved attention to local fire departments.


Scenes from stories of Southern Tier Life (Top l. to r.) Products from Elmira business Craft Farm, ExPats subject Arian Keddell. (Bottom l. to r.) Upstate Geechie's Sky Moss with best friend Harley, and artist Filomena Jack of Filomena Jack Studio.


Shortly after launching Southern Tier Life, Reid took a position as News Director of WEAA FM at Morgan State University, a historically Black college in Baltimore, MD. He turned to Catherine White, former Star-Gazette reporter and columnist, who’d been doing some freelance writing for Southern Tier Life.


“In order to continue this publication, I asked Cathy … who was writing the "Vibing with Cat White" feature, to take over as Managing Editor," Reid said.


White began her tenure in February 2022 with the addition of several new features, including Southern Tier Helping Hands, which profiles the people and organizations that provide community support; Southern Tier Literary Life, featuring area writers and poets; and Elmira humorist Jim Pfiffer’s weekly humor column. Pfiffer has also shared his expertise as a conservationist and outdoor enthusiast in educational nature pieces he's written, exclusively, for Southern Tier Life.


Most recently, Southern Tier Life has moved into the podcast genre with the debut of Fashion Kulture by Laced by Lacroix, a video podcast featuring former Elmiran Jordan Brooks.


Brooks has been making his mark in LaLa Land as a fashion stylist and movie extra while mentoring those in his hometown interested in a career in the fashion and entertainment industry through his Fashion Camp and Model Bootcamps at Economic Opportunity Program, Inc. of Chemung and Schuyler Counties.


Fashion Kulture by Laced by Lacroix premiered in August with an interview with fashion designer, celebrity stylist, and musician Eddie Knoxx aka Brittney Brooks, who grew up in Elmira, N.Y.

The Fashion Kulture by Laced by Lacroix podcast will explore local and international fashion and pop culture through Brooks’ unique insight and buzzworthy interviews with a wide array of guests working in and around the industry.


Southern Tier Life, a BIPOC-owned, woman-led community journalistic endeavor is just getting started! With continued support from local advertisers and sponsors, the regional website is focused on expanding coverage with engaging stories and in-depth coverage of area businesses, nonprofits, attractions and events, and telling the stories of those living and working in this incredible region.


“I’m excited to add more content to Southern Tier Life that showcases the amazing people, local customs and recreation taking place throughout the area,” White said. “This region is as rich in history, culture, innovation and creativity, as it is in natural beauty. It’s about time the Southern Tier receives its dues. It's a great place to raise a family, go to school, start a business and enjoy the pleasures that life has to offer. Southern Tier Life wants to highlight all of that, and more.”


For more information about Southern Tier Life and to contribute content, pitch a story or podcast idea, and to support our community journalistic efforts, please email info.southerntierlife@gmail.com.

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