Laurie Stuart, publisher and editor of this newspaper, received a well-deserved Community Service Award at the Upper Delaware Council’s Annual Awards Banquet on April 28. Unless some reader accuse me of buttering up to the boss, you should know that I don’t do this for a living and the pittance I’m paid won’t even pay for a tank of gas.

Nevertheless, the award is in recognition for establishing a River Valley Visioning Committee, volunteer work with the Narrowsburg Chamber of Commerce and work as editor and publisher of The River Reporter, which has reported on and editorialized about life in the Upper Delaware Valley, its past, present and future.

It’s the latter that I address now in view of the recent economic vision forum sponsored by The River Reporter under the leadership of Laurie and Tom Kane. It was a considerable achievement to bring together the economic movers and shakers from both sides of the river. Laurie told me that it was a good beginning and she was happy with the turnout.

The question remains, what’s next?

Let’s face it, the Upper Delaware isn’t the Catskills or the Poconos. The Catskills and Poconos are traditional rivals for the same tourist dollar and both areas gear promotions to the New York metropolitan area. The proposed Sullivan casinos and Bethel Performing Arts Center are in direct competition with the proposed Pocono Performing Arts Center.

None of the roads to these attractions lead to the Upper Delaware. In fact they bypass it. But because of its unique position astride both states, and somewhat off the beaten path, the Upper Delaware is a “niche” market between competing forces. By the same token, the Upper Delaware is not the “Land That Time Forgot;” it has its own persona.

What is that persona or what can it be?

The Upper Delaware is the family-affordable alternative. It attracts the non-casino, non-large music venue crowd. It’s designation as both a New York Scenic Byway and American Revolution Heritage Trail, assets that the Catskills and Poconos lack. One need only to visit Gettysburg, PA on any given day from April to November to believe that heritage is sellable. It boosts an active and healthy arts community.

The fishermen and white water enthusiasts have already discovered the recreational values of the Upper Delaware. We need to broaden this base and reach out to the heritage traveler, and the antique and collectibles crowd. (Gettysburg has an outdoor antique and collectible show twice yearly that attracts thousands of antiquers from all over the east coast). We need to attract the art collectors, the sightseers who like to get off the beaten path, the outdoor recreationist (I know that there is opposition in some circles to an Upper Delaware bicycle trail but what could be more appropriate than this clean and green activity?), the nature enthusiast (the inaugural EagleFest is a great beginning) and the second home and retirement home owner.

The natural and cultural setting is one of our greatest assets. New England trades on its picturesque countryside, towns and villages. The Sullivan Renaissance projects in the river valley are certainly a step in this direction. The casinos and large performing arts centers are someone else’s economic lifelines.

As the black educator Booker T. Washington said when speaking on economic opportunity, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” The bucket is being dipped into the Upper Delaware.