Allison Diers Blass, 57, (pictured with daughter Hannah) is a Kington native and stay-at-home mom. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kingston Wire: How did you or your family come to Kington?

Allison Diers Blass: I was born here. On my maternal side, they were some of the original settlers down in New Paltz and then they settled more up this way in Kingston, up to Saugerties. They were the Snyders.

KW: What do you like about Kingston?

ADB: Growing up, it was such a great place. I lived in the Rondout and everybody knew everybody. You know, like your neighbors’ parents were your parents too. On weekends, we kids could take a bus uptown where you had the Woolworth’s and all the other stores and just stay there all day. It was just very tight-knit, but it’s not like that anymore. It’s a different city.

KW: What would you change about Kingston?

ADB: Well right now I would like the [Pike Plan] canopies back, but I don’t think that would ever happen. I was just saying [to Hannah] that since I was born, they’ve always just been there. It really changes the look of everything and I don’t think for the better.

KW: How do you think Kingston will be different in 10 years?

ADB: I really don’t know. Just looking around here there’s so many little cafés and shops that might still be around or not, but I really can’t say.