Childhood memories are strong and clear; it all seemed so simple and predictable. I can't remember whether I've been told some of this or whether I actually was a part of it all. My dad drove "real fast" and I was standing up in the front seat of his car. We went to the mill and blew the whistle "a lot of times" because the war was over. We went to both Churches - I always liked those little brown hymn books at the Methodist Church and I liked Preacher Boyer who always told me something about my family. He married my Mother and Father and he wrote me a "welcome" letter when I was born. I still have that letter. School was fun - Aunt Helen Windle had the greatest laugh and her rhythm band was quite a group. We wore purple capes to perform. In the lunchroom, we drank milk out of little bottles - now I collect those little bottles. I always took a nickel to walk to Dick's Store even though we had to cross that "dangerous street"! Sometimes when the creek flooded, we could see it from school and it was "real Scary". Walking to "town" was a big part of the day we visited everything! First, both stores: Thompson's because we could see funny lace-up shoes, and Mr. Albert's because my grandmother worked there. "Spec" Davis worked there too and he would always say "Something' for you, Jane"? They had Merita Bread, and we collected those labels for years - trying to win big prizes. The post office was a stop (my box number was 122) and Miss Annie Blair always let us (Ann and I) come back and watch her work. I always wanted a street address and finally some streets were named, but I knew I really didn't need "Elm Street" to get my mail. The Mill was always a stop - and usually it was busy - and big trucks were around - everybody was "real" friendly - Miss Ava, especially, would always seem interested in us. The Mill had a big pool where people were baptized- I was really frightened of that pool and glad I never had to get in it, but I always went to watch. Trains were always going through - I would bring home friends from other places, and without fail, they would wake up in a panic when it sounded as if the train were in the same room with you! None, however, was more fun than the circus train! All the kids waited for that train for hours! These ramblings could continue, I hope they still occur for people who grew up there as I did. It was a tiny place, but there were a lot of "happenings" I thought! It was fun to be a part of it - to have in my memories now such special people and such a pleasant growing-up.

Jane Waller Fine

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