Monday, June 9, 2008

Collecting Thoughts







Wow...
look at
the people gathered
on Main Street!!
For those of us
who grew up in
Sharpsburg in the 60's and 70's
this is one rare photo!



Collecting Thoughts

My column in the Messenger is titled Collecting Thoughts.
I had intended to write about some of the things I collect like vintage linens, cookbooks, tea pots, and dishes for my kitchen.
But most times I just write what comes to mind each week.
Several ramblings have been about growing up in my hometown
of Sharpsburg.

I thought I would post some of my columns for those of you who don't
get to pick up a copy of the Messenger.

I surely hope I dont bore ya, and I especially hope you will leave some of your own thoughts on collecting and your childhood or teenage memories.

June 9, 2008 Edition of the Messenger
Sharing our history creates nostalgic memories
Let me tell ya, you really missed out if you didnʼt make it to Community Day in Sharpsburg last Saturday.
I guess I am a little biased since I grew up right in the middle of the little town, but I was beaming with pride when I got a gander at how many people turned out for this event.
I have to say Mayor Clemons and all who helped in any way to organize the event, hatʼs off to you. You did an outstanding job!
When Emily and I turned off the new by-pass to head down Main Street, I could not believe my eyes and thought I surely must be in the wrong town.
Cars, trucks and motorcycles were parked as far as I could see, and the middle of town was blocked off. I have never seen “up town” blocked off in my life.
Nor have I ever seen so many people gathered along the street and sidewalks except for trick-or-treat night years ago.
I truly loved the display of old photographs inside the firehouse and especially enjoyed listening to people I have known for years share their own memories about growing up in Sharpsburg.
I saw tons of folks I instantly recognized and several faces that took me a few minutes to remember.
I was a disappointed with the absence of a few familiar faces.
I would have loved to seen my best friends Melissa Petitt, Tammy Reffitt and Judy Richmond.
Mary Louise Jones and Pam Boyd, if you were among the crowd, I didn’t see you, and it would have been lots of fun just to sit and chat about old times.
Although I didn’t get a chance to speak to my old buddy Chad Hart, I did spot him in the crowd.
I did, however, meet up with an old schoolmate and was proud to hear Chris Bailey had gone into the ministry and is now the pastor of Grace Gospel Tabernacle where I went to Sunday school as a child.
For me, the day was an amazing turn of events for my little hometown, and just seeing all the food and craft vendors that lined the streets was a sight to see.
Watching a community of old friends and neighbors enjoy meeting up with each other after years of being away was a wonderful experience.
Celebrating our history, I discovered as I talked to dozens of folks, is very important to those of us who call Sharpsburg home. For us locals, it is a town that will be forever remembered as a place filled with amazing people and memories we hold dear to our hearts.
For everyone who came out to enjoy the day of nostalgic reminiscing, I know you are already looking forward to next year.
So dig up those old photographs and year books and make plans for next years celebration.
Community Day will be a day that will go down in history for all of us who love sharing memories of growing up in a town called Sharpsburg.

1 comment:

Deborah said...

I enjoyed this Kim. Wish I could have been there!