Small Town America



Although I have lived all but eight years of my life in the largest city of our state, my life, my roots, began in Small Town, America. 

There were no malls, Kmart, Walmart, or Target stores.  People dressed up and went "downtown".  At Christmastime, we went to "see the lights" and my parents shopped for gifts at the tire store.  I think it was Pep Boys or the Firestone Store.  Not only did they sell tires and automotive parts, they also sold home appliances, bicycles, wagons, and toys.

Kress, Efird's, Matthews-Belk, and Woolworth's (my grandma called it the "Dime Store" were located downtown.  The best hotdogs ever were eaten while spinning round and round on a bar stool at the drugstore counter.  The best ice cream came from Tony's.  Mom's favorite was butter pecan and mine was grape.  They are still in business today.  There are a few things in life that never change.

Sadly, during the late 1950's and early 1960's, there were restrooms and water fountains labeled "White Only" and "Colored".  I remember playing with my first black friend in Efird's.  Children then, and now, bridge racial barriers so much easier than adults.

Gold or green stamps were given by merchants for purchases at gas stations and grocery stores.  I helped Mom lick 'em and stick 'em in coupon books which, when filled, could be redeemed for prizes.  My first fashion doll  (lovingly called, My Fake Barbie) came from the Gold Stamp Store.  I still have her, along with an American Tourister suitcase my Mom redeemed with stamps after we moved to the "big city". That red suitcase went lots of fun places with me as a teenager and beyond.  It now holds sweet memories of the past.

 

In Small Town, America, my brothers and I attended elementary school with students from first through eighth grade.  Kids at our school were so smart they didn't need kindergarten.  My brothers each attended there for all eight years and I attended two before we moved to the city.  Our principal's name was Mr. Bess.  Corporal punishment with a paddle was used for unruly boys...and if you got one at school, you could expect another one at home.  I've been told my cousin was well acquainted with Mr. Bess's "seat of instruction".  I was terrified of him, although I'm sure he was a very nice man.

My favorite part of school was recess, fresh doughnuts made by Mrs. Capps (the lunch lady), and banana popsicles purchased after school.  If you had a really good friend, you could break it in half down the middle and share it while waiting for the school bus.


Can you imagine tenth, eleventh, and twelfth graders driving buses filled with elementary students today?  Were students more mature then?  I don't know the answer to that question, but my brother was my school bus driver, and I lived to tell about it!

Copyright 2011 Charlotte Laney