Where I come from

Believe it or not, there are some days I want to throw in the towel to DC life and move back home with my parents. Today was one of those days. I have somehow managed to make the entire senior leadership team at my office mad at me just for doing my job as I’ve done it for six years. Being really frustrated today, I spent a good chunk of time on the newest group I joined on Facebook: “You know you’re from Stanton, Iowa if . . .” It soothed my soul to reminisce about my days growing up in that small town. What’s great is that some of these memories were posted by people graduated years before and after me. Life in Stanton doesn’t change, which is good. I’m glad my sister has the same experiences I did. Even though I’m extremely blessed with the path my life has taken, I do miss the simplicity and goodness of Stanton.

As I went through the 700+ posts in the group, I picked out a few that highlight the best of Stanton. Sorry for those who won’t understand the references; feel free to ask me if you want an explanation. I added a photo gallery at the end to give you small glimpse of life in Stanton.

And Grammy, no, this doesn’t mean I’m moving back anytime soon!

Without further adieu:

• You can be categorized into more than one “clique”-athlete, nerd, AND band geek, anything you want!

• During football season your Friday math homework in Mr. Gilliland’s class included your prediction for that nights football game score.

• You had some of the same teachers you parents did in high school

• You didn’t turn your Christmas lights on until Santa Lucia night.

• All Jr &Sr Girls (before the Santa Lucia crown was electric) understood no hairspray meant NO HAIRSPRAY…

• You still have to eat a cinnamon roll with your chili.

• You ran “the town mile” during practice, and knew who lived in all the houses along the way.

• You can still impress your friends by singing Silent Night in Swedish.

• You know what the phone number 829-9712 is to and what the just call and click it means.

• “We got the Beat” was the half-time entertainment at EVERY home basketball game.

• You know a Chili pie supper is not a pie made of chili.

• All honor roll students were allowed to leave study hall to hang out in the “lounge,” listen to the stereo & play cards.

• You might have to duck a flying baton or eraser in band.

• You know the fastest way to get from school to the pancake feed.

• You know everyone in your classs, plus several grades ahead of you or behind you.

• If your mother or grandmother has a cutting board you made in woodshop.

• You mom/dad said to “Charge It.” Of course this could means Shorty’s, Schenck’s, or Bob’s…Just walk in get what you need and say those two magic words “Charge It” and you walked out with what you needed.

• 8th grade graduation

• You can honestly say that you grew up in a town without a single traffic light.

• You were excited about fire drills in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades because you got to slide down the fire escape!

• You had an opinion on Brownies or Cherry Bars.

• You knew Don’s bus was the slow one, Marilee’s was the fast one and Harlan’s hit the most mail boxes.

• You know who Virginia Christine is and why Stanton is home to the “World’s Largest Swedish Coffee Pot.”

• You know you can’t ride a Dala horse.

• You were proud to be a “Viking/Viqueen,” but often had to explain what a “Viqueen” was.

• You know all 7 jumps!

• You learn your directions by knowing where South Hill and West Hill are located.

• You didn’t have to turn on your blinker because the car behind you already knew where you were going!

• You still refer to the two churches in town as “the big church” and “the little church.”

• You’re worried someone will think your racist because you tell them you’re from the “Little White City.”

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Advertisement