The Things We Miss

This morning as I was thinking of something to post on the blog the idea of the things I miss about Cherryville came to mind. It just so happened that as I read the Gaston Observer, there was an article about the 10 things the writer liked about Gaston County, which further inspired me to create this entry.

For some of you, you still live in Cherryville and probably take for granted some of the things that the rest of us wish we still had. Those of us that have moved out of town and only get home for the occassional visit can only think back to the days and remember the things about a small home town that most people can not comprehend. I'm sure I'm not the only person to tell someone where I'm from and some of the unique things about it only to have them look at me like I'm crazy.

So here goes!! The question is, what are the things you miss most/love about Cherryville? It can be anything and everything that you think of, as much or as little as you want. Here goes my attempt at a few things I miss the most.

1. Lottaburgers - What more needs to be said! I have eaten cheeseburgers all over this country and can say that I've had none finer that a messy Shake Shop lottaburger with cheese, slaw and tomato with a big cup of sweet tea. While I've found a few to curve my cravings, there are still times when I have dreams of them. Add the ambiance of the building and Duck Jarrett and you can't beat it.

2. Baseball - There is nothing like going to a baseball game in Cherryville, whether it be little league, high school or legion. I was home and attended a legion game a couple years ago and had to laugh. I had forgotten how tough a place Cville is to play, but with the likes of Hoover Quinn yelling from the third base bleachers, who wouldn't be intimidated. I can almost smell the hot dogs and peanuts right now. There is something about a hot dog at a ball game.

3. Knowing Everyone - While there were times that you wish you could go somewhere where no one knew you, looking back, it is nice to walk into an establishment and be able to spend a few minutes chatting with everyone in the room. Of course the flip side is everyone knowing everything you have ever done your entire life. Is it just me or do some of you run into someone from Cville or someone that knows someone from Cville everywhere you go?

4. Traffic (or lack thereof) - How nice was it to be able to get anywhere in town you wanted to go in 5 minutes or less? While Hickory, NC isn't the worst place in the world for traffic, you still have to know how to get around in order to avoid the major congestion areas.

5. Things never change - You never realize how things tend to remain the same until you aren't there all the time and go home. Many of our traditions have remained in place for years. For instance, I had never realized how "different" our homecomeing tradition is. I was home several weeks ago and went to the football game. My girlfriend could not believe that our court wore white wedding dresses! In thinking and talking with my parents, this tradition has gone back well before they were even around. It was funny to walk into the game and see many of the same people that were there when we were in school, standing or sitting in the same spots. I think the conversation was nearly the same as well. Also, how many places allow men with 200 year old muskets to roam the city on New Year's. I've often wondered what someone who just happened to be traveling through town at midnight on New Year's would think at this spectacle.

I'm sure that I could come up with many other things if I really sat and thought about it, but I want to leave something for you to respond to. Let's hear it. If you still live in Cville, please let us know what has kept you there all these years, or maybe what drives you crazy about the place.

As a reminder, please RSVP to the evite for the reunion and send your money to Kelly (Davis) Homesley. Looks like we are going to have a great crowd. I know it is going to be a good time.

Ben

Reuniting

After many months of talking back and forth with various people, it looks like the CHS Class of 1995 10 year reunion is finalized!!! In case you don't know, the reunion will be held at Tyber Creek Restaurant and Pub in Charlotte, NC on November 26th from 7 - 10pm (don't worry, we aren't leaving at 10).

I think this is a good time to thank all those that have been involved in planning and making sure the details are worked out. A special thanks goes out to Jason Hollifield for getting the place arranged and sending out the evite (if anyone is planning a wedding, I hear he's a great coordinator), Chad Porter for generously putting the deposit for the place, and to Kelly (Davis) Homesley for agreeing to handle the money. There have been many more people that have contributed in various other ways so thanks goes out to you as well.

Hopefully, many of you reading this have received the evite with the details of the reunion, but we do need help gathering emails and addresses of many of our other classmates. We want to notify as many as possible about the fun. Please let us know if you have information on any classmates.

Also, Dennis Bradford has just returned from a deployment in Iraq with the US Marine Corps. I know that Frank Harmon has been or will be deployed for Iraq as well with the US Army. Guys, from all of us, thank you, for what you are doing and for your sacrifices! Please keep Frank and his family in your prayers, as well as the rest of the guys that our in harms way!

It's going to be great seeing a lot of you for the first time in years and hopefully keeping up with you from this point forward.

Feel free to comment on the blog at anytime!