PLACES: “BEEN THERE,DONE THAT”

Small towns seem to have one thing in common, they are not a mecca for things to do. Maybe a good thing being from a small town is one’s ability to use your imagination. When given lemons, make lemonade. Our town did have the traditional hamburger grill with a pool hall in the back. Since gambling did take place on various games of pool, the local pastors and their flocks considered pool halls phase one to hell’s gate. Gate two to hell, attending the local theater on Sunday afternoon. Not sure which issue was more complex, opening a business on Sunday or going from a dry county to a wet county (being able to buy beer during the week). Gate three to hell, patronizing the several illicit watering holes ( referred to as a dive). Dives were places of business where one could indulge in gambling ( poker, blackjack, Texas draw, etc.) and wet one’s whistle with illegal moonshine. Two fingers of “shine” would cost two dollars with chaser. Bonded whiskey cost a whopping fifty-cents more. Clientele was usually local. At times a card shark would pop in, but God forbid he was caught cheating. The owner/barkeep was well versed in his clientele. There were the happy drunks. After two drinks, everyone became their friend. Of course, the good old boys talking farming , sports, or a day in the textile mill. And last but not least, the trouble makers. These were the ones after two drinks let their mouths overload their butt. The meek all of a sudden became the heavyweight champion of the world. Butt whippings were pretty common place and generally forgotten the next day. Several of my family members were founding participants of getting and giving butt whippings.

Fishing, hunting, and local high school sports rounding out things to do. Almost everyone had shotguns ,rifles and a plywood fishing boat. Swamps, rivers, and open fields offered a treasure trove of fishing and hunting. The only two rules: eat what you shoot or catch and make sure the gates are closed behind you. Aside from church and work, high school sports was the heartbeat of a small town. Most of the schools we competed against were prototypes of my town. Bragging rights for a victory in football, basketball, or baseball games made the locals feel like royalty whenever the opportunity arose. Winning on a Friday night made going to the barber shop on Saturday more enjoyable. Lots of back slapping , great game, and “keep it going” talk. However, God forbid if you lost to a rival town. You avoided the public until your next victory even if you desperately needed a haircut.