History lesson

 Honestly, when I was young, I was just not all that into history. 

But, as I grew older I became interested in genealogy, and with the research it takes to find past relatives, well you can’t bypass all the historical information that leads you through the branches of a family tree.

Just the other day, I stopped by Sharp Farms Market and Deli, where I enjoyed a visit with Mrs. Chloe Ann and Billy Stewart, Charlie Stephens and Anthony Harmon. 

As we chatted. our conversation soon turned to our memories of growing up in Bethel and Sharpsburg and some of the towns history.

It’s interesting how my memories differ from someone who grew up there in a different decade.

For me, when I close my eyes, I can see Doodle’s Gas Station in full swing; the long wooden bench that sat below the front window and Mr. Bob cleaning someones windshield.

Next to Doodles was where my friend Daphne Fair lived and if you crossed the street to the other side is where a line of apartments once stood.

When I think of my hometown, I see folks going inside the old Citizens Bank or Jessie’s Pool Room or loading some feed into their truck at Pecks Farm Supply.

Oh, and there is Bessie Brooks standing inside the door of Mrs. Geneva’s.

For years I thought Bessie was about 12, until daddy told me she was his age.

On down the street was Fred Shrout’s Junk Store, Best Grocery and Roberts Grocery all made up the row of shops along the sidewalk.

I see Mr. Billy Roberts standing behind the meat counter in his white apron as he weighs out some hamburger or slices bologna.

As you crossed the road on the same side, there was the Post Office where Mrs. Betty Roberts would be behind the counter some days. 

The Town Square, where daddy said he got to see movies and sold popcorn for Mr. Eli Roberts, was located between the Post Office and the Fire House.

Seems like I remember a live cedar tree was decorated in the town square sometimes.

At the Fire House you could always find one of daddy’s best friends, Sleepy Martin, sitting in his usual chair next to the side entrance.

The streets were lined with beautiful huge trees and there was always an old blue garbage barrel that sat next to the phone booth on the corner.

If you crossed the street at the stop light and headed back downtown, there was the old block building that housed different businesses at times, then next was the little house where Timmy Petitt lived, and the big two story, Bachelor’s Hall, where my friend Patricia Reed once lived, and then there was Ramona’s little beauty shop and Mrs. Jenny Petitt’s house and last was Mr. Owen’s Gulley’s little shop.

Depending on what age I am when my memories surface, I can see Mrs. Nancy Gilvin as she cuts my hair short, or hear Mrs. Gladys Jones as she hollers for me or Claudia, “girls, one of ya’ll come here. I need you to run up to the store for me.”

So, as Mrs. Chloe Ann said, “we are a tight, close-knit bunch, those of us from Bethel and Sharpsburg and always will be, and we will always enjoy a chance to sit and reminisce.

Remembering those who lived among us and before us, yep, that’s the best history class ever