I realize I write about “Before.” I guess at my age you think a lot about time gone by and wonder where things are going now.
I was born I think at Mercy Hospital in Mariemont. I was raised in Owensville-Batavia area first on St Rt 132 right across from fairgrounds, then on St Rt 132 closer to Batavia. I went to Owensville Elementary school right at the crossroads of 132 and 276. I bought a bag of French fries for lunch at Nelsons in Owensville. (walked from school). There was also a little store right across the road from the school. But it closed.
Mine was the first class to go all 4 years at the NEW CNE! I had many friends and made many new ones along the way. I started at Cincinnati Bell on my 18th birthday and worked and retired from there.
As I have told you before I dated my sister Connies’ old boyfriend. I dated him because of his cool car. We spent most of our time at dirt tracks, drag strips, ballgames, etc. I think we were weird. No movies-no big dinner dates, just dirt and bleachers. He came very early one night. I was still under the hairdryer. He handed me a letter-“Greetings From The President of the United States. “drafted”!
We married on his first leave-moved to Augusta Ga. I worked for Southern Bell and he worked for Uncle Sam. He was sent to Viet Nam and returned home a year later.
Oh yeah—while he was in Viet Nam-Guess what? I had a son Terry Ray named after a dear friend and my Dad. Richard drove me crazy to move to this “new” development in Summerside-now known as Eastgate. We did-I spent days crying on the front steps wishing for Owensville. I still live there in the same house with the same steps. Not crying now. Eastgate was just a little place waiting to develop. The country house where they sold Christmas trees is gone. Batelles grocery is gone. The Methodist church has closed. Eastgate Mall was built after we moved here.
Do you remember “THE HUT”? I did some dancing there. My son went to a place in Mt Carmel that is now a church.”Rocking Country”. He met Tim McGraw there and went on his tour bus. He introduced his Cousin to his good friend Mike from softball. They married and had 3 beautiful children. Terry Ray and Mike are both gone now waiting for the rest of us in that place prepared. They are probably laughing and having a wonderful time.
Anyway-now there is the mall-Kroger-Meijer-Frisch’s-Jungle Jim’s. Bob Evans, you name it we got it. All taken care of by The best -Union Township Police. I understand “West Clermont” is one of the largest schools in the state. Sure different from Summerside Elementary.
Things have sure changed but the people are friendly. You sure don’t have to go far to get a bite to eat. I’ll have to ask my girls how it was when they were kids and teens and young. I was too busy working and taking care of family . LOL
I hope you can remember you “Before” with smiles and a happy heart just as i do. God Bless!