HOMETOWNS
About half of our class have exchanged Sheffield for a new hometown.  Most of these new hometowns are in the southeast United States, but some have moved far afield.  Elsewhere, we will puff out our chests and tell you and show you the good things that are  happening in our first hometown, Sheffield.  Here, those of us who have relocated want you to see some of the neat things about where we live now.

 

All of us Class of Fifty-Sixers' First Hometown:

Sheffield, Alabama

 

Larry Hall's movie of Collierville inspired Linda Methvin Smith with the cybertechnical resources of Jim Kimbrell to produce their own movie featuring some of the positive things happening around the place where we all call "Home."   

Clik the Pic to start the movie/slideshow

But, wait, there's more.   She's been roving the streets, capturing some of the places we remember from our youth and has even included some shots of the construction on the two new industrial acquisitions for the Shoals area that will bring over 3,000 new jobs.  No doubt, many will find the charm of Sheffield as a bedroom community alluring.

Now that she and Jim have gotten this production under their belts, she says that we will be seeing more to come.

As a former Guv said, "Y'all come back, y'hear!"
Jim Kimbrell's Hometown:

Charleston, South Carolina

We knew it was only a matter of time 'til we got the movie-slideshow from our computer-savvy classmate, Jim Kimbrell.  He's done a grand job of putting together some of the landmarks and beautiful spots around this beautiful, historic city of Charles' Towne.

CLICK THE PIC

 

To learn more about Charleston, visit this site:

http://en.wikipedia.org:80/wiki/Charleston,_South_Carolina
 

Larry Hall's Hometown:

Collierville, Tennessee

The Town Square

Larry has created a slide show with Walgreen's PhotoShow software.  Click on the picture of Collierville's town square above.  You can hear the music by clicking on the loudspeaker icon.  You can change the size of the pictures by clicking on the "Full Size" button--but be patient while it changes.  Keep your finger on the left click mouse button and the cursor over the "Pause" button of the slide show and you will be able to stop and read the historical markers when they fill up the screen.

Neat job, Larry!  Your hometown has an attractive town center.

 

Buck Locke's Hometown:

Winchester, Massachusetts

 

THE ROUTE

 

I think of Coach Curry often

When I put on my running shoes.

And now Louis has inspired or

Suggested I combine that with my muse.

 

When it was suggested for the website

That photos of our town would be cool

I was not interested for I needed a theme

To organize the effort I need a rule.

 

Coach Curry would be sad

To see how slow I go.

The miles are longer now

As we all know.

So one morning before jogging exercise

The idea that photos of my route could be fun.

It was just exactly the theme that I needed

So camera in hand I started to run.

 

About 4 blocks from my house

Is the Winchester music school.

I pass it at the beginning of the run

And when I return I’m almost done.

 

Look carefully at the house it was the home

Of Frankie Fontaine who was on the TV show

Of Jackie Gleason back in the ‘50s.

This you may remember and know!

 

Up toward the hospital and then down a hill

To this intersection like any town USA.

The traffic light is there but not much traffic

Generally I run across, no stopping on my way.

 

This marks about a mile or so of jogging.

In a burst of enthusiasm I did once measure

Long ago but the distance is now forgotten

Now I just get out and run for pleasure.

 

A little on down the way

Is the Swanton Street Diner

On Sunday after church

There is nothing finer.
 

Well over two miles into the run

All warmed up and having fun

On my right is the town dump!

Actually the transfer station

With bins for plastics, glass, paper, etc.

Recycling cemetery for man’s decayed creation.

 

Then breathing heavy at the top

Of long hill is Joe Bellino’s Park

When I get here I know

This is my halfway mark!

 

Joe is a local boy who won

The Heisman Trophy as halfback

In 1960 playing for Navy

The town honored him with this plaque.

 

Turning now for home down the hill

I coast passing shops to the town

Common where in the summer concerts are held

The place is a jewel for all who come around.

 

Yes, Winchester is a typical New England town

About 10 miles outside of Boston, it very near.

In the winter when leaves are off the trees

We can see the skyscrapers there very clear.

 

But the town is small about 20,000 or so

Bigger than the Sheffield of our youth

Smaller than Florence

That’s God’s honest truth!

 

To the center of Boston by car about 15 minutes

Unless it is rush hour and it can take two hours.

The roads can be busy and parking is a hassle

But the train there runs through this town of ours.

 

Huffing and puffing homeward bound

Here are some pictures of my town

Cute little shops with gold lettered signs

Little stores inside treasures one finds.

 

Off to the west in Burlington town are big malls

Here are just little local folk where you can shop

And chat about the town selectmen or the dump

No hurry to move on, just for awhile come to a stop.

 

Nelson’s Bakery where folk

Have breakfast or lunch

And across the street Book Ends

To find poetry or a novel with punch.

 

 

And across the street the ubiquitous

Starbucks which has good coffee

But since I’m moving on now

Picking up speed – a latte is not for me!

 

 

With the center of town

A quiet tranquil little place

All told about four blocks of stores

On every visit I see a neighbors face.

   

 

Yes, we have some monuments

One that gets my attention

Is this one honoring the WWI fallen

In that “Great War”, them I must mention.

 

It was erected a long time ago

Since that time many more wars

And many more have fallen for our freedom.

 

 

I pass by many public building on my way

The Town Hall with its clock tolling each hour.

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful Town Library gothic design

Interesting when I look how much I can find.

 

 

The fire department with utilitarian design

 And on the top a cupola that stands guard

24/7 the firemen are ready to respond

To emergencies of most any kind.

   

At Christmas time the lines of folk

Stretch out the Post Office door

Needing to get packages in the mail

Get there early so it’s not such a chore.

 

 

So up by the middle school

Its not very far now, a few more blocks

And then I’m home again

A time to realize I’m one of the  ol’ jocks.

 

 

Passing the Music School, slow down to cool

Home looks good, the run is done

Now you have seen my town on my route

Hope you had some fun!

                                                I did!

                                        Buck