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Discussion: A Place CAlled Home--Part OneReported This is a featured thread

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terriem88
A Place CAlled Home--Part One
Apr 18 2007, 2:56 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 18 2007, 2:56 PM EDT
Down this dusty road is found the path of a million dusty footprints
The natives to the land gathering for the long and desperate winters
The deer running through the forest as the hunters track and trail with the arrows of their Fathers

Creeping past the creek near white men’s homesteads
Uncertain what a meeting meant between them
footsteps treading lightly past the trails of smoke from occupied cabins
Families who know nothing of the wilderness and who themselves would brave the winters to make this their home in the west—rich farmland to be sewn

Edwards came home after many years
Chasing the Indians himself—but not with distain or harm toward them
With interest for their way of life--for their ceremony
He photographed them—a feat that was rare if ever done
His pictures came to Crossman Gallery with Rick’s and so many other’s help
Jeanine watched as he explained to group after group the meaning of this exhibit to this community—she actively joined with him in his dream and went onto support those that proudly battle with Cancer—as did Cheryl and others too numerous to mention—the churches, the women—strong women of Whitewater uplifting others in their despair—yes we are proud men and women who work to build bridges and live in peace.

The Victorian on Main stands proud and silent as the tour passes
How much history has passed through town—past her door
How many strangers have come by on their horses
the hitching post bares the history of many horsemen
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Posted Anonymously
1. RE: A Place CAlled Home--Part Two
Apr 18 2007, 3:00 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 18 2007, 3:00 PM EDT
Lincoln—yes the president had been in the area—a fine honest man if ever there were
Near Cold Spring—rumored that he slept on the hill
Artist and teachers—a teacher’s school
People from all walks of life
The underground railroad rumored under Hamilton House held many an interested student in years now gone--to spook each other as they searched the for “tunnels”
Milton has the Octagon house and Janesville the Tallman
Children anxiously awaiting the stories of history to meet with the 6th grade field trip
At Tallman to climb the tower where the lantern hung
The stain glass window panes a part of the signal given for safe passage
Few questioned that this indeed was part of the history of this small Midwestern town
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Posted Anonymously
2. RE: A Place CAlled Home--Part Three
Apr 18 2007, 3:01 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 18 2007, 3:01 PM EDT
Few passed through without some speculation
about the pictures painted in the stories told
This hometown where the circus train annually treks
Where one street once cobblestone and rough
has the tough look of taverns in the west
Wagon wheel railings and once and awhile a patron too rowdy
found outside the establishment to cool their heels a bit
But mostly it is a town where everyone knows a little about someone

A stranger is known not only by the difference in their license plate
but the difference in their talk, their stride, their distance from townies
That’s usually how it is in smaller towns
But Main Street so quaint won an honor
To keep it’s look—to draw more business and to be a state project for awhile
So many people involved in making it so
Fancy fish sold at market—for the art
Chairs converted to cows, musical fantasy, sunburst, optical tools
And sold to keep the art alive with the alliance standing firm
The big chair that seated so many of the notables
A symbol of the community and its’ appreciation
In this town the food pantry is never bare—food and blood drives keep thriving
Families are surviving because of the people of this little town
farmers and townies alike—students and faculty supporting the cause
The pantry, the clothes closet, thrift, Bethesda, the Gathering, Habitat for Humanity—the University, the churches and all their goodness—working with hands together to make it a good place for everyone

Names on buildings don’t tell the stories well enough—but they denote a willingness to support—names that most know the stories behind and willingly would share about this little town. The numbers of people it takes to raise our children and grandchildren into citizens of which to be proud.
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Posted Anonymously
3. RE: A Place CAlled Home--Part Four
Apr 18 2007, 3:02 PM EDT | Post edited: Apr 18 2007, 3:02 PM EDT
It is the friendliness in the air
The fresh green fields that bare the staples
The backyard summer barbecues
And the forth of July parade
Thanksgiving where often a student who wouldn’t otherwise go home comes to dinner
It is the dedicated individuals that serve as volunteers to help their neighbors
A good police chief—a force willing to serve and deter crime—to keep all safe
Firemen who put out the fires—transport the injured—use tools and brawn to save lives
Volunteers who help others cross a street or help a child or Senior read a book
Give a ride to church or deliver a meal to someone who needs a friendly face
Or the parents that stand in the bus line with all the children to deter bullying
It is the Parents that raise neighborhood children along with their own-- teaching them
To know right from wrong
To be kind and giving
To do what is right and frown on what is wrong
To stand together and embrace community issues with heart as well as mind

The blustery Autumn wind breaks at the top of Hillside Cemetery
So many at rest
The families of the first
And all those that followed them to this place
Grandpa mowed the lawns here
Knowing someday he and Grandma would make their last debut
In the freshly uplifted earth—planted like the tree above them
Among so many good people
Family, friends and neighbors
Of our little town
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