It seems as if there are an endless amount of small towns in Maryland, Carroll County housing many of the proclaimed "small towns." As a resident of one of these small towns, there are some things you know all too well. Here are 12 signs that you grew up in Carroll County.
1. It is not unusual to get stuck behind some sort of farm equipment
While driving on a back road, or really any road for that matter, you are bound to meet up with a tractor or hay bailer.
2. “Heroin Kills” was the most frightening movie of your childhood
We all feared the day in health class when we had to watch the unforgettable and deeply saddening documentary about the dangers of heroin and the loss of a young Westminster student due to overdose.
3. You know exactly what the ‘truck row’ is
You know… that row of jacked up trucks with rifle racks and smoke stacks so big you could fit inside them.
4. There is no good shopping mall within a reasonable distance
While Fredrick mall may be close for some, the others have to make the trek to Columbia, Arundel Mills, or Towson.
5. None of your college friends understand where you’re from
While some Marylanders have heard of the county itself, when mentioning the specific name of your town no one understands.
6. The only town anyone has heard of is Westminster
When you say Hampstead, Taneytown, Finksburg, or New Windsor, people have no idea where you live, but once you mention Westminster they always seem to go “oooooh, yeah I have heard of that.”
7. Baugher’s provides both fall and summer essentials
This is the top place to go pumpkin picking before Halloween or to pick berries in the summer, as well as get delicious pies and other home-baked goods.
8. You understand that Sykesville and Eldersburg are actually the same place
Eldersburg=Sykesville and Sykesville=Eldersburg, I mean they do have the same zip code and is even likely to be referred to as ‘Sykesburg’.
9. The smell of manure in the spring
With all the farmland and crops surrounding our towns, there is that time of year where they are all being fertilized. This means no windows down in the car, and holding your nose immediately after exiting your house.
10. Every town has their own iconic ice cream shop
For example, Westminster has Hoffman’s, Sykesville has Twin Kiss, and Mt. Airy has Jimmie Cone.
11. You were astonished by the diversity of your college
After attending a rural high school filled with people who all seemed to be the same, it was both surprising and delightful to be surrounded by people of varying races, religions, and ethnicities.
12. The corn fields and rolling hills make you feel at home
We may complain about boredom, cows, and cornfields, but we all can admit that nothing feels more like home than returning to your small town and being surrounded by those you know and love most.
