I guarantee that some of my readers have never even heard of Deerfield. Believe it or not, it's not even on some road maps, if that gives you any indication to its size. That being said, its the most homey, quaint little town you'll ever run through. Anyone from Deerfield will know these classic signs that tell you exactly where you are, and anyone from a small town can relate.
1. Your favorite thing to do on a Friday night was watch football...
Season after season, we'd gather our group of friends and head on over to the field all decked out in our Deerfield Demon's gear. Some were die-hard fans, others were just looking to hang out; I personally treated them more like a social event than a sport.
2. ...and most of us were within walking distance.
I was lucky enough to be literally across the street. No seriously, I could toss a rock from my backyard through the fence to the field.
3. The acceptable place for a lunch date was Subway.
"I'm hungry, wanna get food?" "Sure, I'll meet you at Subway in a half hour."
4. If you wanted to get out and do something fun, you had to go all the way to Madison.
Because the only recreational activity available was the park or the bars, there was no in-between for us high school kids. We were always up for a trip to East Town Mall or the movies, or on a special occasion, State Street.
5. You weren't phased by the fact that they somehow managed to fit four bars on the same street.
Not including the ones on the outskirts of town. This was a running joke with my friends in high school: welcome to Deerfield, where we have more bars than restaurants and gas stations.
6. You knew everyone you graduated with.
Believe it or not, my graduating class of 74 was the biggest Deerfield had seen in a long while. What made us unique is we were all close with one another, no one was ever really on the outside.
7. Speaking of knowing everyone, you couldn't go anywhere without running into someone you knew.
Just getting gas definitely set you up to run into your old English teacher or next door neighbor.
8. Your favorite fall activity was going to Schuster's.
I. LOVED. SCHUSTER'S. My favorite season became epitomized in a pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes, and the Haunted Forest. I loved it so much I brought my college roommates home just so they could feel the magic too.
9. To work out you either went to the high school weight room or for a run down the Glacial Drumlin Trail.
I personally got my kicks on the trail. I knew I had run far enough when I hit the bridge. Up in the weight, room you could find the clique of meatheads (just kidding guys ;)).
10. When you came home from college, you were very confused by the Krispy Krunchy Chicken addition to Mobil on Main.
"Wait...what in the...what is that?" You're so used to the quaint, static little town that any kind of change is BIG NEWS.
11. You were also very confused by the new overpass on the way to Cambridge.
How do I get up to the bank now???
12. You could memorize everyone's landline phone number by the last four digits.
Since all the phone numbers started with 764.
13. If you wanted take out food, the Pickle Tree was your best bet.
Pizza, wings, fish fry...what more could you need?
14. You know who "P" is.
And a handful of us were lucky enough to be close to him. Thank you for the many years of service, education, kindness, and humility you brought our town during your time on this earth.
15. When you're away from Deerfield you claim you don't miss it, but secretly you look forward to coming home to your beloved town.
You can't wait to meet up with old friends and spend time with you family, reminiscing on some of your favorite memories in good ole Deerfield. Like they say, home is where the heart is.
