"Take 77 South from Cleveland and once you reach Canton just keep driving for about 45 more minutes until you reach a small town called Uhrichsville"
Living in Cleveland for the past two years has taught me more about living in a small town than ever before. Sure, living in a town of 5,000 people can be annoying considering everyone knows everyone, but, for the most part, it's great. Our neighboring town, Dennison, is like the sibling that everyone assumes is just like you. Together, they make something known as The Twin Cities (although the word "cities" isn't exactly an accurate description).
Reasons to never leave:
The Twin Cities is a hidden gem and until you've actually lived here, you would never know. Here are five reasons to never leave your hometown.
1. You don't have to worry about rush hour.
Or for that matter, any traffic at all. Let's be honest, nobody is actually in a rush to get anywhere because we're a pretty laid-back town. The furthest anyone drives for work is Phila or Dover and even on the busiest days it's only a 20-minute commute.
2. Never-ending pizza places.
It's almost comedic to me just how many pizza places a small town could have. We have the obvious chain restaurants, such as: Pizza Hut, Domino's, Papa Johns, and East of Chicago. Regardless of these well-known restaurants, family owned businesses trump the area. Just in the Twin Cities alone, we have: Zifaro's, Pangrazio's, Dennison Yard, the Pizza Rack, and the Freight Station. That's about as many pizza places as there are people living here!
3. You'll get a great education.
If you went to Claymont, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about. For some reason, Claymont has a reputation of graduating (or lack thereof) uneducated students. This could not be further from the truth. In my college English class I was the only student who had ever typed an APA style paper. In my Introduction of University Life class, I was the only student who had a career portfolio which contained a resume, a letter of recommendation, and an activity list of extracurricular activities I was involved in. The teachers at Claymont are phenomenal and make sure their students are ready for college and the real world in general.
4. Your community is your second family.
So yes, maybe it is annoying to constantly have everyone's nose in your business, but for the most part it's from good intentions. When you have a graduating class of 140 students you can only expect to have multiple women you consider your mom and multiple men you consider your dad. You've went to school with your friends since Kindergarten so it only makes sense that everyone gets along. So whether or not we are cheering on our Mustangs at a Friday night football game or watching Cody "No Love" Garbrandt's next UFC fight, we are in it together.
5. Even if you change, your hometown won't.
The argument that you have changed when someone doesn't like your actions is extremely ignorant. Of course you've changed; it's just a part of growing up. Your opinions change, you physically change, and what is important to you changes as well. On my drive home last weekend, I realized that this town hasn't changed at all. Of course, there have been new pop-up restaurants or new traffic lights, but the overall feel of the town has stayed the same. To some people, this is boring and out of date. To me, someone who comes home once a semester, it's great. I love coming home to the same place I grew up in for 20 years and still feel the same as it did before.
Reasons to get out:
With all things great, there are always downfalls -- and The Twin Cities is no exception. Here are a few reasons to get out while you still can.
1. The roads are 95 percent potholes.
Driving through Uhrichsville and Dennison is enough to make your car break in half. The holes are filled with rocks (I'm not kidding) which makes for a paint-chipped car. You are more likely to be pulled over if you drive in a straight line than if you swerve because everyone knows to dodge the potholes. Maybe the reason nobody ever leaves this place is because their car is too broken to make it anywhere...
2. Our redeeming factor is a railroad station.
Yes, this historical fact can be interesting but for the most part we're tired of it. "The Polar Express" is about the only thing reminding people how important trains were to the Dennison Community. The train cars are covered in graffiti and the few trains that pass through town only seem to come when you're trying to sleep. If you want an exciting place to live, I would advise taking 77 South.
3. There is nothing fun to do.
Before all of you adults roll your eyes, think about it: Uhrichsville and Dennison are home to a water park and a bowling alley -- that's it. When I did a Google search of "Fun Things To Do in Uhrichsville" I actually laughed out loud. Under activities was listed the typical bowling, swimming, playing in random, rundown parks, and going to the library. Going to the library -- this is listed under "fun." Don't get me wrong, I love to read. But seriously? This is why people move away and kids do drugs (I'm only half-joking on the drug part).
Overall, the fact that I had more reasons to stay then go says a lot about the community I grew up in. Everyone has so much hometown pride and love for their community. It's a place that you can't wait to leave and then when you do, you realize just how much you miss it. So, to those still in high school that just "can't wait to leave this awful place," give it a year. Leave for a year and then watch your opinion change on the place you called home.
