When I give people the name of my hometown, I often need to follow up with a “that’s near __________” It’s a rare, but pleasant, surprise when the other person knows of the place.
The Midwest is filled with these little places. The demographics within them are changing. While the village always attracted a fair number of retired farmers or their widows, the surrounding farms always supplied enough children to keep the schools going. But new arrivals in recent years often work office or factory jobs out of the community. And the number of students is dwindling.
That does not change the attitude. I’m from XXXXXX. Home of the (fill in the HS mascot). Civic pride runs deep if not wide. While the number of organizations may be small, they are well regarded.
The American Legion Post leads the parade.