I remember…Circleville

By Sherri Cook

As a child, I couldn’t wait to move from Circleville.  I did not appreciate or understand the beauty of my home town. My memories are now dear to my heart. I grew up in a magical place,  full of love and safety. I remember huge sidewalk sales with the Children’s Shop, Blocks and JC Penney, all selling my soon to be school clothes and shoes.  I remember GC Murphy store with two levels of wonderful surprises and the smell of roasted nuts as you came in the door.  I remember delicious Puckett hamburgers and Vics pizza, our special treat on Friday night.  Summers were spent at the Ted Lewis pool where everyone was happy. Summer evenings were spent catching fireflies or maybe at the Star Lite drive-in watching a family movie in our pj’s and eating hot popcorn while swatting mosquitoes. Cicadas would signal the end of summer and the start of school. I remember when my teacher was respected and I knew if I got in trouble at school,  I was in deep trouble at home.

Back then the town streets were tree-lined and turned beautiful red and orange when Fall arrived. Pumpkin Show would roll into town and set up seemingly overnight. Sunday after church we would weave our way through the blocked off streets of Circleville to watch the carnies transform our town.  The air would fill with the aroma of waffles, corn dogs and fresh French fries. Families filled the streets to enjoy all the treats the Pumpkin Show offered. Parades, rides, games and riding on floats and cars. I remember Lyndsey’s glazed donuts with hot chocolate cooked in a saucepan on the stove, in the Winter.

I remember Christmas lights criss-crossing overhead on Court and Main. Christmas snow floating down and coating our little town.

I remember the magic of our little town.