Most readers of this column know that I live in Independence, (Mom always told me I’d end up here and after 40 some years, I’m still here), but grew up in Chelsea, graduating from South Tama in 1969. And one can take the boy our of Chelsea and Tama County, but you can’t take Chelsea and Tama County out of the boy. Right? Once a Trojan, always a Trojan!! But to be quite honest, I just don’t get down this way too often. However, with that said, I did return last week one day.

Deb and I returned to attend the funeral of a cousin of mine. Of course funerals are sad but as that wonderful Pastor stated, funerals can also be a time of celebration too. Suffering is gone and eternal joy takes its’ place. That’s cause to celebrate, isn’t it? However at the funeral, it was also a time of reflection on our own immortality and a time to greet family members and relatives not seen in many years perhaps and also some old friends along the way.

But there sure has been a lot of change to the Tama/Toledo community over the years, as all of you are fully aware. Coming in from the west on highway 30, I thought I entered a version of the Twilight Zone as a few miles west of Tama, the highway completely changed. My goodness, what happened to the nice old two-lane road that took one right over the old Lincoln Highway bridge into Tama? Entering this twilight zone phenomenon, I was not on some super highway of four lanes that entwined around the towns. I half expected Rod Serling to say, “look out, my friend, you might just be entering the twilight zone.”

After getting my bearings straight, I found my way into Tama. Lots of stores and businesses, (Oh, I saw them before), that weren’t here back in the 70’s. Does anyone remember Dick’s Restaurant? What a place that was. I remember Glen Sedlacek and a couple other guys had a musical trio playing regularly on Friday and Saturday nights there. It sure was one of those landmarks that was unforgettable.

At the funeral, we met some old friends. One in particular that I hadn’t seen in many years was Mr. Frank Fetter. He is quite a guy. He used to drop Tom, (his son), and me off in Belle Plaine on his way to work and then pick us up upon his return. We played some golf, found tons of golf balls, enjoyed eating at the bowling alley there and then swimming in the afternoon. Frank coached our St. Joseph’s basketball and baseball teams, teaching us the skills necessary and always sportsmanship. He also would open up the Chelsea gymnasium so a bunch of us could play basketball on those cold and snowy Iowa winters. It was truly a pleasure and an honor to greet Frank once again.

On our way home, Deb and I stopped and had a couple of maid-rites. Guess where? They were absolutely delicious. And the nice ladies waiting on us took very good care of us. Thank you ladies. And to top it off, several people even came up and said they enjoyed reading this column. Many, (ok, no one actually), even thought I looked better in person. Heck, I knew that already. I also met a couple of old Chelsea people, (Hi again, Jackie and Carol), and so many other friends and relatives.

My cousin, Rosie passed away and it was great getting to know her sons and daughter and all their families again, as well as Rosie’s siblings, Tom, Barb and Patty. It was sad, yet joyous and a wonderful stroll down memory lane. That’s the way I see it. Let me know what you think at jsheda@indytel.com or call me at 319.327.4640. Love to hear from ya.