Thank God For Hometowns

            When I was trying to think of something to blog about because I’ve been slacking lately, a friend at school suggested writing a type of travel guide to where I grew up. I think I offended her a little when I laughed in her face. I didn’t mean to, but a travel guide isn’t needed for my sleepy little town.

            Nonetheless, I thought it would be fun, even if it was a little short.

Welcome to the Brockway borough's dam
(best water ever, and no I'm not bias
just because my boyfriend works there)

            So welcome to my little town of Brockway, Pennsylvania! Home to about 2200 people and not close to anything! When I tell people where I’m from, I usually say a small town in western PA then launch into what it’s closest to since they’ve usually never heard of Brockway. I’m two hours north of Pittsburgh, an hour west of Penn State, and two hours south of Erie.

            I’m from western PA, much different from what people outside of the state think. I’m a fan of Pittsburgh sports, live nowhere near Philly, and prefer Sheetz to Wawa. It’s also called pop, not soda.

            When people jokingly talk about the stereotypical small town they might as well be describing my one-stoplight hometown.

I can name all 45 people I graduated with and could probably still recognize their handwriting. Seeing someone ride through town on a tractor isn’t a big deal and you wave as you pass them (usually it’s my uncle). Sneaking out of the house was easy when I was young, the hard part was avoiding seeing someone who would tell my parents I was out.

One of the biggest shocks when I moved to college was we didn’t receive the Monday after Thanksgiving off of school. I’ve never had to go to school on that day because even if the schools in my area were open, no one would go because they’re all out in the woods on the opening day of buck season.

            I’ve lived in the same house in the same town for 20 years and I can still only list a handful of streets and where they are located. I give directions by landmarks and who lives where and my friends know what I mean.

The only traffic jam you will ever experience in Brockway is trying to get out of the football field parking lot on a Friday night, or attempting to drive around town on the 4^th of July.

The 4^th of July in Brockway is a big deal. It is the most anticipated day of the year and people joke that it’s when Brockway’s population goes from 2200 to 22,000. Family, friends, and strangers pour in from all over to attend the festivities on the fourth. Because of how I grew up celebrating the Fourth in Brockway and because I absolutely love America, it is hands down my favorite holiday. Now before I get carried away dreaming of the Fourth and reminiscing of past celebrations, without further ado, a travel guide to Brockway, PA.

Paula was one of the most fun
bosses I ever worked for

The Rocky Grill has changed so much since my childhood. I can still remember going there with my family and stealing sips of my dad’s grasshopper when I thought he wasn’t looking. And every year a few weeks before Christmas we would rent out the back room as an entire family and have my grandpa and uncle’s birthday party. We’d karaoke together as a family and enjoy each other’s company. The best thing about the Grill is that I can go there for a quick lunch during the summer while I’m working. Or I can stop in before a football game to grab a burger and wings, but it was also the number one spot to eat prom dinner and take pictures on the steps.  Today the Grill is under new management and I had the privilege of working there for a year before I left for school. I had such a wonderful time and met so many amazing people with incredible stories. I was sad when I heard it was sold again, but it stands as a landmark in our town as it’s been passed from owner to owner.

Nothing beats a buffalo chicken
calazone from Paesano's

If I’m talking food, I had to group some of my other favorite places into the mix. Paesano’s is the best place around if you’re looking for a hoagie (especially Italian ones with extra peppers!). The BP Inn is a favorite hangout of my brother and his friends so I don’t frequent it nearly as often so as to not embarrass him, but it’s still a great place to get pizza and wings. Scottish Heights has some of the most creative dishes I’ve ever eaten, and it’s a fun atmosphere because there is always live entertainment even if you’re not one for golfing.

Brockway may be small, but a few years ago we were blessed with two amazing educational opportunities. The first was the Brockway Center for Arts and Technology. At BCAT, anyone has the chance to train for real jobs in the area such as a pharmacy technician or medical assistant. Or else they can get involved with the art aspect of the program through ceramics.  The other was Butler County Community College. Both are giving people of all ages a chance to enrich their learning experience right from town.

            The Fire hall. Some of the best memories from my childhood came from the carnival they hosted for a week during the summer. I also always get my money’s worth at its all you can eat pancake breakfast the Sunday after thanksgiving.

Always repin' the red and black

            Although I’m not an alum of dear old Brockway high, it still holds a special place in my heart. My friends who graduated the same year as me from Brockway like to call me their honorary classmate and I’m already invited to the BHS class of 2013 reunion. There are so many wonderful teachers I know who work here, and I cannot wait to send my kids to BHS someday.

Johnny and I at Joey's
Confirmation mass

It felt wrong to write a blog about Brockway and not include St. Tobias. Most people in my town identify themselves as Italian and Catholic, and that really is the truth. If you don’t get to Christmas Eve mass at least 30 minutes early, there is no way you’re going to get a seat. I was baptized, received my first communion, and confirmed here, and I’m sure my children will be too.

My beloved frozen hot chocolate (no
whipped cream and extra chocolate)

            Sheetz is wonderful. Sheetz is life. Your life is truly not complete until you’ve gone to one. I calculated once that I have been at a Sheetz at one point or another during all 24 hours of the day. There is nothing better than a frozen hot chocolate to curb your sweet tooth, mac and cheese bites for a quick snack, or a 3:00 AM walking taco to cure the munchies. (I swear I am not a representative for Sheetz, but as much as I market its products I really could be!) What non-PA people don’t quite understand is how a gas station can also double as people’s favorite fast-food stop. I remember when Sheetz only sold made to order hoagies. Now it takes me 10 minutes or more to order because the menu has anything you can possibly imagine.  

I aspire to be half as
amazing as Angel someday

            My favorite store and staffed by some of the sweetest people I’ve ever met is Hepler’s Country Store. If I walk in I have to have one specific item in mind and vow I will not buy anything else or I would walk out with half the store and completely broke. The owner, Angel, is also one of the most genuine, friendliest, sweetest, and down to earth women I have ever met. I love going in just to chat with her about life. She makes shopping fun (and that’s saying a lot because there is absolutely nothing I hate more than shopping). I don’t think I could have survived two years at Syracuse University if it wasn’t for her making sure I had the warmest boots and down-coat known to man.

            Speaking of Hepler’s, another place in Brockway that I have not had the opportunity to grace my business with yet, but it’s coming soon, is Hepler’s Beer Distributor. To those of you who don’t know, PA still doesn’t allow beer to be sold in convenience or grocery stores (hopefully soon!). That doesn’t mean I haven’t been to Hepler’s quite a few times with my dad to stock the beer fridge. In 175 days, they’ll see me often when I come to be a regular customer.

Glass Plant 19

            Believe it or not, Brockway use to be a booming town. The Brockway Glass Company was founded in 1907 and put the town on the map. At one time it was the second largest glass manufacturer in the world, and we were known as Glass Town USA. Brockway Glass eventually merged with Owens-Illinois, but the two glass plants in town are still running. My parents still talk about the long hours they worked at the plant during the summer, and many people I know still work there today. Even though the headquarters is no longer in Brockway, it is still a major employer in the area.

            Some other major employers are Guardian Elder Care and Phoenix Sintered Metals. When I was young, during the summer my dad use to bring me to work at Guardian every now and then. Even when I go out there today and see the people who have been working there for years they always tell me stories of all the “work” I use to do. Since I’ve grown up (at least a little) and gotten a big girl job, I’ve moved on to spend my summers at Phoenix. Last year, and even over Christmas break I had a blast working at the powdered metal factory. It is one of the neatest processes to see powder be made into little parts that are crucial components to things such as guns, engines, ATVs, snow mobiles, and the list seems endless. 

Now I'm lucky enough to share my
time at the park with my baby brother

Yes, I stupidly biked 36 miles
   with absolutely no training

A place that I spent countless hours of my childhood was the park and baseball fields. I played softball for quite a few years and I still go down to the fields to watch my younger brother play. When I was in junior high, the park was the cool hangout to be with your friends after school. As I walk by there today, I see kids still doing the same thing we use to, wondering what life will be like when they’re older and living with such a carefree attitude. Right next to the park and ball fields is rails to trails. It was once the Buffalo-Pittsburgh railroad, and has since been made into the perfect path for running, biking, and walking. Last summer my best friend and I even biked the entire way to the next town over (36 miles total!). A creek runs alongside part of the trail too and it’s great for fishing and canoeing. If you go down far enough there is an old swinging bridge and rope swing too.

Reminiscing on my senior year
as the football ball girl

Walter has been working at
the football field for 23 years
(he also swears this is his last
but has been saying that for
awhile now!)

            Kenny Chesney’s song “The Boys of Fall” might as well been written about Brockway. The football field is a symbol of our town and holds a special place in my heart because it has been dedicated in memory of my grandpa. I can still remember my seventh birthday, my cousins and I were out on the field on a windy night as we revealed the tarp covering the scoreboard after the moment of silence in his name. I know my grandpa is smiling down on the football field every fall Friday night. When he helped build the original one, he named it the “Field of Dreams.” He’d be so proud of how beautiful and well maintained it’s always kept thanks to the legendary Walter.

            Some people hate being restricted to such a little town because they have big city dreams. I can respect that. Even people in my family have moved away, hoping to pursue something bigger in life. I can’t imagine that though? Even being a few hours away at school, I miss the peace and quiet and the familiarity that Brockway offers. I cannot wait to be done with school, move back home and raise a family in my little town. It’s my hometown and I would not be anywhere near the person I am today if it wasn’t for growing up in Brockway.  

A Month of Thanks

Thankful.

            Wow, where to even begin?

            I think because many of my facebook friends expressed what they’re thankful for each day since November 1^st I’m going to catch up with them now.

            Here goes:

29. Smartphones

Kudos to those people who survived and still survive without them because I don’t know how you do it. In addition to being my primary form of communication, mine is my alarm clock, GPS, camera, MP3, and basically my computer.

28. GPS

I thought it was only appropriate to list this next since I referred to it above. Everyone who knows me though can be thankful for my GPS, Jasmine. I may yell and swear at her the majority of our time spent together, but without her I would never successfully get anywhere because I don’t know how to read a map.

27. Sweet Tea

I’m not a coffee person so my caffeine kick is in my sweet tea addiction. It gets me through the days and helps keep me going strong.

26. Color

Without it the world would be so boring in just black and white.

25. Ex-boyfriends

Yes you did read that correctly, ex-boyfriends. They’ve taught me a lot about myself as well as relationships and what I’m looking for in one. Without them there are a lot of life lessons I would’ve missed out on so I’m thankful for the time spent with each.

24. Sight

Mine may be terrible (insert comments about my bullet-proof thick glasses here), but I couldn’t imagine not being able to see.

23. My Job

Being a sports writer is truly a dream job. I get paid to watch sports and write about them, my two favorite things. I’ve met so many incredible people while working and have made a lot of friends along the way too.

22. Sheetz

Shout out to my fellow Pennsylvanians! You don’t realize how often you go there until you live in a state where no one has ever even heard of it and the closest Sheetz is 130 miles away. (So pretty much if anyone ever wants to send me mac and cheese bites feel free to).

21. Internet

In particular I’m thankful for Google and Wikipedia. Without the internet I probably wouldn’t be where I am today because I Google literally everything.

20. Education

I’m thankful that I’ve had the opportunity to attend a wonderful institution such as Syracuse University. I’m also thankful that I’ve met a ton of great people and learned lessons both in and out of the classroom.

19. Inspiration/Motivation

Those who know me can verify that the only time I ever cry is during inspiring speeches and movies. Inspiration and motivation go hand-in-hand and I’m so thankful for both because without them I’d be lazy, fat, not in college, and watching Netflix in my parent’s basement for the rest of my life.

18. Random Acts of Kindness

I try to do at least one random act of kindness each day and when someone does something or says a random compliment to me it just makes my day. A simple act can go a long way, don’t forget that.

17. Enemies

Another strange thing to be thankful for, but my enemies and the people I know don’t like me have only pushed me to make myself a better person. You make me stronger and strive to be my absolute best. Just remember though, jealousy isn’t befitting on anyone ;)

16. Football

It is life. That is all.

15. Memories

I know you’re not supposed to live in the past, but I look back on life often and count my blessings in the people I’ve met, places I’ve gone, and things I’ve done.

14. Mistakes

Making mistakes is the only way to learn in life. It’s the hard way, but the only way you can learn a lesson and for that I’m thankful for every mistake I’ve ever made because it’s shaped me into who I am today.

13. The Comfort of Home

College makes you appreciate just how big your bed is, the endless amounts of food, always available and showering without flip-flops. Need I say more?

12. Nature

Going to college in a city has made me appreciate and be thankful for the outdoors and nature. It is so peaceful spending time in the woods, away from everyone and without cellphone service. It’s an escape from today’s go, go, go, crazy world.

11. Food

I think this one is self-explanatory, but it felt wrong not to include food since today is Thanksgiving.

10. Health

I’m blessed that I have no health conditions that prevent me from doing anything. I’m a healthy, strong 19-year-old girl and for that I’m eternally grateful.

9. Country Music

Driving down back roads with the windows down and music up – there is just no better feeling. Country music can be happy, sad, joyful, angry, and just about every other emotion possible. My radio dial doesn’t stray from the country station and although I’m a terrible singer I usually belt out the words to every song I hear.

8. My Hometown

Nothing like leaving home to make you appreciate what you have. The people I’ve known my entire life are incredible. If you ever need anything in our little town you can call whoever and they would be willing to help. You can’t find many people like that outside of Brockway.

7. America

This country is one of freedom and opportunity. I couldn’t imagine being raised anywhere else.

6. Being Me

I’m thankful for my individuality. I’m the only Francesca Celeste Varischetti in this world and I’m not afraid to stray off the path. Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail,” has been hanging next to my bed since I was seven years old. I live life my own way and embrace my uniqueness.

5. Horses

God’s gift to mankind. Horses have taught me not only discipline and hard-work through showing and taking care of them, but they’ve also been an emotional outlet growing up. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, my horse was always there for me to throw my arms around and cry into her mane. I’m also thankful for my barn and show family. Spending tons of time with people helps establish the strangest friendships but I love my show family and don’t know what I’d do without them.

4. Military 

Without those who’ve served in the United States military I wouldn’t have the life I do today. I thank you for your service and I’m thankful you’ve done all that you have.

3. Friends

The people who see you at your best, your worst, know all your secrets, are always there as a pillar of support, and would do anything for you. I’m grateful for my real friends who I know I can call at anytime and they’re always there. 

2. Family

My big, loud, crazy, obnoxious family that I have absolutely no clue what I’d do without. I love each and every one of you no matter how often we fight or the distance that separates us. You’ve been there for me my entire life (whether you wanted to or not) and all of you are awesome in your own way. I talk about you a lot at college because all my friends know who you are. I don’t know what I’d do without you guys. Love you!

1. Today

I’m thankful I woke up this morning. I’m thankful I was given a new day, another shot at life. I’m simply thankful for being alive. It doesn’t get much better than that.