LIFE IN A SMALL TOWN - A Hometown Tribute

I grew up in a small town like many people and it seemed that when you do all you want to do when  growing up is find an escape route to the "Big City".  In my childhood and teen years I was lucky to grow up in Westchester, New York within the towns of Mount Kisco, Chappaqua, Bedford, Bedford Hills, Katonah, and Armonk. These towns were basically the same and described by outsiders as little affluent communities with most of the residents commuting into Manhattan each day and who enjoyed the so called living "Country Life". I have fond memories of town stores and places such as Fox & Sutherland (a great stationary and book store - old Mr. Fox was a gem who really liked my Grandmother), Lad & Dad (clothing), White Horse Restaurant (a great burger), 5 & Dime (candy galore), Mt. Kisco Bakery (cookies made with German hands and a 7 layer cake that my Mom adored) and the Edelweiss Bakery (good cookies) in Bedford, Caldor (a department store probably like an early Wal-Mart where I purchased all my 45's, books and posters), The Bedford Barn (a novel family store with great gifts and Lindt Chocolate bars), Carvel (loved those cones and brown bonnet that my Grandmother adored), Friendly's Restaurant (milkshakes) , and most of all Bueti's Deli (a real Italian deli and a nice Mike Bueti) where I'm sure I had more meatball heroes than any other kid around.

As I get older I reminesce about how we spend most of our time trying to escape the "Big City" for a simple country life (like spending time at Leonard Park Pagoda in Mt. Kisco and seeing the haunted house on Captain Merritt's Hill where the movie Ragtime with James Cagney was filmed) existence and to have that connection with what we had growing up. I often reflect of how good things were and that kids today don't appreciate their hometown beginnings. I would like pay tribute to the small towns that I had had the pleasure of experiencing and being exposed to the gentle people that lived in them. There is a favorite song of mine called "Life in a Northern Town" (Dream Academy Original and Sugarland remake) and every time I hear that song I'm brought back to fond memories of those towns. So, as I reflect with my little story maybe you will remember a small town that you grew up in or visited where you felt a sense of peace, security and people who really had an interest in what you had to say. TURN OFF MY PLAYLIST BELOW TO HEAR "LIFE IN A NORTHERN TOWN" VERSION BY "SUGARLAND"