Description
Growing up as a child in the 1970s was like living in a world full of simple joys, small-town traditions, and unforgettable characters. In a hometown where everyone knew your name, storytelling was an art passed down through generations. Whether it was old-timers on the Central House porch swapping tall tales, farmers at the North Java Inn recounting wild storms and big harvests, or neighbors sitting on front porches reminiscing about the "good old days," every person had a story to tell.
Summer evenings were spent catching fireflies while listening to Grandpa's tales of his youth, and lazy afternoons meant riding bikes down dusty roads, or just walking throughout each neighborhood. The Cropp's general store owner had stories about every customer that walked through the door, and the fire chief could captivate a crowd with thrilling accounts of past fire calls.
There was no internet, no constant buzz of technology—just the voices of those who lived full lives and wanted to share them. As a 1970s child, you learned history, humor, and a little bit of mischief just by sitting and listening to the folks who had seen it all. It was a time when stories weren't just entertainment; they were lessons, memories, and the heart of what made a hometown feel like home.
I'm now on that same front porch of my Grandpa and Grandma George's home, on Main Street (Route 98). I purchased the home, with my wife Tammy Lynn Petrie, in 1993, from someone who had bought the home from my Grandpa's estate. I was compelled to bring my family back to my hometown, back in the home that I most remember. Almost 60 years later, I still follow that morning routine and share a quiet moment on this exact porch, with my wife Tammy. This recollection of stories is inspired by this porch and the people who continue to walk past it everyday, looking for their next adventure in North Java NY.
The old homestead on Wethersfield Road belongs to someone else I don't know. Many of these hometown names have passed away and nothing seems to be the same anymore. The church has closed, the old fire station was sold to a private gentleman. The Central House is just sitting there without a cause while Don Almeter's Garage and Schwab's Auto Dealership also lack any activity anymore to the degree they both were. The North Java Inn burnt down and will never come back. Uncle Johnny's dairy farm is gone and Aunt Ruby's chicken barn is now a door factory. Much is gone but there is always more to hope for. Our history is a key to our future and I hope someday, just someday..this little set of memories will ignite a small town again to build and encourage others to make this the wonderful home town that I am so proud to be part of.!