Writer's Workshop
In 1975 Simon & Garfunkel reunited to perform a song called My Little Town. It’s a sad tone about a grimy little town with no future. The streets are dirty, the people dull, even the rainbow is black, devoid of color, light and life. I could relate to that place in my youth. My own east coast town of 80,000 residents was dirty, sad and spent. Life was a series of days completed with no major mishaps or joys. Let’s just say the teen years were rough.
Looking back, I realize that I saw only the negative side of city life because that’s what I lived. In all actuality my own little town wasn’t so bad. Funny how I see things differently after years of experiences and living in other towns and cities across the United States and abroad. After a twenty year career in the United States military, we settled in at the last place we were stationed. My new little town has its pros and cons like any other.
We live in Cheney, Washington. It’s a sweet little city of just over 12,000 residents and more than 13,000 students at Eastern Washington University. With over 25,000 occupants, it seems so small. Yet it becomes smaller still, after the university lets out for the summer. Summer student population dwindles considerably reducing our little town back to a sweet 12k+ again. I say sweet because, though I love the liveliness the students bring, I’m just as happy when I can drive down the street without worrying whether or not one of them is going to hit me because their noses are in their phones while driving. Parking is better, restaurants are less crowded and the super market is a breeze to get through! There is also less dog poop in the parks. We have so many wonderful parks in my little town. Unfortunately, because of student housing requirements, we also have an abundance of multi-family housing and apartment complexes by the score. Many students today have pets. Those pets have needs, i.e. a place to relieve themselves as well as, a need to get out and play and socialize with other pets. Unfortunately, pet owners don’t always care whether or not they clean up after their pets. Your pet is YOUR responsibility. When the students are gone for the summer, so is ninety percent of the poop in the park. These are just a few of the university student issues. But we are so much more than that.
Cheney boasts a small historic district, though many of our homes have historic value. You can see the progress of this wonderful little town through its ever changing architecture. From small cottages and bungalows of the early 1900’s to funky Hobbit earth houses to mid-century ranch homes and the ever popular Brady Bunch-esque split level houses to bland builder’s specials, Cheney’s timeline is varied and interesting.
What make Cheney special, though, are the people. There are families here that can trace their lineage back many generations. Ours can’t but I love that sense of history, here. I’m enamored of the dignity and honesty of our farming families and those like my family that have settled here with an appreciation of belonging and pride in our home town. Our school system is quite large and expands for many miles beyond city limits. It amazes me still that we have over 5,000 students in the district and only one regular high school and one alternative high school! With five elementary schools and two middle schools our busing system is complex. Kids here are no different than any other place. I live near an elementary school and enjoy hearing little squeals and laughter throughout the day. I also enjoy listening to the university and high school football games as they’re announced over the loud speakers. Boom! Touchdown… Eastern… Washington! can be heard on the weekends in the fall. Our ROTC gets a real kick out of blasting their cannon when the team makes a touchdown. We benefit from homecoming game fireworks at the high school. The schools are a vital part of Cheney life. I enjoy interacting with the little ones who get a taste of responsibility when walking door-to-door to request sponsorship in various school fundraising opportunities. This experience is so good for the kids. When parents sell their children’s goods at work, I feel they are missing the point of the whole thing. We want our youth to grow up learning responsibility and how to communicate with others. The oft-dreaded fundraiser is designed to teach them these things as much as, raise monies for school activities.
Covid protocols have hampered some of the local sponsored activities in Cheney these past two years. I always loved Mayfest, movies and music in Sutton Park, the rodeo & parade, Cheney Clean Sweep (organized group clean-up of city streets and parks), and the variety of Library and Parks & Rec programs available.
Though I’ve traveled and lived in towns and cities across the US, I have so much to be thankful for in Cheney. In my little town we have family and friends, a personal history in the making, work, play and always the opportunity to serve others. I may not have been born here or have a long family history in Cheney, but it’s my town of choice.
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