Summer is typically the time for family reunions and class reunions. But a neighborhood reunion?
Well, a group of former and current Clarkstonites, who were neighbors in the 1970’s but later went their separate ways, gathered together again, June 21, after 30 years.
Approximately 100 people attended the reunion bash, held at former Clarkston residents Top and Sandy Cornell’s home in Metamora.
Some flew in from all over the United States including California, Georgia, Florida, New Jersey and Illinois. And, of course, after all this time, families have expanded. Three generations were represented at the party.
It was a great day for reminiscing.
Mike Stringfield recalls, ‘When we lived in Clarkston, Tally ho was the only pizza place in town. There was no McDonalds. The biggest thing was when Paul and Bessie Rice bought the Clarkston Cafe.?
‘We were there before the Nickelodeon was built. There was only the Marathon gas station,? wife Joyce Stringfield recalls. The Stringfields lived on Ellis Road, while others at the reunion lived on Reese, Oakhill and Allen.
‘We remember coming down Main Street with our snowmobiles. And racing up I-75 on our snowmobiles,? Joyce said.
‘We were Clarkston,? Judy Macoit said.
‘We all moved there to get away from the busy subdivision life,? Mike said.
Living in a rural area often meant entertainment was slim pickings. These Clarkston friends, however, made their own entertainment with special events like an annual Fourth of July pig roast, square dances and more.
‘It was country life, there was nothing to do but be friends,? Macoit laughed.
‘Since it was a rural area, you all depended on each other,? Mike noted.
‘Everyone was so helpful. They’d help you with your horses or shingling or anything,? Macoit said. ‘Everybody was there for you. You didn’t even have to ask.?
‘It was a very special neighborhood,? Joyce said fondly.
‘It was a real good mesh of personalities,? Mike said. ‘Everyone got along. There were no arguments; no petty neighborhood stuff.?
‘It was close-knit. You never got tired of being with these people,? Macoit said. ‘It was just a magic time. I mean were looking at this 30 years later and our kids are still talking about it.?
In fact, the Stringfield’s daughter Karen Grogg said she and her husband have had a difficult time finding a neighborhood like the one Karen grew up in Clarkston, and wish they could.
She said what made the neighborhood different than other neighborhoods is simple to explain. ‘Everybody loved everybody.?
‘It was a wonderful time,? Judy said. And all agree.