50+ Lifestyles

Hidden Gems

By Mary Schricker Gemberling

“Small towns are like hidden gems waiting to be
discovered. They may be small, but the beauty and wonder that they offer are immeasurable.”

“Living in a small town may seem like living in isolation, but in reality, it is an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the simpler things in life.”

Gary and I are staying in our RV down in Buffalo, Iowa for a couple of weeks enjoying all there is to do in the Quad Cities. Saturday morning we headed up the road to Blue Grass for the annual Blue Grass Days’ parade. On a cool morning shadowed by ominous clouds, people of all ages anxiously waited for the parade to begin. As the sirens wailed and we caught sight of the waving flags, people stood to honor the flag and the veterans who carried it. Even the small children around us showed respect by standing quietly while the unformed men and women paraded by. It was a typical procession with fire trucks from the
surrounding towns, vehicles advertising their local businesses, political candidates shaking hands, antique tractors, and floats vying for that first place trophy. When the parade ended we walked over to the park, but after looking around, decided that corn dogs and funnel cakes were not what we had in mind for breakfast. Later that night the fireworks, a trademark of many small town celebrations, capped off the annual event.

Sunday we decided to head to yet another small town event, the Long Grove Strawberry Festival. Since it has been over 30 years ago since I last attended this venue, I did not know what to expect. My only real memory was of the delicious strawberry shortcake. What I didn’t expect were the lines of traffic and the enormous number of people jamming the streets of Long Grove, Iowa. We detoured around the parade route (the reason for the traffic jam) and found a place to park. We took a heart healthy walk into the small town of less than 900 residents where the aroma of grilled food prompted us to have an early lunch. We both decided on pork chop sandwiches followed by strawberry shortcake, which was every bit as good as I had remembered. The 72 degree sunny day made everything about our experience perfect. These festivals put on by the citizens of the small towns provide a perfect showcase for visitors from other areas.

One of defining features of small towns is a close-knit community where residents know and willingly help each other, and are not as reluctant to speak to newcomers. In Long Grove we met and talked with three new people. While eating our lunch we met a couple who have a place just down the road from where we winter in Fort Myers, Florida. We enjoyed comparing notes about that area and all it had to offer. While standing in line for our strawberries, a lady struck up a conversation; it seems she was familiar with the town in Illinois where Gary grew up and he even knew her cousins. This friendly atmosphere fosters a supportive environment where people can enjoy a feeling of togetherness and happiness.

Small towns usually have lower crime rates than larger cities. With residents more familiar with their neighbors and what’s going on in town, people can feel safer. The slower pace of life is more peaceful and less hectic, which can lead to more leisure time. Small towns are often surrounded with scenic landscapes which offer more opportunities to enjoy nature; they can also be more walkable, encouraging a heart healthy lifestyle. The cost of living is often lower, yielding more discretionary spending money.

There are obvious disadvantages to small town living; many young people leave because of a lack of job opportunities, fewer entertainment options, and less opportunity to spend time and meet others in their age groups. But it seems that many who leave their childhoods behind wake up at some point in their life and realize that a small close knit environment, like the one in which they grew up, is exactly what they want for their young, growing family. According to a recent survey, some of the biggest cities in the U.S. have reported large numbers of people moving away for more rural portions of the country. Nearly half of all U.S. adults surveyed said they would prefer to live in a small town or rural area. The recent pandemic, opportunities to work from home, high crime rates, and rising cost of living is driving many to the simpler, safer, and friendlier environment of small town living.

I grew up in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri, and Gary grew up in a very small town in Illinois. We have both lived in rural environments, medium sized towns and larger cities, but as we age it seems that small town living is calling our names. Although we will continue to spend much time in central Illinois and Florida, we will now have a home in Blue Grass, Iowa. Close proximity to family and friends, and a senior friendly home were certainly motivators, but the idea of small town living was the biggest magnet. We look forward to long walks, getting to know our neighbors, and participating in new activities with new and old friends. Life just keeps getting better!

“It’s in those quiet little towns, at the edge of the world, that you will find the salt of the earth people who make you feel right at home……….Aaron Lauritsen

Mary, a former educator and Seniors Real Estate Specialist is the author of four books: The West End Kid, Labor of Love; My Personal Journey through the World of Caregiving, Hotel Blackhawk; A Century of Elegance, and Ebenezer United Methodist Church; 150 Years of Resiliency.