Delta, Ohio
October 2006

Ye Old Stomping Grounds, Pt. 3

My Host Is: Lacy C.

Next: "Mad" Anthony Wayne

The truth be told, I and my friends were not exactly getting A's in Delta citizenship. As kids go I suppose we were no worse than most and far milder than a lot of what we see in society today or perhaps I have gotten a wiser perspective on it.

Nevertheless we were out late most nights, even as Jr. High students, causing our own sorts of mischief, hanging out with the older "outcasts" at Donna's Pizza Paddle and listening to Journey singing "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" on the jukebox. Pisano's pizza and subs had a few video games. And the alley...

Delta Ohio isn't a blink and miss it sort of place exactly but the downtown area is only 3 or 4 blocks. Many of the business names seemed to have changed when I was there a few years back but the buildings all held their character in my mind.

You could pretty much find any sort of necessary in town. Some things had to be looked for in Wauseon 8 miles away and clothing was primarily a Southwick Mall in Toledo event.

For some reason I couldn't place the location of the firestation but it has all come back to me.

This building doesn't have any memories for me but I recall the old gas station across the street. Not the "new" mini mart thing (which is probably been there 20 years or more at this point...lol)

Anyway..the "other" station had a coffee and hot cocoa machine! Not a big deal unless you have just spent the past 4 hours sledding in the old park and you are frozen. Can anyone refresh my memory on this name?

Speaking of the Old Park...what happened to this place? I was very saddened to see the deterioration of the bridge. Do people still sled there?

By city peoples standards the Delta Public Library is not much in the way of size but it has served the community well for a long time. I spent many long hours here. Hope I don't have any overdue's.

What is it about this simple alleyway that draws me back to my youth in Delta? It was a shortcut all hours of the day and night in to the heart of town. It was a place where my friends and I use to hang around. It's a strange thing. The brick patterns and discoloration's all look familiar in my mind.

Does Delta Reservoir 2 mean the "New Res"? Again new is a relative concept. I don't believe I spent much time at the new res.

The old res however brings back memories of my cousin Kevin fishing there all the time. At least that is what he said he was there doing...lol.

As we leave Delta with the reservoir in the background I would like to share just a few more memories of this place I call "the place I grew up."

Actually..no I won't.

I know I took over the entire dialog here and want to thank you Lacy for spending the morning showing Bud & Tiki Jr around Delta. More importantly I would like to thank you for fulfilling my desire to pay tribute to this small town in the middle of "nowhere" which holds a place in my history and heart.

Mahalo!

(Photos: Lacy C. / Dialogue: Tony V.)