As I planted my green beans I thought warmly of a former company that helped me be a better gardener and that was Central Feed and Seed. I opened a pack of pole bean seeds I’d bought from them several years ago and wished they were still around. I did find some tomato plants at Food Depot earlier this week and knew it was time to begin farming again. I always glance at the building where I first found Central Feed and Seed as I head home on Keys Ferry Street. Later on I followed them down Griffin Street and then to Locust Grove.  

  Another fond memory is Zack’s grocery store, and now there’s a CVS in that favorite spot. The grandkids loved riding the horse outside another grocery store that is now occupied by Moye’s Pharmacy. I liked Winn Dixie too, and before the Henry County Police Department took over that building, it was also a bar. Of course I went to Dixie Motors for car repairs until they morphed into Bellamy Chevrolet and moved out near I-75. I bought my first Oldsmobile off Macon Street and it’s now a company that repairs and paints dented vehicles.   

  I loved working at First National Bank of McDonough, which became Trust Company Bank before changing into SunTrust. I loved the car wash next to the Night Owl, and there’s now a Wendy’s where I once washed down my 1965 Chevelle. I decided one evening I’d go scrub down GC and had already washed and rolled up my hair but knew there wouldn’t be any other customers there at that time. Well, no customers, but two of the owners were there doing some maintenance – T.P. and Zack. 

  I always enjoyed dining at Zip’s and eating his amazing hamburger with pimento cheese plus awesome French fries. I also enjoyed the delicious food at Jackson’s on Griffin Street and though I couldn’t afford to eat out much, Zip’s and Jacksons were my monthly splurges. I was amazed when PJ’s Cafe opened, and we went right away to dine there. I even bought my first piano from that spot which used to sell furniture. Another occasional purchased meal would be a sandwich from Ward Drugs. I used to pay for my medicine at Wards once a month when my First National pay arrived. We always got a bonus in December to make up for the extra weeks worked not included in our monthly checks.

  I taught all of my kids to drive in the parking lot across the street and still notice others getting used to driving there. I still remember the neat tree house my sons built over there and also our mayor living at the front of that lot. When we had rats arrive in the neighborhood after the old building was torn down at the current location of Huddle House, our mayor would sit in his front yard and shoot the rodents. Some got into our crawl space and I was finally able to end their invasion again thanks to poison I bought at Central Feed and Seed.  

  My teen sons all had great friends that loved to hang out here, especially when there were activities going on nearby. My daughter Sam had frequent guests too. And then along came another joy for me, the Performing Arts Center. I loved the plays, contests, musical productions and so much more. I’m still amazed at how much joy I’ve found thanks to living in a neat town and in walking distance of many of my favorite places too. I’m very thankful for our newer library, but enjoyed the first one I found just off the Square, and of course I’d walk there. I went to the picture show too and shopped at other stores on the Square. I wish I’d taken pictures!