NOSTALGIC ON MAIN

after an afternoon of shooting

both

gun and camera,

observing the magnificent sundog,

meandering around the great salt lake,

a feeling of nostalgia

coursed through my body.

magna was our next stop.
inasmuch as it was president's day
the township was eerily empty.
was it the holiday
that emptied the streets and buildings?
or had they been abandoned?
i got out of the car
to solve the mystery

my first experiences 

as an educator took place
at webster elementary

in historic magna

(dyches rexall pharmacy in the background
many stops for treats, sodas, prizes...)

though the three story schoolhouse

burned to the ground

the place and memories

still exist

come with me for a walk down main street

the senior center stands in "webster's" place

we loved the senior community.

students paraded down the street

in lively costumes on halloween,

sang christmas carols

and

made valentines

for our friends down the road.

this image is a memory.

it is what i viewed through my classroom window.

it is what i saw on recess duty.
it is still standing.

the faculty parking lot

was north of the yard of cars

used for driver's education.

main street

just because
i love fire hydrants
and
charming buildings in bright colors...

one gentleman exited the building,
locked up and asked,
"are you doing an editorial for the paper?"
if only
i thought...
there are local businesses
that appear to be still in operation
though i am unsure...

surely there were no web printings
when i was here...
a reminder of how far we have come
in technology.
 a few buildings have been transformed

into a museum

a police station
(resembling what i picture mayberry to be)

a library
message on my camera
"empty battery"
i still have a few more buildings to go
one bearing the same last name
as one of my students
from yesteryears...
that can only mean one thing,
another trip down main
with a few stops inside.
i glanced upward
and saw the banner
possibly
containing the answers to my questions.

HISTORIC
MAGNA
COMMUNITY FUN
TRADITION
ACTIVE WELCOMING
BUSINESS DIVERSE
OPPORTUNITY GROWING
FAMILY HOME
TECHNOLOGY LIVELY
ALWAYS
MAGNA