Something that makes me sad.

Lancaster, SC has been named America's most vulnerable city. This makes me sad. This town was once a town that lived and thrived due to Springs Industries (the company that makes all the bedroom and bathroom linens). And now I read in Forbes Magazine that it's just a sad little town due to unemployment figures, poverty and education. Well let me tell you what I know and remember about Lancaster SC. My father's family is from this town and my grandparents have always lived there. I grew up spending many weekends there as well as lots of weeks during the summer. My grandfather and grandmother both worked for Springs. She worked in customer service and he worked in what was called the bleachery, where they made the textiles. They both put in many years with this company and retired many years ago. Springs at one time took great care of its employees. They use to have a small amusement park on the grounds of the Catawba River. It was also at this park that I first went to summer camp. I made it till Thursday and then I had to go home due to a bad case of homesickness. But let me tell you about this place. It had the biggest swimming pool I had ever seen with one of those Olympic size diving platforms. It had a skating rink that was outside. It had rides like you would see at a county fair. It also had a boat that would take you around the Catawba. It was a place of fun for kids of all ages. However, it closed many years ago due to the globalization of Springs Industries. It's sad to say that a large population of Lancaster lost there jobs due to the fact that Springs could find cheaper labor south of the border. Moving on from Springs let me tell you some other great things about Lancaster SC. Its Main St use to come alive on Friday and Saturday nights with teenagers just cruising. Yes I think the maximum speed on the weekends was a whopping 5 MPH. It was the place to see and be seen. I remember cruising with my cousin Kevin in his Camaro with the T-tops out listening to Rob Base. It wasn't the only thing to do on a weekend night in Lancaster it was the THING to do. Oh and I can't forget the Eckerd's lunch counter. My grandma and I use to have lunch there on Saturdays after leaving the beauty shop. You could get the world's best patty melt at the counter. I could go on and on about memories of Lancaster. It made my heart sad to read that article, however I am optimistic that this little town will turn things around.