It’s hard to sum up a favorite UA memory, at least it is for
me. UA is the place I spent my formative years – from fourth grade at Burbank
Elementary through graduation from Upper Arlington High School. It’s the place where all four of my children
were born – and it’s the place where my husband was born and raised. It’s also,
the place where my father-in-law started his business. There is so much here –
so many layers of remembrance on every street, each shopping center, even in
the smell of the air as the seasons change. UA is home. It’s family. It’s
tradition and always will be in my heart, no matter where I am.
A place is its people.
My best memory is of the spirit of Upper Arlington as embodied by its
people during the Fourth of July. Our community spirit. Our American pride. The
celebration of the next generation as the little kids bike past and of
generations before as the Veterans shuffle along. Soon after we had started our
family we moved from downtown Columbus to – where else- Upper Arlington. We
moved to Yorkshire Road and we stayed there, in two different homes, for almost
20 years.
One of my fondest memories are the years we spent as a
street – the Yorkshire Road team - building the float for the Fourth of July.
It brought us all together – kids and parents – as we labored away each
afternoon and evening to create our rolling masterpiece. Finally, when the
float was finished in the wee hours of the night, and the big morning arrived,
we’d proudly don our Yorkshire Road shirts and march along the parade route,
celebrating our accomplishment, celebrating being together as neighbors and as
part of an amazing, spirited community.
I loved those years.
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| Yorkshire Road's Fourth of July float. |
Really, I loved all my years in UA. Sure, sometimes it was
tough but like Middle School, whether at Jones or Hastings, you just get through
it. All in all, there is no place better to raise a family. To raise kids who
have strong values and community pride. My kids cherish their connection to
Upper Arlington. My kids saw their grandfather celebrated as Grand Marshall of
the same Fourth of July parade one year. How could they feel anything but
connected to this amazing community?
UA is where my family of origin’s home burned down, and it’s
where I chose to build the family of my own.
UA is where my parents got divorced, and it’s where I got married to a
UA native. UA is where I have made my
closest friends for life, and it’s where I have lost friends who died too
young. UA is a place where you can
return to after you’ve left, and still feel at home.
UA is a special place because of its people. And if it’s
your moment in time to live here – whether for a few years or for a lifetime –
allow the spirit of the community to embrace you . Because like the fireworks
in Northam Park on the Fourth of July, there is wonder and celebration in this
place we call home.
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| Cooling off after the parade. |
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| Fun and games at the Yorkshire Road block party. |
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| Harley Rouda, Sr. fishing with his grandchildren on the Fourth of July. |
