HEY! LET’S GO TO MEDORA FOR THE FREE SHOW!
Wednesdays were exciting summer evenings on Walnut Ridge for
me and my siblings. We would meet at my Grandma Dicy’s house. My Aunt Berniece
and Uncle Raymond would be there with several of the neighbor kids. This is
when it really gets interesting: We climb onto the bed of George Blount’s log
truck and ride it to Medora!
Imagine a flat bed log truck with 15 kids clinging to the
bed of truck while it is driving down a gravel road just as it is getting dark.
Most of the kids were on their belly
clinging to the bed boards through the cracks between them. A few would be
standing at the front, clinging to the headboard with the wind blowing in their
faces. A lot of chattering and laughter could be heard as we drove down the
ridge past the Walnut Grove School (to pick up more kids). Occasionally, we would stop along the way to
pick up a few more kids.
We drove through McKinley and DOWN the big hill into Buffalo
Bottoms past the fields of corns, turn right, and across the massive iron
bridge across the river (that was always the scariest part for me). After crossing the bridge, we would turn
right along the railroad tracks. Soon, we would pass the brick factory with
that recognizable hot kiln smell. Just before reaching Medora, George would
slow down and yell for us to hold on tight. Then, we would turn left and drive
up over the railroad tracks. Those on their belly toward the back would get an
extra bounce, and they would let out yells.
Medora is a quaint little surprise in the middle of nowhere.
In those years; the Medora Bank, the Barber
shop (owned by my Uncle Wesley Bottroff), and a smattering of shops comprised
the Medora metropolis. The people are all very friendly, and the whole town is
well kept.
In the middle of town, an empty lot was enclosed on three
sides by buildings. On the wall of the back building, a ‘screen’ area was
selected to project the movies.
Getting there early was important so that you could find a
good place to sit. Surprisingly, a LOT of people showed up for these. It was
not only a free movie, but there was a LOT of socializing as well. A lot of
boys gave the girls ‘the look’, and they reciprocated. The farmers shared the ‘we
sure could use some rain’ and crop statuses.
I am not sure whose idea it was nor how it was paid for, but
someone provided these movies for free. I don’t remember any first release
movies (actually I don’t remember any of them), but they were all entertaining.
Sometimes, a cartoon would be included.
After the movies, we would all congregate around the truck.
George would count noses, go look for the missing ones, and count noses again
to make sure we were all there. Helping each other onto the bed of the truck,
we would resume our locations. This time
we would pack a little tighter since it was quite a bit cooler going. Going
home was the reverse of our trip there. About the only change was that one time
(I won’t mention his name), a boy couldn’t wait so he peed between the boards.
Unfortunately, this happened when we crossed the railroad tracks. That was NOT
good timing.
I am sure that many will insist that this never could
happen. For those and others that didn’t get to experience this, too bad. I
wouldn’t trade this for a coach ride to Louisville for an IMAX show.
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