Clarence Cardinal Newlsetter October 2013 | Page 12

SINCE

2006

PAGE

Are We There Yet?
By Lynn Butterbrodt

As a child, suffering from impatience and
carsickness, I
remember the
long rides
from Clarence to anywhere, and
the long rides
back. (I still
suffer from
impatience
and carsickness, but I like
to think it’s to
a lesser degree.) The question, “Are
we there yet?” is typical of
anyone riding in a car, but
especially typical of kids. It
doesn’t take long and that
question pops up on a ride
to/from anywhere.
I remember rides home along
Highway 30, and the silly little song my mom would start
singing to us when we saw
the silos of Clarence. We’d
sing, “I see the Co-op towers!” repeatedly, from the
time they were sighted until
pulling into the city limits.
We were home!
And you know what? My
own impatient kids would ask
that question when they
were small, and I remember
singing that same little song
to them. Perhaps a case of
history repeating itself?
Those silos rising from the

horizon were the indicator of
arriving to Clarence. They
were landmarks. They were

part of the economy of our
town, and I know for a fact
they were the site of some
shenanigans. I’ve heard stories!
The “towers” were a visual
image that said “home” or
“destination” or “livelihood”
to us.
And now those towers are
history. So is our little family
song. Future generations will
have to rely on stories and
pictures. We’ve got the
memories.
So now, my question is this:
What will rise from the Clarence horizon? What is/are
the big thing/things we’ll be
known for now? Will we
drive right through Clarence
and miss it? I hope not!
We’re actually known for a

lot. We’ve got a great school
and park, a new water tower,
a downtown that’s seeing
new business.
We’ve got two
churches and
we’re watching
progress toward a
new library.
We’ve got an excellent ambulance
service and fire
department. The
Clarence Senior
Living Center has
expanded in a remarkable way and
we have local
health care. And more.
But are we there yet? Nope.
It’s metaphorical, but we’re
never really “there.” We’re
all on a journey to somewhere, all the time, with different paths and destinations.
History is part of the story
that makes each of us who
we are. Don’t lose sight of
what’s on your horizon…
whether it be a huge tower,
or something very small, or
even invisible.
Clarence, keep your eyes
open and your vision clear.
There’s more to this town
than meets the eye. Don’t
miss it!
In the meantime, we WILL
miss those landmarks…but
probably just for a little
while.

“Clarence,
keep your eyes
open and your
vision clear.
There’s more
to this town
than meets the
eye.”

12