If You Grew Up in Madison...

I grew up in Madison in the West Lawn neighborhood, not far from Edgewood.  I think that neighborhood is now called Dudgeon-Monroe, although years ago the boundaries for Dudgeon-Monroe really started at Commonwealth Ave. and stretched to Glenway St.

But I digress, the point of this post is to tell you about a Facebook group called "If You Grew Up in Madison You Remember..." Now I have a Facebook page, but to be honest, I'm not as Facebook savvy as most.  Every now and again I'll "like" a comment from one of my friends and occasionally I'll even post my own original comment!

Today, however, I found myself on Facebook nine times!!  I joined the "If You Grew Up in Madison You Remember..." group and I couldn't wait to see what other long-time (and not-so-long-time) Madisonians had to say.

These Facebook friends remember things such as Gimbles (a department store) that was in the space currently occupied by Macy's at Hilldale Mall.  They remember elephants at the zoo, driving on State Street, a Millins grocery store in the current Knickerbocker Place and a Fauerbach's grocery store just a few blocks away.  They remember a Rennebohm's (pre-Walgreen's drug store) on almost every corner.  They remember when the Beltline was two lanes, when West Towne Mall was in the "country" and Westgate was the "big mall" with a JCPenney's.  And they remember LOTS of now defunct bars and clubs.  Oh, the memories!

Of course, not everyone will remember these things, and certainly if you are a relative newcomer you won't, but it's great fun for any Madisonian.  Of course, there are still long-time community staples like Vitense Golfland, The Village Bar and Mallatts Pharmacy that continue to add value to the near West Side.

But here's what strikes me about this new Facebook group; it's clear these folks have a great love for the businesses and neighborhoods that make up this city.  No matter if the entries are about the east side, the west side or the "country", you can feel the nostalgia.  And that's what makes for strong, vibrant and healthy neighborhoods...people who care!  People who love the past, but are also excited about the future.

So kudos to those who formed the "If You Grew Up in Madison You Remember..." Facebook group.  Great idea...wish I would have thought of it!