A Sentimental Journey
Over Thanksgiving, we accompanied my grandmother to Foxburg on what she called her “Sentimental Journey.”
She had wanted to do this trip for a long time— especially after publishing her memoir, A Good, Long Life, a few years ago. We were looking for a time when we could all come together, and Thanksgiving worked out perfectly.
In the weeks leading up, my mom contacted a number of people— from the director of my grandmother’s nursing academy in Pittsburgh to the Foxburg town librarian—asking if granny could meet with them. She forwarded us response after response from people who were happy to help.
My grandmother was born Anna Mae Sheakley in Foxburg in 1922. Though it had been some 30 years since her last visit there, my grandma still knew Foxburg like the back of her hand. As soon as we neared St. Petersburg, she told us exactly which exit to take and proceeded to give us detailed directions to the house she was born in. We barely needed the GPS because granny’s flawless memory led us to every landmark on her itinerary!
She knew, for instance, that the second house she lived in as a child was four lots from the end of the street… which road to take to her church… and how to get up to the golf course clubhouse, where she once had a family party. It was all filed away in that steel trap of hers— 91 years’ worth of memories.
My grandmother especially loved visiting the library in Foxburg. The librarian and bookkeeper were so gracious, bringing out yearbooks and albums with photos of my grandmother through the years. We even saw a photo of her father with his coronet and an old teacher’s gradebook listing all his straight-As!
Another special moment happened on the last day of our trip. As I was running around Foxburg in the early morning, I passed the United Methodist Church and saw there was a service at 8:30. Granny was still asleep, but I thought it would be nice to go on her behalf and see the church she spent so many Sundays in. I was clearly an outsider there, but every single person welcomed me in with a smile and a handshake. Many of them knew my grandmother’s family. One gentleman carpooled with my great grandfather and another worked with my grandmother’s brother at a furniture store. He and his lovely wife came down to the café afterwards to meet my grandmother. I know that meant a lot to her.
Later that day, as we gathered for one last meal together, we decided to interview Granny about her trip. Here’s what she had to say:
[faq]
[faq_question]What has changed in Foxburg since you lived there?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]Well that’s a long story… we don’t have enough time! I mean it’s a tremendous change. It was a sleepy little town then, and it’s been restored. There’s a significant change in the atmosphere. The bridge –which was the entrance to our little village – used to be quaint, and now it’s very modern. The shops are nicer too. Before, it was just where we spent all our time. We had our church and our school, and that was our recreation. Everything seemed minimal to me… a lot smaller. Of course things are missing that used to be, but I can still picture it the way it was. That’s progress. I mean, I left long ago… so the changes are good, and it’s all for the better.[/faq_answer]
[faq_question]What do you think of Foxburg today?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]Oh, the people are so friendly, just like they always were. They didn’t know us from Adam, but they were all so kind. Maybe I look like a little country girl! I think Foxburg is more of a vacation spot now. It’s where people can come to relax. If they want a chocolate bar, they can go to the candy store. And if they want to go wine tasting, that’s OK too. I like the little red caboose because Foxburg was a railroad town, and my dad probably spent some time in that little red caboose![/faq_answer]
[faq_question]What brought your family there?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]Well, I really can’t recall where my grandparents were born, but it was in Pennsylvania. Mother and dad both lived way out in the country before they came here. Their parents were maybe farmers in the area. A lot of my family came from Punxsutawney, but I don’t know that we have a family rich heritage. Our name is probably not in the archives anyplace. We were just kind of poor, country folks. The railroad is what brought my parents to Foxburg. My dad worked for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and mother had gone to the teacher’s college about 20 miles away. She taught in a country school outside of St. Petersburg.[/faq_answer]
[faq_question]What was it like talking to the people in Foxburg?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]It made me feel like I was amongst friends and neighbors. I may not have lived next door to them, but they were all neighbors in a way. The names were all familiar too, and fortunately I remembered them. One of the men was a McCoy and said he lived down by the bait house— and that’s where Fred McCoy lived! Foxburg is where I made my beginning. It’s good to come back and see the people here. Not many of the people of my era are still here, but perhaps their offspring are. If I saw a child on the street, I probably knew his great grandmother! I would say it’s very nostalgic for me, thinking about how it used to be and what it is now.[/faq_answer]
[faq_question]I know you liked going to the library a lot. Was that your favorite part of the weekend?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]That was a good beginning and much more than I expected. Obviously, the bookkeeper found just the right things. Carol knew we were coming and made us feel welcome, like family was there. I looked up at the wall and saw my dad playing his coronet, and that meant a lot. It was the beginning of the weekend, and I felt like I was back home, more or less.[/faq_answer]
[faq_question]How did it feel to be back after all these years?[/faq_question]
[faq_answer]I’m so grateful that you guys did this for me. I haven’t cried a lot, but I’ve had a few tears. It meant a good deal to stand by that red door of the church because I knew every nook and cranny of that place. And to go across the river and see where my parents lived in their final years… where grandpa planted a yard full of evergreens and they grew big and tall… that was neat. They’re gone now, but it’s still neat. It was good to see people who knew my parents. It was good to talk to someone who knew my only brother and my dad. It was a real joy being here.[/faq_answer]
[/faq]
I know I speak for my whole family when I say we couldn’t agree more. We had a great time in Foxburg.
Over our three days in your beautiful town, we had a chance to celebrate Thanksgiving in the cozy Allegheny Grille, did a tasting at Foxburg Wine Cellars, stuffed ourselves silly at the delicious Foxburg Pizza and Country Store and came in for lots of caffeinated treats at Divani Chocolatier & Barista.
Thank you for having us and being so wonderful to our beloved granny. We felt incredibly blessed to take this journey with her and enjoyed every moment in “Northwest Pennsylvania’s best-kept secret!”
Lynda McDonell
December 7, 2013 @ 8:16 pm
Bringing mom back to Foxburg fulfilled a bucket list item for all of us. My fond memories of summers in Foxburg and Emlenton were brought back to life. Everyone welcomed us and I’ll never forget hearing mom say, ” I feel like I’m home again.” Thank you, Foxburg! Great recap, Megan, as always.
Pat McDonell
December 7, 2013 @ 9:41 pm
I can’t suggest strongly enough that other folks in their twilight years and their family do this sort of trip. It brings together so many of the stories you might hear over the years and grandchildren get to know their family history in such an intimate way.
Foxburg and all of Clarion County had its winter coat on, but it was beautiful in all white and so inviting and friendly. The library is unlike any I have ever seen, beautifully laid out with a huge fireplace, leather couches and organized, so inviting and dedicated equally to the past and present.
it was an emotional journey for my fabulous and brilliant mother in law, our last surviving parent. The town, the surrounding areas with family farms and Amish were an added attraction. We bought a lot of trinkets, great coffee in Foxburg and left fully charged for the holidays with our group all coming from and back to various parts of the country. A great trip down Masie’s memory lane we all enjoyed. I can only imagine how beautiful this area is the spring and especially with the fall colors.
Great job Megan, ever the chronicler of our family. I wish I had done this with my mother and father. Such great perspective comes from these trips. Thanks, Foxburg! And my wife Lynda who organized it all.
Bob Lawrence
December 8, 2013 @ 12:18 am
Thanks, Megan, for the report of your Foxburg “vacation” with Mom. She has so many wonderful memories of her Pennsylvania trip that will carry her through the next few years.
Pam Schwabenbauer
December 13, 2013 @ 1:48 pm
Enjoyed reading your story! Brought back memories for me also…my Grandparents were Lawrence and Ethel Shoup of St. Petersburg and my Grandpa and my Dad both worked on the railroad also. Thank you for sharing your Grandma’s story!
Megan McDonell
December 13, 2013 @ 1:55 pm
Thank you so much, Pam! I’m glad it brought back memories for you.
Megan
Carol L. Cataldo
December 14, 2013 @ 8:11 am
I’d love to know your Mothers memories of the Fox Estates. As a little girl back in the early ’50’s it was my Cinderella’s Castle. I had a Great Uncle the worked their. My Grandparents would come to the green house to get plants. My Mother (born 1922) would tell me the stories that she new. All has been restored there now. It’s beautiful but I miss the iron gate in front of the house. Memories, aren’t they wonderfull. Thank You for sharing.
Megan McDonell
December 18, 2013 @ 10:33 am
Thank you, Carol! I will pass this on to my mother and grandmother. It sounds like you have some wonderful memories there… Foxburg is a special town. Megan
Carl Jackson
December 18, 2013 @ 8:48 am
I remember a Mrs Sheakley in the church. She and several women in the , including my mother, quilted upstairs in the church. Was this your great Grand mother? I am thinking they lived in the house your grand mother did.
The lady that lived in the house died 2-3 weeks ago.
Megan McDonell
December 18, 2013 @ 10:31 am
Hi Carl! Thank you so much for your note. Yes, that was my great grandmother! She was a wonderful quilter. We have some of her creations in our house still. I will pass this on to my mother. Thank you again. Best, Megan
Ruchika
December 27, 2013 @ 8:15 pm
A sentimental journey, indeed. I have no connection to Foxburg and (sadly) I have never met your Granny, but this brought tears to my eyes. Can’t imagine how much this must have meant to your grandma (and all of you). So glad to have gotten a sneak peek into your adventures in Northwest PA’s best kept secret. 🙂
Megan McDonell
December 28, 2013 @ 2:21 pm
Thank you, friend!! It was a special trip. And believe me, even though granny hasn’t officially met you, she knows all about you!!!