Childhood: Moving to the Center of the Universe

I figure I better explain this one right away.  A few friends and I determined in high school that Wisconsin Rapids (pop. 18,435) is the Center of the Universe.  Some how, some way, everyone you meet will have a connection to Rapids.  It doesn't matter where you are on the planet - there is a connection.  Case in point: we were getting to know the parents of our son's classmate yesterday, and after I mentioned I was from Rapids, the wife piped up that she had relatives that lived there (and I graduated with her cousin).  There it is again!  It happens too often to be denied.


So, in the fall of 1985, my dad got the head greenskeeper job at Bull's Eye Country Club and Tri-City Golf Course.  My parents already had connections in the area, and on at least one occassion, left me with a friend's daughter when they were househunting.  I remember being in her room on a snowy day, listening to Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.  They did take me on at least two house tours, including the one we eventually settled in.  I remember the other house was a lot closer to my dad's job, but also a stone's throw from the wastewater treatment plant.  It had a bannister that swayed when I pulled on it.


The house my parents bopught was located across the street from an elementary school, had no neighbors in the back, and was liberally carpeted in a 70's style avocado-colored shaggy nightmare, even in the kitchen.  That carpet lasted a long time, if I remember correctly.


We moved up on the December 30, 1985.   I remember my mom packing a few items into the car, such as a plant.  While the movers were busy unloading our stuff, my sister and I were in the care of our neighbors, the Dalys.  They have been great friends to our family ever since!  My parents still live in that house (as of this posting).