First of all the fire company was all volunteers. I grew up not knowing that being a fireman could be a career or a full time job. I knew the men who fought fires were the same men that came home from jobs after a long day at work and responded when the fire bell rang. I never knew who was in charge of ringing that bell, I just knew that when the siren went off everyone in town would run out to the front street to see which direction our one and only firetruck would go. Then it would be rush back into the house and get on the phone with neighbors in that direction and see what was burning. It was a way of life.
The fire company stood for a lot more than fires, but I guess growing up I took it all for granted. For example, this is where you went every December to meet Santa Claus and if you stood in line, he would give you a box of chocolates and a big juicy orange. After he left for his next visit, everyone would gather around the tables and eat homemade ice cream and neighbors would chat. The kids would get to climb on the fire truck and have their picture taken for Mom's scrapbook. It was a great night that kids looked forward to from year to year. I enjoyed it as a child and as a parent.
Then -- of course -- there was the annual egg hunt. For weeks before the grand event, volunteer firemen and their wives would solicit dozens and dozens of dyed eggs from all the local neighbors, churches, garden clubs, and anyone else who was willing to give. A day or two before the Saturday of Easter, the eggs would be collected and Saturday morning they would be "hid" (see above) on the grasses of the local ball field. You would gather with your children and they would get enough eggs to keep you in egg salad, picked eggs, etc. for weeks. Of course it was also a social event when people could come out of their winter doldrums and watch the kids. The firemen also sprung for large chocolate rabbits as prizes. The eggs were all real and all donated. You couldn't trust people to do that today and I am sure the Board of Health wouldn't allow it but it is a memory I am glad I have.
Next event would be the Annual Fireman's Carnival. All the little towns had one and you attended as many as you could make it to (or could afford). Money was tight and this was a treat, but you went if only to show off your new baby in his/her shiny stroller. The biggest attraction was always the homemade ice cream and Lightstreet had the best chocolate I've ever eaten anywhere. The cakes that were served with the ice cream were solicited from local housewives and donated just like the Easter eggs. Today if you made homemade ice cream or cakes and tried to sell them, once again the Board of Health would have something to say.
Males started to join the fire company around the time they were old enough to drive a car. They spent their nights playing pool, cards, and what have you -- just hanging out waiting for the fire bell to ring but hoping it wouldn't interrupt their game. Wives and girlfriends were used to this routine and didn't suspect the husbands were cheating with anything other than the big red firetruck. It was a way of life .There were no women members, except for the auxiliary that made the cakes and the eggs. I guess the men left them meet in the fire hall once in awhile. I'm not sure. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H, Cub Packs, Garden Clubs, and many other organizations used this building as their stalwart meeting place. It was a very important part of a little community.
Times have changed. I've lived in the city for so long where firemen are career people and have to have their salaries negotiated by mayors and committees; Easter egg hunts are held at supervised places with plastic eggs filled with God knows what, and I'm not sure where all the committees meet. I do know that I am very thankful I was able to grow up in a place that had the "community fire hall".
