I grew up in Homer - a rural community of 1200 in central Illinois. The community revolves around the public school in small towns everywhere. So Homecoming was a very big deal. Lucyna and Tad attended a private high school in the fast-moving suburbs of Chicago. Homecoming was big to the school.
Friday night was Homecoming at Hayward High School. I had to see it for myself. I wanted to find out the differences and similarities between small town a "few" years ago and today: plus current suburban and current small town. It costs $4 for an adult whether you are in the suburbs or in the Northwoods. Kids of all ages painted their faces with school colors (black and gold). The Homecoming court was introduced at half time. The king was a guy from the marching band. Go Band! They had a 50/50 raffle - split the pot - just like the suburbs. $91 was the total for the evening and my $1 ticket did not win - just like the suburbs. Like Homer there were decorated floats that paraded through town earlier that afternoon.
Unfortunately, the Hayward Hurricanes (Yes, hurricanes in the northwoods. I am assuming that they had a Native American name at one time and changed it. Sitting behind an Ojibwa mother whose son sacked the opposing quarterback a few times, I am glad we are the Hurricanes. All the jackets and helmets say, "Canes".) did not win. Still, I am glad that we went. Small town life at its best.
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