We Do the Best We Can in a Small Town

JERSEY SHORE -- Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania is home to the Pine Creek Rail Trail and six different pizza shops. That’s about it. Although it may sound like it, there is no beach there. There is no shopping mall, movie theater, bowling alley, or even a Wal-Mart.

My friends and I used to complain about how much we hated our “small town” growing up, but we have been able to get used to it. We had friends from the surrounding areas, like Williamsport and Lock Haven, and we could not understand why our town had nothing to offer like theirs did. Then we realized that ours actually did.

Living in small town Jersey Shore made my friends and I more creative. When we do not have something to do we have to make something to do. During the day that is usually easy. We can go biking or walking on the 62 mile long Rail Trail, which begins right in Jersey Shore. We can go to the library, fish, or grab a bite to eat.

Our ideas begin lacking as the sun starts going down. The majority of the things to do in Jersey Shore are outside activities. At night there is nowhere to “hang out,” other than at someone’s house. Every place in town closes at 11 o’clock or earlier. Usually earlier. If you are in a park after dark, the cop will come and tell you to leave. If you are out walking past 11 o’clock, the cop will stop you ask you where you are going and what you are doing.

I’ve lived in Jersey Shore for 20 years now so I’ve learned how to handle my boredom. The residents of Jersey Shore, including myself, get excited when they hear the sound of fire whistles, because now they can chase the trucks to figure out what is happening. We enjoy watching the streets being paved and even watching the town’s fourth stoplight being installed.

The town is not that awful of a place to live because it offers the basic essentials. You can get your groceries, gas, and education. There just are not a lot of recreational things to do if you are used to “big city living.” You have to drive out of town to see a movie or go shopping.

Personally, I enjoy being able to call Jersey Shore my home. I like the quietness of the town. Sometimes I get upset because everything closes so early and there is not much to do, but I also like how peaceful and safe the town is. If I need something Jersey Shore does not have, I just have to go out of town to find it, but I will always return to Jersey Shore with a smile on my face. I have made my home there and I have discovered the great things it has to offer. It’s the Friday night football games and Fourth of July celebration that keeps my small town love strong.

More info:
Rails to Trails: http://www.railstotrails.org

TrailLink.com http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6017045

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