Remembering Sheriff Andy

The passing of Andy Griffith, America's sheriff, I'm sure hit a chord with everyone who grew up in a small town. For me, I was born and grew up in Mulberry, Kan. -- yes, Mulberry. Mulberry is a small town in Southeast Kansas with a population of around 500. While I was growing up there in the '40s the population was close to 1,000.

It was a town where strip coal mining was the main industry. There of course was a post office, a market, a barber shop, a Phillips 66 gas station, several churches, a cemetery and lots of little shops. The focal point of the town was the barber shop where locals gathered everyday not for a haircut but for conversation.

I remember fireflies at night, homemade ice cream, circular fans, lots of wandering cats, chiggers, and the sound of a train rumbling through town while dropping off the U.S. mail on the metal post.

My grandfather was the mayor of Mulberry for many years. He also owned a feed store where I worked during summer vacations. Even after we moved to Detroit, we would return every year during the summer for a taste of Americana.

Today the town is a shadow of those golden days, but people still retain the friendliness and the joy of small town living.

Currently the media is paying tribute to Sheriff Andy Griffith and the town of Mayberry. I'm sure as people hear and read the tributes they too will relive some fond memories of growing up in small-town America. Those small towns continue to be the life blood of all that is right with our nation. During the week of Independence Day, many towns no doubt celebrated with parades. Nothing better than a community parade in a small town. Thanks Sheriff Andy, for showing us how rewarding and pleasant and tranquil it was to be in Mayberry.

Editor's Note: Bill Kalmar of Lake Orion, Mich., retired from Comerica Bank in 1993 and was then director of the Michigan Quality Council from 1993-2003. The Fort Scott native now writes on a freelance basis.