I grew up in a small town of Ohio, called Circleville, which is located just south of Columbus.Circleville was founded in 1810 along the Scioto River. It then became the county seat of Pickaway County. The name Circleville comes from the circular earthworks that Hopewell Indians had constructed in the area, although redevelopments of the town destroyed many of those original mounds. The first courthouse for Circleville was built in the middle of the circular earthworks for which the city was named. Circleville was laid out in a circular pattern by Dan Dresbach, who founded the town in 1810. During the 1830′s, the residents became tired of the unique street patterns. In 1837, the Ohio legislature authorized the Circleville Squaring Company to redesign the community with a more traditional layout. The work was completed in 1856. Most of the native earthworks were destroyed as a result of that redevelopment. Circleville holds a place in history, not only for the unique style in which it was built, but also because it is one of the earliest examples of urban redevelopment.
Aside from Circleville being known for it’s industrial and agricultural interests, it’s known for its religious diversity. Circleville is home to a number of religious denominations.
Circleville is also world famous for the annual Pumpkin Show, which began in 1903. The Pumpkin Show attracts more than 300,000 people a year. It’s the 6th largest festive held in the US. And because there is no admission fee, the Pumpkin Show has become known as the “Greatest Free Show on Earth”. The Pumpkin Show is held during the 3rd week of October if you’d like to visit the festival and take part in the activities.
Growing up in small town America, I sometimes felt like I was missing out on all the other exciting things happening in the world and all the beautiful places to live around the world. With that in mind, in 2001, I moved to beautiful Naples, Florida.
Naples was founed in the 1880′s by a Kentucky US Senator, John Stuart Williams, and his partner, Walter N. Haldeman, who was a Louisville businessman and publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal.
Naples didn’t remain a sleepy fishing town for long. Word of the area’s climate, as well as the abundant fishing brought visitors flocking into the area. Today, the city is a thriving resort area and their main economy is tourism.
Naples is an affluent community and is estimated to be the home of approximately 250 Fortune 500 CEO’s, as well as many celebrities, musicians and other public figures.
Naples is well known, not only because it is built along the Gulf of Mexico, but also because of the lifestyle it offers residents and visitors.
There are approximately 90 championship golf courses, which has given Naples the name of “Golf Capital of the World”. There are approximately 134 art galleries and the Philharmonic, which has given it the name of “Number One Small Art Town in America. And because of the miles and miles of beautiful white sand beaches, it has been named “One of the Top 20 Beaches in the Nation”.
Now is it too hard to imagine why I moved to Naples, Florida? I didn’t think so.
I found some amazing friendships in Naples that will last a life time. I also built a career that I can say without hesitation I love and I really enjoy going to work everyday to do. Not many people I know get to feel the same way. And most importantly, my relationship with God grew stronger.
Despite all Florida had to offer…an amazing lifestyle; beautiful beaches and ocean air; amazing sunrises and sunsets; fantastic friends; unbelievable restaurants and activities; tropical weather; even working on my golf game, it was still missing one thing. A sense of home and family.
You guessed it. In late 2007, I moved from my beach front lifestyle with unbeatable perks back to Ohio where the seasons change and where my family resides. Do I miss my lifestyle and friends in Florida? Yes. Do I regret my decision to move back to a colder climate that offers a sense of home and surrounds me with love from my family and friends? No.
I believe with God all things are possible. I also believe He places you in circumstances in order for you to grow, not only as a person, but also grow in the knowledge of who He is and who you are in Christ.
For now, God has opened up the opportunity for me to be back home in Ohio. And I have to say…I love it.
So, if the time comes for you that you feel life is passing you up and you haven’t done anything exciting while living it. My advice is to get out of your comfort zone. Open up opportunities for you to grow. There’s a whole world out here to explore. But, don’t be surprised if you end up back where you started. Back where you’re loved, cherished and have a sense of place. You’ll just have more self growth when you return.
So, there you have it. Some historical information about the cities I’ve lived in and some insight into knowing me.
God’s best…Sherri
