Welcome to Dixon! (Volume 1)

 

Over the Back Fence

by

Vicki L Bishop

(#1 Irene Bell)

 

In a world full of re-boots, it may seem strange to some why I chose to revive Over the Back Fence.  Over the Back Fence was a newspaper column that ran in the Dixon Pilot in the 1970s-80s and possibly into the early 90s.   It was authored by Irene Bell and included her home-spun stories, adventures, travel, recipes and even a bit of gossip. 

The column was quite popular with the locals.  Sometimes I think back on all the things that have changed in Dixon and I was hoping that by preserving the column name, Over the Back Fence, that a piece of local history might also be retained. 

My favorite story about Irene was that of our first meeting.  I moved to Dixon in the spring of 1976 and my grandfather took me to the elementary school so that I could be enrolled.   In those days Dixon Elementary looked a bit different than it does now, although it is the same building.  I remember sitting in the hallway across from the office while my grandfather went in to talk with the staff. 

My former school was in suburban St. Louis and that building was only about one or two years old.  It was a contemporary style construction with brand new everything.  I now sat in the hallway of my new school looking at the bare cement floors and painted block walls.  Also, the smell of industrial cleaning solvents in the main hallway --that smell is the same fifty years later.  These things made me wonder what my future was going to bring.  This school building was so different, I wondered if the people would be different also.

Behind the long bench where I was sitting and hanging on the wall was a row of bulletin boards that exhibited the best work from the best pupils from each grade.  I remember wondering if my work would ever be good enough to hang on the wall.  There was also another child or two that came along and sat there quietly not talking to me while they waited to see the principal.  I remember being confused as to why the awards area was the same as the waiting area for the principal.  It seemed like they were confusing bad and good somehow. 

After what seemed like an eternity, I entered Irene Bell’s office.  She was the secretary for the elementary school (in those days there was only one).   I remember her gray/white hair, cat’s eyes glasses and contrasting lipstick.  She was nice and welcoming and made me feel safe.  On a table in her office there was a cake and on top of that cake was a candle that said 100. 

I was only in the first grade at the time, so it did not seem like a stretch to me that she could actually be 100 years old.  I had never met anyone that old before that I could remember, but I had never met anyone like her either.  My eyes lit up when I saw that candle and for another year or so, I really believed she was that old. 

Later that day some of my new classmates started questioning me about what my old school was like.  They asked me if we had P.E., I had no idea was that was, so they described it.  I said “Oh, you mean gym, yes we had gym class!”.  I asked them where the gym was, and they pointed to the cafeteria.  I was very confused why they wanted to eat in the same place they just had gym class. 

I quickly acclimated to my new surroundings and forgot all about my old school.  I think I did get one paper displayed on that board by about third grade but that was probably it.  Eventually even the cafeteria issue got fixed thanks to a very supportive community.  

My grandparents and great grandparents lived in Dixon and we had visited them often but other than family, I really didn’t know anyone.  So, in a way I guess you could say that Irene Bell was the first person I knew in Dixon and we were acquainted until her death in 1994. 

Who knew that fifty years after that first day of school-- I would still live here?

My immediate family has lived inside of the City of Dixon for over 100 years.  I consider myself a local, and I was even born (along with one other former resident) on the date that the Centennial of Dixon was celebrated.  My birthday twin and I joke a lot about sharing a birthday with Dixon.  I love my hometown and I have seen a lot of changes over the years, both good and bad.  It is my hope to share some of those stories with you. 

Irene Bell rocked newspaper columns long before social media was even thought about; she invented social media in Dixon.  I hope to keep some of the elements of her columns intact so you will be seeing some recipes and eclectic topics.

Until next time when I see you--Over the Back Fence.