10 Things You Only Understand If You Grew Up In Ithaca, Michigan | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

10 Things You Only Understand If You Grew Up In Ithaca, Michigan

We're a small town like no other

927
10 Things You Only Understand If You Grew Up In Ithaca, Michigan
Great Lakes Gazette

1. In the fall you always know you’ll have plans on Friday nights.

Friday nights are for football in most small towns, but in Ithaca it’s an expectation that the stands are filled. The crowd never stays silent, the band brings it at halftime, and the Jackets never seem to disappoint by the time to fourth quarter rolls around.

2. You know you’re almost home when you see the windmills.

People might say all of Gratiot County is the same, but the skyline in Ithaca stands out from the rest. When you come home at night, you see the blinking red lights of the windmills and during the day you see the blades spinning on a windy day.

3. As soon as enough snow hits the ground, it’s time to go sledding at Woodland Park.

The first good snowfall leads to late nights hoping there might be a snow day. When snow days hit, everyone packs up their sleds and puts on their boots and heads to Woodland Park. There’s a rush when your sled takes off and it’s a hike back to the top, but there’s no other way we’d rather spend a snow day.

4. The only traffic jam you’ll be in is behind a tractor.

When you head to work or school during planting or harvest season, you know you have to leave at least 10 minutes earlier than you usually do. Even though you know you should plan ahead, you don’t and you usually end up late. All of the teachers and everyone else understands this typical GC problem.

5. Hearthstone Oven is the best way to start the day.

Nothing tastes better than a fresh cinnamon roll from Hearthstone Oven. Your friends will beg you for a bite at school, and it’s great for a dessert when you need a bit of a pick me up.

6. The community always comes together to help others out.

Whether it’s a family in Ithaca who has lost a loved one, or a family on an opposing football team, we always come through. We pass hats at football games, we wear blue for Hannah, and we consistently go above and beyond for those in need.

7. Weekends are usually spent at bonfires.

Growing up in Ithaca, there isn’t a whole lot to do on the weekends unless you leave town. So most of our time is spent out in the country at bonfires, looking at the stars, and talking about life. It’s a given that as soon as spring hits and fall rolls around, there are bonfires every weekend and you know at least one person having one.

8. Even after you graduate from Ithaca, you still feel passionate about the rivalry with St. Louis.

Shark Week during football season and basketball season were the best. It was a battle of teams and a battle of student sections. Even if you had friends at SLHS, it was put on hold until after the game. Even older people give each other crap if they find out someone went to St. Louis. It’s all in good fun, but the rivalry never dies after you leave the halls of IHS.

9. Your parents and grandparents can figure out who your friend is based on who their relatives are.

Every time you talk to your parents or grandparents about one of your friends, you usually get asked “Who are their parents?” or “What’s the name of their grandma/grandpa?” They can usually figure out their entire family lineage and history based on one family member. It’s ridiculous, but when you live in a small town like Ithaca, everybody knows everybody.

10. No matter where you go, you’re proud to say you’re an Ithaca Yellowjacket.

We’re a city of champions, we bleed blue and gold, and we have a pride like no other school in the state. We come from one of the best schools in the area, and we don’t care what anyone says. While we’re young, we hate the small town atmosphere and we feel trapped. But when you get the chance to look back, you know that you can say that you were born and raised in Ithaca, Michigan and be proud of that part of your identity.

SEE ALSO: 10 Perfect Gifts For The Average College Student

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

183364
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9970
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454386
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24440
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments