Located exactly half way between Jackson and Memphis lies a medium-sized town named Grenada, Mississippi. I don’t live in the city but I went to school in Grenada until I graduated. My whole life was in Grenada for the first eighteen years of my existence. I am currently home from college for the summer which means that my life is once again in Grenada. And… well, there are just some things you don’t understand if you weren’t raised in the town so I will try to list most of them.

1. There are only five food choices when it comes to a sit-down meal.

I present to you: McAlister’s, Zaxby’s, Jake and Rips, any of the various Mexican restaurants (preferably No Way Jose), and Yamato. (Pizza Inn and Applebee’s get honorable mention due to the fact that my friends and I go to those places about once or twice every several months.)

2. Chaney's

This is the pride and joy of about half of Grenada’s teenage populace. Chaney’s is the parking lot of the long gone store Chaney’s. The store may have left, but the name stayed with the parking lot. Teens park their vehicles here in order to socialize (drink, smoke, and vape).

3. Spencer's Dairy Cream

Spencer’s is the local ice cream shop in Grenada that serves some of the best ice cream based products that you can find. It has been around for years and is one of the most popular places in the town. People from out of town are sure to stop there for a delicious treat when passing through Grenada. Spencer’s honestly makes the world a better place.

4. T.O.W

This stands for Thunder On Water, which took place just last weekend. Thunder On Water (jokingly referred to as Trash On Water by many) is Grenada’s annual summer carnival. During this time, the Grenada Lake spillway becomes host to many carnival rides, food trucks, and shopping booths. Beware: the later into the night you stay there, the crazier it gets. (Shout out to the driving woman who came a good three feet from hitting my friends and me while we were attempting to leave the parking lot this year!)

5. Entertainment is limited.

Grenada has very little to offer when it comes to the category of fun. There is a four-room movie theater called “Grenada Plaza Cinema” which is good for those not wanting to drive to Oxford or Starkville to see a film. (Just pray that the movie you want to see is one of the four that the theater has picked up for the upcoming week.) There is also the option of riding around the town just passing time. Some like to go to Sonic and order a snack and visit while others will wander around Wal-Mart for entertainment. People also like to go Grenada Lake to hammock and enjoy the view. If you’re lucky enough to have or know someone with a boat then your days may be filled with lake days that are actually very fun.

6. The Grenada High vs. Kirk rivalry

There are two schools in Grenada: Grenada High School and Kirk Academy. Grenada High is the public school and Kirk is the private school. They are located no more than two miles away from each other. I feel as if this rivalry is constantly changing, however, at some point in your life, you or a friend have had beef with someone at the other school.

7. There are no secrets.

Grenada is not a large town. Everybody knows everybody or they know somebody who knows somebody. A secret just does not exist within Grenada. If there is something going on be prepared for the whole town to know about it within a few days.

8. It's honestly not that bad.

It might not be a prime source for dining and entertainment, but Grenada has given me some of my best friends and favorite memories.