Dover Residents (Clarksville, Dyer: home, rent, work)

[aspu_student]

Hello,
I am a Social Work major at APSU. I am doing research on the community Dover and its residents pertaining to what type of organizations are available for all ages of children. Or what isn't available to the children of this community. What types of organizations, such as after school programs, would you like to see in your community? What would you like offered to your children?

Thank you.
I look forward to reading your responses.

Lisa

[BNme]

I relocated myself and my two children to Dover TN in 1994. I raised my children there, and found that less was actually more! We moved from SLC Utah, therefore it was a drastic change from city life. The children were used to "overload" of activities ranging from ice skating, skiing, boys/girls groups, numerous clubs in school etc. I used to think this was "the way" you raised children. Then my divorce, and I realized my children would grow up busy with this and that, but would never really have the simple pleasures of a "real" childhood. So I went back to my country roots for which I was critisized for greatly in city life, and relocated to Dover. It was the best thing I ever did! They never regretted it. Why? Well basketball, band, and football, were the main events. Education mattered more. They had to be tutored two years just to catch up to current grade level (they were high in their class in Ut standards!). School was more about friendship and community than popular fads, fashions, and political offices within school government. Church was more than just a place to go on Sunday, it was your community family! Everyone knew you, and you meant something to them! People helped you move, before you even asked them, or even knew their names! Soccor, baseball, and revivals were community events that the whole town rallied together to enjoy. Crime is small, hearts are big! Four H not only gave your pride, but taught you responsiblity and care for something other then yourself, and taught you how to value God's gifts of land/cattle etc. Hard work meant accomplishment, and a good appetite, for which food was simple yet hearty and home cooked not in a can. Many of the area churchs have afterschool activities usually one day out of the week, and it was not unusual to be added to a hayride at Halloween time. Girlscouts/Boyscouts do terrific activities for the shut ins, and community. Swimming was usually done down at Dyers Creek, or slick rock, as well as in the lakes. Fishing and hunting are male highlights! It was very common to sit out on the stoop watching the lightnin bugs, and visiting with neighbors. Living life to the fullest instead of "substituting" with video games, etc. Clarksville was a hop skip away, if we wanted to see movies, and kids had clean safe fun with friends. My children so greatly appreciate their life in Tenn, for which they have grown up and moved onto college now in other states. Dover Tenn is home, and will always be. I highly recommend it to anyone who wishes to have a "real" life , and wish to preserve family time as precious at it is. Time flies by so quickly, but memories last forever! Hope this answers your questions.