Who knew Bath, IL was a place to wash away the toils of the city and have some good old-fashioned fun in the middle of no-where. I landed in Mason City, Il on my way to visit
Coronado Heights Castle in Kansas, Which I figured was too far to drive, so I settled with Mason city, Illinois which I thought was an address for a castle. But when I arrived, I realized that this wasn’t any castle, but something much greater. This was a small farm town That, due to a new Walmart being built a few miles away, slowed down the mom-and-pop stores leaving most places run down, with remnants of life along the floor. I walked around this town that had an old western type of feel. Some Buildings were run down, but others that stood erect also had mural paintings on the walls. I realized that it was the people that made Mason City what it was, A close-knit pile of hope. I was a bit down in my spirit because I ended up in a town with far and few people in it and with a cherry on top a nice confederate flag hanging in an auto shop window. I knew I was out of place here just as this town was out of place to me. But still, the quietness of the town allowed me to roam and explore and understand that there is always more than what meets the eye, but even I couldn’t have predicted that I was in for such a great time.
When I got to Mason City, I already knew something was off. I expected to find a castle, but the layout of this town was telling a different story. I set this destination wildly hoping to surprise myself with whatever castle I was going to be met with, but when I arrived at the GPS destination, I was left disappointed when I realized that I was directed to a, closed for the weekend comedy club, that I searched for a couple weeks back. I knew nothing positive can come from a negative mindset, so I switched my mind to see the best of the town and realized that although the buildings tell a story, it’s the people who form them. So, I headed into ‘The Hideout’ a bar in town that had a very spacious and welcoming vibe. Filled with well organized drinks, hot dog buns and popcorn. You can tell that all your needs would be met if you were to drink at ‘The Hideout’.
There were seven people at the bar, including myself and the bartender, whose name was Coozler. Coozler is a tall, slim, hardworking,” I’ll sleep when I’m dead’ Type of guy. He Just finishing working the third shift at his main job and went straight the bar for his first shift bartending position. I order my customary water, spark up a conversation, but mostly I listen. I then talked to a couple at the bar who informed me of the Walmart situation that had its effect on the town. I thought I was going to be writing this Blog about the history of Mason City, Illinois, but something much cooler came about in a city named Bath, IL. The story of a pool party that everyone In Mason City would be at. I thought what better way to find out more about the town then meeting everyone in it. So, I asked a few more questions and come to find out, this pool party is open to whoever comes; a Bring your own bottle event. I got the address to this pool party and just like that in 15 Minutes my trip was starting to look up, but as I was getting closer to the address, I started looking within and all the thoughts of,’ What if they don’t let me in? What if I don’t bring anything, will they let me in? What if I get there and it’s all for nothing? These thoughts then shifted to,” What if I DO get in? and multiple scenarios of what could go wrong if I got in. I decided, Good or bad, I was going to go in with my chest up to whatever happens.
The Party:
30 minutes later I finally get to the address, almost passing it out of fear, but reversed when I saw a garage full of women. I thought, well this might be worth it, and shortly later another large garage area appeared full of men and women, I thought, “Okay, were doing this” As I’m backing into this parking space on the lawn of this house, everyone is looking at me, because they don’t recognize the car or the black man in it. When I stepped out the car, I knew my first objective was to find the host of the party and get the ‘okay’ to stay. This is when I was met with a 6ft tall man with a low-cut sipping on, what looked like scotch on the rocks, named Lance, the owner of the house and the host of the party. I explained briefly about how random my presence was and Lance welcomed me, to what would later be, a great party. I introduced myself to everyone to make my presence known in the large garage, the garage attached to the house, and by the pool. I made sure to become a familiar face at this event, even if nobody knew how I got there. This is when I met Laurel, the wife of Lance and she asked me how I found myself at this party. I told her I was going to a castle party, which was a lie, well the party part was, the castle was all too real, but I figured if I stumbled upon a party here, I could do the same at the castle, boom, castle party manifested. Throughout the night I explained this probably over 10 times that got more honest throughout each retelling. Soon enough my explanation became, “I was going to a castle.” Which shocked and amazed everyone, including myself. Who knew it felt so good to be honest? Soon after, Laurel gave me the go ahead to eat what was on the table, pulled chicken, chips, and homemade barbeque sauce. Once this was solidified, I knew I was welcome to stay.
I don’t drink alcohol much, So I was well hydrated drinking water, eating, and mingling. I figured I would stay just for a little while, you know, I’ve already got into the party, I’m welcomed, I’ve faced all doubt, what more do I need to do? Well, a band Woodn’ Nickel Society was supposed to play tonight, and I thought Id stay to check them out. So, while they’re setting up, I start to channel a friend of mine, Sean, Who I met in Orlando during my hotel hopping days. His mantra at these hotels was take advantage of all it has to offer; Eat the food, jump in the pool, use the gym, wash your clothes. A very resourceful guy and someone who inspired me to take advantage of whatever situation that you’re in. It was around sunset, 7:00, the sun was still hot, but soon enough it would cool down and no longer be comfortable to use the pool. When I thought,” I shouldn’t get into the pool”, I channeled Sean and after getting clearance from Laurel and subtly from Lance, I thought,” Good thing I packed my swimsuit!” I changed and jumped right into the pool. I was using the waterslide, shooting hoops on the mini rim, front stroke, backstroke, gliding I was taking full advantage. Thank you, Sean. As I’m swimming and talking to more and more people I met the head honcho, the mom of lance and she needed a sign that I came in peace, and in her own way wanted to make sure of that. Later that night she, just as I sat down by myself, told me to get up and mingle. She was right, I didn’t come to this party by myself to sit by myself, so I sprung up and got back into the game. By this time, the band was starting to play, they started around 9pm because two of the bandmembers forgot their microphones. So, I ended up staying longer than I anticipated. When the band started up, they were good. The music was loud, and we were all dancing. I even learned a new dance move from Lance, that I will be keeping with me, the two-legged twist combo. The night continued, I danced with the people, laughed with them, ate with them. Even with my dark skin and fluorescent shirt I began to blend in with them. As the saying goes,” When in Rome…” The girls at the party were plenty from ranges of 30 and up to lances mom. A mixture, but after a while of dancing I needed a break away from everyone. I needed some fresh air and some new fun. They had a basketball hoop attached to their garage and I found a mini basketball and I started shooting around. A few girls joined me but come to find out one of the girls used to play college basketball and started shooting around with me. You could tell she had some skills; this dawned a 2 on 1 basketball game, me vs the girls. Dribbling, swishing shots, passing dimes, dunking, on a lowered rim, but that didn’t take any of the fun away from it. Next thing I Know the party has migrated to us playing basketball. A fun game and a highlight of my night. After the game the three of us, out of breath, were talking, then a group of us formed as I began guessing everyone’s ages and talking about basketball and again, how I ended up at the party, but this time when I told them I was going to a castle and found myself here in Bath, IL enjoying myself, it drummed up in someone to say that instead of a castle, I found Hillbilly Royalty. And they were right, although I didn’t end up at a castle, I found myself in the luxurious embrace of a small town of people who, when gathered, know how to throw a great party.
There were even great debates about the rules of ‘PIG’ a basketball game whose counterpart I’ve played, Horse. Lance and Bryce argued that in the basketball game ‘Around the World’ If the first person to shoot only gets Half-way and misses and the other person goes all around the world, the person who only went half-way around the world should get another chance to go around the world. Now, the way I play, whoever goes around the world first is the winner. They were trying to justify one should get a second chance in ‘around the world’ because in ‘PIG’ you get two shots at the end for some reason, and this was the logic of reasoning for about 15 minutes even though everyone knew these were two different games, that had nothing to do with each other. Good times.
I couldn’t help but think, here I am, the only black man at an all-white hillbilly party in Bath, IL, amazing. With opportunities like this comes great responsibility. I used to dislike the idea that everywhere I go I am a representative of my entire culture, but this opportunity showed me that this responsibility can be a rewarding one, because as strange as it was for me to be there, it must have been just as strange for them to see me there. I didn’t go to their party to impart my culture on theirs, but to experience theirs. I came with an acceptance that I believe opened them up with that same acceptance of being around an unfamiliar black man, not violent or confrontational, but curious, human, and open to having a good time.
At times everyone calling my name got confusing to people, apparently there were four Chris’ at this party. So, at times I had to be black Chris, just so the other Chris’ didn’t break their necks at the calling of my name. At one point me and ‘white’ Chris tried to form into one, but as soon as we realized that we were all Chris’ there stopped being a white Chris and a black Chris and we just became acquainted with one another as Chris. A hurdle had been jumped.
In Conclusion, even in the situations that seem bleak you can only make them worse by keeping a negative attitude. A positive attitude will open doors that when you walk through them everyone wants to know how you got there. And when others are interested in your story it gives you the chance to share your truth, your journey, and spread joy to those who, may never had to opportunity to experience your light, and in return you get to custom build an experience with others you never thought you could relate to. You get to co-create and leave a memory and a story for someone to tell. Don’t be afraid to go where you don’t think you belong; you might just prove yourself wrong.
P.S: Lance and Laurel host this party annually and they have invited me to attend in 2023, I can’t wait to see what’s in store. Yee Haw!
Thank you, Laurel and Lance,
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