jmyers2043's Entry

[tooheys]

You've heard that the grass is greener on the otherside? Welcome to Otherside, USA that is. I don't know if the grass is actually greener. But one thing is certain. This small community is friendly, really friendly.

According to Allison Flowers "There's not much to do around these parts so we invent things." Allison is a high school student who works weekends at Beyer's Family Pharmacy. And yes, it has a soda fountain.  "You should have been here for the Oktoberfest"

That festival runs during the first weekend in October, this year Sept30-Oct 2. "Oktoberfest brings nearly 25,000 people to the area." says Beth Ellen Boyle. Ms Boyle is the church treasurer and song leader at St Mary's. "People who used to live here come back, kids who've gone away to college return. It's a big get-together, a lot of fun."  Otherside also hosts the Mellon Wallow, The Hoot-N-Owl Hollering Completion, and River Daze.

Otherside has its charms and visitors can stop by the Town Hall to get a self guided walking tour map free of charge. The pamphlet tells a little about the area's history as well as some local folk lore. Like the yearly zombie attack.

So take exit 2043 off the Highway, Turn left at junction 276 and keep on the main road until you get to Columbus. Make a right on Hwy 25 and soon enough, you're on the 'Otherside'. You'll be thirsty. Have a soda at Beyer's Pharmacy. Get to know some of the Sims. Y'all enjoy and come back again.

Aerial View  




Budget View It's not easy to have a tiny town with police, fire, and schools. I had to raise taxes on everyone. Low income residential and dirty industry is taxed at 9.5%. Everything else has a 10.5% tax rate. I pulled the police and fire back to 80% and school bus service is funded at 50%. 




Walking tour (Things to see and do when you visit Otherside).

1. First is 'see you on the otherside' Cemetery. Mayor Jim's great great great grandfather is laid to rest here. It's the tomb over yonder. Near the poison ivy patch. His name is HOLLERMAN but erosion over time has the headstone letters looking more like OOLINAM.




2. St Mary's Church and the Shops on Main is your next stop. Last Sunday's sermon was titled "Wrath Cometh from a Winged Horseman?"




3. Town Hall and Police station. Mayor Jim and the staff at City Hall have their work cut out for themselves with a meager monthly budget of $779.   




4. Riverside Park - is the site of the famous 'River Daze' festival. River obviously is because of the water. I understand that Daze has something to do with local moonshiners. The park is also home to a statue that bears an uncanny likeness to Governor MrBisonM.




5. Last stop of the walking tour is the Ed Woods Stadium. Nearby warehouses are designed by Deadwoods and they are managed by his cousin, Ed Woods. Mayor Jim approached Ed to see if he would donate the property behind his buildings to the town and build a stadium in exchange for property tax relief. Mr. Woods, always on the lookout for ways to not pay taxes, built the stadium but gets nervous every time a lefty is on the mound.




Additional images.

Bird's eye view of the Keystone Coal Company and surrounding industries. Keystone supplies coal for the SimGoober Coal Fired Electric plant and ships by road or rail.




Goobers Auto specializes in dump truck repairs. You think that SimGoober makes bats all day? His day job as head mechanic keeps him busy. As you can see, Goober inspects a front wheel joint while his cousin Gomer, looks on.   




Residential




and Rural come together in an idealic setting.