3655 North Center Point Rd. Toddville Pretty much the same as I remember. A garage was added 10 feet south of the house. Brings back memories... it was the Brosh farm for years...

I remember this place with the fondest of memories. This was the Brosh farm. My best friend growing up, Wayne Brosh lived here with his sister's Cheryl and Shirley, and their mother Helen. Lovely family. This was in the late 1960's. Cheryl was the first girl I ever kissed, and it was in the hay mow of the barn in this photo. Helen lost her husband several years prior and ran the farm herself. She raised 4 kids, and was one of the strongest most stoic women I have ever known in my life. She had black angus stock cows, and sheep. The barn was filled with alfalfa hay, grain in storage, a huge garden with sweet corn put up and canned. A freezer filled with beef and broilers, and a hen house full of layers. She did it all herself with the kids. I loved staying over night on a weekend with my friend Wayne. In the Winter time coming into the house it was so clean and cozy and smelled of #2 fuel oil with a big oil burner in the living room. Helen always relaxed in a big recliner with reading material. The kids always had chores and when I stayed over there was work to be done. Evenings were lovely. Dinners were great and slept well. Up early, breakfast and out to chores. Helen worked like a man. She was a beautiful woman , strong, and raised fine children. I always admired her. Her son, Wayne died tragically in a motorcycle accident a few years after graduation. It was heartbreaking. Her daughter's went on with marriages and families. Helen sold the farm years later, for top dollar as it was a beautiful place with woodland and creeks. It was on old Hiway 150 north of Cedar Rapids, past County Home road north of Midway and south of Center Point. I cried when I came upon this photo.