An Exploratory Summer's Night: Uncommon Grounds
Contributed by Matt Bauer

The warm August night began with a gathering of friends at the normal place. This was the place to be on any normal night, but this night turned out to be a bit different. As they sat around and reminisced about the highlights of the summer, they started to feel as though they were short changing themselves. After all, there still were a few days left of summer. So, instead of cutting the good summer times off then and there, the group decided that they were going to "live it up" on this night. All the friends were in total agreement, but they were unsure of exactly how they would put their ideas into action.

Eventually the group decided to head to Uptown. No one involved was familiar with the area or had even been there previously. It was a place that sounded cool and that they all had heard quite a bit about. Due to this fact, a cloud of mystery surrounded the idea. Then with the mystery follows nervousness and an adrenaline rush. So, what better place for the friends to go explore on a pleasant summer's evening.
The posse arrived and began to walk around without a problem. Everything seemed to be going their way as they walked though the bright, neon lights. However, after only an hour the group began to realize the lack of available activities for a group of friends only 16 years old. They didn't want to spend the money it would take to eat at one of the nice restaurants. The shops were closed. Indecisiveness had caused them to miss a comedy show. They weren't old enough to get into one of the bars. To top it all off, they just missed the last showing at the theater.

They were just about to turn around and head back when one of them noticed a coffee shop across the street called "Uncommon Grounds." The shop was located in an old Victorian style house on the corner of one of the streets. Feeling a bit adventurous and without other options, the group decided to test the waters.

Inside they found what would become one of their favorite hangouts during the remainder of their high school experience. They walked through the screen door on the porch to find a small counter at the end of the entryway with a kitchen in the background. To the left, there were a plethora of tables and booths that were longing for company. All of the seated areas were lit by candle, which created that intimate or romantic conversation area they happened to be looking for. The shop also had a similar environment on the porch and around the outside of the house if you preferred the outdoors.

A few members tried the drinks and food as they sat around the table as they sat around and consumed themselves with the environment of the house and the intimate conversation with their friends. Since that day, the group still finds themselves returning to this wonderful and intimate coffee shop to ignite the same feelings that they felt on that first night. Since that night in August, "Uncommon Grounds" has become not only my favorite place, but also one shared by an adventurous group of high school friends.