President’s Message
The “seed” of this article sprouted as I was watching and enjoying the children’s laugher during games organized for our recent National Night Out neighborhood picnic. It took me back (just a few years!) to my own childhood growing up.
As I have mentioned before in this publication, I was very fortunate to live on a street that served as an extended family. I can still walk down Maple Street in my mind and remember each house and their inhabitants with fond memories. Gid Carrier from across the street bringing fresh caught lake trout wrapped in butcher paper to our door. And every once in a while, a bottle from our family’s tavern would find its way back into Gid’s hands. Mrs. Sliger next door practicing with my mother their pantomime routines for the Gazelles Show at Elks Club. Backyard spaghetti feeds and potlucks at the Sabbatines (home to my future sister-in-law) and the nickel slot machine on their back porch that always paid out to the youngest in neighborhood. Next to them the Smiths, designated stand-in grandparents to all, who loved the kids’ July 4th parade passing by. Then the Coopers, home to my older brother’s best friend and fellow traveler in our ‘57 Pontiac to Disneyland after their high school graduation. Aaah, the Kibbles: Mary and Dutch—he was the local Blue Bird Bakery delivery man. Dutch was the funny uncle to every family, always with laughter in his eyes and a desire to keep everyone in stitches. After them, the local Standard Gas Station owner Mr. Johnson, who maintained my Dad’s and everyone else’s cars. I could go on; but the point is these neighbors were pseudo-parents and I respected them as such; and they all added their own thread to the fabric of the person I am now.
Our Beaumont Wilshire neighborhood is made up of hundreds of such smaller “street” neighborhoods; and many of these have young children growing up as well. My question to you is, “What will they remember when they grow up?” Will they know the names of people next door and a few houses down the block? Will they develop deep enough memories to stand the test of time and bring smiles to their faces years from now? Will they be able to relate stories and anecdotes to their own children about wonderful neighborhood experiences growing up? Will they come back years from now and slowly walk down the block reliving their experiences with gained appreciation?
If not, what can each of us do about it? To have children become an integral part of the lives of neighbors requires effort and energy from both the parents themselves, along with other adults at hand. So let’s commit to finding some of that energy so the children can answer yes to all of the above. Not only do you have one chance to make a first impression, you only have limited opportunities to make a lasting, positive one.