President’s Message
My wife and I recently worked on reviving our front yard. Our sanity was questioned as we did the majority of planting on one of the 90-degree days Portland experienced in early June. The point to be made is that we had a number of neighbors, most walking dogs, who stopped to talk, and we got to know them much better. So not only did we enhance the aesthetics of our yard and get some beneficial exercise with a purpose, but also engaged in the simplest of human behavior: interacting with and enjoying the company of others. While most of us find many opportunities for sharing experiences through formal membership in organizations—work, place of worship, civic service, philanthropic, hobby/interests—I’d like to focus on the more informal neighborhood encounters.
Beaumont-Wilshire Neighborhood Association sponsors three “gathering” events during the year: April’s Taste of Beaumont, July’s Movie in the Park, and August’s National Night Out picnic. In addition, there are quite a few annual “block party” traditions that drive social interaction with those who live close by. However, those little “sidewalk chats” do more to influence how one feels about his/her particular neighborhood than any other social engagement I’ve mentioned. Through the simple social sharing of experiences, these talks strengthen the deeper feeling of community and security we all seek to some extent. Whether it’s discussing a new restaurant down on Fremont or 42nd, raising children, or commiserating about the demolition next door, it creates a feeling of belonging.
On a recent short bike trip to the market, I was happily impressed with the activity I witnessed as I rode by—kids making chalk drawings, 2-3 family bike groups, dogs being walked, a couple joggers, a few yard “putterers” and more—left me smiling and feeling fortunate.
So take advantage of the summer weather, get out and “Talk the Walk.” Share, listen, and enjoy being a part of Beaumont-Wilshire and Beaumont Village.
In case you are wondering where my philosophical bent came from, blame it on Peter Thomas. Yes, that same Peter Thomas, poet laureate of Lake Superior State College, who started all his 7:30 a.m. Humanities classes with 15 minutes of classical music, much to the delight of the sleeping hockey players in the back row.