My Little Towne

I’ve been thinking about community and how people connect. My sister Brown told me about a block party she organized in her New Jersey village, they called it the Blawenburg Shindig. She went door to door with an invitation flyer, and 70 neighbors showed up for music, burgers, and most of all, community! I tip my hat to my ambitious sister for organizing and getting it all going.

This morning, I had a typical South Deerfield experience. I rode my bike up to the hardware store to buy a part to try and fix the wheel that came off my lawnmower. They helped me find the exact right push nut, even though it cost 83 cents. Then I had to come back to get a bigger size. “No problem,” they said as they waved me back to get a nut that cost a little more. “No charge.” I went back a third time to find a nut that like the previous two, didn’t fit.

Then I ran into a man who works there whom I remember talking with about two years ago. We talked about sleep apnea, and I told him I had to use a CPAP, and about my Inspire implant, which has not turned out well. He said he’s a loud snorer and wakes up sometimes thinking he can’t breathe. I relate, that’s apnea. I encouraged him to get to the sleep doctor, because, well, it’s pretty scary. I think he appreciated my nudge.

Then I visited Mrs Baronowski, my tailor, right across the street. I brought a new pair of slacks in and she measured me to alter them. She’ll only charge me $11, as long as it’s cash or check.  I told her about the amazing transformation of a house right near the center that was once nearly fully overgrown with vines and old trees. It’s been shorn like a sheep. She wants to walk over and take a look.   In a few minutes, I’ll ride my bike over to the pharmacy and pick up my prescription. They fax the doctor when the refills are low.

South Deerfield offers a true community, it’s a place where people interact, and don’t just drive by and return up their long driveways and out of sight. As my sister told her neighbors when she canvassed door to door in Blawenburg, “I want to know who is behind those doors–I want to meet them!”

I think my granddaughter Sofie has gotten a job. I stopped in to ask Mario, the owner of a local pizza shop who I’ve known for 25 years, and he said Yes we’re hiring. I think she’s a great fit to become a pizzamaker. It will be good for her to have a job, and again, we have our village to thank.