[StBernard] Memories

Westley Annis Westley at da-parish.com
Wed Mar 19 21:05:56 EDT 2008


I cannot begin to express how great a memory to my childhood growing up on
St. Roch Avenue and the upper ninth ward area. Tree lined "neutral grounds"
and non-tree medians which was OUR playground (when only St. Roch Playground
was but a block or so away). Football, baseball and horseshoes were the
order of the day a bit before I became engrossed in my computer career in
the mid-sixties.

In those days we had little technology outside of an electronic football
game powered by vibration, a radio and few had TV's or at least a color TV
back in the 50's. Some had a hi-fi or "record player" to be entertained.
Many of us were so poor (at least in my youth) that we made footballs of old
Dixie cups or baseballs that were rubber balls struck with the fist. We
waited a year for a chance to stand in line for St. Roch's Doll 'n Toy Fund
giveaway (or the Municipal Auditorium which kept people in lines (including
myself from 4 am in the morning until the doors opened at 9am) during the
winter holidays).

But I wouldn't change a thing, and would give all but my soul to return to
those days because for me, they were more carefree than being concerned
about today's sophisticated wrangling. I can almost understand why the
elderly are ready to "toss in da towel", giving up to the new
generation--many who are not good caretakers of our childhood (and adult in
some circumstances) neighborhoods. (one example is the new breed of
non-caretakers in the New Orleans area neighborhoods). As youths, we had
poor or working class neighborhoods where the area was respected and
nurtured.

Today, in many ways--that is not only changed, but worsened. (and not
because of Katrina because "the neighborhood" is NOT about properties and
rich living as much as it's more about PEOPLE.

To many parish(s') communities history can repeat itself. People change
because Attitudes change thus Neighborhoods change..

Nostalgic? Yep. The point here? That everyone since Katrina must care; do so
with extreme passion with consideration -- or as a consequence be part of
the nostalgia that remembers fonder moments when life is harder and we long,
unsuccessfully for the good times once more which alas, are but in our
long-term memory.

I grieve.

--jer--

----------------------------

St. Roch residents replace Katrina-damaged trees - TP

NEW ORLEANS - Residents of the historic St. Roch neighborhood will plant 50
trees to replace those damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

As the neighborhood is rebuilt, residents are focusing on invigorating
public spaces. To help with that effort, Faubourg St. Roch Project turned to
Parkway Partners, the nonprofit volunteer arm of the New Orleans Department
of Parks and Parkways.

With a grant provided through the the Alliance for Community Trees
Neighborwoods/The Home Depot Foundation, Parkway Partners will distribute
the 50 trees today. The grant amount was not immediately available.

Also, in partnership with KKProjects and the Renaissance Project, trees will
be planted between houses and the street along an eight-block stretch of St.
Roch from St. Claude Avenue to North Johnston Street.

Volunteers should meet at 2448 N. Villere St. for work to begin at noon. A
press conference and crawfish boil will follow at 3 p.m.




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