Editor, Commonwealth:
The residents of South Boulevard in Greenwood recently enjoyed a day of fun and fellowship as we celebrated our first “Meet and Greet Your Neighbor Day” during a gathering in the street of South Boulevard.
The event was well-attended by neighbors, family and friends with lots of food and entertainment. In an effort to build and strengthen relationships among our neighbors, the event was planned by those who were eager and excited about coming together to help make a difference, starting in our neighborhood.
It was a joy to see one of or perhaps the street’s oldest living matriarch, Abbie Riley, who is 94 years old, strolling the sidewalk alone and a two- block distance from the event, with the aid of her walker, as she purposefully made her way. When assistance was offered by her neighbor, the Rev. Calvin Collins, Mrs. Riley responded, “I don’t need any help. Let me do this myself. I want to do what I can for myself as long as I can. I am just so excited we are having this gathering today, and I wanted to be here.” This is the type of determination we all should have as we strive to preserve those things which are special and that bring about unity.
As we reflect on times past, the essence of neighborly togetherness, love and care for each other has noticeably diminished. Neighbors were family, where mostly everyone knew each other and sharing what they had was a common occurrence. Even the church provided the truest of simplistic worship gatherings in those days. Families persevered.
As expressed in the words of a song by renowned recording artist Dottie Peeples, “As our minds go back, we can see the little wooden church sitting by the railroad track. Just a little shabby ole place, we used to sing ‘Amazing Grace.’ Talking ’bout a good time, a mighty, mighty good time. Someone would put up a tent in an open field. Folks would come from miles around going over rocks and rivs. Very little money was raised, but so many souls were saved — talking ’bout a good time, a mighty, mighty good time.”
Times were so simple then.
The residents of South Boulevard certainly had a good time at our first neighbors’ gathering. We would like to offer the challenge to other neighborhoods to have this same type of experience if they haven’t already. Let us strive to bring our neighborhoods, our community together to help make a difference in our city.
Special thanks is extended to these contributors who helped make our event a success: Melverta Henderson, speaker; New Zion M.B. Church Men of Zion, Jerry Carter, Dr. Calvin Collins, Steven Collins, Marcus Cooper, Marvin Miller and Marvin Russell; Strangers’ Home M.B. Church; Carl Hodo; Charles McCoy; Greenwood Market Place; Wayne Self and Fred Wilson.
Elnora Collins
Greenwood
