There’s something going on in and around Baltimore that is encouraging. Communities and small towns are getting together for nothing but fun and I’m embracing it. Little Italy and Federal Hill are offering weekend family movies. Bring a blanket, a couple chairs, a picnic and watch healthy, family movies with friends and strangers. If you don’t like movies, how about a block party with live music? Hunt Valley, Towson and Belvedere Square give you three Friday night options. Come as you are, bring loved ones, eat, drink, dance in the streets, see old friends and make new ones. The atmosphere is electric. Everyone is smiling and having fun.
I’ve also noticed that all the new construction for restaurant and retail is no longer for huge multi-floor malls. Now they’re building rather large complexes that are open air with a common meeting place and/or food court that’s central for people to build community called town centers. There are fountains, fire pits, statues of children, comfy benches, gardens, awnings to protect you from the sun, and sections of chairs for people to congregate by being in the great outdoors instead of cooped up inside. Gosh, there are even kid’s clubs sponsored by retailers with activities for the children. I am lovin’ it.
My prayer is that we’ve noticed our need for one another. Maybe we’re also recognizing that fresh air is so much better than all the recycled air in area malls. Perhaps we’re going back to the main street feeling of small town America where people embraced one another and became more involved with their neighbors. All I can tell you is that whenever I’ve attended these gatherings, they are packed. You have to get there early to get good seating. I’m tickled by this. Please tell me. Is this going on in your city or small town, and if so, what are some of the activities you’re witnessing?
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I adore Towson, MD (the open market is calling me again), and Baltimore–of course–for its Little Italy. It sounds to me like you’re having a resurgence of the “town square” or the “piazza” concept in Italy. Oh, just another reason to make a visit!
Hugs,
Connie
I live in a suburb of strip malls, but my own neighborhood in that town has sidewalks, and lots of families. I find that people in my neighborhood tend to gather on front porches, or in front of the Dairy Queen at the strip mall down the street, or on the sidewalk outside of the starbucks. We have concerts in the parks that are free, an outdoor movie night where families “drive in” to an empty ball field and watch a movie from the back of their SUV’s –while the kids all run around and play at the park!
Here in the midwest, we tend to gather together outside more during summer! (sub zero winter temps are not conducive to community!)
Connie, I can’t wait. Come on Thursday! We can go to the Farmer’s Market which is another way to build community in our town.
Keri, that makes sense. But nothing brings out neighbors more in Baltimore than a nice big snow storm. One of my favorite memories as a child, was the big block party we had right after it stopped snowing from a blizzard. Everyone was out shoveling and digging out cars. Someone got out their grill and put in on the sidewalk, theneveryone got whatever they had in their fridges and added to the party. There was dancing in the snow covered streets, kids sledding, building runways and snowmen, etc. It was a blast.
That’s true. I’d forgotten–but last winter, one big storm brought everyone out, helping each other shovel out their driveways. It’s the sub zero temps–in Chicago, we actually get days where it is “too cold to snow” and the actual temp is below zero, and the windchilll is just nasty. Next winter, when we get a big storm, I will definitely bring out the hot chocolate and maybe the grill! great idea.
Oh good Keri. It was such a good time. I have pictures of sodas and beers cooling in piles of snow. Great fun. I also have a picture of a good childhood friend dancing under a street light with a man we used to babysit for. We thought that was so cool back then. What a hoot.
I wrote briefly about another fun gathering in my neighborhood in my post today (a girls’ girl) Check it out–it’s a gathering the kids organized, which made it more fun for them!