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Courtesy,
kindness and charisma
Author's
neighborhood has it all
[MARCH
25, 2000] Quilting
bees, canning parties and barn raisings are all certainly events of days gone
by. But it seems high tech has taken the place of high touch in many of our
homes and communities. There is, however, one Lincoln neighborhood that
continues to keep the true "neighbor" in the neighborhood. Oakwood
West, located in a somewhat obscure area of West Lincoln, has become a small
retreat for many of its inhabitants. Here, many families have discovered what it
means to be a good, old-fashioned neighbor.
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Now
there are no barn raisings, but when there is a need, the neighbors
meet it. How many neighbors still shovel snow for one another? How
many neighbors welcome any and all new residents to their street
with an Open House in which they invite everyone? Did you know
Oakwood West has its very own mayor? Allen Pickering holds this
prestigious honor and is in stiff competition with another friend
for this job. Only time will tell who will win this one.
Pickering’s
neighbors, Cheryl and Jerry Bauersach, have lived on Oakwood Drive
since July 1994. Mrs. Bauersachs says, "It's great to know when
you have to be away, the neighbors pitch in to mow your lawn, water
flowers, pick up mail and watch over your house." She also
recalls another neighborly event, "A couple years ago, several
neighbors were gone on vacation at the same time. It happened that a
huge storm came through and shut down the electricity for several
houses. The few neighbors [who were] left ran extension cords from
their houses to those without power to keep the sump pumps running
and also to save the food in the freezers."
["Mayor" of Oakwood West, Allen
Pickering poses with his family
at the entrance to their friendly
neighborhood]
Friends
have learned to rally for one another too. Kathy Blaum says of the
neighborhood, "We all respect each other and our
diversities."
The
most frequent get togethers are the Oakwood Drive bonfires. They can
run from spring through fall. "If you build a fire, they will
come," a resident quips. "Everyone brings their lawn
chairs to gather around the fire, chat or to cook hot dogs and
marshmallows," reports Mrs. Bauersachs. She finishes her
reflections on this one-of-a-kind neighborhood by saying, "It's
an environment of friendship, trust and respect. Because it's a
fairly new subdivision, many of the people here started the
development, which helps bring you closer together...almost as an
extended family."
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Perhaps
this sounds like a movie script, but it is actually in
your own backyard. A mustard seed is a tiny seed, but when
planted and watered, it can grow into a huge plant. Good
things still happen and kindness is a lot like that
mustard seed. A small act of neighborliness can bloom into
a great place for all to live, work and play.
[Even the smallest Oakwood West
inhabitants love their neighbors]
Almost
every new person has been helpful and nice. We swap tools
or mowers almost at will. Many different occupations seem
to blend for a common good," Pickering states.
Gone
may be the days of quilting bees, canning parties and barn
raising. But the days of good neighbors and acts of
kindness are alive and well in Lincoln, Ill.
So,
do you have a good neighbor story? Is your neighborhood
thriving with folks who go out of their way to help you?
Let LDN know about it. E-mail us ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com.
[Jeaneen
Ray]
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