As most folks know, I have been carving Carousel animals since 1993. Although over the past few years I have given-up traveling around to publicly demonstrate my carving. The sights, people, and communities I have experienced in my Journey have etched themselves into my Spirit and memory forever.
Similarly, the memories of growing-up in a small town outside the northern region of Pittsburgh have equally affected my beliefs and my Life.
The name of that “small town” was, and is, Millvale. Millvale still exists…although the shops and areas I experienced as a child/youth have drastically altered over the past several decades.
I poignantly recall every Saturday morning accompanying my Dad from our home on Maryland Avenue, “gliding” down the city steps which led onto the main street of the town, and thereupon embarking upon our weekly “jaunt.”
FIRST STOP
The initial pause in our Journey was ALWAYS at the hometown bakery nestled at the onset of Lincoln Ave. Here Dad would spend considerable time deciding which pastries and pie he would purchase to take home for Mom’s delight. Of course, he would always present ME with the opportunity to assist in this decision-making by “requiring” me to taste several of the items he might be purchasing. WHAT A DILEMMA!!! How could he possibly have laced this awesome responsibility upon my shoulders? OH, WELL…without a moment’s hesitation, I plunged right in! Meanwhile, Dad would enjoy a cup of home-brewed coffee and home-spun conversation with our hometown baker.
Upon completion of this initial task, we moved on.
KEEP ON TRUCKIN’
Our pathway of conversation and purchases advanced in always the same order. We proceeded to visit each of the shops nestled along the northern side of the avenue. These venues included a candy store (YUMM…handmade sugary delights!), the Five & Ten store where my Aunt worked, the ice cream store, and finally the Hallmark of the Journey (at least for me!),,,ESTHER’S HOBBY SHOP! It was in Esther’s that I began my fascination with gluing together model planes, ships, trains, etc. The fascination is still with me today!
After leaving the hobby shop, we headed across the street…visited the Lincoln Drug Store (soda and comic books)…peered into the windows of the furniture store…turned the corner, and headed homewards. BUT…first, we MUST stop into ISALY’S for a chipped ham sandwich upon Town Talk Bread, and finish-off with a huge Isaly’s “Skyscraper “ ice cream cone!
HOMEWARD BOUND
At the A&P grocery store, we crossed the street and began our upward bound Journey to Maryland Ave. and Mom, who would welcome the two of us, and the bundles we carried with wide-open arms and an ear-to-ear smile upon her face.
Along the way, we would stop and exchange pleasantries with my Grandma’s sister, Aunt Clara, who was always ensconced upon her porch every Saturday morning. Then I would stop and play a few rounds of catch with my cousin, Gary, in his front yard. Halfway up the steps, we would “run-into” Aunt Marg, and my cousin, Barbra Ann, as they were hanging laundry out to dry.
FINALLY…we reached home, and MOM.
She and Dad would slowly uncase all the “presents” from the paper bags we placed upon the kitchen table. She never failed to commend Dad for his shopping prowess, and me for accompanying him.
YEP, every Saturday we would follow the same series of activities. IT WAS GRAND!!! All the little shops and their proud and talented owners…the larger establishments…the Friends and relatives… EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY spoke multitudes of fantastic special Times.
The local shops and their wares were, and still ARE, without equal. The comradery was truly strong!
CHANGING TIMES
As noted: the shops, and People of those Times in that particular town are all long-gone. For several years, that small town in which I grew up experienced severe decline. However, today, Millvale is experiencing a “Rebirth.” New shops are opening to replace those which have disappeared. Folks who have moved in to the area have begun to recognize that they are the recipients of something truly “special.” They have begun to share a common goal: resurgence of American Spirit.
Throughout my years of travel, I have witnessed the decline and elimination of many, many small towns. Some of the most recognizable symptoms of future abandonment is the elimination of small businesses, amusement parks, and iconic community venues. Prime example of this type of abandonment is the destruction of the historic West View Amusement Park in the Northern region of Pittsburgh, and the tragic elimination of the iconic Northside Market House in the heart of Pittsburgh’s Northside Community. One gone, these precious icons and venues can NEVER be regained…they exist only in Memory.
Yet, such places and the People they serve speak to us.
The message they extend is beyond worth.
They speak of what makes this Nation, its People, its Communities so very, VERY GREAT!
The shops provide the BEST in American products…their Artisans and Crafters produce what may not only be considered the BEST of their efforts, but also the BEST examples of Human Creativity.
SO…
What to do?
Well, for first, one might take a walk through the marketplaces within their own neighborhoods. Enter into the shops…take some Time to speak with the folks inside…taste samples…revel in the Artwork…enjoy the day!
While you are on your Community Journey, remember for a moment that little boy and his Father, holding hands, and creating Memories which well exceed the “Test of Time.”
Maybe, before you go home, you could wrap YOUR taste buds around some chipped ham!!!!
Well I was born in a small town
And I live in a small town
Probably die in a small town
Oh, those small communities
No I cannot forget where it is that I come from
I cannot forget the people who love me
Yeah, I can be myself here in this small town
And people let me be just what I want to be
Well I was born in a small town
And I can breathe in a small town
Gonna die in this small town
And that’s probably where they’ll bury me.
JOHN MELLENCAMP
(Small Town)