I think of a
neighbor as someone who shares the community,
not just the person living next door.
Over the past
few months, I have met and come to know many
people living on the river. And many who don't
live on the river. I have commented many times
on our "neighborhood". I have next door
neighbors, back door neighbors and
one-subdivision-over neighbors. I even refer to
the river as a "street" occasionally. I used to
think of River's End, "Between the Bridges", and
the "Upper River" as a long way. Not anymore, I
have friends there and it's not too far. I used
to watch boaters go by and wonder where they
came from. Now I know many of them as friends.
Being "Friends of the River" has linked us all
together as a community with common goals and
interests. It is apparent to me when we gather
for social events or a business meeting, by the
attitude of the people there, that they consider
me a neighbor as well.
We have an
opportunity to get to know each other better on
Tuesday evening August 1st. It marks the first
Dock-Hop, our version of Neighbor's Night Out.
Take this time to get in your boat and cruise to
a neighbor's house. Stop if you see the FOR
banner or flag (or not) and just visit. If you
don't have a boat, hop a fence and take
advantage of your neighbors hospitality or
invite some of them to your place. The Jug Bug
will be cruising with lots of FOR merchandise
and you don't even need gas to get Mooch and The
Goddess to stop by. Just whistle or wave them
down! See you then!
Teresa
National night OUT - San Bernard River
Style
August 1 is designated as National Night Out,
and everywhere in every community, this is the
night people across the nation leave their TV’s
and arm chairs to step outside and meet and
greet their neighbors. Some neighborhoods plan
bar-B-ques, block parties or dances. But living
on the river, life is different and your
neighbors might be next door or a mile or two up
or down river.
River dwellers live in a connected linear
community and that is why Friends of the River
(F.O.R.) San Bernard is encouraging the river
community to join in our first Dock Hop on
Tuesday, August 1 – National Night Out. The
concept is simple – meet your neighbors – as
many of them as you can. If you live on the
river, turn on your dock lights and put out your
F.O.R. San Bernard flags or banners so people
can view them from the river. The light and the
flag become your invitation for people traveling
up or down the river in boats to stop and “hop
on your dock”, to meet you and yours - and maybe
have light refreshment that you have prepared
for them.
If you live close to the river, bring your
snacks and F.O.R. San Bernard flags to the
county boat ramps, meet your neighbors who
gather there and maybe get a chance to “hop” on
another neighbor’s boat traveling on the river.
If you are traveling on the river, look for your
neighbors’ invitation and take that opportunity
to stop and talk. If you don’t have a dock or a
boat, just make the effort of going next door
and spending some quality time with your
neighbors. They are the people you will want to
know in a time of joy or a time of need.
Oh, and whether you
are on the river or sitting at your docks, look
for the JUG BUG pontoon boat (owned by your
neighbors, Mooch and the Goddess). They will be
acting as F.O.R. San Bernard’s “merchant
marines”. They will be traveling up and down
river that evening carrying a load of F.O.R. San
Bernard branded merchandise for sale. They will
have caps, Koozies, t-shirts, and flags for sale
(proceeds defray the organization’s start up
costs). If you would like some of this
merchandise, make sure your lights are on and
your FOR San Bernard Flag is displayed. For more
information on this event, you can call Pat and
Connie Webb at 979-964-4503, Vanessa or Nelson
Taylor at 979-964-4402, or Roy and Jan Edwards
at (979) 964-4332.
Your neighbors on
the river are good people; invest at least this
one night to put some names with some faces. In
the meantime, look up ahead – see that lighted
dock? Get ready….NOW… let’s make that hop!
For more
information on this event, you can call Pat and
Connie Webb at 979-964-4503 Vanessa or Nelson
Taylor at 979-964-4402, or me at (979) 964-4332.
Sincerely,
Jan Edwards,
Organizing Committee P.R. Representative
What
is a neighbor?