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Good Neighbors
The poet Robert Frost (no relation to Jack) wrote in a famous poem, "Good fences make good neighbors." I think the modern version of that might be, "Good snowblowers make good neighbors."
The North Country has always been full of good neighbors. That's obvious from all the benefits, golf tournaments, shindigs and dinners around our area that benefit one good cause after another. Remember the "Help Feed Your Neighbor" music benefit not long ago at Olive Ridleys to raise money for the food shelves around the North Country? So many people showed up with cans of food or money in their hand that the entire place was wall-to-wall people standing can-to-can.
The Press-Republican used to recognize good neighbors long ago. I would say that was back in the late Fifties or early Sixties. The Press-Republican would accept nominations from around the area and select a "Good Neighbor" of the week or month. In fact, my own Mom won once, and in a dusty scrapbook someplace in my house is a black and white newspaper photo of Vi Gagnon with her angelic daughter Darlene, with the title "Good Neighbor" above the picture.
Goose and I weren't in the picture. We were probably out stealing Mrs. Horvath's apples or breaking Mrs. Gagnier's window with a baseball. It was Mom who was the good neighbor, but nothing in the article said that her two sons were.
Anyway, the latest two snowstorms to bury our driveways reminded me of what good neighbors I have. On Saratoga Court we have our snowblowing crew of Casey, Jeff, Tom and, sometimes, me. Make no mistake about it, I'm the oldest guy in the group.
If we four were standing in a police lineup, nobody would have a problem picking out the oldest guy or the most out of shape guy. Nevertheless, once in awhile I try to compete with those younger neighbors. But there's nothing scarier to an old guy like me than to walk out the front door and see five feet of snow at the end of the driveway.
And there I stand with three bags of videotape equipment, headed out to Malone or someplace for an event. In each of the last two situations, along came Casey or Tom or Jeff to the rescue. Yesterday it was Jeff who snowblowed my entire driveway so that I could get to Malone on time for the ice skating show.
Two weeks ago Tom and Casey worked my driveway long enough so that I could unbury my car and get to my scheduled event.
And I'm not the only one being rescued. Goose, who lives way out in the woods almost in no-man's land, often gets help from his neighbors. One of his neighbors has a plow and when he spots Goose working the driveway, along he comes and zip, zip, plow, plow, Goose's work is about done. Yesterday Goose's neighbor finished his own driveway and then headed over to Goose's for a version of "Dueling Snowblowers."
I don't know what we'd do without those good neighbors. And the guys on each side of me, Floyd and Si are great neighbors too. In the summertime you'll never hear them blasting AC/DC while I'm trying to take my afternoon nap. Both of them keep their summer yards so neat and trim that it forces me to get out on my big 18.5 horsepower mower to give my yard a sprucing up.
I guess what old Robert Frost should have said is, "Good people make good neighbors." And we sure do have a lot of those around the North Country.
Comments
I'm lucky enough to live in Cliff Haven. We are always happy to help shovel and snow blow each other out, trim trees and what not. I'm also fortunate enough to have a business in Morrisonville and my neighbor there is Gordie and Kaye Little. Talk about "neighbors from heaven"!
Posted by: Becky Leonard | March 29, 2007 11:33 AM
I love my neighbors on Main Mill Street. This week we lost Mr. Jessey and I will miss his wonderful smile and big wave.
I will also always remember Gordie Little getting on the radio when a North Country neighbor was in need and listening all day as people responded with huge hearts.
Posted by: miss d | March 20, 2007 1:02 PM
Good neighbors go beyond snowblowing. A strong, vibrant neighborhood promotes a sense of community, wherein people take pride in their homes and look out for one another. I purchased one of the condo's where Foxy used to play baseball oh so long ago and, for the most part, my neighbors have been pleasant, except for my immediate neighbors, who just this past week took down their Christmas decorations and talk to their dog as if it were one of their grandchildren. My job allows me to go to different parts of the city and to see the varying climes within each area. I can empathize with Crusher as I have had people ask me not to park my delivery truck near their homes in his neighborhood. I simply say "Have a nice day" and continue on my way, laughing to myself as I drive to my next stop at their inflated sense of self-importance.
Posted by: UPS Dave | March 20, 2007 11:39 AM
Hey Foxy. Just a word about neighbors. When we first moved in on Hillcrest we were raking the leaves and when I parked my truck across the street in front of my neighbor's house she made a statement that sounded like this,"What, you can't park on your own side of the street." So consider yourself lucky to have neighbors like you do. Like good neighbors "Metropolitan is there" or was that State Farm? It was good to see you the other night. Keep up the good blog topics. What about the Concerned Citizen Groups? Where are they now?
Posted by: crusher | March 19, 2007 10:13 PM
Foxy:
One of my neighbors came to the rescue this weekend. I was away in L.A. all week long and Mrs Scully and our teenage daughter have no idea how to run a snowblower. Sure enough our neighbor Jimmy (after seeing both of them trying to shovel the driveway and walk) came over and cleared the way. Needless to say they are very thankful, as am I since I didn't have to do it upon my return which was delayed 36 hours because of the storm!
Posted by: vin scully | March 19, 2007 2:25 PM
Thank you Foxy for bringing attention to the kind. I have the "neighbors from heaven" at Set Point, Judy and Donnie. They are the greatest and I thank god everyday for them. Angel
Posted by: Angel | March 19, 2007 1:35 PM
You are definitely right about neighbors up in the north country...something I remember well and know that it continues on today. Although I live about 1500 miles away, I rest easy knowing my Mom has a neighbor that watches out for her. Mom's getting up in the years department (being Miss di is her daughter..you can imagine how old she is) :)
Anyways...Mom's neighbor Robin can be depended on to make sure her walk is clear, car is cleaned off, driveway is clear (that is if she beats the other neighbor John to it). More importantly I can always count on Robin being there between 8 and 9 when I call to purposely interupt "Walker, Texas Ranger"...being the youngest I still tend to be the brat of the family. Living alone can be lonely..thank goodness for great neighbors.
Posted by: Chief | March 18, 2007 8:12 PM
Good neighbors are so important for many of the reasons you mentioned, Foxy. As we all grow a bit older, it is nice to see the generosity of people who help in so many ways. The North Country is a special place!
Posted by: The Donald | March 18, 2007 1:43 PM