Maxwell Park Neighborhood News

by Sarah Hipolito

Neighbors and Friends, Old and New As I made my way to the third annual Morcom and Wyman block party, I wondered who would brave the cool weather. Imagine my surprise to see that parking was at a premium! I saw tents in the street and card tables set up on a patio between the homes of the hostesses, Anne Leach? and Celia Swing. A DJ played music, someone was mixing mojitos, and a very talented gentleman was deepfrying turkeys and the best French fries I have ever eaten. Children were entertaining themselves with toys and dancing to the music. The partygoers were a mix of neighbors from the block, their friends, and other Maxwell Parkers who came for the fun and the food. So what are block parties all about? Just a wonderful way to share food and fellowship with many Maxwell Park neighbors and friends. I decided that I would introduce myself to everyone, but soon realized this would be impossible. Each time I looked around, there were more and more people. Pen in one hand and beer in the other, I spoke to as many as I could. Most made sure to tell me that without Celia and Anne, the party just wouldn't have happened. Celia Swing, who has lived here for 45 years, outdid herself cooking Italian Chicken, carrot cake, mashed potatoes, fruit salad, green salad, and steaks. She invited her friend Kathleen Donnell. Clyde Rockwell, Celia's husband, brought his son Paul (from San Francisco and Arizona). Anne Leach? has lived here for three years with husband Adam, a grad student at U.C. Berkeley. He just returned from specimen collecting in Africa. They invited Karen (from Phoenix) and Adam's friends Tom Devitt, Alex Gold, and Trevitt and Toodle Schultz. The Schultzes said they knew more people here than in their own neighborhood in San Rafael. John Phillip moved into the neighborhood two years ago and spends time studying California condors on ranches in Big Sur. Trish Roque, on Morcom, said her block is full of friendly neighbors with whom she loves to socialize. She invited her friend Jennie Smith. Neighbors Mary K. Holland, Magda Calderon, Marvin Proctor, Lisa Cohen, and Wanda and Joel Davis agreed that the street is friendly and welcoming. Alecto Caldwell and Beatriz Perez-Stabile bought their home 23 years ago from Mrs. Washington T. Dilley. They say they live on "poop hill" because it used to be the site of latrines built for the workers felling trees to build ships for World War I. Jos? and Paulette Dorado on Madera and Kim To on Ruth heard about the party on the Maxwell Park Yahoo group. That's how I got my party invite, too. Halloween is Coming Attention trick-or-treaters: Walter Williams will soon be gathering information to create trick-or-treat walks for parents and children. Watch for his announcement in the e-mail group. Contact Walter Williams at fotolife\@yahoo.com. The Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council Web site is maxwellparknc.com.