One of the things that has always bummed me about the Philadelphia blogosphere has been the lack of native voices. It seems so many of the prominent bloggers are transplants, save for a small handfull. I guess it's a function of the transplants looking for some sort of grounding and roots, and the locals not having the need to do that, as they already have established communities.
The recent kerfluffle with my "honorable" Congressman Curt Weldon (what I've wrote on the subject is here) has caused me to rethink that. Based on the number of times I found "my representative/congressman" and "Curt Weldon" in various blog searches, I've found a goodly number of Delcobloggers, and a number of those I would have considered Philly bloggers actually live in the 610, and not the 215, such as geekymom, billmon and attytood.
If you happen to be a Delco blogger, stop by my place and say hi or chime in with your URL below.
On another note, my wife, a Kensington girl by birth (save the tooth jokes, she has all of them) turned me on to Kensington Memories. Although some transplants may not hold us indigenous peoples in high regard, sites like this are touching and fun.
Where has K&A gone?
I remember when you could walk anywhere at anytime of day or night and never worry about getting beat up or killed. I remember hanging out on old man Cambell's mansion wall til all hours. I remember staying at Asension's carnival til after closing and hanging out with the carnies and no one thought twice that it was odd or wrong. I remember swimming at the "swimmo". (McVeigh Recreation Center to those not in the know.) I remember the corner store at E and Ontario was an A&P. I remember being able to get on the El at K&A and ride to 69th St and back and my folks never worrying where I was or whether I was safe, because, that's the way it was. I remember going to the Midway or the Iris theaters on Saturdays, and walking down to the Kent theater on Sundays. I remember walking to Stetson Jr. High or taking the trolley. I remember delivering the Bulletin. I remember being a safety at Sheridan Elementary School and going to Connie Mack to see the Phillies as an outing. I remember stickball in the school yard. (Both long and short.) I remember halfies up against the houses on the the block. (And you had to have a few balls extra because of roofs.)
Ah, yes, the memories. Maybe more later.
Kensington Memories
My name is Bill Shaw and I write the "writemarsh!" blog.
I, too grew up in the very same part of the neighborhood. I was a "public" and graduated (yes, graduated) from Philip H. Sheridan elementary in 1975. I went on to J. B. Stetson (after a brief stint in "Longfellow annex for 7th), tried Central for a year, finally graduating Frankford Hig in 1981.
Most of my friends were either Catholic or went to catechism. I was a cub scout at St. Philips at "F" and Tioga. I hung at "the Field" ("G" and Atlantic on one side, the Harrowgate Plaza on the other. Never went to the swim-O but did skate at Scanlon playground. I even snuck down there when they had summer day camp and pretended I belonged there, just to get the free lunch (usually bologna and cheese with butter...eew!)
We called it "ol' man "Camels" mansion"...became the Guckin Funeral Home in the late 70's...first time I was ever in there was at a neighbors funeral in the 80's, after I moved out of the neighborhood.
I ate cheesesteaks and wet fries at "Paul's", went to the Midway, bagged groceries at the "Ack-a-me", was a pretzel boy, bought my 45's at Al's Record Spot, wasn't afraid at all to walk to Ken's shoe store at "Needle Park" to get my sneakers, and took the el at 11 years old (by myself) to attend Saturday science classes at the Franklin Institute. I walked from 15th and Market to 21st and the Parkway...at 11!
My parents still live on the "shtreet" I grew up on. Now, instead of going to Kensington to buy 45's, I pack one when I visit. Shame...it was a great neighborhood to grow up in way back when.
Oh, by the way...what has 32 teeth and an I.Q. of 150? My three sisters, all Kensington girls! (LOL...not really, but I love telling that joke!)
Bill
writemarsh.blogspot.com
looking for friends from my past
Hello All,
This is Baby Legs, from back in the early 70"s, I used to walk past the yard at "G and Ontario Streets" every day.Where every guy used to hollar Hey Baby Legs, I used to hang up at Reach Street on Tioga Street, at Steves Cleaners. I havent seen anyone in years, does anyone remember me? I used to Sell Avon to Lisa Hines, if your out there Lisa How Are You?
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