I thought this was a very good write up and job well done by the NPC.
newstranscript.gmnews.com/news/2008/0924/front_page/056.htmlCenter St. neighbors join for block party
BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer
CLARE MARIE CELANO Members of the Holy Excited Echoes gospel choir from the New Hope Baptist Church perform at a block party held on Center Street, Freehold Borough. The Sept. 13 event was sponsored by the Freehold Borough Neighborhood Pride Committee.
FREEHOLD — If it takes a sense of community to score high marks on how residents feel a town is doing, then according to people who attended a block party on Sept. 13 Freehold Borough is in line for an A.
People who live on Center Street gathered at the New Hope Baptist Church, Center Street, for a block party that included food, music and activities. A sense of camaraderie was displayed and afforded neighbors who may not have otherwise known one another a chance to meet, get together and enjoy conversation and food in a festive atmosphere.
The block party was one of the initiatives stemming from Freehold Borough's new Neighborhood Pride Committee.
The event was headed up by Debbie Keelan and Anthony DiFlumeri, who joined with committee members to work on planning the event, according to Borough Councilman George Schnurr.
"Good ideas don't mean anything unless you have people to follow through and put those ideas into place," he said. "Collectively, committee members made things happen. And, collectively, they are quite a force."
Keelan, who found time to hand out freshly popped popcorn to youngsters at the event, said putting the block party together was a lot of work, but she added that the 15 active committee members each did their share.
She said she was nervous about how the event would turn out and she was happy with the way things went when the day of the party arrived.
"It turned out even better than we expected. I'm glad we started in the Center Street neighborhood," she said. "These are wonderful people. The Center Street neighborhood was the perfect community to start this endeavor in. There are many long-time residents here and they have borough pride. They remember the way it used to be here and they want that back again."
She said the neighborhood has a good mix of new residents and families that have lived on Center Street for several generations. She said everyone had a chance to come together and to learn more about one another.
Keelan said the idea for a block party was originally presented to the committee by Alan Seidel, who owns a business on Center Street.
"His idea gave us a way to bring our message to the people of Center Street," she said. "It was a way to get people out there and get them talking to one another. Our goal is to give residents of Freehold Borough a sense of pride in their neighborhoods — one block at a time. When we walk away, we want them to continue this community spirit."
Amid the rhythmic sounds of African drums and the soulful voices of gospel choirs, guests snacked on hamburgers and hot dogs being grilled by Borough Councilman Jaye Sims.
DiFlumeri, who works as a graphic artist for the U.S. Department of Defense at Naval Weapons Station Earle, Colts Neck, moved to Freehold Borough two years ago. He said he wanted to establish roots in town and believed that volunteering and being active in the community was a way to accomplish that.
"I'm glad to be a part of this," he said.
DiFlumeri put his artistic skills to use by designing fliers and helping to advertise the event.
Those in attendance were treated to the resonant voices of the New Hope Baptist Church choir, the Exciting Holy Echoes. They also heard African percussion drum circle music performed by Sticks and Bones, according to DiFlumeri.
He said food for the event was provided by the Metropolitan Cafe, the Court Jester, Federici's and the Freehold Center Partnership. Members of the Olive Branch No. 16 of the Free and Accepted Masons also donated funds to help purchase supplies for the party.
Vester Dock, the pastor who has led the congregation at the New Hope Baptist Church for the past 10 years, was happy to host the party. The pastor said, "Anything that helps to draw people together and uplift the community is a good thing."
The block party idea is part of an overall plan to bring residents together to enjoy each other's company and to help one another fix up properties that are in need of repair.
Children's activities were coordinated by Mel O'Neal, the outreach director of the YMCA Community Center, Center Street.
Borough Councilman Marc Le Vine commended the Neighborhood Pride Committee for its efforts and the church for providing the venue to make it happen.
Mayor Michael Wilson dropped by and said he was impressed by the turnout. He said he observed a lot of enthusiasm among committee members and residents.
"This is a good start for the Neighborhood Pride Committee. It is a good model for members to follow as they visit other areas in the town to improve neighborhoods block by block." Wilson said.
Borough Councilwoman Sharon Shutzer called the block party "wonderful."
"The people on this committee picked this up and ran with it," she said. "They are people of action."
