Show Me Neighborliness

Russell models Mardi Gras finery at his home in Pets in the City, the only 100% cat and dog natural health food store in the city. Located at 1009A Russell in Soulard, the store is owned by Amy Pizano, holding Russell, and her husband Luis. Cat, dog, other small animals and bird food, treats and holistic supplements for all are sold. (People Productions photo by Clark Rowley)

Susan Hornshaw, associate dean of Humanities and Social Sciences at St. Louis Community College, Forest Park, says the value of good neighbors is such that every effort should be made to generate more of them. Originally from Winnipeg, Manitoba, a Canadian province, and now a Soulard resident, Susan believes that two elements are essential to the evolution of a neighborly community.

"One requirement is that there are people willing to set a good or neighborly example," she explains. "To generate good neighbors, you need to be a good neighbor yourself," she notes. "The second element is that an environment exists which fosters neighborliness," Susan adds.

Richard Eaton, long time chairman of the Beautification Committee in Soulard, explains the function of his committee is "to set an example and to send a message to community members, as well as to visitors, that Soulard does care about neighborliness." Clean-up, pick-up programs are coupled with landscaping projects and other efforts designed to abate deficiencies which may stem from a lack of neighborliness. In addition, neighborhood meetings, block captain programs, welcome wagons and social events all attempt to nurture good neighbors, whether they are tenants or property owners, business owners or customers.

Some miss the message, though. One Beautification Committee program, to put large planters along Soulard streets, failed when the planters were not maintained. Now the planters are only put out when a nearby resident agrees to adopt that planter.

Susan

The book The Hill: Its History - Its Recipes by Eleanore Berra Marfisi is one of an array of unique gifts, home furnishing, fine wines and garden accessories offered at The Porch, a retail store at 1700 S. 9th, across from Soulard Farmer's Market. Owner Cathy Weldon, a St. Louis native, presides over the interesting selection of items. (People Productions photo by Clark Rowley)

is one who volunteered to adopt a planter. "It is constantly vandalized," she reports. "I do not take this as a sign that civilization as we know it is unraveling," Susan explains. "However, it does show that Soulard is not sure what message it should be sending, because I believe those doing the vandalizing are welcomed to the neighborhood by local businesses."

Cathy Petetit, who has lived in Lafayette Square with husband Mike for almost five years and who runs a bed and breakfast in her home facing the park, comments that "the entire neighborhood has to work to keep litter under control." Extensive placement of trash containers has helped, she reports, "but picking up after those who lack respect, who are short on neighborliness, requires a constant effort," she says.

Soulard, which has over two dozen bars, suffers from a considerable litter problem. That problem is multiplied a hundredfold at Mardi Gras time, when the neighborhood is the site of a home-grown version of the festival. Trash, vandalism and errant behavior are displayed everywhere. Susan points out that Mardi Gras is about suspending the rules. Bobbie counters that, if such a thing happened in a village in West Africa, "the reaction of the village elders would be severe. They would be greatly concerned because the rule of community would have been broken."

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