Fortunate to call South Philly home
It was fascinating to read Mark Zimmaro’s report on the living experiences of South Philly resident Lauren Swartz, the president and CEO of World Affairs Council of Philadelphia (“Finding her home at the World Affairs Council,” April 3). How inspiring to learn that this world traveler and former resident of other countries has found her permanent home in our part of Philadelphia.
As a lifelong resident of South Philly, I totally agree with Swartz about the strength of this now very blended community. When I was growing up, we were mostly Italians, Jews and Irish. Today, there is a blend of residents literally from all over the world. I was so impressed to read that Philadelphia has become a landing place for many different populations.
As my family and friends already know, I especially enjoy sitting at the Singing Fountain at Passyunk and Tasker and asking people their country of origin. The long list includes such diverse homelands as Albania, Chile, Ukraine, Greece and North Africa. I am especially impressed at how many can speak good English.
My own side street is a mixed neighborhood of many origins. Swartz is right about the spirit of these communities. For the first time in my life my neighbors gave me a block party for my birthday. And, yes, there was a diversity of shared food. We all greet each other with smiles and words of friendship. It does feel like family.
I am also impressed by the youth of most of these new neighbors. I always tell people that all I see in my neighborhood are human and fur babies. Some families have both and walk them together in their strollers and leashes.
I also agree entirely with Swartz about the convenience of so many businesses within our community. I can easily walk to grocery, pharmacy, post office, church and restaurants. And of course, those restaurants serve food from around the world.
All these experiences, as well as this account of how a world traveler chose our neighborhood to live and raise her children, have made me so glad I stayed where I am in South Philadelphia. This is not the first or last time I have bragged about my community. It just makes me happy to know that an expert in world affairs agrees with me that we are so fortunate to live here.
Gloria C. Endres
