Bonnie Brae Neighborhood

Getting to Know Bonnie Brae

Nov 27, 2004

by Mary Broere

Now that the fall season is upon us, I reflect back to the summer, which went by in a flash! I feel very blessed to have lived in Bonnie Brae for the last 20 years, in the house that my grandparents built and that my father grew up in. When I moved in, just after graduation from college, I was the ONLY person under 65 on the entire block. I was lucky even then that my neighbors never once hesitated to call me if they saw something that they considered ?“funny?” going on, or if they noticed a strange car in the area. In the 20 years I?’ve been here, I think that the only thing I?’ve ever had stolen was an old shovel that I?’d left outside the front door. (And it was in bad shape, so someone must?’ve REALLY needed it!)

We were with some friends out in Ken Caryl over the Memorial Day holiday, and their cul-de- sac threw a ?“Circle Party?”, that was fun to watch. It was organized by a ?“host?” family, who provided the plates, cups, napkins, silverware, and the yard, and then divided up who needed to bring appetizers, or side dishes or desserts among the other families. Every family brought their own meat to grill, and took turns cooking for their own families on 3 different grills that were grouped like wagons in a train! Everyone brought their own chairs and drinks. All of the kids brought out their favorite outdoor games. Everyone sat, and visited, and had a great time.

The time seemed right to initiate a similar event, as there are a lot of new people in our immediate area. Some people I know by face because I walk our dogs every day. But I knew almost none of the ?“newbies?” by name, let alone what they did, where they were from, and most importantly, what brought them to Bonnie Brae. We made up invitations and put them on the doors of about 25 of our neighbors. We had a great turnout!! We provided the meat, buns, condiments,
and did the grilling, while the neighbors brought the goodies to go with hamburgers, hotdogs and brats. It was set up as sort of an ?“open house?”, so people were welcome to stop by between 3 and 7pm. Those that couldn?’t come expressed their disappointment, thanked us for the idea, and hoped we?’d do it again. Those that were able to attend enjoyed themselves. We all learned a bit about our neighbors, both old and new. Another group of families had an ?“Alley Party?” at the end of September, complete with a great poetic invitation. It rained like cats and dogs that afternoon, but was a cool and clear evening for their gathering. Again, the din of discussion was loud and proud, and you could hear people talking about their home projects, their children, their travel plans.

We live in one of the most unique neighborhoods in the entire city, and I am proud to be associated with the folks who also chose to call Bonnie Brae ?“home?”. Do yourselves, and your neighbors a favor, and organize a get together. It doesn?’t have to be expensive, or complicated. It?’s definitely worth the time and effort. Meet the new people on your block. Bake them some cookies, or invite them over for a drink. By reaching out, you are doing a good thing, and you are creating a true neighborhood. It?’s also a great way to protect yourselves, and your property. Neighbors who know each other are more likely to look out their windows, and makes calls about weird things that they see or hear. I feel confident that my neighbors will watch my back, and we will watch theirs. Thanks for reading, neighbor!