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Hollis Park Neighbors Gather!!
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It hadn't been done in years. On August 25th, 2001 Hollis
Park Neighbors took it upon themselves to hold a Neighbor to Neighbor Pot Luck Party.
Lester and Amelia Allen hosted the event in their palatial backyard. "This yard is so
big it reminds me of Versailles!" |
| commented Cathy Hollingsworth. "It is certainly about
time that somebody did something constructive around here!" another voice remarked.
"We have ethnic food here from all over the world it reminds me of the 1964 World's
Fair. My favorite is the spicy Jamaican jerk chicken prepared by Dorothy Haas" said
Mara Windham. The Neighbors had gotten together to spread good will and |
| get to know the many new residents that have moved into the
area in the last few years. There was also a tremendous symbolic significance.
August 28th, marks the anniversary of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr's "I Have a
Dream" Speech. It was given in Washington |
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| D.C. in 1963 at the March |
Amelia Allen, Phyllis Cadle,
Lester Allen, Dorothy Sharpe, Dorothy Haas |
| on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Poetically, the Allen's
home has played host to Dr. King's widow Coretta Scott King. Also in attendance was
Dorothy Sharpe, widow of the late Judge Sharpe, the first black Supreme Court Justice
in the history of New York State. It was a chance to show civic pride and enjoy each
others fellowship. "We used to come together often when Lester Allen was President of
the Civic Association. Dr King taught us the power of community, sharing and voting."
said Dorothy Sharpe. Mrs Sharpe was a virtual encyclopedia of information about former and
current residents of the area. It was impossible not to pay attention to her stories which
drew the listener in. Judge Sharpe was truly a pioneer in his time and the fact that he
was a Hollis resident made people feel important. It was impressive and every participant
felt a special something. The array of food was endless. There were tempting entrees,
salads and dessert galore. This was one day which was difficult to stay on a diet. Folks
just wanted to keep going and going and going, like the battery commercial, for more
and more food. The highlight of the afternoon was an incredible Magician from Las Vegas,
Nevada who went by the name of Faust. If you are ever in Vegas make sure you catch his
act. It was complete with cards, rings, hoops, fire and live birds. The adults were more
amazed than the kids they brought with them. All in all it was a perfect family event and
the weather went along with the plans. Residents, friends and relatives from all parts of
Hollis Park |
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participated. "We love our mom and could not resist the temptation of
doing something together as a family so here we are! It gives us something to smile
about" said Danielle Campbell. Lester Allen was the first to emphasize the importance
of neighborhood events such as these. |
| Danielle, Jean and Lorraine Campbell |
"It is important to meet your |
| neighbors and know who they are. It promotes good communication, a sense
of belonging and is in the best interest of neighborhood security. "Amelia and I have
always done what we could to encourage this. We love people and like to get them together.
One time we had Congressman Charlie Rangel |
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| as our guest. He and his wife |
Camilita & Harry Goberdhan, Amelia,
Swamipersaud Harnarain |
| stopped by just to pay their respects and ended up staying the night. You
have to make time to smell the roses." said host Lester Allen. Camilita and Harry
Goberdhan remarked, "this sort of thing gets us in the mood for ethnic food. Tomorrow
my wife and I will go to our special market in Richmond Hill to buy the ingredients we
need to make some of the things we grew up on." Swamipersaud Harnarain agreed that he
was also in the mood for some "down home Guyanese cuisine. "In Guyana we own a
large rice plantation. We eat well but it is important to enjoy each other now while there
is still time above the ground. Too late down the ground." |
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