  Diane12163 Member Username: Diane12163 Post Number: 486 Registered: 07-2008 |
There just needs to be a balance of change, which should be positive change and staying as things were. A classic never goes out of style and is always relevant. But, newness and freshness make for future classics if they aren't too far off the chart. Boarded up houses that could be occupied and thriving, unkempt yards and city streets that could be groomed and cleaned not just for appearance but safety and people being more concerned with these things than with the fanciness of their cars. The last time I had been up there, I did notice Kelly was better and wished it would carry over into the neighbourhoods to the west of Kelly It was really scary going down Manning and some of the other side roads there. It really sinks you in when you no longer feel safe in your own neighbourhood you grew up in, played in the street in and had neighbours you could rely on. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4890 Registered: 04-2005 |
Z, you know me better than to think that I'm some sort of Pollyana. I see the squalor and the shame of it, but it's fairly obvious that I'm not going to be the one to fix it, nor probably anyone else on this site. All I can do is watch for positive signs, and take that to mean things are getting better. As for things staying the same, if that were the attitude throughout the history of civilization, we'd be living in mud huts or caves and bitching about the guy next door trying to build one of those ugly wooden 'shack' things. Change comes, sometimes for the better, sometimes the worse, but can any change be bad for Detroit at this point? | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2447 Registered: 04-2008 |
There's an old axiom about not being able to go home again and it's particularly true in our cases. I'm sure if the proud people of Detroit had any insight to what was to come of the city I would have hoped it wouldn't have happened. So many short sighted goals were put to the forefront without the thought of long term ramifications that it appears irreversible in our lifetime. The greedy mess that's happening on Wall Street today is a perfect example of how something can blow up in your face when you can't look past the end of your nose. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4891 Registered: 04-2005 |
I think part of what happened was that the children of the middle class people who built the bones of the city we knew wanted more: bigger, better houses, bigger jobs, better schools and Detroit couldn't supply them. Most of the newer construction, home-wise, is from the 40's and 50's, and people coming of age in the '70s wanted the bells and whistles, so they followed the subdivisions.Also, the fear was there, and people didn't stay behind to fight it. They left. And their troubles followed so they left the inner-ring suburbs, and moved to the outer ring. And now the trouble still follows. The sprawl has sprawled out here in what used to be the boonies. In 73, there was one subdivision, now there are 12 I can think of. The farms are gone for the most part, and everyone drives back to the suburbs to work. I don't know what can be done about it, but maybe someday, people will see the wisdom of turning around and going back to the city to live and work instead of living on the road in-between. My two cents. | ||
12468_laing Member Username: 12468_laing Post Number: 281 Registered: 07-2008 |
the last time i saw 12468 laing was the last time i stayed there when my mom was in the nursing home. had to have been november or december 2003. her nursing home was bortz at 12 and hoover. anyway, i could tell then it would be the last time i was there. garages were burned down, junk cars littered the street, and the businesses along morang had changed. "party stores" all had thick plexiglass you had to talk through, and to think of the looks ya got just to get a 6 pack and a couple of slices of mr. cc's pizza. i tried to look past that, but to say there was an anti-friendly feeling is putting it mildly. no kids riding bikes, no senior citizens walking, no nothing. seemed like i saw a lot of huge dogs chained in the back yards barking their heads off. and to top it off, driving from morang to the house, i passed a drug buy on laing and casino. man, mom and dad would really cry to see what happened to the neighborhood. my life now is in tn - been here longer than in detroit. my family is here, work and church is here. to say you can never go back is true to me - nothing stays the same no matter where someone is from. now, the only place i really miss is st jude church. even with those changes, it is still my childhood church. | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 47 Registered: 03-2008 |
To chime in a bit - The neighborhood HAS changed in the past 40+ years, there's no doubt. However, there are many positives - especially when I see a headcount of 100+ at 4:00 Mass on Saturday - and a church hall (basement of the church) with 60+ to celebrate a Chili cook-off, and visitors by the dozens coming to the St. Jude Novena - an increase from the year before - and many folks now familiar faces at the weekend Masses. The neighborhood isn't keeping people away from our St. Jude and that's a relief. We need more new faces, and welcome all. No, it's not the same as it was, but it's not all bad either. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4893 Registered: 04-2005 |
CFG, it's people like you and the others at the church who will pull the place back together if anyone can do it. People on the fringes can talk till their tongues fall out, but the hands on folks, even in the smallest way, will make the difference. I'm sure there are pockets like SJ throughout the city, be they community gardens, churches or neighborhood associations who make the first toddler steps at improvement, and hopefully find each other on that walk | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2448 Registered: 04-2008 |
I think what hurts the most is what Laing touched on. Our parents worked hard to buy their small plots of land, most of them after the war and were proud of their homes. The disrepair and neglect is what hurts the most. | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 48 Registered: 03-2008 |
I'm not saying that it doesn't hurt to drive down Faircrest, and "remember when" - or drive down Redmond off 8 mile to get to church - but as long as I'm able, people will drive past St. Jude and see a well kept, flowered and clean oasis in the neighborhood. Hopefully, our parishioners will increase - but I have to say, that when called upon, we have volunteers in droves. The gardening and clean-up around the church - all the way to Rex - was done in 3 hours. It was a wonderful hum of planting, raking, cleaning - and the work result lasted all summer! | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4894 Registered: 04-2005 |
I agree, it's very hurtful. Seeing my house boarded up, even in a picture, made me cry. My dad worked on that place constantly. He finished the basement for recreation, with a full kitchen so mom could cook down there when it was hot. Then he expanded the upper kitchen, enlarged the living room and finished the attic into one large bedroom with storage closets. We had an enclosed patio and a pool. It was his life outside of police work. When we moved in 73, it sold for $12,500. It broke his heart. We paid 35000 for a glorified double wide. I've hated this house since day one, but I got it when mom sold out after he died. There's an old Jim Croce song called 'New York's not my home' that came out when we moved, and it's always represented the way I feel about our town. Point is, I wish you could go home again, but like Z says, you can't, so we make the best of it. Sorry to be maudlin, but I get this way at Christmas. Well things were spinnin' round me And all my thoughts were cloudy And I had begun to doubt all the things that were me Been in so many places You know I've run so many races And looked into the empty faces of the people of the night And something is just not right 'Cause I know That I gotta get out of here I'm so alone Don't you know that I gotta get out of here Cause New York's not my home Though all the streets are crowded There's somethin' strange about it I lived there bout a year and I never once felt at home I thought I'd make the big time I learned a lot of lessons awful quick and now I'm Tellin' you that they were not the nice kind And it's been so long since I have felt fine Courtesy Jim Croce | ||
12468_laing Member Username: 12468_laing Post Number: 282 Registered: 07-2008 |
yep, z, my folks paid $13,000 cash for their house in 1956, never had a mortgage, so when it came time for me to get my first,t hey were no help. we can whip this dead horse all we want, but people change, neighborhoods change, families move and die off, friends go the same way, and so on. and, what really brought this on? a friend of mine says we are our own worst enemies - we produce electronic games to keep our kids in doors resulting in childhood obesity, we build subdivisions in fields and old farms, thus doing away with neighborhood stores, etc we could all walk to, and even have done away with sidewalks. everyone old enough has a car, most all families have both parents working, if both parents are in the household. not being a downer, but as cfg said, there are alot of good things going on. we need to put our priorities into our children, our families and most of all, our faith. | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 49 Registered: 03-2008 |
Well said, Laing ---we can't go back, but we don't have to abandon all we had. Even remotely, you all are a part of a proud heritage at SJS - and for those of us local - we'll take care of the "on-site" contact- and for the local and distant - keep us all in prayers! | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 50 Registered: 03-2008 |
and yeah, JC - Christmas time can certainly bring out the "remember whens"....Midnight Mass at St. Jude is still the same - the inside of the church has changed, the neighborhood has changed, but not the feeling inside. | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2449 Registered: 04-2008 |
CFG: Your efforts and others on this forum who have helped to keep the grounds looking as nice as they are, are greatly appreciated even from hundreds of miles away. It would just as easy to turn your backs on it, the fact you haven't is a testimony to your gratitude for what it meant growing up in our parish. Thank you! | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 51 Registered: 03-2008 |
Z: - You're very welcome, but it's really been my pleasure - in fact, it has been a way to say Thank You to our Parish and the blessings it's given to me - either through good friends - good memories - school, nuns, priests, parish events, etc. One night after work last week when I was setting up for the Christmas novenas, etc., and was alone in the church, it really hit home - that I was home! The church was dark when I got there, just the votive lights providing light. I turned on the lights, spent a couple of hours getting things organized. After I turned all the lights off, I enjoyed the quiet again. The St. Jude Statue and relic were still by the altar, so it was a special treat. So, keep in mind that you're all in mind when I help out around your home too! | ||
7andkelly Member Username: 7andkelly Post Number: 1719 Registered: 04-2008 |
Oh, thank you, Cfg! How nice of you to offer. Yes, we do have our Christmas decorations out, but there are just so many other projects we have put off over the years. You can start, if you would, by organizing all the boxes of stuff in the basement. And there are some areas in need of some touch up paint. Oh, and the downstairs toilet works, but you have to jiggle the handle, and, oh, just thank you very much! | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2450 Registered: 04-2008 |
I thought I'd wait for you to chime in 7, I had my own list going but I thought I'd give you first crack | ||
Campfire_girl Member Username: Campfire_girl Post Number: 52 Registered: 03-2008 |
hahahahah "Your" home was a reference to SJ - you goofs! Like you didn't know that. Jiggle your own toilet handles! | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2451 Registered: 04-2008 |
All I was going to ask you to do was to fix that gutter that's been loose for a couple of months now, you know before it gets too cold | ||
7andkelly Member Username: 7andkelly Post Number: 1720 Registered: 04-2008 |
Thanks for letting me chime in first, Z. "Jiggle your own toilet handles"! CMAO! | ||
Mkap Member Username: Mkap Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2008 |
Hi all! First time on this forum. Thought I'd jump in here because someone mentioned a toilet that needed fixin' and that's what I do for a living. And, no, I'm not Joe the Plumber, sorry. If I had a nickel... Anyway, I have been reading some of the posts for a time now and can identify (I think) some old (and I mean that in the nicest way) classmates... JCole, J? Zitro, and of course Campfire Girl and her sidekick Boop. A special hello to you guys. I would also like to thank CFG for all the hard work she does on the church. From what I've heard, it's a never ending but a much rewarding job. Keep up the good work. I have not had the opportunity to visit the church in some time, but think often on it's glorious past. Sometime in the near future I will make it a point to stop in for a retrospective glance. My daughter was baptized there but we moved from the old hood to a new parish shortly thereafter. Will be nice to get back and reflect, or should I say genuflect? ---------- I recently drove past my old crib on Rossini. The bungalow is still there, but the neighborhood is a far cry from my kick the can days of playing in the street. Growing up there today I think I would have to be home before the street lights came on! Sad, really, that it's culture has changed so drastically. It used to be such a proud place to live. Hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving, and I will surely follow the conversations here when I can. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4895 Registered: 04-2005 |
Welcome, Mkap. The first initial is really R, if that helps identify me. The J is the beginning of my nickname that I've had since babyhood. But you know the nuns, none of that nickname stuff, just your good Saint's name. I'm pretty sure I know who you are. I'm assuming first initial M and a beginning of a last name for the rest. | ||
12468_laing Member Username: 12468_laing Post Number: 283 Registered: 07-2008 |
mkap, welcome to the forum. I grad from sjs in 71 - would love to know when you were there - had lots of friends on rossini, namely the libecki family for one - they were in scouts with me and also mr. libecki worked at sweetheart bakery on kelly. glad to hear from ya. | ||
Zitro Member Username: Zitro Post Number: 2452 Registered: 04-2008 |
Welcome Mkap. Long time no see. We welcome another firebrat to the forum. When was the last time you talked to Jim Schmidt? We have a Facebook account setup for St. Jude also so when you get the chance check it out, there are some neat pics on there. http://www.facebook.com/pages/ Detroit-MI/St-Jude-Roman-Catho lic-Parish/13026593213?ref=ts | ||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 737 Registered: 05-2006 |
Mrs. Pauline D'aoust still lives on Maddelein. ______________________________ ___________________ Hey Jcole, I grew up with Mrs. D'aoust's grandson, Aaron in the late 70's, early 80's. His family, were living at that house and I had many sleep overs there. At the time, his father, mother, brother, sister, and aunt all lived in that tiny little house! His father's name was Don and he worked at the Detroit Zoo. Know how to contact them? Thanks. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4903 Registered: 04-2005 |
No, I don't. I think Don is still married to Jenny, but other than that, I've lost touch. You could try this: go to freep.com, and search for John D'aoust in the Obits. I think there was a link to the funeral home where he was being laid out, and you can leave a message in the guest book. Which Aunt was living there, Yvonne or Yvette? | ||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 738 Registered: 05-2006 |
by the way, I went made my First Holy Communion at St. Jude in 82 when Fr. William Dowell was pastor, although my favorite priest was Fr. Jim, can't remember his last name. Also assigned to the parish at the time was fr. Mike Koss, and another Fr. Jim(Strauss, I believe) who taught at Notre Dame. | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4904 Registered: 04-2005 |
Detroitej, here is a link to the guest book for Mr. D Guestbook for Mr. D'aoust | ||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 739 Registered: 05-2006 |
Yvette was the aunt, she was so much older than me, at least 20 or something! thanks for the registry, I just signed the book. (Message edited by detroitej72 on December 02, 2008) | ||
Jcole Member Username: Jcole Post Number: 4905 Registered: 04-2005 |
Yvette was the youngest of the 4 kids. There were 2 boys, Ron and Don and 2 girls, Yvonne and Yvette. Yvette was probably born around 1960 or so. I used to live across the street and down 2 houses toward the church. |
