By Dolores Frank, August 17, 2011 — While growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood, the children were friends and the adults all participated in the rearing of the children. The children would play energetic games outdoors most of the day in the summer. In the winter, they felt welcome to spend some indoor game time or TV watching with their best friends. The adults took the responsibility of checking on the children. When the children grew into adolescence, the dynamics really changed. Stickball and checkers were no longer interesting. The amount of chores and errands increased, so there was frequent planning for “free time.” Luckily, a playground with a pool was only a block away and an indoor skating rink just around the corner was a weekly treat. A group of Catholic sisters provided recreation and dance groups in a building within walking distance for high school kids.
All of these activities were so much fun and influenced our lives deeply. I regret that the current generation in Philadelphia does not usually have enough of the fun experiences.