A few weeks ago, I was cat-sitting on Manton Street in Pennsport. The neighbors were trying to get people to move their cars to set up a giant inflatable water slide for the local children. Block party: a sight we’re all familiar with in South Philly. I took a few minutes to speak to the organizer, an older woman, whose name escapes me. We discussed how the kids needed a fun and safe event. She invited me to join, even though I did not live in the immediate neighborhood.
“I’m the cat sitter at this home,” I told her, gesturing to my client’s house.
“Oh, I know. We watch you,” she replied.
I smiled. Of course, she watches me. That is what we do in South Philly. We watch on our porches, front steps and out our windows to see if anyone “new” to the neighborhood is doing something shady. Today, many of us watch through security cameras and the contentious Ring doorbell camera. During my pet-sitting rounds, I have frequently encountered a watchful stare. I usually return it with a big smile and greeting as an attempt to disarm the suspicious. Yet, it is clear: I am not “from” here.
A few months ago, I was doing a story on the Love Your Park initiative. I met a highly extroverted older woman who had plenty to say. Opinionated South Philly residents are as iconic as Sunday dinners. She asked where I was from.
“I’ve lived in Philadelphia for over 13 years and South Philly for over half of that time. I’m basically from here at this point,” I told her.
She narrowed her eyes.
“No. You’re not from here,” she said curtly.
I was stunned at first. I thought she was quite rude, until I spent some time reflecting on her comment.
South Philly pride, from birth to final breath.
I see you nodding enthusiastically.
With this born-and-raised pride comes great memories. This includes eating pizza and listening to the jukebox at Marra’s. Or how can you forget the delicious Easter bread from Villari Brothers Bakery? Date nights were swell at the South Philadelphia Drive-In (South City Drive-in) at Broad and Hartranft before the construction of the iconic Veterans Stadium and Spectrum (RIP). Back then you could catch a movie and then head over to Park Lanes Bowling. Let us pause to remember the short-lived Aquarama “Theater of the Sea.” (and the teen dances in the 1950s and ‘60s)
Oh, how times have changed! Today, we have some pretty good pizza spots, but the music usually comes from a staff member’s phone connected to speakers. Thankfully we still have Sarcone’s, an authentic staple that has fed us for over 90 years. Want to see huge fish tanks and shows? We’ll have to cross the Delaware River for that one and head to Camden Aquarium. And while we can’t bowl at the Sports Complex anymore, we can always make brand new memories at South Bowl.
“Not being from here,” has enriched our local communities with new businesses and diversity within our neighborhoods.
It isn’t the same, but maybe that is the point. ••
