P’lovers the Environmental Store (Port Perry)

A Personal Reflection

My family moved to Port from Toronto  in June ‘07.  We had visited enough that we knew much of the community, but until we moved here, we did not truly understand what Downtown Port Perry is all about.

I am really pleased with our decision to build our family here. I feel safe here. We know pretty much everyone: and in a good way.

In raising children, I firmly believe in the concept ‘it takes a village’.  I love that when we walk the main street, I can give a nod to the old boys, the ladies say “oh, he’s getting so big”! The younger folk, squeal at the baby and make him laugh. And if I’m really needing help and insight into motherhood, theres always someone who I can chat with and get some input.

In my darkest (or lightest) hours of being a mother, when I encourage myself to take our daily walk, I lurch to Queen Beans Coffee House in Queen Street Commons and poofffff, all my troubles melt away. We joke that its turning into baby central here. Looking around though, I see persons of all ages, dynamic and what have you. We are all welcome and unite here at the Queen Street Commons. 

-Colleen

How to Build Community
By the Syracuse Cultural Workers

Turn off your TV*Leave your house
Know your neighbours
Look up when you are walking
Greet people*Sit on your stoop
Plant Flowers
Use your library*Play together
Buy from local merchants
Share what you have
Help a lost dog
Take children to the park
Garden Together
Support Neighborhood Schools
Fix it even if you didn’t break it
Have Pot Lucks*Honour Elders
Pick Up Litter* Read Stories Aloud
Dance in the Street
Talk to the Mail Carrier
Listen to the Birds* Put up a Swing
Help Carry Something Heavy
Barter For Your Goods
Start A Tradition*Ask A Question
Hire Young People for Odd Jobs
Organize a Block Party
Bake Extra and Share
Ask For Help When You Need It
Open Your Shades*Sing Together
Share Your Skills
Take Back the Night
Turn Up The Music
Turn Down The Music
Listen Before You react with Anger
Mediate A Conflict
Seek To Understand
Learn From New And
Uncomfortable Angles
Know That No One is Silent
Though Many Are Not Heard
Work To Change This