At the recent Northside Festival, I sat at the Northside Planning Council/Northside News/FEED Kitchens booth. A number of Northsiders stopped by, but one man stood out.
He and his daughter approached us to ask about the programs and activities of the Northside Planning Council. He said his family moved here from New York, but he has found that when he says they live on the Northside, people look aghast.
“Why is that?” he asked, “and how can I get involved in some of the good things happening here?” I don’t know your name, sir, but here is my belated response.
I can only guess why people look aghast. Perhaps the reason relates to the popular phrase, ‘perception is reality,’ which righty suggests a person’s view influences how they personally see and relate to the world around them. Perhaps asking people, ‘What is your perception of the Northside?’ will illuminate the reason for their reaction. We have a culturally rich mix of neighbors. We have great shopping (food, coffee, thrift and hardware stores, florist, jeweler, farmers market and restaurants). We have organizations working to lift people up (churches, library, food pantry, community centers, FEED Kitchens, Healthy Food for All and Troy Farm). We have beautiful nature areas (Cherokee Marsh, Warner Park, Tenney Park, Hartmeyer Nature Area) and hard-working Friends groups who help maintain these areas and also offer activities for the public to enjoy in them. We have banks, locally owned small businesses, and great schools. We have bike trails, hiking paths and a lake.
I would say, sir, that you — and the thousands of Northsiders like you — are the reason good things are happening here. Thank you for stopping by our booth at the Northside Festival. We’re happy you and your family decided to live on the Northside!
