Last week, I had the opportunity to meet so many readers and really experience some of the great things the river ward neighborhoods have to offer.
With help from some very friendly members of the community, I was able to coordinate a table for Star to use at the Mother of Divine Grace Italian festival in Port Richmond on May 31.
While I sat at the table and handed out copies of the paper, business cards and some very yummy cupcakes Star bought at Whipped Bakeshop in Fishtown (at 636 Belgrade St.), I was so pleased to be a part of the celebration.
I come from an Italian family, so naturally I was excited to take part in all the eating that was going on, and I’m still dreaming of the amazing roast pork, broccoli rabe and provolone sandwich I enjoyed.
But more important, I got to chat with so many residents of Port Richmond and other neighborhoods.
See, that’s what I think is so great about working for a community newspaper — we’re very accessible.
It’s easy for Star to be a part of local events, festivals and goings-on. Not only do I believe we’re obligated to attend meetings and events, but I really enjoy attending them.
At the Mother of Divine Grace festival, I liked how excited people became when I told them that the cupcakes were, in fact, free of charge.
I liked being able to hand a woman a copy of last week’s paper when she said she had lost hers.
I liked giving people my business card and telling them to send me their kids’ birthday notices or any upcoming events.
And I really liked how thankful some of the people from the church were for Star’s presence there.
Not all events in the neighborhoods are big ones. Not all of them always go as planned. But what matters is that they happen at all — that the people who live in the river wards even bother. They do bother, and I think that’s very important.
It’s easy to simply report on the facts every week. What’s more difficult is committing to being a part of the community. We work hard to reach out to find stories you won’t find in any other paper, and we enjoy just coming out to events like the Italian festival to prove we’re invested in the neighborhoods.
Star will have a table at the Mother of Divine Grace Italian festival again on Saturday, June 9, starting at 6 p.m. Stop by for a cupcake or just to say hello.
And be on the lookout for us at many events to come. We look forward to it.
Star Managing Editor Mikala Jamison can be reached at 215–354–3113 or at mjamison@bsmphilly.com.
She welcomes any amazing roast pork sandwich recipes.
