I readily admit to having come from another time.

Today’s society doesn’t even resemble the world I grew up in.

However, that is true about every generation.

Scioto County Juvenile and Probate Judge Jim Kirsch, an old classmate of mine, and I were talking the other day and he talked about the past.

“When we grew up you knew your neighbor,” Kirsch told me. “The families owned their homes, and stayed there. You knew them. It’s not that way in today’s transient society.” I believe he spoke wisdom.

Now, I would like to talk positively about some possibilities we have to turn some things around.

I had a great day Saturday. I began the day at the community yard sale in New Boston, where Bryce Flowers and I sat on his porch enjoying the breeze, and he talked about wanting to see neighbors visit with neighbors.

We agreed about the locked-up world we live in. Our doors are closed, there are no screen doors, except at my house and Bryce’s house. No screens in the windows either. We seal up our lives, which made Saturday so special. People were visiting from house to house. Folks were buying from each other, and enjoying conversations. That’s called “community.” It’s an old concept, but it needs to be renewed.

People need to sit on the porch in an imperfect temperature, appreciating an occasional breeze, and visiting with a neighbor.

I think the community yard sale went a long way to restoring public discourse and friendliness. By the way, Steve Hamilton, New Boston Village administrator, and I had a great conversation about the growth being experienced and yet to be experienced in New Boston. There is a town that has picked itself up by the proverbial boot straps.

Then I traveled to Kendall Avenue in Portsmouth where the Soap Box Derby practice was going on.

The Soap Box Derby is one of those things I didn’t miss until I woke up one day and realized it didn’t exist anymore. Civic Forum does some terrific stuff. They stage the Spelling Bee, display the fireworks on the Fourth of July, and now will renew a great community event, the Soap Box Derby on June 20. And they could sure use more members to help with these events.

I would love to see the entire community turn out and sit along the route and cheer for the kids as they drive their cars down the hill.

You don’t have to have a child or even a grandchild participating. When I was growing up everyone turned out for community events, especially those involving the area’s children.

Let’s get back to community. Let’s get back to civility. Let’s get back to things like respect and honor.

Here is a warning for future generations from someone who has experienced the evolution of his: Joni Mitchell was right when she penned these lyrics for the song “Big Yellow Taxi”:

Don’t it always seem to go

That you don’t know what you’ve got

‘Til it’s gone

They paved paradise

And put up a parking lot.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.