Rain didn’t dampen the fun at National Night Out
By: Staff 09/01/2006
The hearvy rains on National Night Out just made the evening more fun for the kids. The run off from the tarp at this Victory block party provided spontaneous showers for Zachary and a bunch of other kids who enjoyed the soaking.
Despite pouring rain, 159 Northside block clubs held National Night Out (NNO) parties on August 1. Folks celebrated with potlucks, barbecues, music, games, prizes - one club was to even hold a dog parade - but inclement weather dampened many of the extra outdoor activities. The following are just three Camden NNO success stories.
Forty-five households from the 3800 block of Queen and Penn Avenues celebrated NNO with a huge party. Although they had the street blocked off, the rain forced them into a neighbor’s garage, and another neighbor brought a screen house for the crowd of 50 adults and 20 kids. They had a drawing of 35 prizes, generously donated by Northside businesses, and Twins vouchers for the kids. Xcel Energy came by and handed out flashing reflectors to everyone. Before the rain started a MFD fire truck came, and kids spent time climbing in and out of the truck while firefighters visited with adults. The bicycle police (pictured on page 3) also spent time visiting with kids and adults before the rain started.
Block leaders DJ Stotts and Audrey Langlois thank the 62 adults and 17 children of the 3700 blocks of Sheridan, Russell, Thomas and Upton for attending this year’s NNO block party. Though the weather did not cooperate they made the best of the situation and had a fun time getting to know each other and strengthening their blocks. They all appreciated the MPD, firefighters from Ladder #10, State Representative Joe Mullery, Luther Memorial Lutheran Church, and the Mill City Grinders (Camden Music School) for making the event so successful.
Building on the momentum of the last few years and as a result of their recent NNO block party, seven neighborhood residents met in August to organize the Southwest Victory Block Club (boundaries west side of Vincent, all of Washburn, and east side of Xerxes, from Dowling to 40th Avenue). They joined forces to constructively address important neighborhood issues and have fun events where they can get to know one another and enjoy one another’s company. They just had a neighborhood clean-up and cookout, and they’re planning on getting alley speed bumps and boulevard trees. They already have a web site up — swvictory.org.
