Historical September–October 2009 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It is a tribute to our neighborhood that many who grew up in Skinker DeBaliviere choose to live there as adults and raise their families.
In the past few years, a number of these second generation types have become neighborhood leaders. Epitomizing this trend are two sisters who were raised on 61xx Kingsbury. Although she had a nice home she and her husband had fixed up in South City, in 2001 Rachel Boxdorfer and her family came back to a larger house waiting for repair on 60xx McPherson.
To Boxdorfer, Skinker DeBalilviere was the greatest place to grow up and she wanted to raise her children here.
Her sister, Beth Bender, never left the neighborhood except while in college. She’s now on 60xx Kingsbury and has no desire to leave. Rachel sits on the Community Council and Beth did as well until recently. (She served as president of the SDCC in the 1990s.) They are co-chairs of the Fundraising Committee and are also co-chairs of the Homecoming, the major 2009 fundraising event. Their commitment is very strong and they desire many neighbors to attend the Homecoming on September 26. Rachel noted that there are other key second generation people on the Council, including the vice president, Vincent Flewellyn, Dan Hudspeth, President of Rosedale Neighbors, and William Humphries. Arline Webb who represents Rosedale has spent her life in the neighborhood. Liz Johnson is the member for New Cote Brilliante Church of God; she grew up on Pershing. Joe Keaveny serves on the council and Andy Cross is Beautification Chair.; both are members of the Homecoming Committee.
In addition, Christina (Fleener) McGroarty serves on that committee and is clearly second generation. Three Homecoming sponsors — Katie Kurtz, Mark Gorman, Leslie Christenson–are similarly second generation. Perhaps the highest compliment that can be paid to the neighborhood is that the next generation either does not move away or moves back and plays a strong leadership role. We’ll see if their offspring continue the tradition.
Original photograph caption
Rachel Boxdorfer and Beth Bender, pictured with Second Generation Leaders article. Descriptive caption supplied.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2009.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Printed Flewellyn and Humphries vary from council directory Flewellen and Humphrey; no identity silently merged.
Original source: SD_Times2009_09.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
