Historical November–December 2008 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Without a doubt, it was the reunion of lifetime. No one could believe just how many people returned, and in some cases, from how far they came. California, DC, New Mexico, Texas, New York, South Carolina, to celebrate the centennial of the street they once lived on. Growing up on Kingsbury was the best. Ask anyone who lived there, they will agree. So when we all got together on October 4th, we were able to relive so many fond and crazy memories.
It was a great place to raise kids and a great place to grow up.
In the 70’s and 80’s, Kingsbury was the place to go.
The number of children who lived on the street varies depending on who you talk to, but most claim it ranged from 125-150. Not only was there almost always a game of kickball, hide & seek, or “Johnny Cross,” there were always large groups of kids to hang out with and play with, children of all ages. Kingsbury was the street with the Art Fair, the home of the “Shoe Tree.” It was such a cool place. At the block party, we tried to catch up on where we are in life today, but conversations swayed back more to the days of swinging on the Newsham or McCarthy family porch swings or to plays produced in a Cross or Hitchcock basement, by kids, for kids.
There were “cookie men” off the Bender’s Christmas tree, and leaf houses in the street.
There were stories of wild parties (Bill Kohn’s 40th birthday) and of teenagers having to watch out for their parents seeing them sneak home late.
The concept of it “taking a village” was in play years ago on Kingsbury!
There were other stories too.
There was the church angel left on Bender’s front porch while the Newshams hosted a party.
There were stories of all the large families, the McCarthys, the Wilmerings, the Cantwells, the Lodes, the Nervianis, the Botzs, just to name a few.
There was jumping on the trampoline in LegueyFeillieux’ backyard, and families, working together, to make the neighborhood strong and aiding each other in raising all these children.
The Kingsbury poster by Virginia Leguey-Feilleux was even reprinted and available for sale, capturing life on Kingsbury in 1972.
To see all thirteen McCarthy children in town, on their old front porch, posing with proud parents Jim and Ann, it was emotional.
It was a reminder, of how important family and neighbors were and always will be.
It was a reminder of how lucky we all were and continue to be.
The October 4th celebration was a great block party for the current residents I’m sure.
But with great gratitude, I must say thank you to those residents, who spearheaded this joyous celebration of 100 years on Kingsbury.
It was a fantastic party for the best place to grow up, ever.
I know I speak for my generation of Kingsbury kids when I say, thank you.
It was the best reunion ever, the reunion of a lifetime. And, best of all, as time marches on, new memories will continue to be made.
Original photograph caption
Old friends Ken Cohen, Gee Stuart, Susie and Dan Feinberg, and Cal Stuart at the Kingsbury Centennial.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November–December 2008.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Article describes October 4 reunion while one original photograph caption says October 11; source date discrepancy preserved.
Original source: SD_Times2008_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
