THE CONSTANT

CURMUDGEON

By John Pierre

For the Beacon

Some practices of years gone by might work well in modern times. I can remember when an occasional potluck supper would be something to look forward to a chance for family, neighbors and friends to get together and discuss what was happening in each other's lives.

Often those gatherings happened in a Grange Hall or church but some occurred in someone's home. Those were the best because they were more personal.

Everyone brought something, usually their favorite casserole, and most everyone enjoyed themselves as gossip was the order of the day. Usually not malicious gossip (though that sometimes happened) but inside information about each other and about those who didn't, or couldn't, attend.

Wouldn't that be something worth encouraging in Edmonds? Especially since Edmonds has discontinued its Block Watch program?

It seems to me that people would be brought together more closely and we would begin to look out for one another, not unlike the purpose of the Block Watch program but on a more personal level.

My wife and I were invited to such a potluck last week in the home of nearby neighbors Michelle and Warren (our host and hostess), and we enjoyed ourselves immensely.

Along with a couple hours of talk and hilarity from poking fun at each other, we enjoyed a dinner to rival the best served in any restaurant. Even my own (and almost world-famousaccording to the latest Rasmussen poll of likely eaters, with an error factor of plus/minus 3 percent) banana-raisin bread seemed to be a hit.

Those neighbors who couldn't attend missed an evening to be remembered. Sorry 'bout that, folks. Better luck next time.

Try it, Edmonds! You may find that there are some very special people among your neighbors, some of whom you may never have even met.

One caution. Be careful to stay away from religion and politics in your comments, kidding or not.