Published: April 01, 2007 08:01 pm            

HIGGS: Pine’s place in the city’s landscape

Let’s talk about the Pine Avenue Business Association, better known as PABA. The current president of this organization is Philip Bodkin, owner of Digital Niagara. I stopped to see Mary Jo, the executive director, to find out more about the background and objectives of the organization and was told the group started meeting in 1982 and was incorporated in 1984. The area of concentration spans over 30 blocks between Main Street and Hyde Park Boulevard and includes 160 businesses and organizations, some of whom are outside of this district, but support its goals.

PABA’s mission is to promote, improve and enhance the business climate of the area it serves; to foster civic, cultural, social and educational projects in the community it serves; to promote cooperative mutual aid in time of distress or emergency and to promote friendship and sociability among its members.

We all know the area as “Little Italy” which is rich in Italian heritage and culture and FOOD. One of its main events is the Italian Festival held each summer (Aug. 4 and 5 this year) which offers a never-ending array of great specialty foods that is available in this district and elsewhere. Think about the pasta, the meatballs, the fried dough, the canoli and all the rest of those treats we have become accustomed to feasting upon each summer and all year long. This festival also recognizes and honors outstanding citizens of this heritage who have contributed to the continuation of Italian customs and culture during their lifetime. All of this pleasure takes place around Columbus Park and the gazebo which is the heart and soul of Pine Avenue.

Columbus Park is also home to the bocce courts and the summer concerts which will be held every Thursday from July 5 through Aug. 30. Each week a different musical event is sponsored bringing residents from near and far with their folding chairs. This is an opportunity for old friends to gather and for newcomers to enjoy the atmosphere that is Little Italy during the summer weather.

Mary Jo is actively involved in promotion of this organization and meets regularly with the Niagara Beautification Commission and the Greater Niagara Business Alliance. She is working with Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center to partner in the enhancement of Schoelkopf Park and hopes to encourage citizens, organizations and businesses to take an active role in the revitalization of this worthwhile project. You can expect an announcement soon on how you can become involved. She is also a member of the New York State Little Italy Leadership Committee and is pursuing an Italian Heritage and Cultural Museum. This city is rich in ethnic heritage of all backgrounds and this could be the beginning of a trend. Many of our tourists come from foreign lands and each would like to see how their culture has expanded and contributed to our melting-pot nation. Funding is available through grants but it takes the cooperation and involvement of everyone to bring this to fruition. Sounds like a great plan, even to a “good German” like me. The more we understand where we came from the better we can get along

Other events of this organization are the Children’s Holiday Luncheon on Dec. 8 at the Como and the annual Director’s Dinner Dance celebrated each February. I was honored to receive one of this group’s 2007 Community Service Awards at this year’s February event and wrote the following limerick which I presented as my tribute and thanks that evening:



Thanks for this honor — Community service is great — Look at that wonderful dinner I ate

I’m honored with contractors, a union and all of the rest; the media, a judge, and the police - I’m impressed!



So tonight let’s take a stroll down Pine. We’ll start at Main which would be fine

We pass a city park, a “doc” for your feet; barber & beauty shops — that’s pretty neat.

And soon our Senator will join this group; my block club’s here — right in the loop.



Passing a liquor store we find a health care center, and one for arts and culture — everyone’s mentor.

Then, a beautiful church where many go to pray; and a window of flowers just across the way.

Now we see Columbus Park and that new gazebo. Hat’s off to PABA and especially Mary Jo.

We continue to walk where small shops abound; things to eat, and wear — even comics are found



Now smell that bread, that cheese and all those sweets. Smell those Mc’burgers and the steaks at Pete’s.

Get a whiff of pizza as you pass Leon’s. You can find lots more — just read those neons.

There’s our lady government leaders and banks galore; hardware, software, videos and more.

And coffee at Gigio’s and the Marketside. Where people gather and voters decide



There are lots of used cars and help with our tax. And let’s not forget all the help for our backs.

Lots of corn in the summer at the farmer’s stall, a fish market, 3 drug stores and that’s not all.

Of course there’s the Como — where pasta is king. And Cristoforo Columbo. if bingo’s your thing.

Eye doctors and dentists, everything to rent. Bet your’e getting tired — but it’s time well spent



So let’s just keep going on this Avenue called Pine; A little further down — “Let’s make wine”.

We find more lawyers, insurance, even T Shirts it seems. Let’s not forget Michaels for greens and beans

More pizza at the Hass and coffee at Tim’s; and all of that hardware in DeFranco’s bins.

We end up at Hyde Park — a city treasure. Let’s put our feet up — just for good measure.



Sorry I missed a few places — they are all the best. But frankly I think we deserve a rest.

We’ve just walked through our history — yours and mine.

On old Route 62 — that’s now called Pine.



Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Mondays in the Gazette.

        

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