Boyle McCauley News

Since 1979 • April-May 2024 • Circulation 5000

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Block to Block Update

Winter is coming. The first flakes have fallen, the leaves lie in piles, and the toques and mittens have come out of the closet. This is the time of year where schedules are renegotiated, because the carefree days of summer past are replaced by practices, recitals, commitments, and lots of transporting to/from/between appointments and meetings. It’s an aesthetically beautiful time to live in McCauley. It can also be the beginning of the indoor season, where you don’t see so much of your neighbours. 

This season can be a time to plan – my neighbour and I are sharing Block Captain duties, and we have been talking about getting our block together to carve pumpkins. Some other neighbours and I have been talking about organizing a caroling party in December. And, of course, my family and I have been attending the Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre free access. We have gone somewhat sporadically over the summer due to the good outdoor weather, but as winter fast approaches, I imagine that we will look forward to some hot tub and waterslide time on Saturdays. It’s lovely to head there and know that you’ll have a chance to run into neighbours, see how things are going, and chat about what’s been happening in the community and give our kids a chance to play together.

John McKnight wrote in 2010 on his website Abundant Community (abundantcommunity.com) about the importance of being aware of the invasion of people and agencies who look to highlight only the needs and deficits of a community: “Universities flourish by studying neighbourhood deficits. Philanthropies provide grants to those who can demonstrate local brokenness. Governments provide funding based upon the quantification of local misery. Newspaper and television stories focus on local problems and conflict, solidifying the popular image of needy local people. When the intellectual, philanthropic, governmental and media institutions all focus on neighbourhood deficits, they are a powerful negative force.”

Block to Block is attempting to turn this approach on its head, to unite and connect neighbours – both next door and throughout McCauley – and to facilitate the coming together of individuals who want to simply be together. I see this happening at the Community Recreation Centre on Saturdays, and I hope others do as well. As fall continues, we will make our last excursions out to people’s doors, with the hope that by fall of 2013 all doors will have been knocked upon.

As always, we welcome your participation and input. If you want to hear more, and want to get involved, drop me a line: info@mccauley.info, or find us on Facebook: McCauley Community League. And, if you’re interested in being involved in the caroling party, please do let me know. We would love to add another destination to our journey.

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