You Know You Grew Up in North Point Village, If You…

I can’t imagine growing up anywhere but North Point Village. 

Growing up in the 1960s and 70s in the row-home community there meant there was always someone to hang out with.

When we weren’t running around on the street in front of my house, playing SPUD, Redline or Tag, we were hanging on “the wall" – which happened to be the bottom of a neighbor’s yard – or at the corner engrossed in what we thought were big philosophical conversations. 

If for some reason we weren’t outside, I was lucky enough to be able to bring my friends to my basement. The basement was fixed up to suit a teenager just fine with a table and chairs, an old couch, and the most important thing – a radio. As teenagers, we spent quite a bit of time down the basement talking, listening to music or playing Pinochle.

Those were the days.

So, the other day I noticed posts on Facebook from other old friends (I went to Sparrows Point High School), who belonged to a new group called, “You may be from Edgemere, MD, if you...” 

I’d seen other groups like this on Facebook featuring areas like Edgewood and Highlandtown.

The next day I got a message from my friend Tom Szewczyk, who grew up in North Point Village like I did, asking me to start a North Point Village page, noting, of course, that NPV ruled! 

I replied to Tom with a few ideas for a group name, which we tossed around and, after a few exchanged messages, a new group was born at 10 a.m. on Friday.

Tom and I were the first members and within minutes Anne Tuszynski and Donna Schrauder join the group. That got me excited: It looked like we were going to have a few people who may be interested.

I invited a few people from my friend list on Facebook that I could recall off the top of my head, hoping they'd invite others and word would eventually spread.

And it did.

By 4 p.m., just six short hours later, the membership had grown to 88 members and it is continuing to grow.

The group’s open ended title, “You know you grew up or hung out in North Point Village, if you…” leaves room for answers to go in various directions. They have.

The very first comment came from Anne Tuszynski who said, “bought candy at South Bend.”

As new members join, they are not only adding their own memories, but they are commenting on previous posts.

I also noticed that in this short period of time that people are reconnecting with friends they haven’t seen in years.

Who says you can’t go home again?

Here are some of the posts from the first several hours:

Elizabeth Quintavalle said, “bought a snowball in the alley behind St. Claire, and hoped to get a star on the bottom of your cup to get a free snowball.”

Tom Szewczyk: “played Dodge Ball or SPUD in the street.”

Jim Siegert: “couldn't wait for the sun to go down so you could play "Redline"!”

Nancy Tramer: “your field trip at Battle Grove was to the A&P.”

Stephen Fluke: “crossed the tracks to Lyndhurst to ride trail bikes or fish in Back River.”

Clinton Webb III: “playing ball down at the creek and getting shot at with rock salt when you went to get your ball out of the yard at the house next to the ball field.”

Lori Ford: “thought it was a big deal to be able to walk up to High's and back by yourself.

Bunky Pontiatowski: “played blocks on the sidewalks.”

Donna Schrauder: “had to be in when the street lights come on.”

Rose Whipps: “you went swimming in the street after a big rain storm.”

Michael Ray: “you remember Susie Fore leading that pony around selling rides for a dollar!!!!”

Brian Butler: “threw goldfish in to the creek after winning them at Mayday.”

Ed Lurz:“gathered on porches at night playing 45's.”

To find us simply go to your Facebook page and enter “You know you grew up or hung out in North Point Village, if you…” in the search area and it will bring you to the group.

If you didn’t grow up in NPV, there may be a hometown looking for you.

If you grew up in North Point Village or hung out with those of us who did, please look for us on Facebook.

We’ll leave the light on for you.