With apologies to Thomas Wolf, I indeed will be coming home to my adopted city, New Rochelle, as least for awhile. The 325th.Anniversary Committee has asked me to be the voice and face of several of its events between now and the end of the year. Thank You. I am not sure I ever said this enough when I was on the air in your fair city, so I will say it now: I loved your town and will forever be grateful for the way I was accepted by the community. People ranging from the mayor to veterans organizations, to shop keepers, to homemakers, and listeners of divergent political views always made me feel welcome. This series of anniversary events which I have been asked to MC or cover is a tiny way I can pay you back. I took up residence in the city for most of my time there in apartments on Woodland and Davis Avenues. During my last months I also stayed at the Radisson Hotel. I loved the parks, restaurants, stores, beech clubs and institutions. So welcome was I at Temple Israel that I had to check my baptismal certificate to be sure I was not Jewish. It is fitting that the Inter-religious activities in New Rochelle got their start there. I loved the diversity. Your beautiful .town has the ethnic mix and energy of a big city stuffed inside the warm and passionate heart of a small town. Speaking of passion, your political battles are legendary, the result of an engaged population that accepts civic responsibility for the town they live in. I did not always agree with every march or grievance, but I admired the participation and conviction. Your city is also filled with volunteers like the ones running the 325th. You offer your services to the hospital, school fund raisers, scholarship foundations, art councils, old age homes and many more. My goodness, it is a wonderful thing. You also have my old employer WVOX Radio. That fifty year old little station that could has served as the crucible for the issues of the day, as well as the town hall for the city, its leaders, artisans and volunteers. I am not really sure if they even like me there anymore, but I love what they do. There is almost no place left that offers a community such service. Appreciate it while you have it. You may never see its like again. I was lucky to work there. New Rochelle has had a rich history born first of and by the French Huguenots who sought religious freedom 325 years ago here on the Sound Shore. The Queen City has had it forts, casinos, the beloved armory, a newspaper plant and Thomas Paine. Don’t forget Susan B. Anthony and Patrick Henry (I think he said give me the Armory or give me death…I might be wrong). We also had Robert Merrill, Lou Gehrig and Norman Rockwell. Today, it is one part city and two parts suburb. It has tall buildings and garden apartments; beautiful country estates and resplendent ranch houses; town homes and tenements; ball fields and picnic grounds. Another thing I might not have said enough when I was squawking over the airwaves. I hope you appreciate what you have, that you can step back, look beyond the political strife and tax levies, and see that you live in one of the nicest places in America. Financial issues and grandchildren took me away. But it will be nice to be back for at least a little while.
