Byline: Selina Pedi-Smith, Pellere Foundation
Two weeks ago, we asked a simple question: Where are your memories held?
We asked for your moments, your places, your stories. Your reminders of what matters, and why it’s worth remembering. And sure enough, some started coming in.
Reminiscing in Rockland shared the importance of a playground:
“There’s this playground behind the old school. My kids would always ask to stop when we went by when they were little. We stayed until dark sometimes. They’re too old now but I still think about it when I go by.”
Kay talked about her favorite spot to watch the Emlenton Summerfest fireworks:
“My friends and I used to go up to an open spot on the hill with snacks and just hang out. Haven’t gone in a few years but I still remember the whole town glowing. And the candy from the parade!”
A reader from Seneca shared a favorite place at Oil Creek State Park:
“We used to sled this hill. We’d go every winter when the kids were little. Once we even rolled down it in the summer just for fun. The boys were dizzy for almost an hour. Sure was funny!”
Most of the memories so far have come from the great outdoors, which is a beautiful reminder of how much our parks, trails, and community spaces matter to us. Maybe your memory is tied to a hill or a playground too. Or an old bridge. Or a neighborhood creek. Or maybe it’s indoors: a bowling alley, a school gym, a corner booth at your favorite restaurant. And maybe – just maybe – someone else remembers that same spot.
I, for one, share a fond memory of that hill at Oil Creek State Park. I haven’t been there nearly as often as our reader from Seneca, but the kids and I tried rolling down it a couple years ago…and I think I’m still dizzy. Don even caught it on camera, wild flailing and all, as I tried to stand up like the ground wasn’t spinning. Maybe, just maybe, we’ll include that in a video montage someday. You’ve been warned.
If you’ve already shared your favorite place with us – thank you, truly. If you’ve been meaning to but haven’t yet, there’s still time! Just head over to pellere.org and click on “Share Your Memory.” You can even upload a photo or video if you’d like. And who knows? You might help someone else remember something that matters to them too.
That’s the magic of telling our stories:
There’s always someone out there who understands. Who nods along and chuckles with you. Who feels a little closer – even if they’ve never met you.
Want to keep the conversation going? Whether you want to learn more about Pellere Foundation, explore our ongoing projects, or get involved and share your input, we’d love to connect with you! One simple way to make an impact is by lending your thoughts to our ongoing community poll—your voice matters, and your feedback helps shape the future of our efforts. You can find it on Pellere.org. Reach out anytime via email at rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org. Be sure to visit our website at riverrootsredevelopment.org and follow us on Facebook (@PellereFoundation, @RiverRootsRedevelopment) for the latest updates.
Rachel Brosnahan is the Community Engagement Coordinator for River Roots Redevelopment. She can be reached by email at rachel@riverrootsredevelopment.org.
