Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

It’s easy to complain about all the changes Somerville is going through but we have to keep one thing in mind and that is our pride for our city shines through. I’ve always been proud to be from Somerville as most of my friends are also. Folks my age go to grow up in the best city anywhere. We experienced the “old” Somerville and got to see all the exciting changes.

We have a brand-new high school to boast about. We have a very friendly and efficient police force and a heroic fire department. Somerville is surely a place to be proud of. It’s so easy to criticize new traffic patterns and disappearing parking meters along with increasing rents but our basic pride still shines through. We’ve won the All-America City award three times, and we can’t forget those great sports tournaments back in the day. We can’t forget the grade teachers third of school that’s in the 60s 70s and 80s. A lot of those teachers became friends. Plus, we now have the Green Line!

We always had the best musical instructors in the city who passed their passion on to students many of whom enjoyed careers in music.

This is from a longtime resident. “For those of us who grew up there in the 50s, there was an old-time family feel, a neighborhood of friends where everyone knew each other and there were block parties. All the old neighborhood stores that were everywhere, the parades, the social gatherings, the school and church outings. Three channels on the TV and rock and roll on the radio … yup it was a blast back then.”

As the city grows there will be growing pains but one thing still rings true. Somerville still leads the way. There are Somerville natives all over New England and all over the world. They all have that coolness about them from growing up here. “Wave high ye gilded banners.”

The photo is from The Pride of  Somerville Facebook page. Check it out.