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‘We looked out for each other as sisters’: A very special South 54th Street reunion

November 4, 2015

54thStReunion

A very special reunion was held at Lynda Thomas Solomon’s home on Sunday, November 1. This was a reunion of seven successful and happy women who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s. Here’s a story and photos by one of them, Cynthia Brown:

“This was a reunion of  seven ladies who grew up on South 54th St during the 1950’s from childhood through high school during a time when neighbors knew each other. We were in and out each other homes and were loved and disciplined by our friend’s parents. We ate together, played together and vacationed together. We played all day safely, boys and girls together. At night we sat on the front steps and talked as we got older. 

MsRuby

Mrs Ruby Antonio who still resides on 54th St. was present at the reunion representing all the mothers who are no longer with us. (Photos by Cynthia Brown)

I have fond memories of Chinese rope with rubber bands, jump rope, jacks, playing ball in the big space in the back of our houses. We also had snow ball fights, trick or treats, and yes mischief night with raw eggs. Some of our teachers lived in the neighborhood and we came home together for lunch.

As teens on the weekend we walked to George’s Hill to hang out all day on Belmont Plateau. We supported each other and shared secrets about our first loves. Donna and Naimah married and are still married to their first boyfriends.

Fast forwarding we decided to get together because we were tired of seeing each other at funerals. We wanted to celebrate the blessed lives we had as children and cherish the memories. We had an absolute ball sharing pictures and stories.

We  looked out for each other as sisters.

We plan to continue meeting on a regular basis.

It was a very special and loving reunion.”

Present were:

Donna Harris Mosley 218 S 54th St
Naimah Domorel aka Shirley Ryans 222 S 54th St
Maria” Cookie ” Antonio 228 S 54th St
Regina Calhoun Robinson 230 S 54th St
Cynthia Coleman Brown 232 S 54th St
Arletta Stewart George 5325 Chancellor St
Lynda Thomas Solomon 5315 Locust St

Honorary Guest

Ruby Antonio – the only surviving mother of the group and still residing at 228 S St.

Present In Loving Memory

Diana “Dee Dee” Coleman 232 S 54th St
Sadie Mae Ryans 222 S 54th St

3 Comments For This Post

  1. Cork Says:

    Aw this was a nice story! =)

  2. Hannah Says:

    Thanks so much for posting this. Old friends are the best. Although I don’t live anywhere near my childhood home, I’m still in touch with friends. We understand each other in ways that friends made later in life don’t.

    I’m the same generation, and I have to say you’re all looking’ good!

  3. rose halligan Says:

    my grandfather owned a store at 54th and Greenway was there all the time loved the neighborhood ever visit Reardon’s luncheonett??

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