Calling All Youngstowners (present and former)
I have been looking at a lot of sites lately dedicated to Youngstown. I am pleased with the pride that all of these people have for their community.
I grew up in Y-town, and even though I left, I carry my small town, working class, ethnic and religious pride with me wherever I go. My family visits Youngstown about once a month. I have to say, in a good way, that there is no place like it in the world. Every time we visit my parents’ church, everyone knows us, kisses our kids, makes us feel as though we live down the street. It’s hard to find that sense of community these days!
Please visit this link to find something truly unique about the Y-town area:
http://shoutyoungstown.blogspot.com/2008/07/return-of-baby-doll-dance.html#links
You’ll see video from the annual Mount Carmel Festival in Lowellville (down the hill, literally, from my parents’ house). There is a very unusual ritual called the Baby Doll Dance. If I try to describe it to you, you won’t believe me. But it’s incredible. There is definitely a story there waiting to be written! I hope to take my family to see it next summer.
Although I’m not in Youngstown anymore, I am very committed to singing its praises and helping in anyway I can with its revitalization.
In fact, I’ve had this crazy idea lately: What if you could create a public relations campaign that would tout Y-town for its small community, sense of pride, friendly neighbors, strong faith, etc.? Aren’t a lot of people hungry for this stuff? It would take some pioneers to settle in from elsewhere and keep the flavor going, but I think it could work. Am I crazy?
on November 12th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Hi Former Youngstowner,
I, too, am from Youngstown and am very proud of the town where I grew up. When I lived there, I wrote and produced a community pride PR/advertising program with the theme, “Youngstown, It’s a Whole Lot of Living!” There were TV commercials, radio spots, outdoor billboards, print ads, bumper stickers, events, you-name-it. The ad agency I worked for was Ira Thomas Associates. This would have been mid-to-late 70’s.
I have heard of the Baby Doll Dance, but haven’t seen it. I have several books about Youngstown and will be back there the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Feel free to contact me if you’d like. I still have lots of friends and some family in Y-town. Best of luck with your idea!
Sallie