Dateline Dayton — Pauline and I attended church on Wednesday night to celebrate Christmas. Although it is referred to as Midnight Mass, it now starts at 10, with a musical presentation beginning at 9:30.  Normally, to get a seat, it is best to arrive early. Not the case this year.  We arrived as the music program was starting. Plenty of seats.  There still were seats after the service started.

During the music program, my mind wandered as it often does.  I was thinking about highlights of my life. Putting it into perspective, what have I done?

My marriage and the birth of our children were the real highlights.  But I was pondering what I have done outside the family.  What have I done to help make the world better?

First, Pauline and I were teaching a high school religious education class. It wasn't easy for a young married couple to get involved with the church we were attending. We accomplished the task.  About this time, altars in Catholic churches were being moved to face the congregation. It was said at the time, a half-century ago, , that the only way an altar would end up facing the congregation in this church was if the building itself would be turned.

In many efforts where I was involved, I tended to go overboard.  No, it wasn't that I was knowledgeable or a great teacher. To make sure the teenagers would be able to attend class, I offered to take them home and in some cases even pick them up.

Help, Please

Then there was the year I was coerced into coaching soccer.  I knew little about soccer, never have played the game.  Again I went overboard, not with my coaching ability but providing transportation. To make sure the boys showed up for practice and games, I provided transportation both ways because  few, if any, parents showed up for the games, much less practice.  Sure is different today!  That was a difficult time for me because I knew I was not a good coach.  Controlling the boys was a challenge. Each wanted to be on the front line and I knew you had to protect the goal.

Everybody Had a Ride

Later I became involved with my neighborhood. Although I didn't need to provide transportation, I took on whatever task was required.  I served as president and treasurer of our neighborhood association and also as president of the umbrella organization for the neighborhood organizations in our section of the city. Lots of fires to put out. I constantly attended meetings, wrote letters, or visited city hall.

During this time I also served as the first treasurer of the Neighborhood Assistance Officers program and I was on the board of the Riverdale Housing Authority.   In addition, I was selected to be a member of the Committee of 75 for the Dayton School System, serving as Chairman of the Building and Grounds Committee.  he Committee of 75 examined every aspect of the Dayton school system and developed an extensive report.

The housing authority was a neat program.  A church in the area took on the task of rehabbing a housing complex behind the church.  It was a huge success, that is until politics got involved.  A local realtor, who was a big shot in the Democratic Party, decided that the manager of the housing complex had to be a realtor.  Well, that was the demise of the project and an expensive one for us taxpayers, as government funds were used to do the rehabilitation.  

Another interesting experience that happened during this period, was being asked to judge the Optimist Oratorical Contest. Great young people participated.  Fortunately for me, there was one individual who far outshined the rest. All the judges agreed on the winner.

Next week – My Kiwanis and Learning Tree involvement.

Happy New Year!

Mr. Hennessey may be contacted at pmhenn@sbcglobal.net