the street that Bill built

#3  Church Ave

I don't know about you and your generation, but whenever I think about the late great, Mr. Fred Rogers, I am immediately reminded of the melodious tune "Who are the People in Your Neighborhood?" that aired on just about every television episode of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, which I watched during the late 80s and early 90s.

Mr. Rogers fan or not, if you have never walked or rode down Church Avenue in Cleveland's Ohio City, then you need to do so soon. William "Bill" Merriman and his beloved wife, Jean, are the "land-stewards" of a particularly-intimate row of houses that overlook Lake Erie. 

I first met Bill & Jean on one of my very first nights in Ohio City. I was floored by their hospitality, generosity and Mid-western charm. Over the course of the next twelve months, they became dear friends and parental figures in my life. To this day, I still enjoy paying a surprise visit to the Merriman household to "tease" Jean about her famous jambalaya gumbo or to listen to Bill tell of the incredible stories of his St. Pat parishioners.

My JVC roommates (Veronica, Allison & Brigid) and I fondly remiscience about how wonderfully-welcoming our Church Ave neighbors were to us (and continue to be), especially on those first few days of living in community.

I will leave you with a few of my favorite Church Avenue moments...

1. Watching from inside the warm comforts of our 3007 Church Avenue, as Bill plowed a clear path along the sidewalk and steps of us/our neighbors after the blizzard of '07. (or literally anytime that Bill responded to our household needs)

2. Playing catch with John Monahan et al. in the middle of Church Ave (unfortunately, i remember all to well the "blind" toss that John made, which left me with a blue, fat lip)

3. Each  every Harvest Moon festival (in case you don't know or have never attended this annual eclectic block party which usually takes place on the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox)

In Bill We Trust.