NOAH: Neighbors of Overbrook Association, Overbrook Civic Association
What makes a good neighbor?
An attractive front yard, sidewalks free of litter, someone who gives back to their community. If everyone followed these guidelines, Overbrook would be beautiful and litter-free.
What makes for good business neighbors? Businesses that treat this neighborhood as if it were their own. Clean and attractive store fronts with trash and recycling cans, courteousness to customers, policies that deter loitering, a sense of gratitude to the neighborhood whose purchases make a business viable. Be clear that NOAH contends that businesses selling drug-related items, cigarettes or alcoholic beverages to minors are not good neighbors.
NOAH will post photos of good businesses in its Good Business Gallery. In addition, NOAH will regularly post profiles of good neighbors (residents or merchants) in its Good Neighbor section.
If you would like to nominate a resident or business for the Neighbor of the Month section, contact NOAH at noah19151@gmail.com .
A resident of Overbrook for over 20 years, Maria spends time in and out of the neighborhood creating gardens. A special education teacher, Maria heads a "Green Club" at William McKinley School where she teaches environmental education. In that role, she ensures that her students get outside to see science in nature. Besides planting gardens at the school, she and her students have tended trees planted by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.
Closer to home, she has led volunteers in all NOAH tree plantings, most recently at Harambee School. Her garden sports a variety of flowers, shrubs and ferns. In fact, there's a bench on her porch that allows you to sit back and watch butterflies! She also regularly volunteers to help maintain the islands on Lebanon Avenue. A number of these plantings are a reflection of Maria's generosity and care.
She is always ready to help her neighbors plant flowers and shrubs and often plants flowers on tree lawns along the curb. If you need gardening advice, she's there. Just head to the 1000 block of Edgemore Road and look for the lady in the garden!
You can see photos of Maria's garden in the Gallery section. Photos are by Pauline Rosenberg.