"I am From..."
The "I am From" form is a creative exercise where Berwick residents describe where they live using sights, sounds, smells, and types of people that represent their town.
We are from Berwick.
Maybe you know about the Friday Night Lights and Wise Potato Chips.
The World War Tanks and armor for battle ships.
The mighty Susquehanna and our global entrepreneurship.
But let us tell you where we’re from.
We’re from Berwick.
Where our noses know it’s spring before the weather does. Where crisp March winds smell of fresh cut grass,
with nodes of that oddly sweet aroma that can only come from bovine gas.
We’re from Berwick.
Where honeysuckle blooms in June and carnivals start to plink their tune,
to let us know Summer’s on the way.
We’re from nostalgia city, USA.
Where hopes for the future are built on ghosts of the mom and pop shops of history.
Like Guinens, and Coblentz, and JJ Newberry.
The soda fountain at Rhea & Derricks, and the Ward known as Montgomery.
We’re from Dalo’s Donuts and pizza from bakeries.
We’re from church bells singing Ave Marie.
And what really happened at The Triangle? It’s a mystery.
We’re from “where everybody knows your name” is actually the grocery store.
And the farmer’s market. And the gas station. And ten others more.
We’re from Berwick.
Where fall means Friday nights with 8,000 of our closest friends finding one thing to finally agree on. Go Dawgs!
And just blocks away live our Slovak aunts and uncles in a neighborhood called Joogie Town. Named after frogs.
We’re from
Thanksgiving is the greatest day of the year. 9 miles of neighborly holiday cheer.
It’s the Run for The Diamonds. The world’s 8th oldest road race. Held right here.
We’re from Santas in speedos, not to be confused with our Santa parade.
We’re from “remember when?” even when, the memories fade.
We’re from too much blight. But we’re trying hard.
Where winter is cold chips and Christmas lights. The boulevard.
We’re from the Jackson Mansion, and art, and innovation.
We’re from you’ll find one of us near the top of every industry in the nation.
We’re from Berwick.
Where we’ll tear each other apart, but you can’t say a word.
Because we’re also from “I got your back. Just say the word.”
We’re from the hard-headed, and the harder working. The proud.
We’re the grandchildren of immigrants. We’re passionate. We’re loud
We’re from Berwick.
We’re from Back When. But we’re also from right now.
Lend your voice to build tomorrow’s wow.