Largest neighborhood association in the city of Grand Rapids - Pancakes

The annual community pancake breakfast was organized by the Creston Neighborhood Association, CNA, covering almost 2 miles east-west by 2 miles north-south, a couple of miles north of the city's downtown center. Volunteers collected $7 per adult unless that household pays the annual $25 membership fee, in which case there was no cost for the breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, blueberry and plain pancakes, french toast, and beverages (water, apple or orange juice, coffee).

This video clip was soon after the 9:30 a.m. brief presentations were made to introduce the exhibitors at the edges of the large dining hall in the lower level of the Second Congregational Church, the venue hosting the event. Things started at 8:30 and went on for about 3 hours. Table covers were paper and boxes of crayons encouraged children and everyone else to doodle directly on the table tops.

In the age of Internet, fragmented lives and overscheduled children in multiple activities, it is heartening to see people get out of their speeding cars and away from their ubiquitous portable electronic devices to meet one another face to face, exchange small talk, and find out about opportunities to get involved in a few of the common interests in keeping the area safe and satisfying. This is a pretty good glimpse of Civil Society in 2019 in West Michigan, although the neighborhood email bulletin board is a living tissue that contributes an important layer to community sense of place and problem solving. It has many viewers and posters who ask or answer questions for newcomers and old-timers.

Exhibitors included the county solid waste and recycling program, the medical services for uninsured and underinsured residents, fire-fighters and a uniformed policeman, the low-income housing agency, the neighborhood association itself, among others. As the biggest of the city's neighborhood associations perhaps it also is among the most vigorous in supporting and encouraging innovations and business successes. There were breakfasters of all ages around the tables, so it looked to be a success for volunteers and visitors.