By Charles Wiedenmann
In the summer of 1967, the rhythmic clatter of the trolley echoed down Rising Sun Avenue in Lawndale, Philadelphia. With tokens in hand, a group of kids, their laughter ringing out like wind chimes, hopped aboard, eager for a joyous ride through the heart of their neighborhood.
Among them was Tommy, a freckled-faced boy with a heart full of curiosity. As the trolley rumbled along, he spotted a girl he hadn’t met before. She sat alone by the window, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery. Her name was Emily, a newcomer to Lawndale, and her family had recently moved into the charming brick house on Gilham Street.
With a surge of courage, Tommy approached the empty seat next to Emily. “Mind if I join you?” he asked with a friendly grin. She looked up, a shy smile playing on her lips, and welcomed him to the seat beside her. As the trolley meandered through Lawndale, Tommy and Emily struck up a conversation. They shared stories of their favorite spots in the neighborhood, their favorite street games and the thrill of summer adventures.
The warm evening breeze that wafted through the open windows carried with it the promise of something special. The trolley made its way past Kershner’s Corner Store and the familiar storefronts of Rising Sun Avenue.
Along the journey, a friendship blossomed between Tommy and Emily, their laughter blending seamlessly with the clinks and clangs of the trolley tracks. By the time they reached the end of the line, Tommy and Emily had discovered a shared love for simple pleasures and the magic of Lawndale’s close-knit community.
As they stepped off the trolley, the sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm glow over the neighborhood. With a twinkle in his eye, Tommy invited Emily to join him and their friends for an evening game of kick-the-can at the end of Magee Street. As the sun set on that summer day, the seeds of a special connection were planted in the heart of Lawndale — a friendship that held the promise of something sweeter, echoing the timeless tales of childhood crushes and summer romances. ••
Charles Wiedenmann is author of Lawndale, Stories from my Youth: Growing up in Northeast Philadelphia in the ‘60s and ‘70s and the recently released novel Island Serenade. His books are available by going to amazon.com and typing in his name.
