Amherst neighborhood wins Edy's national contest

In mid-June, the Morningside Homeowners Association learned it had won a national contest.

Out of thousands of letters from people coast to coast telling Edy's why their neighborhood deserves a memorable ice cream block party this summer, the Amherst neighborhood was chosen the winner of Edy's Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute contest.

As the grand prize winner, the street, located near North Forest Road and Reist Street, was awarded everything needed for a successful ice-cream party.

"Edy's thought of everything," Ellen Parisi said about the supplies delivered. The ice cream was delivered in dry-ice.

"In all the good and decent ways, reminiscent of a 1950s sitcom, our neighborhood is one of the most anachronistic areas in the country," Parisi wrote in her prize-winning application. "This neighborhood embodies old-fashioned values of family, caring, and friendliness."

Built during World War II, the Morningside Homeowners created the oldest continuously functioning neighborhood association in New York State. It holds an annual Halloween parade, a sleigh ride with Santa, a dinner dance and a garden walk. A neighborhood garage sale and a family picnic are held biannually.

Morningside Homeowners Association recently won the national Edy's Ice Cream Neighborhood Salute contest. Grace Speller, left, enjoys her ice cream. Tracy Hawk, Katie Celej, Lori Milanovich and Hanna Hawk scoop ice cream for their neighbors. The association was treated to Edy's Ice Cream, bowls, napkins, spoons, door hangers to announce the event, a yard sign, stand, and a camera.

"This is a front-porch-style neighborhood, without the porches," she also said. "Residences live in their front yards rather than hide in the back. It is not unusual to see swings, lawn chairs, even volley ball nets in the front of people's homes - welcoming any and all passers-by to join in."

Parisi also reminisced about how the community came together during the Blizzard of '77 and last year's October snowstorm. From sharing meals to shoveling and sharing generator power to hiking more than a mile to the grocery store.

"There is a feeling of friendship and family in this neighborhood," she said.

The purpose of the contest was to promote neighborhood interaction and camaraderie, and the Morningside Homeowners block party and ice cream social, held on Aug. 25, did just that.

Parisi said the party was a huge success, complete with a pet parade, organized by Betsy Mighton, a bounce house, a boondoggle table manned by 8-year-olds Miranda Burford and Tyler Bessinger and 5-year-old Tory Burford, and face painting by middle schoolers Justine Bessinger and Katie Runfola.

"This is the biggest event our neighborhood has had," MHOA President Tom Newell said. "Over 125 people attended. It was a great success."