I have lived in Stewartstown for 10 years, and spent 20 years prior to that in northwestern Harford County. I don’t see a lot of difference. There are families that have been there for generations, some on the same land, and it is hard to get into that circle sometimes just as in the Stewartstown area.
As a MD transplant, with no children in school to connect me with other parents, I remained oriented towards MD and it took awhile to start paying attention to local issues. Up until 3-1/2 months ago I worked in MD and have spent little time using local businesses or medical care or such because using the familiar places was more convenient than finding local businesses. Now that I am working locally and feel like my roots are in Stewartstown, I hope to become more active in this community. People complain that it is hard to be accepted by the locals who have been here awhile, but I found when I lived in Harford County that when you worked along side them as a volunteer it soon didn’t matter whether your grandparents were from the area or not <g>.
I’ve volunteered in the area for the last 10 years. And attend town meetings, support fundraising efforts, take part in local events like the carnival/Naylor, etc. It can still be rough. Doable, but rough. In the beginning, it was hard for me to find places that would LET me volunteer. I was volunteering in Red Lion and Shrewsbury because they were the only places who had ‘open’ volunteer slots. Then I finally befriended a native neighbor who gave me an in to the Stewartstown circles. Once I had her recommendation, local opportunities opened to me.
Funny this topic came up. The other day my daughter and I were talking about being a “native”. She clearly brought to my attention that she is a native of Stewartstown, but her father and I are not..go figure. I have lived here almost 13 years and LOVE it. I have found my neighbors to be friendly.
I’m a “westerner” I guess since I live west of I-83. I’ve been here since 1986. I started volunteering in the school district when I first moved here, became a scout leader - both girls and boys and then started volunteering in the Borough. I’ve been on the planning commission for 18+ years. No one on the PC is a “native” to this area - every one of them have come here from elsewhere. I believe the same is true of the Borough Council.
I’ve been to meetings of most of the local municipalities either for work, or just to see what’s going on. I work and shop in York and rarely go south anymore. It took me a long time to get to this point though. Having my family live in this area has helped in that respect - I have very few family members that live in the Baltimore area anymore.
I consider myself to be a York Countian and if other York Countians don’t agree - I really don’t care! Is it better on this side of the highway? We’ve certainly had our share of the limelight - both good and bad. There is a lot of “behind the scenes” drama that doesn’t always get reported and I’ve learned to take most news articles with a grain of salt. I’ve read news reports from meetings I attended and wondered if the reporter was at the same meeting. I’ve seen direct quotes that were outright wrong. I’ve been misquoted on occasion myself.
Is this a nice place to live? Yes, it is. And I think there is a sense of “community” that was definitely lacking in my neighborhood in Baltimore.
Yes...and if anyone wants to be part of a bigger community by volunteering, we can always use help at Eureka. If you don’t feel you’re cut out to be an EMT or a firefighter, there’s the fire police and the auxiliary. You can work in the kitchen, help at the carnival or help out at Bingo. If you’re interested, send me a PM and I’ll either help you or put you in touch with someone who can.
Maybe, but how long are you supposed to put up with them being jackasses before they decide you’re worthy of their friendship. Sounds like neighbors I may not necessarily want anyway.
We’ve been here about 10 years and plan to stay. Though funnily enough, all the neighbors who reached out to us are NOT from this area originally. They’re from other areas in PA or MD. Just in the last 2 years have a few of our ‘native’ neighbors started returning our smiles and waves. After TEN years of consistent pleasantries from our side including helping with snow shoveling, baked goods at Holidays, etc.
I don’t hold grudges and given I’m thousands of miles away from family, it’s important for me to feel part of a community. So I do what I can to bolster that spirit. Even if I’ve been rebuffed, I keep on being me. I’m a big believer in not being able to change people or a situation, but I can change my reaction to people and situations.
I think we have it better than most though. We’re in a rural developed area, not the Station/city limits where it seems like most of friction lies. But I don’t let unpleasant people make ME unpleasant. I just smile and move on.
I worded that a little off - I, too, continue to be neighborly to people and have the same view that I can’t change people’s opinions. What I meant was, if someone doesn’t like me based on the fact that I’m not a “native” (although we’ve lived here for 10 yrs and have seen the house next door change hands three times), and that’s the reason that they won’t get to know me or be friends with me, than I don’t know if they’re necessarily the kind of person I want as a friend anyway.
I must not have my eyes open. I have not noticed a difference between the folks east and west of 83. Must admit that I have not been looking for one either. I try hard not to label anyone. Makes life easier. If I had to say what I was, it would be an American living in PA. I find that being polite, courteous and showing respect from the get go goes a long way.
As for the station being transient, I must agree. Of the 7 homes directly adjacent to mine, 6 have changed hands at least once while one has been sold three times and another 1 being sold 4 times in the 9 years I have lived here. - it does take some time to get to know people past the hi/bye driveway small talk and with turnover like that, the feeling of community is not there.
I would agree with some on here that being “native” (what are we, freakin’ indians??) means nothing. It’s about where the community is GOING. What matters is who actually cares about the community. There are plenty of “natives” who couldn’t care less about this place. I care.
When I moved to Stewartstown from MD 25 years ago I had a wonderful neighbor. She was born and raised here. She told me lots of local town lore, invited me to her church, introduced me to several people and encouraged me to use her name at the hardware store, plumbers office etc, since I was new to the area. I guess she was my ‘in’ to feeling like I belonged to a community. I have always felt accepted here. I have wonderful long standing neighbors and friendly newer neighbors. I shop and work on the west side of 83 and most people are just as friendly to me as a stranger as they are here in town where I am known.
We have lived in Stewartstown for almost 9 years and I have never noticed a difference. Most of our neighbors are nice and we all get along just fine. Maybe I never noticed because I lived in Parkton all my life before moving. We always went to New Freedom, Glen Rock, Shrewsbury & York when I was a kid. Also, I have always had relatives in both MD & PA. I have ancestral roots in southern York County on my mom’s side. Yes, I was born in MD but, I have both PA & MD in my blood.
When we movd to Stewartstown, my sister already lived there, a half mile around the corner from my house and we already had friends living there too.
I have never had anyone treat me differently because I am a “MD translpant” or because I live on the “East side of 83.”
That said, I sure hope I don’t encounter any of those people who would consider me an “alien.” Lol! ; )
So you don’t believe that Obama has and will impact your lives? Wow. Ask your PCP how they feel about it right now. Ask your accountant about how your local legislators are affecting your taxes. HEAD IN SAND. Learn more about how your LOCAL (look at other threads) elected officials lied to you.
So TIRED!!! Hey Caroline, if you want to rant about Obama please start your own darn thread. I mean REALLY????!!!????
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