Just over ten years ago, I wrote an article on what it was like to grow up in working class Youngstown. Little did I expect at the time that this one article would turn into a series that has run to over 500 articles, published weekly, for ten years. I’ve explored our favorite foods, restaurants, our love for Mill Creek Park and all the other iconic places of our shared youth. I’ve written about events in our history, stories of the people who contributed to making Youngstown a great city, and the stories of people who went on from Youngstown to do great things. I’ve learned so much more about Youngstown than I ever knew during the 22 years I lived there.
I’ve decided that it is time to take a break. I’m in the final months of my working life and finding there is a lot to this transition. It has been harder to find the time to research articles. Maybe this will change in retirement. I think this is a good time for a breather. I’m not sure how long a breather yet, but at least three months, the time I have remaining before retirement.
I am amazed how much I’ve learned from my readers, who have filled in so many gaps for me. At the same time, you have confirmed for me what a great and good place Youngstown was to grow up in. There is so much more to the story than car bombs and closing mills. We grew up in a city rich in traditions of food, faith, and family. Working class did not mean cultural desert–not with the Butler, the symphony, the Youngstown Playhouse and so much more.
I’ve loved telling the stories of people who should not be forgotten, from fallen soldiers to city founders. A dominant theme I found in so many of the stories is a deep sense of civic responsibility. Many devoted their adult lives to making Youngstown a better place.
This blog will continue. I started this as a book blog and have many books awaiting review as I write. I am deeply concerned that we may be raising a generation of children who can’t read. How thankful I am for my parents, for good teachers in Youngstown’s schools and good libraries for fostering the love of reading in my life and I want to do all I can to pass it along.
The other good news of continuing the blog is that all the Youngstown articles are still here. Just click “On Youngstown” on the menu bar to see them all. Looking for something in particular? Just enter it under “Search my Posts” and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find what you are looking for. Back in December, I wrote “Ten Years of Your Favorites” linking to the top viewed posts of each year from 2014 to 2023. And if you can’t find it? Drop me a note. I’ll be collecting ideas for new articles.
Wrapping it all up, I am so thankful for what have really been ten years of conversations about the city we love. I’m always amazed that people read what I write. I feel a profound debt of gratitude to all of you. Thank you.
To read other posts in the Growing Up in Working Class Youngstown series, just click “On Youngstown.” Enjoy!
Happy retirement! Thanks for all the articles. I lived in the Youngstown area for about 25 years on my life. Return 5-6 times a year. It is a resilient city!
Thank you!
Thank you Bob. Well done and well deserved. It has been a joy waking up on Saturday morning to read these posts. I too learned a lot about Youngstown which I am so proud to call home. I will cherish the stories about my grandfather, Dr. James Bruce Birch and my father Paul Ricciuti.
Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting your father and sister through these articles!
Thanks for the memories and helping put growing up in Youngstown in the history book for us. Your memories reflect mine in so many ways and experiences. Most likely attended school with your wife at Jackson in the 60’s . Enjoy your retirement and well deserved break time. Looking forward to another post down the road. Take care !
Thank you!
Mucho Thanx
Bob, I’ve really appreciated your writing over these years. I often think back to the 1960s in Youngstown, and you’ve enriched a lot of people.
Thank you, Doug.
Thank you for jogging old memories and opening new vistas.
That was true for me as well.
Bob, thanks for your blog. It inspired me to start my own blog for family and interested friends, re youth in Niles, work in academia and life in ministry. As for retirement, the only difference between retirement and work/ministry is with retirement you can say “no” and not feel guilty!
Looking forward to trying that. Thanks, Pat!
Bob thank you so much. You brought back a lot of cherished memories!
Thank you, Linda!
Thank you for all that you have done. I have enjoyed all of them. Happy Retirement!
Thanks, Marci!
I’ve really enjoyed reading all of you articles. Thank you!
Thanks!
Thank You for your dedication to your articles, Bob.
I enjoyed reading them.
And Thank You for talking on the phone about the one.
Thanks for your help on that and several articles, as well as for faithfully following the blog!
Thank you for taking us back to where we grew up. To simpler times where our dreams were born.
Thank you for taking the time to remind us how import God, the flag, and pride in our country and town meant so very much.
At the end of this month when I go back for my 50 th high school reunion, I will take a jig through Mill Creek Park and Poland woods and run back to the town of my youth.
Thank you very much for the journey we have shared.
May your day be filled with friends, family, joy, love, and laughter
Hope the sun smile on you today and every day
Happy Retirement.
Stan, thank you for your kind words and wishes.
Bob
Thank you for your excellent research and engaging writing. Thank you for teaching us about Youngstown’s beginnings, its founders, its development and its many accomplished citizens. Thank you for reminding us of our childhood, our surroundings and what a wonderful place Youngstown was to grow up.
Thanks for following all these years. These were great reminders for me as well.
Born in the 70’s on Bouquet ave, miss those times. Golden Crust bakery, 4 lane Mahoning ave, Conroys, and everything else. You brought back a lot of good memories, thank you.
Bob your love of Youngstown has been a source of inspiration, a fact checking tool, and an overall way to connect to a time era that I unfortunately, was not able to see Youngstown in. Although I may not have been able to live here during that time I am able to see what growing up that way helped to raise….and it really is special.
People from this area have such a strong sense of pride. Their creativity, ingenuity, faith, and overall positive demeanor speak so much to how they were raised and the values that are instilled in them from growing up here.
We have a local t-shirt company that helps to celebrate these things and the stories I have heard over the years are nothing short of incredible. I can’t tell you how many times after I hear them I have said, “only in Youngstown!!!!”
While the Youngstown of today looks different than years past, the spirit of the city stays the same. You always seem to capture that in your writing and I have greatly appreciated reading all of the knowledge you have shared with us.
I thank you again for all of your hard work and research. Enjoy your retirement…but keep in mind that Youngstown, OH was listed as one of the top places in the country to retire. If you ever want to come back and keep spreading Youngstown love the city will always welcome you back with open arms!!!
Michelle, thank you for such kind words and the invitation to return to Youngstown. I don’t see that in our future since where we live now is close to our son. But I may return to writing about Youngstown some time. But it just felt, after 10 years, that it was time for a break. But we do hope to visit–there’s no place like Youngstown for good food.
Thanks Bob for all the great walks down memory lane! No matter how far away so many of us have moved to, Youngstown will forever be home. From Mill Creek Park, West Side, Austintown, Steel Mills, and the FOOD! Most of all, family and friends. Thank you again, and best wishes on your retirement!
Thanks for writing on Youngstown. When I look up something about my old hometown on a whim, I often end up here, and reading a half dozen more posts than I intended to.
I grew up a few houses (and decades) down from you (Chaney class of 2002). I don’t think our paths crossed, but I remember your parents and their meticulous lawn.
Best wishes in your retirement!
Thanks, Dave. Sadly, the lawn is the only thing left now.
Looking forward to your return.