I grew up in a small town outside of Nashville Tennessee. Since it was the County Seat, the courthouse was, like in many small towns, located on a square in the center of town. On many mornings, you could find the city elders (not the politicians) sitting together on benches outside the courthouse with pocketknives, blocks of pine and the problems of the world to solve. I suppose each shaving cut from the pine carried with it, as it fell, a part of whatever problem that was being discussed, until there was nothing but the pile left at the men’s feet.
Whether it just became impractical, or was finally prevented by some city ordinance, the elders stopped meeting there long ago. Although the meeting place has changed to a local fast-food restaurant, there are still elders meeting nearly every morning discussing the news and issues of the day; and a new batch of young guys (in their 60’s) constantly filling the places of those who are gone. My Dad, now in his eighties, has met with these men each morning for years, and when I visit, I go with him. They are electricians, carpenters, ex-city commissioners, churchmen and others. They call themselves the ROMEO’S (Really Old Men Eating Out). The talkative ones talk, the listeners smile and observe, and I’ve never seen anyone leave unhappy. The pocketknives and pine have been replaced with “senior” coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and I suppose the problems now drop like sausage biscuit wrappers.
We all need some place like this. Even though the current terminology is third place, I prefer not to use it, simply because categorizing it just seems to turn something that is almost ineffable into a clinical curiosity.
I’ve been an avid volleyball player for many years, playing usually four to six hours per week. So when I moved to Tallahassee, I looked for a place to play and found Sue McCollum Community Center, a.k.a. Lafayette Park. I didn’t realize what a part of my life the park and people there would become. While there’s not a lot of thought about solving the thorny issues of the day, there is a great deal of comradery and exchange of ideas while we are waiting our turns to play.
Since the City of Tallahassee is home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University, there are students from all over the United States and many nations passing through, some of whom love volleyball—and the most popular place in town for indoor ball is Lafayette Park. I’ve played with those both older and younger than me, FSU club players, FAMU club players, men and women from around the United States, China, Central America, South America, India, Pakistan, Serbia, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Dubai, Haiti, The Philippines and elsewhere. All of these people have stories to tell; and asking them a little about their lives, language and country has sparked many conversations, and resulted in some fine friendships. An unexpected bonus is that I can now at least say “hello” in no less than ten languages besides my own.
The park/community center, operated by Tallahassee Parks & Recreation is located in the midtown area. Constructed in 1957, it was the City’s first multi-purpose community center. In addition to indoor activities that include fitness classes, open and league basket ball, Taekwondo, Yoga, bridge, table tennis, and film festivals, the park contains walking/exercise trails through a wooded area, baseball field, tennis courts and playground, and a well attended after school program. The center also hosts regular meetings from these groups:
Photo 1: Sue McCollum Community Center
Photo 2: Exercise Trail
Even though the park is located in the middle of the city, it has a suburban feel, with a lot of green space; something very dear to Tallahassee residents. The community center is not extravagant, and doesn't have the amenities of the newer facilities in the city; but what it lacks in technology and modern accoutrements it makes up for in charm. While I’m there, it never occurs to me that I’m in a “Third Place”. The place just seems like home.
Whether it just became impractical, or was finally prevented by some city ordinance, the elders stopped meeting there long ago. Although the meeting place has changed to a local fast-food restaurant, there are still elders meeting nearly every morning discussing the news and issues of the day; and a new batch of young guys (in their 60’s) constantly filling the places of those who are gone. My Dad, now in his eighties, has met with these men each morning for years, and when I visit, I go with him. They are electricians, carpenters, ex-city commissioners, churchmen and others. They call themselves the ROMEO’S (Really Old Men Eating Out). The talkative ones talk, the listeners smile and observe, and I’ve never seen anyone leave unhappy. The pocketknives and pine have been replaced with “senior” coffee and breakfast sandwiches, and I suppose the problems now drop like sausage biscuit wrappers.
We all need some place like this. Even though the current terminology is third place, I prefer not to use it, simply because categorizing it just seems to turn something that is almost ineffable into a clinical curiosity.
I’ve been an avid volleyball player for many years, playing usually four to six hours per week. So when I moved to Tallahassee, I looked for a place to play and found Sue McCollum Community Center, a.k.a. Lafayette Park. I didn’t realize what a part of my life the park and people there would become. While there’s not a lot of thought about solving the thorny issues of the day, there is a great deal of comradery and exchange of ideas while we are waiting our turns to play.
Since the City of Tallahassee is home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University, there are students from all over the United States and many nations passing through, some of whom love volleyball—and the most popular place in town for indoor ball is Lafayette Park. I’ve played with those both older and younger than me, FSU club players, FAMU club players, men and women from around the United States, China, Central America, South America, India, Pakistan, Serbia, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Dubai, Haiti, The Philippines and elsewhere. All of these people have stories to tell; and asking them a little about their lives, language and country has sparked many conversations, and resulted in some fine friendships. An unexpected bonus is that I can now at least say “hello” in no less than ten languages besides my own.
The park/community center, operated by Tallahassee Parks & Recreation is located in the midtown area. Constructed in 1957, it was the City’s first multi-purpose community center. In addition to indoor activities that include fitness classes, open and league basket ball, Taekwondo, Yoga, bridge, table tennis, and film festivals, the park contains walking/exercise trails through a wooded area, baseball field, tennis courts and playground, and a well attended after school program. The center also hosts regular meetings from these groups:
- Lafayette Park Table Tennis Club
- Old Town Neighborhood
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation
- Quilting
- TPD Housing
- C.O.N.A. (Council of Neighborhood Associations)
- Tallahassee Dog Obedience Club
- Crochet
- T.O.P.S.
Photo 1: Sue McCollum Community Center
Photo 2: Exercise Trail
Even though the park is located in the middle of the city, it has a suburban feel, with a lot of green space; something very dear to Tallahassee residents. The community center is not extravagant, and doesn't have the amenities of the newer facilities in the city; but what it lacks in technology and modern accoutrements it makes up for in charm. While I’m there, it never occurs to me that I’m in a “Third Place”. The place just seems like home.
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