St. D’s is the Greek Church I grew up in, St. Demetrius – Chicago. Growing up in
the neighborhood that is how we distinguished where each Greek was from, for
example, “oh he/she is from Holy Trinity (West side of Chicago)….he/she is from St. Harry’s (Northern
Suburb of Chicago)” you get the picture? Now, I heard that we were once called “The
Greek ghetto.” I’m not sure WHO said that or even if it is true, I just thought
that it was odd. Just 2-4 blocks northwest of the church there is an area by
the Chicago River called “The Hidden Gold Mine.”
I mean the homes in my eyes back then, ’80 to ’88 they seemed like mansions, rumor
had it that these homes were built for the doctors who worked at the hospital across
the street from St. D’s and that at one point Danny Badaduci (spelling?) lived in one of those houses. So how can THAT be considered
a “ghetto?” But then I think about the 2 mile-strip of motels just 2 blocks
north-east of our church where there were pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, the
works, trust me I KNOW! Which btw every time I have visited my parents these
last 10 years the majority of those motels have been knocked down and condos,
fire stations and police stations have gone up, very exciting because the kids in
the neighborhood don’t need to be exposed to what I was. The reason for today’s
blog is to say that no matter what we have been called coming out of St. D’s, no matter what experiences I have had with the
association of St. D’s… IT has a very special place in my heart. I think of all
of us growing up in GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth Association), playing soccer for
ten years, playing basketball for another 10 years. St.D’s was a safe haven,
for me at least, I knew I can go there and make sense of my chaotic world back
then as a teen. But even in my pre-teen years in the neighborhood it felt like home,
I was surrounded by Greeks and non-Greeks, and no matter how “bad” some of us were it didn’t matter,
I felt safe. I grew up in the Church and I believe that, because of those bases
I am who I am today. It has been at a very rare occasion that I have felt the
bond that I felt with those guys I grew up with at St.
D’s. I have a special place in my heart for all of them, some are back in my
life via Face Book and LinkedIn (WOOO HOOO) but others I know they are MIA and
I pray for them. I want to be clear, every single person coming out of St. D’s
was a GOOD person,some of us just made some bad choices. Any thoughts out there?
Home » Neighborhood Talk » St. D’s Chicago
St. D’s Chicago
Bravo George! You hit the nail right on the head. Very few of us are still in the ‘hood, and it’s a much different place today. Next time you’re in town, look me up and I’ll give you a tour. Some of us are trying to keep the good St. D programs alive for our kids like the athletics and Greek School (jog-a-thon fundraiser tomorrow-interested in donating?) but it gets harder and harder. But the kid still benefit.
Oh wow Greg, you’re involved in the community that’s great! I will for sure let you know when I’m in town.
George, growing up in the greek “hood” with you, which I was a little older…if I were to make a bet on who would have had a major drug addiction in life…you would have not been in the conversation. Thats why we never know what life has to offer…As I was a few years older, one thing about you, you were a respectful young man and you seemed to have a good head on your shoulders. Unfortunately, you took a wrong turn but luckily, found your way back. I am proud of you that you are looking to give back cause, truly, we all could have been there too, and some from the hood never made it back. There is no doubt the pride we all have for growing up by St. D’s…the friendships we have our for a lifetime…Unfortunately some people had great influences in our lives and some didn’t. That will never take away the pride we all had and have for “our” neighborhood!!!
Indeed Steve!! All you wrote is very true buddy. I was raised to be a respectful person and I respected you as I do today, thank you for joining me in these conversations. Remember this blog is just the beginning of a BIGGER picture. You and I had really really good times and great laughs. There were quite a few people that knew I used but really didn’t know to what level and there were others, like yourself, who had no idea. and then thee were the people I bought from, THEY knew exactly what or better yet how much I was into. Anyway, I appreciate your honesty man and I also agree that the friendships that we all made are there for a life time, for example, if you and I got together RIGHT NOW it would seem like NO time has gone by, other than the ‘80s look…oh wait….never mind ITS BACK!!!! What I’m trying to say is that when 2 friends have a GOOD relationship but then they go their separate ways for 2 decades (like we) have, they can pick up where they left off with no awkwardness. Our friendship is there to last a lifetime, well said.
Very true guys. My Budlong friends (although i had to transfer to Jamieson because we moved) and St. Demetrios friends to be honest hold the most special place in my heart and when I see them, like I used to at the St. D’s carnival, my face lights up. I never know what I would have turned out like if I remained at Budlong, the area was a little bad, but since we all knew each other from childhood, however we all turned out, there’s no judgment because there’s love there, at least for me anyway. May God watch over us all and keep us on the right path until it’s time to go.
Yes!!!! Thanks Helen!!!
You’re very welcome