Curiosity, gregariousness and an excuse to party were the catalysts of Around the World (ATW). See here for a short history along with more info:
It all started in 2001....
Brandon & Kelly Benner and Jason Birl & Stefanie Heron-Birl were next-door neighbors on the 200 block of South Darlington Street. They would sit in their backyards, drink beer and shoot the s**t about this, that and th
e other thing. The neighborhood had grown to be pretty fun with many cool people in close proximity. One evening Brandon and Stefanie started wondering what the inside of other neighbors' houses looked like. An excuse to have a party was brewing... First a block party was proposed, but due to Boro Hall logistics it was scrapped. Besides, that wouldn't settle the urge to see the interiors of neighborhood houses- many the same but each very different after being altered by time and tastes. Later, back in the backyards, brainstorming began- "...why not have a neighborhood BBQ... we'll just close off the alley, forget the street... but go house to house... and each house serves something... no, maybe it's a progressive type thing... no wait- someone I know did this somewhere else- how about each house picks a country and each house serves a food and (alcoholic) drink from that country..." The first year was pretty big: 12 houses, 45 minutes each, one dish, one beer, one drink at each. It was on a Saturday in October and afterwards I laid in bed all day Sunday, called out of work on Monday and was not right 'til Wednesday. It was a huge hit and was decided by all involved to be an annual thing. Stefanie Heron-Birl took the reins and made the next one happen. Year two was equally huge; actually I think there were more houses, maybe 15 that year. It was soon decided to be one of the first few Saturdays in October; after summer settles down but before the holidays and it gets too cold. And so it went year after year until today. Since then there have been small and quiet years, and then also big rambunctious years. Focused at first in the SW quadrant of the Boro around Darlington between Union and Barnard Sts., it has slowly grown to cover houses all over town. The modest goal is to have hosts rotate each year from quadrant to quadrant, so it can remain walkable. Below are the basic ideas/rules/guidelines that have developed for ATW:
(Please note: These rules have evolved over time and focus on the original ideas of meeting neighbors, seeing houses and having a good time. If you are a longtime participant, your input helped set these rules, if you are a newcomer, please respect them. They will no doubt continue to change.)
1) Borough residents only. Or...if you moved out (why one would do that is beyond me) you have to have been a participant in the past. It's about meeting new neighbors and reconnecting with old neighbors.
2) House members and their significant others only. Don't invite your friends, unless they live in the Boro - it’s not a travelling house party. See #1 above.
3) The object is to make every house, not just go to one and that's it. As every reality TV contestant says, its about "the amaaaazing journey"
4) 6 to 8 houses are visited, 45 minutes or so each, then onto the next house. Last house becomes the stuff of legend. Do you know the great hall in Beowulf? Where Beowulf ripped off The Grendel's arm? If you want to host, contact Stefanie ([email protected])
5) Hosts pick a country and serve a dish, a beer, and a drink from that country. Don’t worry about the country, most have been repeated many times (uh hem, Carol Quigley and, uh, Ireland). Hosts, be prepared to serve about 30 folks.
6) Non- hosting participants pay a nominal fee to support the preparations and efforts of the hosts. Hosts host and therefore do not pay. They did enough cleaning, cooking and schlepping alcohol to help make it happen that year.
7) You pay the same rate if you go to one house or all of them. Don't ask for the "discount". There isn't one.
8) At the last house the money collected is equally divided between hosts. It is first checked, verified and indubitably certified by Duane Davis CPA.
9) Adults only- each house can get like a juke joint, so no kids please. Hosts, if you have kids, we suggest they vacate the premises. At the same time, there has never been any reports of damage or anything of the sort to a house.
10) Don't bring pets. Now if its yours in your house and you host, then I guess it can stay.
