A walk down Main Street

Plink, Plop, Plop, Plunk, Plunk is the sound rain makes as it begins to fall on a valley of warm concrete on a humid summer’s day. One by one, and then, in a rapid volley, the missiles of water overwhelm the stone and release a steam with the faint smell of charcoal. Eventually the tile is overwhelmed as a rapid begins to develop that washes away the bad.

Robert F. Kennedy wrote of change as a “ripple of hope” and since I was a boy I have always been fascinated by those days when the rains come, not the destructive rains that hit Horton Avenue but those that bring renewal.

I see that kind of current happening in downtown Riverhead.

This is a week where downtown one could witness the magic of a sandblaster quickly erasing the spray can strokes of a destructive graffiti artist. Watching the process it seemed like a grand dame using her compact to touch up her makeup and once again stand proud as one of the majestic buildings on Main Street.

This week we got the answer to the age old question about how many people it takes to screw in a light bulb. Apparently the answer is two…as Riverhead’s engineering department began the process of replacing all of the lighting downtown so that citizens can walk in safety and enjoy their Main Street at any hour of the day.

This week the man on the tractor was given a reprieve and will get to live a longer life as the decision was made to touch up the glorious mural on the barn at East End Arts. Since I came to town, I have always enjoyed that piece of art with its sunburst and feel for our agricultural heritage and I for one am glad it’s going to be there longer for all to enjoy.

This week I could hear the banging of nails at the Suffolk Theater, I could see bricks going up like Legos at the Hyatt, I watched shiny new equipment enter the old Chase building where a special new restaurant is developing, I could see an actual line to get into the Red Collection on Main Street, I saw them painting at what will soon be Cody’s Restaurant downtown, I watched them plant pansies around town and I saw them measure the Community Garden to be.

This week it was decided that there will be cameras downtown to catch the nasties in the act and there will be a wealth of events downtown to bring the good people to the waterfront. This week we heard of cars shows and concerts, parades and festivals. All of which will bring life to downtown and the laughter of families.

These things and this flurry of activity does not just happen. It takes the determination of Ray Pickersgill at the BID. It takes the well placed phone calls of Vinny Villela. It takes Ken Testa and his crew. It takes constancy of Ed Tuccio. It takes the drive of Amy Davidson. It takes our elected officials caring enough to get the job done. It takes you and me to get involved and make it all work.

All around us are the signs of change downtown and you can see a better Riverhead. We get arrogant with each other at times, we draw lines; we fight more than we should. But as the tangible signs of change occur before our very eyes like a spring flower blooming we need to remember we are a community, we are a family. That will sound hokey to some, but I like it.