Early morning walks have been part of my routine since 2012. I start out somewhere between 4:15 and 5:15 a.m., so that I’m back by 6:30 at the latest. (So that I can make sure that the rest of the household is up and ready to go.) Early morning walks are best from late May to early August because while it is still slightly dark when I head out my door, the morning light unfolds around me as I walk around town. As the sunlight creeps up, I see new things every day (even though I’ve lived in this town for nearly all of life).
Many people like to walk in the park, or at the track behind H.B. Whitehorne, but I like to vary my walk somewhat. While I see much of the same things every day, I also notice new things. I wrote about some of those observations a while back but still manage to find something new on a daily basis. For example:
There are plenty of businesses that open early in Verona. I’m guessing that Hardbodyz Fitness, 7-11, Henry’s, Krauzers (Grove Avenue) and Bagelwich all open at 5. However, I’ve seen Hardbodyz staff open up before then. Henry’s seems to sometime between 5 and 5:30. (There are two very nice men who are NOT employees but make it their business to show up and help bring in the papers and other deliveries before, I’m assuming, having their morning coffee there. A great example of the community we live in.) There is always a very dedicated employee at Bagelwich serving up coffee and bagels when I go by (no matter what time in the morning I go). Dynamic Fitness isn’t open every morning, but when it IS open, there is always someone in there hard at work.
Speaking of hard at work, businesses in Verona are being kept clean by some hard working overnight/early morning staff. I have no idea how early the gentleman who maintains First Care on Pompton Avenue arrives, but on the days he is there, it’s definitely before 5. I’ve seen ladies mopping and vacuuming at Avenue Bistro and Berkshire Hathaway (which I will always know as Janett Realty).
Verona is also being kept beautiful by two men from the Department of Public Works who daily water the plants that line Bloomfield Avenue. They are also quite friendly, so if you happen to be out early and see them, be sure to wave hello.
As a community, we do our bit to recycle. I see our blue bins out just about every morning. But we do get confused as to what goes out sometimes. (I’ve seen paper out on commingled days and vice versa!) I believe that you can find out what day each goes out on own town website; unfortunately they are still having some technical difficulties as I write this. There’s also a nifty app out there called Remyndr. Ending any confusion can be just a click away!
We are a proud community. As the school year ended (aren’t we all glad it’s over), I saw lots of graduation lawn signs. A first (as least as far as I can recall) were signs from F.N. Brown as well. I’m mostly on the North side of town when I walk, but I haven’t seen any Laning graduation signs. Were there Brookdale or Forest ones?
With the warm weather here (and it not being too hot in the early morning), I encourage everyone to get out, walk and make your own observations. Verona is a beautiful town; take some time to see it!
Beth Shorten is a life-long resident of Verona. For more than three years, she has been chronicling life here on her personal site, Bfth’s Boring Blog.
