Tube City Almanac

May 26, 2010

Quit Bashing McKeesport --- Especially You McKeesporters

Category: Commentary/Editorial || By

On Sunday, I attended the final performance of "Urinetown: The Musical" at the McKeesport Little Theater. I was skeptical that MLT would be able to mount a musical on its tiny stage, and also about the receptiveness of a relatively conservative, older audience to the musical itself.

I shouldn't have worried about either issue. The MLT did its usual amazing job in adapting "Urinetown" to the venue (it helps that the musical requires only very basic sets) and there was a good, enthusiastic crowd on hand that laughed and applauded heartily throughout the show.

About halfway through the first act, my companion --- who's not from McKeesport --- grabbed my arm and whispered, "I had no idea this would be so good."

. . .

Exactly. They do a damned good job at the McKeesport Little Theater at putting on professional-quality productions with a mix of professional and amateur artists, working on a very limited budget.

The McKeesport Symphony Orchestra does a damned good job, too. I missed the final concert of the 2009-10 season because I was out of town, but regular readers of Tube City Almanac know that I'm an enthusiastic supporter, and that Tube City Community Media Inc. has been taping its concerts for broadcast on Pittsburgh's WRCT-FM (88.3).

Listeners have reacted very positively, many with the same response: "I had no idea McKeesport had a symphony orchestra, or that it was so good."

. . .

Well, how would anyone know that there were good things in McKeesport? After all, McKeesport only gets bashed. And a lot of the bashing comes from McKeesporters.

Additional bashing comes from people who should have a vested interest in boosting McKeesport, such as those of us from the adjoining communities.

For all of the people who bemoan the sorry look of Downtown's shopping district, how many of them actually shopped there?

I don't mean in the 1960s. I mean 10 or 15 years ago, when stores like Kadar's and Photographics Supply and Rubenstein's were still located on Fifth Avenue.

No, instead, we sat around and bitched and complained, and told our friends how bad Downtown was. It was a wonderfully self-fulfilling prophesy. Now it is that bad.

. . .

For that matter, how many McKeesport-area residents have attended a concert or event in the city in the last 10 years?

(I had someone from White Oak recently tell me she was "afraid" to go to Renziehausen Park. Oh, for cripes' sake. Like there are marauding gangs of horseshoe players and joggers, having rumbles at the tennis courts.)

It amazes me how much the McKeesport area has to offer, and how little residents of the McKeesport area appreciate that.

Last year, when we interviewed Ray Dougherty, manager of the McKees Point Marina, he noted that many of the slips were rented by people who drive 10 or 15 or 20 miles to get to McKeesport.

Most of the people who are attending events each week at the Palisades aren't from McKeesport, either. Ditto for people who access the Great Allegheny Passage in McKeesport, or who drive in from Pittsburgh to eat at Tillie's.

. . .

It's funny that people who weren't born and raised in the McKeesport area --- like my companion at the MLT on Sunday --- don't have all of our hangups.

Perhaps one explanation comes from the Bible. Mark's gospel notes that when Jesus returned to Nazareth to preach, He was heckled by His friends and neighbors. Christ replies: "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house."

Maybe it's perfectly normal --- even Biblical! --- that it takes outsiders to show us how much we truly have.

. . .

But there's nothing honorable about bashing your hometown. So knock it off. Either get involved, try to change things, or shut up.

We have enough wounds to heal without inflicting new ones on ourselves.

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Feedback on “Quit Bashing McKeesport --- Especially You McKeesporters”

Makes me sick when people bash McKeesport. Just look at all the rude comments on that YouTube video, where the so-called “lazy comic” posted a video of 5th Avenue shot in 2008 with snide remarks made about the city. Doesn’t help one bit.

(link deleted)
John M. - May 27, 2010



John, I’ve seen that video, and I refuse to link to it. Sorry. :-)

That guy’s a major league tool, and I’m not sending him ANY traffic.

Besides, I prefer to link to THESE videos:
http://www.dailymotion.com/tubecityonline
Webmaster - May 27, 2010



Well said Jason. I’ll be returning to my hometown on Monday for the Memorial Day Ceremony and parade. The first time back for that particular event since I participated with the NJROTC back in 1979. I’ve been back many times since then of course, but I’m lookin’ forward to making the rounds of Memorial Day events in the McKeesport area. Keep up the good work and don’t let up on the naysayers.
Bulldog - May 28, 2010



RIGHT ON! I often attend the McK. Symphony and the MCK. Little Theatre events and continue to be pleased at the quality of the performances! Renzie Park is a gem — the “haters” will always hate and be critical — it is rare when that ilk steps to the plate to make an effort to IMPROVE things. I am always proud to see the abundance of American flags on Memorial Day, etc., at the park — ride around the “good neighborhoods” and tell me if they have done a better job displaying the Red, White and Blue. Keep up the good work Jason!
Donn Nemchick - May 28, 2010



Jason thanks so much for posting this on Mckeesport Memories! It’s really got them (read :ME) fired up!
Andi Cartwright - May 28, 2010



Oh, and I COMPLETELY agree with your comments about that ahole hack “comedian” (his words, not mine) “The Lazy Comic”.
Andi Cartwright - May 28, 2010



What a great message! I recently moved from McKeesport (the grand old Library Manor area)to White Oak and felt like I was deserting my beloved home town. To be able to live in Library Manor was considered a privilege when I was young and I loved living there. I don’t know how many times I heard the statement over the past 35 years “that used to be such a nice neighborhood”. What an insult! It still is and the city still has many fine attributes. We should count our blessings instead of “cursing the darkness”. I become really angry when I hear all the whining. By the way, I did not flee McKeesport. I merely had to simplify my life by moving from a wonderful 16 room home to a 3 bedroom ranch for practical reasons. Quit bemoaning that which is lost and enjoy all of the great things that are still here. And yes, Renzie park is safe. Everyone should try to attend the free summer concerts. They are great.
Margaret Luketic - May 28, 2010



Quit capping on my home town!

Those of us who think fondly of Mckeesport in its heyday must remember that it is not dead, just different. When George Washington came to visit Queen Alliquippa (she happened to be out of town at that moment), it was different than the town we knew. When the first train stopped traffic in 1857, it was different. When my old man wooed my mom at the Olympia Park pool, it was different. When Greeky Jakomas lined his pockets with urban renewal money and bulldozed the cultural heart of that vibrant city to make way for the Nazi architectural nightmare that persists in ruin now, well that really screwed the pooch, but hey, it’s just different. There are people living there now, our old friends and relatives, LIVING there, as we did, trying to have a good time, waiting for the next George Washington or National Tube to come along and breathe a different kind of life into the place. As Mr. McKee must have said when he saw the place for the first time, “Oh, $hit, how did I get HERE?”
To the people of the PRESENT McKeesport: Das Vidania! Taagers ‘R TUFF! (This message brought to you by Stoli)
David Barey - May 30, 2010



You know it’s hard not to Bash McKeesport especially when you still live in the heart of the City and see what has happened in just our lifetime, how many buildings and familiar people and places are completely gone, good memories of days passed never to return

Just fields of weeds and garbage and the occasional old foundation jutting up out of the ground like the city of the dead.

Places were we once joked and laughed with glee are now areas one is afraid to walk in, the days of sneaking off to Menzie Dairy to beg free orange drink from the workers are gone, now one must dodge loose Pit Bulls and rude comments if one is to venture into the realm now.

The days where EVERYONE had their porch lights on to pass out candy on Halloween to the kids are just a fond memory, now replacing that Rockwell scene are large gangs of teens and young adults being escorted by police from an unruly party.

The sound of gunfire has replaced the joyous sounds of packs of firecrackers.

Hell the newspaperwoman cater corner from City Hall isn’t even safe anymore, being robbed of the meager shekels she collects.

Try walking down Fifth Ave. anytime during the day and all you’ll get is “Do you have any change” or “You got a spare cigarette”.

I just love the Holidays when the former McKeesporters return Home and drive around with their car windows tightly rolled up viewing those of us left like we’re some sort of Zoo exhibit or drive through safari fingers pointing and heads shaking in complete disbelief and awe, never stopping to chat.

Trying to have a cookout in your yard and having the friends you invited saying that their sorry but they won’t come back because of some of the comments made by people passing by, or better yet having the sounds of gun fire within the close proximity with a parade of police cars with lights and sirens on AFTER you talked them into coming by assuring them that the city is safe.

I Sir, am a “True McKeesporter”, born, bred, schooled and still representing generations of my family by living within the old city limits.

You must understand that I do love the city and still continue to live here and have been involved in many things to try to improve my environment, but it all seems to no avail.

It makes one shed a bitter tear…

I know I’ll be labeled a Hater by some, but the ones calling others Haters I haven’t seen out trying to change the community lately, and I can honestly say that I have.
Cox's Jimmy - June 01, 2010



In defense of that woman from White Oak, perhaps she’s just frightened of Renzie during International Village on a day that I am there. I have been known to run people over in my quest to sample every different eastern European booth’s haluski.
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