Photography by Carmen Troesser
Veronica Theodoro
Veronica Theodoro
I decided to build this issue around the concept of neighbors one night after a neighbor of mine—her name is Lee—dropped off a box of mixed lettuces and tomatoes, a bag of locally milled flour, and an assortment of blue cheeses at my front door. Lee and I have been buying from the Fair Shares online grocery service since March. And every week, despite my best efforts to share delivery duties, she grabs my order and brings it to me. On many occasions, Lee will tuck an extra goodie into the bin. This is typically something fragrant and wonderfully green—a bunch of basil, a container of freshly potted cilantro—from her backyard garden, which she nurtures like one of her own children.
Over the past six months, my neighbors—next door, across the street, down the road—have become walking partners (Carolyn, Dianne), dinner guests (Chonda, Yadira), and some of my favorite people to chat with (David, Lee). The days of my bolting out of the front door and away from the neighborhood for the day have waned somewhat, leaving me open to unexpected encounters that have led to new friendships closer to home.
Community building is taking place across St. Louis, as I found out while editing the stories for our main feature, “The Power of Neighbors,”. This isn’t a new reality for many of you, but other neighbors have come together as a response to the challenges brought on by the pandemic and a need to make this difficult time more bearable and less isolating.
But neighborhoods aren’t utopias. People can be fussy and difficult. From time to time, sharing property lines can cause neighbors to unintentionally ruffle one another’s feathers. We talked to St. Louis–based etiquette specialist Sarah Broyles for some insights into maintaining neighborly relations and managing communication when the topics turn tough. In her interview, she reminds us that most of us live in shared communities and it’s up to everyone to create the best possible culture.
Finally, I wouldn’t want to pass up this chance to draw attention to the home we photographed for the cover. I loved Whitney Kenter’s house from the moment I walked into it this past summer. The interiors, with their mix of brass and wood accents, bring to mind the easy elegance of coastal living. It’s just the kind of place you’d want to invite a neighbor to for socially distanced conversation and cocktails.
