Our neighborhood newsletter, the “Meadowbrook Dandelion”, made its first appearance in May of 1933. It was published monthly for the residents of Meadowbrook, for the purpose of “conveying news of personal interest and community activity”. The position of editor of the “Dandelion” was handed over every couple of years, but the first was Charles L. Rumrill. A fine artist named Driscoll made the charming and clever drawings used on the cover of the newsletter in its early years. According to the forward in the first issue, the Dandelion was named as a joke to “honor” the weed that was a steady nuisance to frustrated homeowners. The desire for a lush, green lawn to enhance their beautiful new homes was hampered by the relentless problem of an over-whelming amount of dandelions. So much so, that a humorous article was written in the June 1934 issue about this matter. It warns newcomers to Meadowbrook, “not to be faint of heart. Many have traveled the weary trail before you. Be of good cheer. Dig, dope and hope.”

The first Dandelion was four pages long, including the cover. Its contents consisted of a list of current officers and directors, announcements of upcoming social events, a treasurer’s report and the section known as the Dandelion Juice. The Dandelion Juice contained little pieces of news about neighbors that others might find interesting. It was basically a social column announcing news such as which neighbors became new members of a golf club, or which had recently screened in their porches. News of who painted their house, or who bought a new car, or perhaps where a neighbor might be vacationing for one holiday or another, filled the column. In the “Juice”, births were announced, illnesses were listed and deaths reported, along with neighbors moving in and neighbors moving out. A committee was appointed in 1935 of ten women whose mission was to contact all residents on their block and collect any items of interest to be delivered to the editor each month. This section became so popular that by the early forties the column had grown from just a few entries to six pages long! It was then renamed, “Our Busy Little World”. Obviously not every neighbor could contribute fascinating news, but they did their best to provide something. Mr. And Mrs. Fitch of Antlers Drive shared news of the family entertaining informally at bridge and ping pong on Saturday evening at their home in an April 1941 issue of the Dandelion. The Grahams of Vernon Place, “recently dressed up their already good-looking house with the addition of awnings.” Another entry announced that a young resident of Avalon Drive was at Girl Scout Camp in Sodus. Entries of this sort were typical of the column, and while seeming only vaguely interesting to today’s reader, they do paint a picture of a time gone by and exude the spirit and social attitudes of intelligent and good-natured individuals that made Meadowbrook a unique neighborhood experience.

Due to the thoughtfulness and foresight of the Association, in 1985 a collection of Meadowbrook Dandelions from 1933 to 1980 were gifted to the Brighton Memorial Library. It was intended to keep them at the library so the collection would remain together and safe. The library’s director considered them a valuable addition to the Local History Department. The importance of the collection is apparent in the volumes of information that provide names and happenings of our earliest residents as a detailed historical record of neighborhood life.

Reading through past copies of the Dandelion, a variety of information is discovered that relates to the times. In May of 1944, the Dandelion was reduced to only one page to conserve on paper for the war effort. Government orders! An article in the same issue stressed the importance of V-mail to the G.I.s, who read their mail even before eating. The July 1944 issue listed all the men from Meadowbrook who were in the Armed Services. The December 1945 issue reported that wartime building slowed in Meadowbrook due to unstable and unavailable materials. Another article describes a tradition in the 1940’s and 50’s of setting candles in every window on Christmas Eve. Visitors would come in from the city and other neighborhoods to drive through Meadowbrook and view the wondrous sight. The article informed neighbors that “new electrical candles were now available in stores at Twelve Corners which would prevent accidents.” In the spring of 1971, it was written in the Dandelion that the Dutch elm disease had taken many of Meadowbrook’s curbside trees. It said that the Tract, unfortunately, resembled photos taken in the 1930’s. Efforts to replace the elms continued through the mid seventies.

The Meadowbrook Dandelion’s format changed often through its 68-year history. The Dandelion of today doesn’t include a social column as it did in its youth. It has, however, developed into an attractive and highly informative newsletter, aimed at providing Meadowbrook neighbors with pertinent information that may affect them directly. It introduces our newest neighbors, those who move into our area and those who are born in Meadowbrook. The Dandelion also serves as an important link between the Association’s directors and neighborhood residents. The Meadowbrook Dandelion is well received several times a year and the neighbors look forward to its arrival.