By April of 1931, ninety-two lots in Meadowbrook had been filled. As families moved in and began to meet one another, a sense of community quickly developed. Families helped and watched out for each other. People became involved with community concerns and interests they had in common. This lead to the formation of what was then called the “Meadowbrook Association”.
The Meadowbrook Association began that year with a letter sent to each Meadowbrook property owner. The letter informed the homeowners that an association was to be formed capable of acting as a unit in connection with any matters of common interest or whenever a matter of importance arose which might affect the welfare of Meadowbrook residents. When this happened, a meeting of the association would be called for general discussion, with opportunities for each property owner to become familiar with the situation at hand and have his or her personal opinions heard. After the discussion, a vote would be taken and action obtained through representatives. This was the fundamental plan of the Meadowbrook Association’s early organizers. They felt that in order to have an efficient and truly representative association, it must have the active support of all property owners in Meadowbrook. Enclosed with this letter was a list of all the current homeowners, including their lot numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. Homeowners were then asked to pick five people they would prefer to represent the association; officers would then be elected by popular vote.
The first meeting of the Meadowbrook Association was called to order at 2 PM on Sunday afternoon, November 15, 1931. This gathering was a unique concept for the early 1930’s and was one of the earliest organizations of its kind in the United States. First meeting agenda centered on choosing the method of selecting the governing committee, and another concern. Was Meadowbrook’s rural locality safe enough for its earliest inhabitants? The founding committee discussed securing adequate police protection for the Tract. There was apparently enough concern to consider hiring a patrolman for the neighborhood. Since private police protection would cost each household three dollars a month, the neighbors voted it down. Eventually, security became less of an issue when a letter was sent from the Rochester Sheriff’s Department explaining that there would be a police car on duty at night, which would be available to Brighton.
Less than a month later, this group had developed an organized association that was complete with seven specific committees, each with its own chairman. The President’s Committee included a representative from every 6 to 8 families to act as a link between the residents and the concerns of the Association. The Membership Committee was to introduce new residents to the community. The Floral Committee was responsible for sending appropriate floral pieces to neighbors in the event of personal bereavement. The Tract Committee’s main concern, at the time, was the removal of a swamp located across Winton Road and considered a nuisance because of mosquitoes. Other concerns of this committee were the dumping of refuse within Tract limits and the improvement of transportation facilities like traffic signs and streetlights. The Social Committee would develop a program of community social affairs. The Taxation and Town Affairs Committee was to watch town business as it affected Meadowbrook. Lastly, a By-Law Committee was to formulate the rules for the association. Then it was decided that a voluntary contribution of fifty cents per family would help facilitate the work of the Association.
By the end of the first year in operation, the Association’s By-Laws were adopted. It was decided that two directors from each street in the neighborhood were to be elected to serve a two-year term. The directors were responsible for electing a President, Vice-President, Secretary and a Treasurer. A monthly meeting of the officers and directors was established with an open invitation to all association members (tax-paying neighbors).
A caroling party for the children was planned that first year at Christmastime, and the Kodak Employee’s Realty Corporation allowed a skating rink to be made on the west side of Antlers Drive. Complaints were registered about low-flying planes over the Tract and the idea of a general garbage collection for the entire Tract, at reduced rates, was proposed. The last two issues may sound familiar to even today’s directors!
Soon after the initial organization was in place, the Association became very busy with numerous social events. During the summer of 1932, softball games were played on Wednesday evenings at a diamond located between Hollywood and Winton Avenues. The following summer the diamond was moved to a lot between Buckland and Antlers Drive. The first Annual Spring Dance was held at a firehouse on St. Patrick’s Day in March of 1933. There were neighborhood card parties, golf tournaments and other events that were so popular that they became annual traditions.
By far the most popular event was the annual Meadowbrook Picnic. The first picnic was held in the summer of 1931 and was the first project of the newly formed Meadowbrook Association. The three-day occasion was held in an empty lot between the Tract office and Winton Road, for the first two years. By 1933 the picnic grew so large that it was moved to the area between Buckland and Antlers Drive at Newton. The festivities began the night before at the tent-raising party. This was an adult only event, which included a tapped barrel. The picnic began on Saturday morning with a parade for the children. Then there were baseball games and races and pony rides with an abundance of food and prizes for everyone. The picnic ended with a very popular raffle in the evening. Prizes were donated by area businesses and neighbors and it was a highlight of the event. Sunday morning the neighbors gathered once again for the tent folding and clean up. Eventually, as vacant lots were filled, the picnic was moved to what was then the end of Avalon Drive, before the road was extended through to Westfall Road in the 1960’s. At that point, the picnic was moved to a spot behind the Brighton Town Hall and reduced to a one-day parade and picnic. The picnic was held on the Town Hall grounds until 1999 when the event was again changed to a Children’s Parade and Ice Cream Social.
From the 60’s through the early 80’s more time and effort was focused on the Parade than at any other time. Sections of streets and groups of families joined together to construct elaborate floats that reflected the theme chosen that year. There was a judge’s stand and ribbons were awarded to the most creative displays. One newspaper or another was on the scene to report the event. The Children’s Parade remains very popular today with the younger crowd and their parents. The children enjoy dressing up and marching along with the fire and police vehicles and the French Road School band leading the way. Following the parade, trinkets and ice cream are distributed as the kids enjoy entertainment provided by a popular children’s band or entertainer.
Nowadays, the annual picnic has become our September Block Party event. A section of one of our neighborhood streets is blocked from traffic and a large area is set up with decorated tables. A buffet is assembled for the endless variety of tasty dishes brought by the neighbors. A Disc Jockey and Karaoke provide music and entertainment for all ages. A resurgence of participation has prompted the addition of other elements for the enjoyment and excitement of neighborhood residents.
The Annual Neighborhood Garage Sale is another popular event organized by the Association. The event is held early in May and is very well attended by eager shoppers. Ideas for other events are also being considered for the future to inspire neighborhood socializing and participation.
The year 2021 will mark the Meadowbrook Neighborhood Association’s 90th anniversary, which makes it one of the oldest continuously functioning Neighborhood Associations in Western New York. The purpose and goals of the Association have not changed much since its founding, except for nearly forty years the board of directors consisted only of men(!). Their wives usually participated by offering refreshments at the monthly meetings. Eventually, women became more involved, starting as co-directors with their husbands. By the 1970’s, women directors were beginning to find their place on the board. Today the board of directors includes both men and women, and our officers are as likely to be women as men. The directors still enjoy the monthly meetings held at each other’s homes to address neighborly concerns and to plan annual functions. Without the enthusiastic involvement of the officers and directors, the Association could not exist. Good-hearted and friendly neighbors who unite in the appreciation of our beautiful neighborhood inspire the participation needed to enable our Association to continue for another 80 years!