And on New Year's Day, there's a neighborhood plunge into the cove followed by an open house. One of the founders Jan Malcolm is one of the founders of the block party tradition, which has gone on for seven years. Malcolm, who lived here with her parents as a small child and returned with her husband eight years ago, says that she and several First Street families got together informally the first year. Her husband, a musician, set up his band on their porch, someone else put up a tent and a barbecue grill. Everyone brought covered dishes.
People help each other.
They take care of animals and plants when people are away. They watch each other's children. When people are sick, someone always rallies up a calendar of meals to be delivered.