Emily Paine Carter

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Another crop of neighborhood kids grew up while we "Broad Street Broads and Bums" weren't paying attention.

And after their excellent good deed, their old "Broad St. Brats" label no longer applies to Sarah Bentley, Ryan Rotanz and Cord Johnson -- and Matt Constantin, an honorary neighbor from Academy Street.

You could say that these four teens stepped up to the plate -- or plates: They staged a perfect block party in what everyone calls "that little park on Academy Street."

Ryan's mom, Wendy Rotanz, e-mailed a copy of the young hosts' detailed plans. The logistics were Pentagon-worthy.

Each week from May 8 to June 9, the P-Day (P for Party) planners listed tasks, ranging from printing fliers to the big day's setup, 5 p.m. start and "6:00 announcements and prayer, then eat." They listed supplies and costs. And other things to bring -- including, bless their conscientious souls, posters showing where to toss recyclables.

Parents of the rising Salem High School seniors had not known how very well their offspring would cover all bases, reported neighbors Sandy and Barbara Garden. "Some had wondered if the kids would remember plates and silverware," Sandy said, laughing. "Heck, the kids even thought to bring water balloons!"

"Well," chuckled Wendy, "they had a trunk full of 'em, but they were half gone by party time." Seems the hosts had planned a game with teams, but couldn't resist lobbing them at one another during set-up.

So the tables were nicely potluck-laden with neighbors' offerings: potato salad, meatballs, trusty Mac-n-Bob's subs. ... We coaxed Nancy Helm to share her bok choy salad recipe, then she further tantalized us with talk of Jezebel sauce.

And we caught up on neighborhood news, such as Whitney Leeson's progress report on her lone painter versus the family's three-story Victorian home, a summer-long project.

About a hundred folks munched and milled about, and smiled to watch children of all ages tossing balloons and balls, and scurrying over the swings and jungle gym -- and mostly just scampering here and there in happy packs, in that worldwide kids' way. Gleeful Jack Routt, 4, never tired of running after his ideal, Cord.

We reminisced about our block parties of bygone days, and of neighbors who have "gone by": Jerry Light, Buddy Reynolds and his bodacious barbecue.

Many of us had indeed been "interested in attending, but few in planning" this event -- as Sarah had e-mailed me. She had long chatted with neighbors; finally she and Ryan decided that "if no one else wanted to plan a block party, we should do it ourselves. ... We were thrilled to be able to bring the community together in a time when some don't even know their neighbors."

They had treated us to a sweet, old-fashioned scene, one of my "Norman Rockwell moments." Then, with balloons still wafting and lightning bugs blinking, and calls to young George Barker and Alex Bentley of "George! Alex! It's time to go!" -- well, it was time to go.

Thanks to a fine foursome, you chips off our dear old block. Thanks for preserving a tradition, for showing you share our values.

And special thanks for cleaning up.