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Annie Hall's birthday celebrated at block party
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Even though it was Annie Hall’s birthday and the party Monday was for her, she still couldn’t help serving people.
Hall, 85, was the focus of the 20th Annual East Side Block Watch party because it falls on her birthday. Yet the longtime neighborhood fixture made sure everyone else was taken care of, and barely had time to sit down.
Those who know her said that is the way she is.
“She’s a people person and she deserves everything good,” said Vernisha Tucker, who was one of those in attendance.
“She’s always doing so much for everyone else, it’s time everybody does something for her,” added Lynn Phillips.
Hall, who at times was dancing when she was not being greeted with hugs or shooing kids away from the cooler after their third or fourth can of pop, said she loves the work and wants to see the block watch keep going.
“I feel good,” Hall said. “I’m glad we could do this [party] for 20 years.”
Hall said she started the block watch in 1982. Besides fighting crime, she also gives out food and clothes to needy residents in the area. She said a lot of people don’t see the good in the city’s neighborhoods. But she does, and that helps motivate her.
“They don’t see the good because they are not around here,” Hall said.
But plenty of people who were around Monday said they see the good in Hall.
“She’s a very unique person,” said Nellie McElroy. “She goes out of her way to be nice and kind to everybody.”
Mike Heinzer said he met Hall at a local food bank. He said the party was a perfect way to celebrate Hall’s birthday because of the fellowship it promotes and the opportunity if offers to honor her accomplishments.
“She’s got a lot of history that goes way back,” Heinzer said. “She does a lot of things for the community that are really good.”
The pastor of her church, the Rev. Wayne Fuller, said Hall is “filled with the goodness of the Lord” and she always gives something to everyone she comes in contact with.
Thomas Moore said a testament to Hall’s status in the community is that the party was attended by people of all backgrounds and races. He said that is because of Hall, who is very humble and always helpful.
“She’s sweet like ‘Mom’s apple pie,’” Moore said.