The Neighborhood

 Hey Neighbor! Welcome back to THE NEIGHBORHOOD!   This week’s story is about a childhood dream that started in my third grade classroom and took me across the country to the middle of the desert.   I open my social studies book and Mrs. Block starts a lesson on United States geography.  I am riveted.  I grow up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and up until that point, I have traveled to New York City and the Jersey shore.  Mrs. Block, my beloved third grade teacher, opens my eyes to different places all over the country.  One in particular really stands out.   I can still see the picture.  It’s set in the margins of the textbook.  A boy, in 1970’s bell bottom jeans, laying in the Four Corners so that each limb was in a different state.  The Four Corners is the landmark where four states, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah, meet in a perfect square.  I want to go there and do the exact same thing!!  This boy is in four ...

  Hey Neighbor! Welcome back to THE NEIGHBORHOOD!  This week I want to tell you a story about the incident that inspired my love of storytelling and my love of community and connection over food.  Imagine yourself in a popular lunch spot on the Upper West Side and get ready to meet my dear friend, Paula.   I make the thrilling and exciting move to New York City and I am paralyzed with fear!   How can I possibly make a home here? I leave my “straight out of a Norman Rockwell” painting hometown, Havertown, PA, where everybody in my neighborhood knows my name and feels like family, to New York City, where I am surrounded by strangers.   I start searching for connection and for my places that feel like my special spots.             I discover the Upper West Side and fall in love with how charming it is.  I find a church and my dance studio and I love how the park is nearby.  It feel...

  Hey Neighbor! I am so glad that you are here in The Neighborhood !  Today’s story is a special one.  My grandma and I had a very special relationship. When I was in grade school, I had terrible anxiety. Part of my morning routine was that I would call my grandma at 7:15 AM every morning.  She would ask me about what my schedule was for the day. It consisted of going to school and then to ballet afterwards. I was so nervous about getting from point A to point B.  Grandma would listen and offer some words of encouragement. She would then tell me about her day and made it seem so simple. Finally, as we would finish our call, Grandma would say “Have a good day, Jackie. I’ve got you in my pocket.”  I’ve got you in my pocket. They are six little words that instantly made me feel safe and supported.  Thanks for reading this week.  From this point forward, you’ll receive The Neighborhood weekly on Mondays with a new letter, and a new story.   ...

  Hey Neighbor!   Welcome back to The Neighborhood !  I told you yesterday about how I was inspired by the musical Contact and decided to move to New York City.  Well, I got here and knew that I loved it but it wasn’t easy. I felt so disconnected from everyone and I went right back to feeling out of place. Slowly but surely, I found a church community, dance classes that I loved and I started working at a popular bakery. I fell in love with the sense of community in the food industry.  Now, 13 years after moving here, I show tourists and locals around my adopted home as a food tour guide. I feed people and tell them the stories of the people behind the food. It’s a dream job and allows me the opportunity to tell stories for a living.  I am so excited to bring some of these stories to you in the future. We are going to fill The Neighborhood with so many dreamers.  See you tomorrow for one more story!  Your neighbor, Jackie Ostick

  Hey Neighbor!          Welcome to THE NEIGHBORHOOD.  I’m Jackie Ostick, your neighborhood guide.  (Just so you know - the deli around the corner has the best sandwiches, but the one across the street has really good coffee.)  Let me tell you why I’m here.   I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and immediately stood out from the crowd. At 6’1,” I am always head and shoulders above everyone else. That can be difficult in any setting, but especially musical theatre! I didn’t know if I quite belonged.   In high school, I saw the touring production of Contact and I was immediately captivated by the Girl in the Yellow Dress. She was just as tall as me and commanded the stage.  She wasn’t afraid or ashamed of her height! I suddenly saw someone who looked like me on that stage.  I made the decision to study theatre in college and then made the big move to NYC to pursue my professional acting career....