Community

Being Neighborly | Finding community in Purdy

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Joyce Shipley wasn’t used to genuine neighborliness when she moved to Purdy 11 years ago. Even after more than a decade, she never got to know her neighbors where she previously lived in Southern California.

But she quickly established neighborly relationships once she bought her home in Purdy.

First, she met Eric Walker. He provided lawn maintenance for the real estate firm managing the property she bought. He and his wife Kasey also happened to live in the neighborhood, so it made sense to ask him to continue mowing the lawn.

Eric and Kasey Walker

But he does much more than that. He also helps with trimming trees and basic home repair.

“Recently I had a cabinet that fell apart, and he came in and glued it to get it back up,” Shipley said. “Anything that I need, he will do for me.”

That neighborly friendship means a lot to Shipley. Over time she began to meet more people in her neighborhood.

A call away

Shipley walks with a cane and sometimes has to depend on the kindness of others to help her with certain things. That’s where another neighbor, Lucio Valles, comes in.

He and his wife Natalie live next door with their two children and have also been friendly and helpful. If Shipley takes a tumble and needs help getting up, she can call on Lucio. 

Lucio and Natalie Valles

“He will come over and help me get up, and he is just very friendly,” she said. “It’s nice to know that you have someone you can count on. I have walked with a cane most of my life, so having people around me who will help me is very important to me. We all help each other.”

Unlike the years she spent in California, Shipley said she knows all of her current neighbors by name, and appreciates how kind they all are.