No April, comes in for me after all these years without a reflection on the fantastic life and character of New Rochelle native and childhood friend, David “Numa” Vinson. My reflections go back to Webster School when it was a magnet school for one’s being-on-the-top-of-your-game in Mrs. Rendler’s Class or else… and getting the no-nonsense but kind Mathematics tutorials from Mrs. Turner.
David was like natural aristocracy and a mayor of kids to me around then because he was strong, cool, down-to-earth and smart. Those days everyone from the Lincoln School area to Mayflower and the Webster Avenue area; older and younger kids met at the Webster School grounds (campus :>) from across New Rochelle and talked and watched or played endless hours of basketball and horse shoes. I don’t remember any fights. We all walked from there to Bergholtz Lake down the hill or to Pat’s Deli on Webster and shared our lives.
David was glue for the three communities because of he had extraordinary people skills serviced by a smile that could make you laugh even if you was critically upset in adolescent terms (lost your girl, lunch money or worse, never had either).
David enjoyed football and sports and making people laugh. My family moved to West New Ro in 6th grade after making his acquaintance but we stayed tight. He was like a big brother and I can honestly say that a few older guys mentored me positively and were big brothers. David’s real and practical interest however was different.
Our relationship remained very close through high school and he was two years older. David went on to Howard University and studied drama with the great Oscar Brown Junior and others. Typical of David, he didn’t forget me and because of my interest in poetry and the arts he invited me to visit him for a weekend in D.C. I did and met Oscar Brown Junior and also got my first glimpse of a real university and classes.
David the next week was in an accident after my visit and never made it home for Spring Break. It was the very beginning of April. My point today and reason for reflections is that kids sometimes have something special already going on that changes lives. In the case of being a “birth-er in New Ro” I am not sure what produced or produces great one like Numa. Not sure whether it was the type of town that attracted “capable” people like E.L. Doctorow, Ossie Davis, Ruby Dee, Dr. Beny J. Primm, Pearl Primus,Mr. & Mrs Clarence Steward, David L. Kendig,Hon. Mayor Frank Garito, Jan Pierce, Norman Rockwell, Cole Porter, the Lyendecker Brothers, Richard Roundtree, Lou Jones, “Chic” Charla, Jennie Davidson and Dr. Arthur Davidson and Dr. I. Konishima, Dr. James R. Gaddy and Aunt Millie Mandrachhia(Aunt Millie’s Deli), Dr. Anthony Papalardo or what but New Rochelle has its own charms, value and heroes.
Not sure if it was because we were one of the bedroom communities of the United Nations or Midtown Manhattan or Wall Street or the mecca for strong culturally diverse teachers including those from southern black HBCU’s but today I remember beyond place and historic proximity again and reflect on a neighborhood big brother, David “Numa” Vinson and I stay encouraged that he would want me to continue to think New Rochelle and prepare always — do my best.