Vinyl siding- who will know ?

          Reading John Howell's article today, I reflected that I do understand *    

    why the seemingly soporific " issue " of vinyl siding on a 163 year old

    " classic "  Warwick Central Baptist  Church - located in the Apponaug

    Historic District - can indeed  arouse " controversy and hours of heated

    debate ".

         I understand that economic necessity is big factor here but the aesthete

    in me is repelled by vinyl siding on a picture perfect, old fashioned, little

    white church. I would have the same reaction if I read that the green grass

    at Fenway Park would be replaced by that horrid artificial turf . Who will

    know ?

        I suppose I can wear a polyester suit to wedding ( high quality ) and

    actually impress the tasteless ( the majority nowadays ?) .  But a crime

    has been committed against the Artist in us . We long for the inspiration

    of the  DEAD PAST .

        In a memorable scene in the movie " The Graduate ", Dustin Hoffman is

    told in one word where to find the promising future : " PLASTICS ".

        It is, of course, advisable for young people on the fast track to

    possess completely " plastic " personalities. A  strong character of

    their own may prove a hindrance to the blessed state of SUCCESS.

        Who will  know ? Who will know how empty and phony our lives

    have become - in so many ways ?

       About 10 years ago I made a nostalgia driven visit to my old

    neighborhood in Washington Park , Providence. Here now we have BLIGHT

    with a vengeance! But the saddest sight for me was the old house where I

    lived for 17 years - 315 California Avenue. I remember the wooden clapboards

    painted a respectable gray, then an attractive aqua blue, then bright

    white color. My nostalgia trip was totally ruined by the dull yellow

    vinyl siding . It depresses me to think that it is there to stay - year

    after year. The same cheap and drab sight will greet me when I am a very

    old man - if I get there, of course.

         I cannot condemn the present residents who had this done. But I

    feel a loss. as the Scot Fitzgerald character in " Winter Dreams ".

         There was something beautiful in the PAST and now it is gone

    FOREVER !