BINGO!! We have a winner. That was the key element here. Everyone knew each other; people didn't move much at all. We grew up around neighbors of families, and we'd see the kids grow from infants, straight through to college or go in the service. After the kids moved on, the parents still lived there.
And, everyone knew the elderly widow down the street, and she was a big part of our group. My brothers used to shovel the snow for her. She offered them money, but they never took it. In the winter, she liked making hot chocolate for all the kids. She'd see us outside her window, sledding on the street, and call us over to her house. It wasn't the instant hot chocolate either; it was the real deal!!!
Must be the red hair. 
)
