User:Shollingsworth/PJS Rev 01
- Peter J. Stevens in his own words
- (A Wikidelphia-style biography)
History
I came to Philadelphia by way of Pittsburgh (where born) and northern Indiana (high school), and I've lived on the shore of Lake Michigan and later inside Chicago.
I was lucky to get through high school and, even more so, college -- so when my then current girlfriend insisted that I take the entrance test for Mensa, I was to say the least resistant. But she prevailed and, in a moment of weakness, I took the test -- to my surprise I passed! I was invited to become a member of Delaware Valley Mensa (DVM), Intertel, and the Triple Nine Society, which I joined.
The societies
Shortly thereafter I was invited by the DVM Executive Committee to join tha board as the Program Coordinator, a post which I accepted and have held (with a short hiatus while serving as the chapter’s President) since 1997. This duty requires me to provide a speaker at the monthly General Membership Meeting. (Although we do not pay our speakers, it has never ceases to amaze me what quality speakers on every sort of topic, one can get just by asking.)
In 2001 I ran to be the President of the group and won, serving two terms and then returning to the Program Coordinator’s position. I am not sure but I think I am the second longest contiguous member of the board.
During my membership with Intertel, I was the Regional Director for PA, NY, DE, MD, TN and KY, better known as Region III. I coordinated activities for social interaction, combined activities with DVM, and planned and hosted an international convention.
As for the Triple Nine Society, well, there were just too few members and I did not join.
Philadelphian
Now I've been living in the Philadelphia area since February 1988, and moved into Philadelphia proper in 1993 when I accepted a position as Programmer/Analyst III with the city. I have lived within the city limits ever since; eight years in the Italian Market area and nine in the Art Museum area.
During my time with the city, I've worked as a software engineer for the Revenue Department (taxes), and most lately the Philadelphia Police Department. Unfortunately my computer language became obsolete -- I transferred to the Forensic Laboratories as an Administrative Support Specialist (Business Analyst).
I've been married, at separate times, to two women, and raised a son and daughter. Both my childen are still nearby, my son an oncologist living in the King of Prussia area and my daughter working for DuPont Children’s Hospital in Delaware - nmy daughter has blessed me with two grandchildren, Esperanza (10) and Jose (8).
Life
Over the years I have tried my hand at any number of activities. I golf, sail, and play bridge . . . although with my bad knee I can no longer go skiing or ice skating, nor participate in any sport that requires running or quick starts and stops.
I have a summer cabin in the Endless Mountains of Pennsylvania where I spend time away from the “rat race”. There are eight wineries (and maybe more) within an hour’s drive of my little two-tenths of an acre of Heaven - that makes for a very mellow afternoon of wine sampling.
Man of the city
One of things that I like about working for the Police Department is that, in my small way, I am helping to make the City of Philadelphia, and the surrounding countryside, a better place to work, raise a family, shop and just basically live a safe life.
Despite much mismanagement over the years, Philadelphia is still a vital and world-class city. We know it is situated right smack dab between New York City and Washington, District of Columbia, making it an idea location to prosper from the hassle/ bustle and the world interaction buzzing around both cities . . . not to mention Baltimore. Many people choose not to live in New York City but commute from a more civilized and less expensive town, and it is quicker to commute from here to NYC than it is from many of NYC’s suburbs. Go figure!
With the Phillies, Eagles, 76rs, Flyers, the soccer team in Chester, the River Sharks (ain’t that just the greatest name for a sport’s team?) in Camden . . .
With more colleges and universities than any other city in the world . . .
With Philadelphia containing the most historic square mile in the Americas . . . First capital of the USofA and home to Franklin, Washington, Adams, Betsy Ross, and those involved from all over the colonies that made up the first and second Continental Congress . . .
With the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia Art Museum, the Art Institute, Barnes Institute, Academy of Natural Sciences, Kent Museum, AfricanAmerican Museum, the Battleship New Jersey and Olympia, the Aquarium . . . only to begin to name a few . . .
With more styles, variation and the quality the food served in the area’s restaurant . . .
A city made up of neighborhoods, including ethnic backgrounds from all four corners and the seven seas of the world . . .
With the world’s largest urban park system and the only Federal Natural Wildlife Refuge contained within an urban boundary . . .
Philadelphia is truly a world-class city, containing all the elements that people hope to find to make their life exciting and worth living.