Bipeds of Brookland: Tony Senerchia

 Bipeds Of Brookland:

Introducing the people who make Brookland their home, one step at a time.

Tony Senerchia

Tony Senerchia was born in Brookland. His maternal grandmother came to the neighborhood in 1933 to attend Catholic University. His father later attended Catholic to study music, and met his mother here. They raised seven kids in a house they bought and fixed up on Otis Street.

“My dad was a music teacher. Everyone always asked me what instrument I played, and always seemed a little disappointed when I said, 'I don’t play anything.' I love music but I didn’t take to playing it at all."

"I could always do things with my hands. I’m passionate about education and manual skills and bringing back respect for tactile intelligence, instead of just book learning."

Tony does finish trim carpentry and built-in cabinet work in homes, mostly in Brookland, and has seen many changes here since he was a kid. “There didn’t used to be so many cars and we used to play hockey on Newton Street. I used to play at Turkey Thicket all the time. I remember when there was an actual old rusted out fire engine we could play on. When the new playground came, I had a daughter and that was really exciting."

"I like to tell people how Joe’s Mini Market used to be High’s Ice Cream.  Now, with the restaurants moving in we can stay in our own neighborhood and I really appreciate that."

"I like seeing people out on the street. I wish all people would sit out on their porches more, though, like when I was younger.”