Holly Street
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”—Acts 4:13.
Since coming to Arkansas in 1976, we have often believed that many talented, well-known Arkansans grew up in this small Delta town of Helena on the Mississippi River between Memphis and Vicksburg. Holly Street, by Steve Petkoff, is a book packed with stories about Steve’s life as a young boy growing up in Helena, Arkansas, in the 1940s and 1950s. Although Steve reveals his humble beginnings, starting work at age four, he compares past times with today’s modernism, wealth, and self-taught lessons acquired from the school of hard knocks.
His curious mind and common-sense approach to life were grounded in the love his parents, family, and friends passed on to him through how they lived, displaying mercy, care, and respect for others. Not to say that he did not exhibit his share of mischievous deeds and reckless boyhood adventures. He was far from perfect, but learned from the antics and injuries he caused to others.
One reviewer described Holly Street as a journey “back to the days when kids freely roamed the streets of their hometowns, went to the Saturday matinee at the local theater, and camped out in tents with their friends.”
All was not idyllic. While witnessing many adult actions and situations prematurely, Steve quickly picked up life’s ethical values as a youngster. Finding dead bodies in his yard and neighborhood while witnessing incest, drunks, and knife fights sped up his growth.
The author writes that prayer, regular church attendance, and respect for people of all races molded him into the man God intended for him to become.
Like Peter and John 2,000 years ago, God has always abided with commonplace men and women throughout history to carry the message of love and resurrection. From Steve, we learn why and how many well-known and not-so-known Arkansans received this message of love and caring for their neighbors in this unique Mississippi Delta town. Holly Street tells us this is true, because the proceeds from Steve’s book go back to his community of Helena Phillips County!
Joanna joannaseibert.com https://www.joannaseibert.com/