-
Difficult Times Can Create Special Easter Memories -
Lawn and porch decorations such as this are a more welcome sight this year than perhaps ever before. Because of cancellation of celebrations, church services and community egg hunts, families instead may take walks through their neighborhoods and count bunnies or bears in windows or on porch chairs, while remaining a safe distance from others. Connie Burcham Watonga Republican
This is going to be a different Easter. The traditional celebrations – family gatherings, church services and community egg hunts are now cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That leaves parents holding the Easter basket when it comes to making the day special for their children. In some communi
In some communities, neighborhoods or organizations are putting on socially distanced events, like a ‘bear hunt.’ In Watonga, the idea was first developed by the Watonga Community Action Group, an arm of the police department.
Residents place a stuffed bear in or around their homes or windows, anyplace they can be spotted from the sidewalks. Children and families can stroll through their neighborhoods, snapping photos or writing down locations of the bears on the route. They can play the game of ‘I spy’ or assign points for spotting the bears first.
“The bear idea came from other communities,” said Watonga Police Chief Shawn Kays. “Some citizens suggested we promote it and the CAG has to be social community-driven servers. We loved the idea and jumped right on it,” he said.
In other places the bear has been replaced with bunnies or a colored paper egg displayed on mailboxes or windows. The idea is the same, basically, but the format is a little different. In Hinton, there isn’t an organized effort to put the paper eggs out, but librarian Taylor Meriwether said they are springing up independently around town.
At Geary, residents can fill out an online form called Egg My House, and as a free service, plastic eggs will be scattered on the lawn. For those without internet, call city hall for assistance.
There have been calls on social media for members of organized religions to step onto their lawns Sunday morning and sing a hymn of praise just as they would in church, while others are attending virtual services.
Parents are resorting to purchasing candy and toys online and having them shipped or picking them up curbside rather than making the selections in person. And because so many families are dealing with the uncertainty of job loss, layoffs or furloughs, this may be remembered as the Easter of the homemade gift.
Internet sites such as Pinterest are filled with ideas at low or no-cost, or that do double duty. For instance, there are instructions for making baskets from empty milk jugs or using new rain boots instead of baskets to hold gifts and goodies for children.
In spite of the limitations placed on celebrating with large groups, parents and families can make the holiday memorable by putting time and thought into the day. Those memories will last longer than the clothes children outgrown and candy that is eaten and forgotten.