While I knew that my son was going to miss playgrounds, museums and especially the zoo and aquarium, I didn’t expect him to break into tears after seeing two kids about his age that he didn’t know playing down the street. He told me that he missed his friends and missed playing with them. Now, if you’ve ever spent much time around 2-year-olds you’ll know that they don’t really play together – they mostly play next to each other, and when asked which friends he squinched up his face and said, “All of them!” But I think that makes it all the sweeter. I have found that it isn’t my closest friends that I miss seeing necessarily, it’s the ones that I often see once a month or less. The ones that when I think of, I think, “Oh, I’d like to see them; maybe I’ll call them tomorrow and see if we can grab a coffee or lunch!” And it has been these friends who when I text to say just that, have been the most enthusiastic with their replies.
So, to you I say, we miss all of you! And if we all keep helping each other, we’ll have so many coffee and lunch dates that the calendar pages will turn even more quickly than they have seemed to of late.
On that note, look to our What’s Hot for Father’s Day for six of the best ideas – all available locally – that he can enjoy now and later.
And if you’re really starting to get that travelling itch, then it’s time to look to our feature, “Vacation Oasis” for the ideas you need for throwing the best staycation you’ve ever had.
Stay say safe, stay well and stay kind as we recover,
Morgan Packard Griffith
June
*Calendar confirmed as of May 15. Please confirm directly with the nonprofit before making plans.
2 “GiveNOLA Day,” benefiting Greater New Orleans Foundation, 598-4663, GiveNola.org
11 “Man & Woman of the Year Grand Finale Gala,” benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 758-3218, mwoy.org/nola
22-28 “Online Magnolia Ball Silent Auction,” benefiting Ogden Museum of Southern Art, 539-9604, OgdenMuseum.org/magnoliaball
28 “Virtual Saints & All Things Louisiana Trivia Night,” benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, LLSTrivia.com
I want to let you all know about the CrescentCity.com meal assistance program. In partnership with The Mayor’s Neighborhood Engagement Office, District C Councilmember Kristen Palmer, At Large Councilmember Jason Rogers Williams, Gate Gourmet Group, SBP, Auction House Market, World Central Kitchen, The Barmans Fund, USBG NOLA, Seven Three Distilling, Nola Tree Project, Betty’s Bar and Bistro and OZ New Orleans, the meal assistance program is providing over 28,000 meals per week to over 1,000 members of the LGBTQ+ service industry and gig economy communities affected by food insecurity issues as a result of COVID-19 through pickup and delivery six days per week. Sarah Manowitz and Tulane alumni Reed Wendorf launched the program on April 4 after seeing the overwhelming need in our targeted communities for access to adequate nutrition in the wake of sudden and unprecedented job losses due to the stay-at-home order. Learn more and leave a tip in their virtual jar today: CrescentCity.com!