Holiday kindness takes many forms
December 24, 2020 | By Lisa Scagliotti This time of year predictably makes us introspective, reflecting on the year drawing to a close and imagining the new year a clean slate before us. As we wind down, we instinctively look for ways to show appreciation and gratitude for those family, friends and neighbors close to us.
Not even a pandemic can change that.
Gift-giving takes many forms from presents under a tree to making sure a neighbor gets a hot meal, knitting a warm scarf to give away, or writing a short note to brighten a homebound senior’s day. Maybe even dressing up in a silly costume to surprise preoccupied neighbors into a laugh.
So because it’s the season for making those extra gestures of kindness to others, we’ve collected just a few examples that have popped up just in the past week to share.
Notes, cards, connections
Margo Sayah writes in this week thanking many community members for pitching in to make or buy little gifts and cards to pass along in Meals on Wheels meals delivered this month to local seniors. Many are missing lunches at the Senior Center which is closed for in-person dining due to COVID-19.
Longtime Waterbury resident Lucille Kittredge is reportedly doing well at Berlin Health and Reahb. Photo courtesy Ryan Amerio.
From fellow seniors all the way down to primary school students, folks took the time to collect special little extras to tuck into the to-go meals. A collection at Kinney Drugs also involved customers who chipped in small purchases to pass along to the seniors.
Seeing how quickly and easily that came together, it was hardly a surprise when an inquiry on Front Porch Forum gained traction in short order. It began with a question where someone asked about Stowe Street resident Lucille Kittredge who pre-covid was a familiar sight walking in the village. Others chimed in asking if anyone knew if she was OK and might she need some help. Some bits were offered - she had had a mishap and had moved to an assisted living facility. A card shower was suggested after another neighbor posted the address in Berlin.
This played out over a few quick weeks until Ryan Amerio, neighbor to Kittredge on Stowe Street weighed in. Not being a regular watcher of the online forum, he said a friend alerted him to the conversation.
He introduced himself and explained that he’s recently become Lucille’s legal guardian. Yes, she was injured in a fall last winter and Amerio said he made a point to visit her regularly and eventually she moved to Berlin Health and Rehab. “Long story short, it felt right to officially make Luce a member of the family,” he wrote.
Visits continued but now are limited to Zoom video chats because of the pandemic but through it all, Kittredge has settled into what she now calls her “real home” and she’s even gained some needed weight. “She is doing fantastic,” Amerio said.
Lucille Kittredge during a Zoom video chat shares cards she's received in the mail from Waterbury residents. Photo courtesy Ryan Amerio.
“Amy, her caseworker, and the staff at Berlin have been absolutely amazing. As far as I know, I'm the only person who has regularly visited Lucille up until this point. She would absolutely love some company, so please feel free to go see her once this covid stuff clears up,” he added.
Then the cards began to arrive and Amerio said they have been a wonderful surprise and connection to the world outside the care facility and to the town Kittredge loves. “She is just so happy,” he said, adding that he took some screenshots from one of their Zoom chats where Lucille showed him her mail. “She couldn't stop smiling. She hasn't felt like she's had a family in many years so it means a lot to her,” he said.
Amerio mentioned that Lucille loves Little Debbie snack cakes and chocolate. He said he worries about COVID-19 but he hopes that by next summer, the virus will be under control enough that more visitors will be allowed into the center. He’d love to organize a barbecue for the whole unit where Lucille is.
If anyone would like to send mail, the address is: Lucille Kittredge, Berlin Health and Rehabilitation, 98 Hospitality Drive, Barre, VT 05641.
Unicorn(s) of happiness
Waving, dancing unicorns are spreading cheer in downtown Waterbury lately. Courtesy photo.
No, you’re not hallucinating or suffering from pandemic cabin fever if you think you’ve seen a larger-than life pink unicorn (possibly with a companion white one) in various locations around downtown Waterbury lately.
The friendly creatures with rainbow accents have taken to visiting neighborhoods or even just the roundabout, stopping along the way to wave, pose for photos and flash a handmade sign that says “Your smile is beautiful.” The pink unicorn had a small speaker along in order to play tunes like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” while dancing along Bank Hill and Randall and Elm streets.
All without any conversation of course. The people behind the whimsical effort aren’t looking for the spotlight. Their aim is to pleasantly surprise people at a time when so many surprises have been otherwise and therefore to spread a little joy.
“I’d like to thank whoever it was because they put a big smile on my face,” wrote Wendy Perrault in Front Porch Forum asking if others spotted the sight last weekend.
In a message to Waterbury Roundabout, the pink unicorn asked to remain anonymous but said they heard cheers from windows and many motorists slowed down to honk, wave and snap a photo.
Mission accomplished.
Volunteers with the Waterbury Area Food Shelf pack holiday meal bags to distribute ahead of the Christmas holiday this week. Courtesy photo.
Holiday meals to go
Many hands made light work of packing up dozens of bags of food from the Waterbury Area Food Shelf this week. The groceries were assembled to distribute to scores of individuals and families to put together meals for the holidays.
Food Shelf Director Dani Kehlmann said 20 volunteers ages 3 to 75 took part in shopping, transporting and preparing 125 bags and then greeting people who came to pick them up. “The food shelf runs on volunteer cheer,” she said. When it was done, 100 bags were sent home with local residents, Kehlmann said.
In a similar vein, the folks at Zenbarn this week joined a regional program to offer meals at no charge to anyone impacted by the pandemic. Burgers and salads are on the house as part of the Everyone Eats program. Find out more about that here.
Some colorful scarves are tied to the railing at the gazebo bandstand at Rusty Parker Memorial Park. Photo by Lisa Scagliotti.
Mystery scarves
This last one raises some questions but the gesture may be as simple as it looks. A handful of colorful scarves – some look hand-knit – have appeared tied to the railing on the gazebo bandstand at Rusty Parker Memorial Park.
Warm clothing items left out in public places this time of year whether hats and mittens, coats or scarves, etc. are usually left by folks wanting to help out someone in need. There’s no message accompanying these. If anyone has more details, drop us a note at WaterburyRoundabout@gmail.com.
Otherwise, it’s probably safe to assume they’re there for the taking.