More cowbell: Wichitans are finding ways to lift spirits during the coronavirus scare
At noon Thursday, residents of Wichita’s Riverside stepped out onto their front porches and started singing:
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are gray . . .”
The neighborhood sing-along was inspired by similar vocal flash mobs in Italy, where residents on lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic have found novel ways to socialize and boost morale.
It’s one of several strategies Wichita-area residents are employing to lift spirits when everyone is holed up at home.
“Our neighborhood is resilient and we know we are better together than we are on our own,” Kris Rogers posted on the Riverside neighborhood’s Facebook page.
“What can we do together to move forward? Could we sing together from our front porches? One song the same time each day? Whatever might bring us joy. Let’s build some great memories and stay connected.”
Rogers, the wife of Kansas Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers, posted a selfie of the couple joining Thursday’s sing-along from their front porch.
Many Wichita neighborhoods also are participating in Chalk Your Walk, a social-media-inspired virtual event that encourages residents to write encouraging messages or draw art on their sidewalks or driveways with chalk.
It’s still OK to take a walk — or jog, or ride a scooter, or pedal your bike — as long as you follow social distancing recommendations and stay 6 feet apart. The idea behind Chalk Your Walk is to head outside, look for the messages and maybe smile a little.
It’s inspiring to see how many Wichita residents and businesses are finding ways to spread joy amid the COVID-19 madness.
As Eagle reporter Carrie Rengers reported, some College Hill residents are unpacking their Christmas lights to brighten their neighborhood.
Nortons Brewing Company has scheduled a virtual concert for 7 p.m. Saturday, during which popular local band The Cavves will perform on Facebook Live. Fans are encouraged to grab some to-go food or beer from Nortons and support local artists by making a “cover charge” donation to the band.
Janelle King, owner of Birney’s Snack Shop at First and Cleveland, has handed out more than 200 free sack lunches this week to people affected by school or business closures, which already have prompted massive layoffs.
“Pop in & grab a sack lunch, no charge and no questions asked,” King posted on the Nextdoor website. “We all need something to do with our hands and hearts right now.”
The Pumphouse, a bar and grill in downtown Wichita, donated all their bread and lunch meat to the cause, King said. Sack lunches are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Birney’s, 156 N. Cleveland.
Partners for Wichita, in cooperation with the Kansas Food Bank, also is distributing free grab-and-go lunches to kids during spring break at 18 sites in and around Wichita.
One of my longtime neighbors, Joanne Pafume, is hoping homebound people in Wichita and elsewhere will join her on Friday for Jimmy Fallon’s “Cowbell Challenge.” The effort calls on Americans to unite at an agreed time Friday (2 p.m. Central), open their windows and make noise to support first responders and each other.
“Apologies in advance to any afternoon nappers,” Pafume said.
No apologies necessary, I say. This epidemic needs more cowbell.
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 4:35 PM.
