In the midst of all the pandemic pandemonium, when life seems uncertain and we struggle to hold our lives together, along comes a burst of beauty. See those kids above? On Tuesday they spread joy by bringing peonies to frontline workers who go in daily to keep our town running.
They didn’t just honor health care workers (you’re all awesome, by the way), but civil servants like the Department of Motor Vehicle clerks. They cheered up the common workers who sell lumber, the school secretaries trying to plan for the upcoming year and dozens of people who serve just by showing up to their jobs.
It’s acts of kindness like this that will get us through. You’re all brave and good when you do simple things like wear a mask to keep our elders safe or physical distance when you really, really want to give your friend a hug.
We will endure, citizens, because grace is like Tuesday’s thunderstorm, a kindness that booms down into our souls. Expect small miracles, and take those smiles with you as you enjoy this amazing town, perhaps with these Best Bets:
BEST KEEP ’EM FED BET: As our awesome leaders of tomorrow head back to school, we want to make sure they’re well fed. Need a bit of food to keep going? Visit the Homer Public Library from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today to get free grab and go bags of nonperishable food for hungry and/or homeless kids and teens. Pick up is at the back entrance near the book drop. The event is cosponsored by the Homer Community Food Pantry.
BEST YOUR WRITE TO VOTE BET: Friday is the deadline for a writing contest sponsored by the Friends of the Homer Library and Kenai Peninsula Votes to promote the idea of why voting is important. Can you convince them that your vote matters? In 300 words or less, write a non-partisan explanation of why your vote matters. Alaska residents ages 12 to adult can enter. Cash prizes are offered, with adult winners receiving $40 for first place, $30 for second place, $20 for third place and $10 for fourth place. Student winners receive $30 for first place, $20 for second place and $10 for third place.
To enter, include your full name, phone number, email address and mailing address, and send submissions electronically to info@friendshomerlibrary.org or mail them to Friends of the Library, 500 Hazel Ave., Homer, AK. 99603.
BEST RIDE-ON BET: Support suicide awareness with the Homer Alaska Suicide Awareness and Prevention’s Ride and Drive for Suicide Awareness and Prevention starting at 1 p.m. Saturday. Meet at the Chevron Gas Station in Homer. This is open to everyone no matter if you’re riding a motorcycle or driving a vehicle. The destination is VFW Post 10221 in Anchor Point where they will be grilling up burgers for everyone; $12 a plate, and all proceeds this year will go to the Anchor Point VFW. The event starts with at 1:30 p.m. with the ride/drive safety brief around 1:30 p.m. and hitting the road shortly after.
Homer High School students working on a service project hold some of the peonies they delivered on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, to 150 Homer, Alaska, area businesses, nonprofits and institutions — organizations with frontline employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Places receiving peonies included South Peninsula Hospital, Long Term Care, the Homer Senior Center and South Peninsula Haven House. The peonies were donated by Alaska Perfect Peonies by owner Rita Jo Shoultz and were left over from this year’s crop of the decorative flower. From left to right are Gideon McGhee, Angelia McGhee, Sameah McGhee and Lucinda Maryott. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
