Jim Smith’s ‘Our Town’ looks at local heroes
People are helping one another, whether it’s erecting a flag pole or participating in a “teddy bear” hunt.
Even though most people have been isolated at home, that doesn’t mean some people — and workers — aren’t out there doing their jobs and generally trying to keep everything from traffic signals to our water supplies operating.
The real troopers in our coronavirus pandemic are the healthcare workers, who, in some instances are putting their lives on the line. I know that by comparison there aren’t that many coronavirus cases in Woodland and even Yolo County, but that could change at any time. That’s why people need to distance themselves from their friends, neighbors and even families.
I also need to recognize the risks that grocery workers are taking by being at the checkout counters. There are shields in place, ATM keypads are wiped down constantly and other efforts are underway to keep people protected. I was filling up my car with gas on Sunday and the credit card I was using didn’t work for some reason. The attendant who helped me was masked and wearing gloves. But so was I.
There are also people willing to volunteer. As Mark Mezger Sr. told me, four Woodland PG&E employees gave up part of their lunch break to help fix the flag pole at Mary’s Chapel and Cemetery.
Mezger specifically complimented Felix Valadez, Scott Whieseant, Qou Yang and Brandon Curry, who erected the 25foot flag pole. Mezger said the crew was actually working about a mile away when contacted to see if they could help and did so. The American Flag is now flying again over the departed who are at rest in the cemetery.
If that doesn’t seem like all that much at this time, remember, the men could have easily said no and gone about their businesses. What they did may not have been remarkable, but it was kind. And we need a lot of kindness in this world right now. Thanks, Mark, for sharing the story.
• • • Another semi-volunteer effort underway came from Julie Gould-Jojo, who reported about she and a few friends who started a local Facebook group to encourage a “Teddy Bear Hunt.” Time.com started the hunt a few weeks ago and it’s spread nationwide.
Gould-Jojo reported George Beach built the Facebook page for people to gather, share locations for the kids and parents to find the bears. The page started with five members and in about four days had 479 members. I don’t know how many it has right now.
I did do a bit of traveling in Woodland over the weekend and couldn’t find any teddy bears in windows, but I did find a Teddy Bear Tea Party over on Cleveland Street near Marshall Avenue.
Gould-Jojo now reports the name on Facebook has been changed from “Woodland Teddy Bear Hunt” to “Yolo County Teddy Bear Hunt,” if you want to get in on the fun.
• • • Meanwhile, some people just don’t get that we’re in a pandemic. I was received a request last week from a person who wanted to know what nail salons were open. Hopefully, they’re all closed.
Get used to it. You’re going to look messy. You’re going to have to remember to take a shower and wash your hair. My own hair stylist — I have never, ever used the term “barber” — was going to cut my hair this week. However, she canceled our appointment after the shelter in place was extended to early May. It’s a mixed blessing of sorts. I don’t have as much hair as I once did so I’m glad what there is left of it will have time to “grow out.” However, whenever I can get in and get it cut, there will be a lot to get rid of — at least I hope there will be.
Jim Smith is editor of The Daily Democrat. He can be reached at news@dailydemocrat.com.