from Pam Weaver (as seen in April 2020 Forester)
— Forest Park Social (Distancing) Activities Committee

A Little Fun For Everyone…

As a mom of two very active boys, ages 7 and 9, I have to admit that things can get a little tense sometimes being cooped up inside all day with homeschooling. In March, some residents suggested on our neighborhood Facebook page that we all get out and do a “Shamrock Hunt” throughout the neighborhood – the Social-Distancing version of a shamrock hunt that is. Many residents joined in the fun by printing and coloring pictures of shamrocks and then hanging them in their front windows. Neighborhood children and adults then went out on daily walks and had a good time “hunting” for new colored shamrocks in the windows of their neighbors. My boys and I had a great time going on walks ourselves! We tried new routes each time and discovered quite a few beautifully colored shamrocks.

Well, lets keep the fun going! For April, I’d like to encourage our residents to join in on the Forest Park Front Window Easter Egg Hunt! Create a paper Easter egg of your own, then paint it, color it, glue construction paper to it – get as creative as you want – but make it bright and visible from the sidewalk. Even if you don’t have children, join in by going out for a walk and enjoying all the gorgeous window eggs, or you can even put up a window egg of your own to brighten up someone else’s day. Feel free to use the blank egg template in this issue of The Forester. I’m looking forward to a beautiful April!

See the egg to color in April 2020 Forester! – see page 10!

Response and Precautions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to concerns over the COVID-19 Coronavirus in Franklin County and Ohio, the Forest Park Civic Association Board has decided to cancel the April meeting. Below is a list of how the FPCA will be addressing the issues of monthly meetings and the monthly publication of The Forester. 

As always, please refer to the Forest Park website www.fpcivic.org and the Forest Park Facebook page www.facebook.com/fpcivic for the most up-to-date information about what is happening in your neighborhood.

1. April’s FPCA meeting will be hosted online via Zoom. Details about the meeting will be posted on the website and Facebook page listed above. The decision concerning May’s meeting will be made at a later date.
2. The April Forester will be an online version ONLY found on the FPCA website, here: Forester. Links will be on social media. The home delivery of The Forester will cease through the month of April, and possibly May. This may change depending on what the medical, state and municipal authorities are saying.
3. Forester Stuffing for the membership drive will still have to go ahead; however, we will have to set up differently with social distancing guidelines in mind. Mike Stone will be in contact with the volunteers as to how that will all happen. Check the above websites for future information about stuffing.

If anyone in the community needs to communicate with the FPCA during this time, please use the “Contact FPCA” link on our website www.fpcivic.org/about/contact 

We hope that all our members, and the entire community, stay safe and healthy during this time.

Sincerely,

The Officers & Board of your Forest Park Civic Association

The best place to start for information on the “Novel Coronavirus” (COVID-19) Information is the State of Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 page. There is also a page for Franklin County Public Health Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page. The CDC has info on its Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) page. Also see World Health Organization (WHO) WHO Coronavirus Info.

Columbus City Schools has a page for COVID-19 updates.

Local Forest Park institutions’ info on program impacts may be found : YMCA of Central Ohio, and COLUMBUS METROPOLITAN LIBRARY.

The Columbus Dispatch Coronavirus Articles may be viewed without paywall. (They suggest “Please support local journalism by subscribing to The Columbus Dispatch at subscribe.dispatch.com.”) For national info you might also explore The Washington Post Coronavirus info page.

Why are governmental and other organizations doing these things? It’s called “flattening the curve.”