Town Crier Articles

NBC News describes it as a nationwide phenomena – but it has now gone viral globally – Australia, New Zealand, Canada! Teddy bears appearing in windows as a welcome distraction for children as well as a sign of unity and a way to stay connected during this period of isolation. I think it captures a little bid of the kid in all of us and reminds our neighborhood children that we’re thinking of them even if we can’t hang out together like they’re used to.  

 

We’re asking New Town residents to join in by displaying a teddy bear (even just a paper version) in their windows or porches or wherever makes sense for your home or business. We’ve already had over 30 families sign up with our coordinator Sarah Yaneza to let us know they’re taking part. It’s not too late to participate. Let’s make the boredom more “bearable!”

 

Parents (and adults) can use the bears as any incentive they like or as a math project or just a fun diversion. There are two organized activities:

 

1) Scavenger Hunt – every other day we are featuring a bear on the New Town Residential Association Facebook page. This is a fun way to target your daily walk. If you’d like to keep track of where you find them, Sarah can let you know how you did at the end of our hunt season.

 

2) General New Townwide Hunt – find as many locations as you can with a bear displayed, and keep track of the addresses. Then let Sarah know by April 25th. We will crown a champion “hunter/huntress” in the May Town Crier.

 

If possible, please leave your bear on display until April 25th to give children a chance to find them all and to extend the smile to our whole community through Virginia’s initial shelter-in-home period. Keeping a safe distance on your walks is important also.

 

Register your bear’s location by email to sarahbyaneza@gmail.com. (I apologize for the typos in earlier eblast messages, but this email address works-promise!) Happy hunting!