To ease stress, Newman residents create fun by the yard while coronavirus sheltering
Home is where the heart and humor are — even as people spend perhaps much more time there than they care to during this coronavirus pandemic. That’s what Newman residents are showing as they respond to the city’s request that they decorate their front yards in fun fashion.
Displays across the city remind neighbors of the importance of social distancing, hand washing and mask wearing. They give shout-outs to graduating seniors and essential workers such as health care professionals, teachers, and truckers.
“We love Newman. With so much uncertainty during this pandemic, we just wanted to do a little something to make people smile,” said Mike Borba, who strung his house and a pickup truck with lights and put out a sign that reads “#Newmantogether.” “We hope this will encourage others to participate so we can all get through this with a smile.”
The Newman Recreation Department announced the decorating competition April 15 on its Facebook page, and more people are joining every day, said Alicia Mendoza, recreation director and community liaison for the city. Judging will be April 27.
“The idea was to get our community to ‘stay home, stay safe and stay positive’,” Mendoza said, adding that she got it during a weekly Zoom meeting of California Parks and Recreation Society members.
The group was discussing how to reach out to residents in a safe and impactful manner. “Well, how do we do that? Why not make a contest where families in our community decorate their home with things they already have — ‘repurpose decorating’ — and allow them to be creative?” she told The Bee in an email.
“By doing so, they bring out a positive feeling to our city and community. People when going out for a walk or driving can also view these homes and have a positive outlook that things will with time get better.”
“I chose to decorate my yard to have fun in my community and most of all to have a daily reminder of how important is is to follow the basic rules: Wash your hands, stand 6 feet apart and wear a mask,” said Mary Cortez, who has two shrubs in her yard wearing masks and social distancing.
“People want out, and we need to keep safe if we will make progress with this virus. What we’ve been asked to do is so very basic.”
Contest judging will be done by Newman police officers, community service officers and firefighters, who will visit each home that’s signed up, Mendoza said. They will be judging based on creativity, originality, spirit and completeness. The winner will receive a gift basket from the Police Department K9 Unit, the Fire Department and the city.
“Them driving around eases our community, too,” she said. “It shows them that essential workers are still here to help and protect even in this difficult time, and it brings our essential officers joy in seeing that many people are participating, which eases their stress, as well.”
To learn more or to join the contest, residents are asked to call 209-678-6271 or email amendoza@cityofnewman.com.
This story was originally published April 22, 2020 at 10:10 AM with the headline "To ease stress, Newman residents create fun by the yard while coronavirus sheltering."
