BY CAMI KOONS
Amid “stay at home” mandates and school closures, Eudora residents have banded together to keep children and adults entertained while social distancing.
Michelle Topil started a Facebook group called Eudora Boredom Busters. The group originally started as a shamrock hunt to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, where families walked around neighborhoods to find shamrocks hung up in windows. The idea quickly developed.
Topil said she figured a group of people would be interested in the page but didn’t expect the response she has seen. The group has over 700 members.
“I had a pretty good following of people in town and knew some people would be attracted to [the group] but it has just blown up,” Topil said. “It has blown my mind.”
Right now, the group is encouraging members to hang cardinals in their windows for an activity similar to the shamrock hunt. Topil said many of the cardinals that people made for the Eudora teacher’s parade on Sunday are now hung in their windows.
Heather Elmer, owner of Open Arms day care, said she is following the weekly activities posted on Boredom Busters. Elmer said most of the kids she watches are 3- or 4-years-old and can’t understand the coronavirus situation, but they like the activities.
“They like to hang things they make in the windows and see people wave as they find them,” Elmer said.
Members of the group are encouraged to place stuffed bears in their windows Tuesday as children go on a “Bear Hunt” following the children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury.
Jill Dodge, the librarian at Eudora Elementary, said she will share a video storytelling of the book in the group on Tuesday morning to give kids the background needed for the activity.
Dodge said she shares readings of picture books every day on the Eudora Elementary School Library Facebook page. She said many publishers and authors have waived their copyright restrictions on books, allowing librarians across the country to share stories with children now stuck at home.
Dodge said she is excited for the bear hunt and the other activities because the community can continue to support each other, even when they can’t physically be near one another.
“These activities can make kids feel connected to their community at a time when they really need it,” Dodge said.
Another member of the group, Taylor Criss, said she saw a post about chalk drawing and decided to decorate her mom’s driveway. Criss drew a cardinal and wrote, “Eudora Strong.” She said she wants to continue drawing cardinals around town to express her Eudora pride.
“I just love how the community is coming together right now,” Criss said. “It makes me proud to live in Eudora.”
Topil said next week, the activity is “chalk exercise.” Participants will be asked to write with chalk on their driveways exercises like 10 jumping jacks or five push-ups. As people walk by, they will have to do the exercises they see. Topil said she and other members are constantly updating the page with new ideas and activities.
Topil also said she is proud and amazed by the Eudora community, but she isn’t surprised.
“Eudora has always been a town that when rough times come to town, people really attach to each other and help each other out,” Topil said.
Reach reporter Cami Koons at eudoratimes@gmail.com.
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