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I've been volunteering when I can.  On this night we packed 2,370 pounds of pasta!

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Life during Covid 19- City Library Project

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Life during Covid 19- City Library Project

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Life during COVID-19

When the Library first created History in the Grove in 2017, our primary goal was to focus on aspects of Forest Grove’s past through the lens of local history and genealogy. And while we’re still committed to doing that, we also feel it’s important to honor and record what’s happening in the community now, which is why we’re opening this platform up for you to share your experiences of life during the COVID-19 pandemic currently gripping the state and the nation. How are you coping with the stay-at-home order? How do you keep connected to family, friends, and loved ones? What are you doing to pass the time? What steps are you taking to practice self-care?

Since this is meant to be an all-inclusive forum, we welcome and encourage contributions from everyone in the community regardless of age, ability, native language, socioeconomic perspective, or creative skill level. Help us document tomorrow’s history today! Email your stories, poems, drawings, photographs, or personal reflections to fgl-reference@wccls.org and we’ll post them here.

Please limit your written submissions to 250 words and upload all visual materials in jpg format. Also note that posted material may be included in the library’s social media promotion about this project.

See the blog here.

Also, see our Facebook post on the project.

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Never were there two boys more willing and happy to shovel bark chips. Seeing Amy was the highlight of their day.

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Hope this brightens your day!

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I volunteer at the Winter Shelter, which has to close 2 weeks early because of the epidemic. A group of volunteers has been organizing meals for our unhoused friends, some of whom are camping and some of whom have found temporary shelter in an area hotel. I made a meal delivery today wearing my snazzy new pink mask made by my friend Shelley.

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We took our project to new heights! Making an almost life-size giraffe required some creative problem solving. Can you see its head in our upstairs window? Can you pick out the different styles of spots made by 3 different artists? We have neighbors who walk by every day to see if something’s new. The giraffe has brought lots of smiles!

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We wanted to add a little movement to our project, so we made a jellyfish that can blow in the wind. All of our materials have to come from things we have around the house. The jellyfish’s tentacles are made from strips of bubble wrap!

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Next to join the porch was a trio of Meerkats. All our animals are made from cardboard, and it’s been fun to learn about the animals as we paint them. Meerkats are especially entertaining! One of ours is holding a special flavor of sparkling water - psst... it’s a clue about Meerkats’ diet.

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We decided to make a sign to set the scene. Anders (level 3) painted the lettering. This was when neighbors really started to notice. “What’s the FG Porch Project?” It’s for all of us! We can all participate in different ways... sidewalk chalk, messages on our windows or doors, decorate our bikes/wheelchairs/modes of transportation, etc. You can check out our porch on Instagram @fgporchproject and see how other community members are participating.

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Next came a small flock of flamingos. They started in our yard but moved to the porch (and outfitted with rain gear) when the weather changed. It’s fun to note the different styles of painting between the three artists.

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The first animal we made is a bear with a book that sits on one of our porch chairs.

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Hello, Please check out this project. Everyone can do it. It is a great way to help right now.

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Washington County Writes to Elders - Loneliness line (1)

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Our family is decorating our porch to bring some cheer to our neighborhood. We are using cardboard boxes and paint to create animals, adding a new animal every few days. We hope to keep it growing! All are welcome to see it in person - we are on the corner of Ash & 17th in Forest Grove. Sara, David, & Anders Ewald.

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When I heard nurses and other medical people were asking for those of us who can sew to make masks for others during this pandemic, I got out my sewing machine and looked online for a pattern. My mom's friend sent me pretty cotton fabric and elastic.  We delivered my first batch of masks to a local nurse who works with the doctors who delivered me as a baby!  The masks are for the patients and for nurses to wear over their protective gear. Every day I make a few more masks.  I like being able to use my sewing skills this way. If anyone is interested, I can explain how you can masks too!
--Silke

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Do you have a project to share with your FGCS community? Click on the pink + button on the bottom right hand corner and make a post about it.  I can't wait to see all the ways you are involved.  Email s.woods@fgcschool.org with any questions