Social distancing forces change in Easter activities

By Kathy Thomson

Social distancing requirements have resulted in the cancellation or reformatting of most community Easter activities in Albany this year, including church services, gathering of extended family and friends, and Easter egg hunts. 

Even a couple of events organized earlier this week to allow some community Easter activities while maintaining social distancing guidelines fell victim to the now more stringently enforced state-wide Executive Order by Governor Greg Abbott on March 31 requiring all Texans to “stay home unless they are performing an essential service or activity.”

Albany began enforcing the shelter-in-place order at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, resulting in the cancellation or adjustments in several events planned for the Easter weekend.

Malarie Sutton, who helped organize a “Socially Distant Community Easter Egg Hunt,” had to take it a few steps further to make it fit the new guidelines. Sutton is still encouraging everyone around town to place Easter eggs in locations where they can be seen by folks driving by, similar to the recent and very popular “Bear Hunt.”

Although everyone is now expected to remain at home except for essential trips, organizers hope that many Albany residents will put Easter eggs in their windows or on porches where at least they and their immediate neighbors can enjoy them, along with anyone driving down their street on their way to the store for groceries or to a local restaurant for take-out.

Sutton stated that eggs should not be placed in mailboxes or anywhere near the street, and there will be “absolutely no handing out of eggs.” Families should not leave their vehicles to look at displays.

Personal contact of any kind is highly discouraged.

The Albany Volunteer Fire Department’s plan to give away bags of Easter eggs this Saturday was also scrambled by the new order, as was First Baptist Church’s plan for an Easter egg tree in the City Park.

Family Adaptations

A couple of families have responded to questions about how they are handling the quarantine.

Malarie Sutton said that her family is staying home as much as possible.

“When we do need something, Shawn is the main one to go,” she said. “Our kids haven’t got to go into any store since the quarantine began.”

They have been riding bikes around the block, playing basketball, swimming in their pool, running through sprinklers, and sitting on the front porch swing.

“We all get a little stir crazy around here, but we are trying to make the best out of this situation and enjoying our family time together.” Sutton said. “We try to make things more fun for the kids like letting everyone make their own personal pizza and trying new foods we haven’t tried before. In addition (the kids are) learning to help out around the house more with new chores, and Hunter has learned how to mow.”

Sutton said they miss spending time with friends and family.

“We live right across the street from Hadley’s best friend and we will say ‘hi’ from across the road to each other, but it’s hard not being able to allow them to spend their quality time together like they normally would get to,” said Sutton. “Hunter has made phone calls to his friends and played against them in some video games, but it’s not the same as that good quality friendship time of getting to play and be interactive.” 

Brad McBee’s family has also been staying busy.

“We’ve built a chicken coop and now have eight chicks,” he said. “We’ve been playing more board games. Right now we are in the process of building a green house.”

Tamara Trail said she is glad to be living in a small town.

“I am grateful that we are in a small, faithful town of people who care for one another,” she said. “I’m grateful for open spaces to get outside and not being on the ninth floor of an apartment high rise ‘quarantined.’ I am grateful for neighbors who share food and check on older members of our community, and for churches who reach out in new ways.”

Trail also expressed her thanks to local educators.

“I am thankful that my junior, eighth grader, and fourth grader – who are experiencing AISD’s response to the current academic situation in different ways – are confident in their directions provided for their school work and guidance from their teachers,” she said. “As a parent, I am blown away by the effort our teachers have put into Zoom meetings and directions and assignments for high school (including the adaptive management to assist with dual credit), the lessons and guidance for junior high with clear goals and expectations, and the unbelievable communication through Bloomz and by the massive effort in the ‘drive thru’ for the younger kids.”

Most Albany residents seem to agree that although it can be easy to look around at everything that has changed and feel deprived, blessings are there to be found by every-one willing to hunt for them, just like Easter eggs.