Drawing by Irving Lepselter in Our Town in the 1980s. Photo courtesy of Arlene Kayatt
Looking back - In going through Our Town issues from the ‘80s, I came across one of Irving Lepselter’s drawings (they appeared regularly) of a hospital scene. There was the nurse, the bedridden patient, the visiting spouse with the nurse assuring the still-standing visiting spouse that the over-the-top numbers on the chart affixed to the front bed frame she was looking at was not a medical chart. It was a running record of her patient husband’s financial condition. And assuring her that he would be discharged any day. Back to the future?
Into the weeds - We’ve come a long way with the legalizing of marijuana in NY. And while weed-related laws will be coming off the books, there is sure to be vigorous advocacy, pro and con, relating to the effects of weed on the economy, the environment, living and working in residential and commercial spaces. After the law passed in the Senate, Patch had a photo of signs reading “No Smoking of any kind” posted on gates in Bryant Park, and reported that there were similar signs in Greeley Square Park and Herald Square Park, but those signs read “NO SMOKING of any kind.” Sounds like lawyers and legislators have their work cut out.
Skipping the Shark Tank - After meeting 12 year olds Emma Savonije and Emily Leshanski last year and learning about their Lily and Emma Nature Foundation, I wrote about their amazing Wildlife Foundation. Now comes Emma who is working on a project with her friend Emma Nakhle who is also 12. The two Emmas started writing a book a year ago and have finished at 280 pages. It’s called “The Ranch House.” Their next step is getting an editor and having it published. The Emmas share that “So far we’ve managed without parental help, and we hope to continue on that path. In order to do this, we needed to find a way to make money,” and they’re doing it through a GoFundMe page where you can read some of the story, goal and a summary of their book. The two young entrepreneurs are meeting their goal of making a difference by donating 30 percent of all profits made from their book to providing books to underserved children in impoverished parts of the world. Great to hear how these 12-year-olds spend their time. And will be great to read “The Ranch House.” Here’s what you need to know to help make it happen:
EmandEmYoungWriters
em.and.eve.4ever@gmail.com