The unsung heroes of the Revolutionary War were women — and a lot of them were mothers. Join the Museum of the American Revolution online this weekend to make a German-inspired Mother’s Day card. You can also learn the basics of embroidery, among other activities.
The museum is also offering virtual tours.
If you find yourself physically apart from mothers that you know, Mayor Jim Kenney strongly suggests Philadelphians do not travel to see them. Instead, hop on your preferred video chat application to celebrate. Upload a background image of your favorite Philly garden or park, or perhaps even her favorite brunch spot. Get creative and show those moms we love them — now more than ever.
Outdoors, online or masked
It’s Philly’s annual Love Your Park week. Fairmount Park Conservancy and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation encourages residents to admire springtime from home — aptly naming this year’s celebration Love Your Park @ Home week.
There’s a wide selection of themes for each day. Whether you choose to kick off the week this Friday with nature, end the celebration next Saturday with greening and gardening, or anywhere in between, you’ll be met with virtual bike, history tours, gardening tutorials, and much more.
A runner showed his love for Philly nature earlier this week by running the perimeter of the city. After completing his 76 mile accomplishment (a coincidental nod to our 76ers), 44-year-old Michael Gagliardi said his daylong run gave him amazing glimpses of the city, and it was his way of fighting back against isolation.
Food and drink
The owner of Bar Avalon Italian Restaurant in West Chester, John Brant-Lee, is uplifting the community by giving back. After making meals for hospital workers over the past few months, he organized the community to contribute via pay-as-you-wish dinners. He’s raised $17,000 for the Chester County Food Bank.
For every family-style dinner sold, Bar Avalon will donate a dinner to a Chester County first responder and their family. Place an order here.
Over in New Jersey, the 20-year-old Westmont Diner in Westmont is now doubling as a supermarket. Breakfast items, dinner napkins, bleach, soap, surface sanitizer — you can find all the necessities.
“I know there are going to be a lot of people struggling financially and I wanted to provide service,” said owner Chris Prentzas.
Customers can order online and items are left on numbered tables outside. Call when you arrive and you’re all set.
Additional programming
Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site in Fairmount is covering the pandemic’s impact inside prisons and on the criminal justice system.
“This virus is ravaging incarcerated populations all over the country,” said Sean Kelley, Eastern State senior vice president, “and, in fact, all over the world. And there are no easy answers about what to do about that, but the primary focus of our programming right now is looking at ways to engage audiences on the latest news coming out from prisons around the country and around the world.”
Join Kelley for the Searchlight Series, an interactive talk show format live from the penitentiary, every Tuesday at 6 p.m. on its Facebook page.