I wrack my brain sometimes thinking of things that might stimulate the Mansion residents, excite them, pull them out of theirselves and their routines. On Valentine’s Day I ordered sandwiches for the for lunch, but I realized this was  a mistake. This was nothing unusual, this was what they could eat almost any day at the Mansion, whose cooks are very good.

I asked Lisa Carrino, co-owner of the Round House Cafe and Bakery, if she could think of something original, something that would stand out and bring Easter to life.

She really came through in a dramatic and creative way, each cookie or cake was a work of art, a painting, a statement of Easter, and the meaning of the day. The residents reacted immediately to this beautiful dessert. Many wanted to save the cookies, put them away for later, they were almost reluctant to eat them

Me too, I saved two to bring to Maria. This beautiful dessert cost  $160. I’m on the right track. I want the food we bring and the holidays we celebrate to be something the residents remember. Thanks so much for your support. The small things matter, we commit small acts of great kindness.We don’t perform miracles, we fill some of the holes in people’s lives.

You can help the Mansion work by donating to The Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816 or to me via Paypal, [email protected]