Julie Harlin, the Mansion Activities Director, told me today that one of the best things we could do for the Mansion residents during the coronavirus lockdown is to write letters and e-mails and send photos and cards.

She says she would love to see a Pen Pal club where blog readers could each “adopt” a resident and write them regularly. If you wish, you can write by e-mail: [email protected] will see that they get it.

Or by mail: The Mansion address is The Mansion, 22 S. Union Avenue, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

Written letters are also welcome, as are photographs and animal pictures.

The residents will answer if and when they can.

The names of the residents who wish to participate are Ellen, Matt, Gerry, Sylvie, Joanne, Madeline, Brother Peter, Helen, Georgianna, Georgiann, Barbara, Alanna, Linda, Nancy, Annette, Peggie, Becky, Jean, Roberta (Bert), Tim, John,  Claudia, Ruth.

I’m going to start bringing some daily papers over every couple of days. Puzzles and books have been delivered.

The residents have been in lockdown for weeks and that will probably remain in effect for weeks to come. The aides say they are getting stir crazy, as are they.

The photo above is of Ellen, a resident, and Tia, a Mansion aide.

The Pen Pal idea is a good and timely one. In normal times, the residents feel forgotten. In these times, they are also lonely and anxious. Outside messages really help.

I was excited to learn that the students at Bishop Maginn are easy to join the Pen Pal club and are already sending messages to Julie for the residents. These are great kids. I love to see these two groups coming together in this way.

Thanks for your support of our Mansion work. If you can and wish to contribute, you can do so via Paypal, [email protected], or by check, Jon Katz, Mansion Fund, P.O.Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816.

And thanks so much for clearing out the new Mansion Amazon Wish List so quickly.