Letters Trellis Returns to Farmers Market August 15th, 2020

Letters Trellis will return to the Winchester Farmers Market this coming Saturday, August 15th. We will continue the “Post It Forward” program that was started earlier, distributing packets of stationery and stamped envelopes for market attendees to write paper letters so they can connect with others in a tangible way during the viral pandemic.   19 packets were distributed on August 15.

Stop by the Letters Trellis tent and ask about a surprise activity! See https://letterstrellis.com for more information.

“Post it Forward”

 

Welcome to Letters Trellis.  Letters Trellis is a project to encourage the writing of traditional letters.

 

What is Post It Forward?  Post It Forward is an attempt to adapt a community writing opportunity into an at-home activity.  With current physical distancing limits, our plan to welcome you to a letter writing desk at community events has been postponed.  Instead, packets are available to promote a time-tested form of communication, the hand-written letter.  Participants receive a Post It Forward packet with materials for two letters.  You can write to two people, (or invite someone else to “post it forward” and write their own letter by including the folded blank materials in your post).  Either way, you are doubling the impact of your efforts.

 

What’s in the Packet?   Each packet has two stamped envelopes, a few sheets of stationery, and suggestions on getting started.

 

Where can I get a Packet?  We will be at the Winchester Farmers Market a few times during the 2020 season. For actual dates and location see the market page https://winchesterfarmersmarket.org and the Letters Trellis home page https://letterstrellis.com .

 

[August 2020]

So you want to write a letter?​ 

 

Here are some prompts to get you started.  When writing a letter, think about the person to whom you are writing, similar to how you might start a conversation.  Consider the suggestions below and how they might influence what you write.

Prompts

·      Thoughts about when you first met each other, or last visited ________________ 

·      Remembering when you experienced (a place, a person, or gathering) together

·      Things learned because of the person you are writing ________________ 

·      Memories of what your intended reader likes, how they expressed their thoughts,  or how they influenced your own __________

 

Additional prompts

·      When I think of _________________, you come to mind

·      You know my favorite _____________________________________

·      ___________ is happening outside my window and ______________

·      After you left ________________________________

·      Our conversation left me ___________________________

·      I see you in my happy places, like ____________________

·      You make me think of ______________________

·      I can imagine ___________________________________________

Safety

The links below suggest that the risk of transmitting virus through the mail is low.  However, a cautious approach might include the addition of a statement on your envelope, “Please open this letter one day after it arrives, and enjoy it with a cup of tea or coffee”. The US Postal Service has this information: https://about.usps.com/newsroom/statements/usps-statement-on-coronavirus.htm