Provocateurs Of Positivity - Meet One Of Them, Luca Paris

Provocateurs of Positivity

It is my hope to turn this into a series of people who are changing the world, one moment at a time. Today, I share about a friend of mine.

Over the last couple of years, I have used this term often to describe those who are making changes where they live, where they love, and sometimes in the middle of the crisis. Here are a few.

So, what is a provocateur? The dictionary would suggest that provocation would elicit a particular response or reflex. A response. In the case of being a provocateur of positivity, the person would seek to get a positive response. People would “buy” into it through their response. But don’t be mistaken, it is not always about charisma, but persistence and humility.

For years, it has been my hope to see people read an article and make a change. For instance, they would read about “cleaning up a river of trash” and others would say, “I could do that” and begin a similar project in their home community.

I am fortunate that I live in a community where there are many of those folks. (My hope and my heart are you will say “I know someone like that” or you will say “I could do that”. )

#ICouldDoThat

I have a great friend here in Keene, who is without a doubt is a provocateur of positivity. Fun, creative and community-minded. His name… Luca Paris. You have seen his videos about foods, cooking and sometimes just fun ones. (Laying in a snowbank with Facebook live. Dancing in the streets with his best friend, Ted McGreer, owner of Ted’s Shoe and Sport. Or hamming it up on the radio with Dan Mitchell Thursday mornings.)

He gets people “going”! In many respects, he is the godfather of cooking in town. (Even once winning on Guy’s Grocery Games.) He has been in this town for 20 years. (The same as Ted.) And they are just some of the great folks that LOVE this town. (This week, you could read this, How a Group of New Hampshire Entrepreneurs Are Leaning on One Another to Stay in Business in INC. Magazine.)
A few weeks (Has it even been that long?) ago when the world began to change and restaurants needed to make lots of changes to the way they did business, Luca was right there.

Let me share this transition and journey, that Luca embraced. “Way back” on the 16th, after suggesting to everyone to support local businesses and buy gift certificates from folks, Luca posted this.

Starting Today Curbside Pickup with Pasta Pasta Special Priced menu with an extra special free gift with every order.

We understand about going out during times like these. And we are doing our best to make it easier for you to come and get your food. Special Pricing for curbside pickup menu &

We have your Back….SIDE!!

You can use our regular menu or try out our Pasta Pasta Menu To Go Call 603-358-3335 to order

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Flucasmedcafe%2Fvideos%2F574424096493799%2F&show_text=0&width=560 He followed it up with this…

We are open tonight. And tomorrow we are going to walk in take out, delivery and curbside pick up only at Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe Hours and menu to follow

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A new menu went up on the 17 with “give something back” pricing, designed to take out and a gift, as well as beer and wine availability.

(And by the 17th John from the Vacuum Store was donating toilet paper to go, to go!)

Lots of posts began to show up with their takeout meals and the roll of toilet paper.

Here you see him promoting others

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By the 19th, the WIIFive began.

When you come into Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe. Or anytime I see you. I will be giving you a Wii Five. #wiifive. Be safe and take care of each other. We will make it through this. Video your best WiiFive and post!!! Tag us !!

https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fluca.paris%2Fvideos%2F10222139044091175%2F&show_text=0&width=267
Luca’s wall had folks sharing food and toilet paper. (My wife and I even did this!)

By the 20th, things were rolling.

So today was a good day. Today I got to pay it back for getting paid forward. You see, Gomarlos Supermarket ordered lunch from us today. And we were so grateful. The I went out and got pizza at Little Zoe’s Pizza. Brick Oven and Take and Bake and then mid day snack at Street Savory. Needless to say the Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe team is eating well today. Oh and I got to WiiFive people. All day. Seriously, they think I’m crazy. They may be right.

Daily, he was sharing his love and his compassion for this community, the people and the business owners.

His friend, Gary, had this to say…
I’ve known this man for years (he’s a Yankee folks, so deal with it)! He’s always innovative, always positive, always looking to make the best of a situation (and sometimes he’s a pain in the ass). That said, he’s taken all of the fear, worry, and anxiety that’s associated with our current state and is turning it into an opportunity to unite communities, encourage small businesses, and have a laugh. Thanks, Luca Paris for all that you’re doing in the Monadnock Region. We may be 900 miles “socially distanced”, but you’re still motivating me!
This photo above appeared on the front page of The Monadnock Shopper News with this headline. Community Comes Together (From A Safe Distance) To Support Local Restaurants.

On the 21st, Luca shared this…

Hey everyone. Looking for some positive today. I know these are serious times and we are all going through our own personal struggles. But today I would love some positive. I saw a video of a couple dancing in there homes and more. What positives are you seeing and being part of.

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Later that day, he posted this.

Luca’s Project Rainbows of Hope

Please tell everyone

Hey.

I heard kids are making rainbows of hope. I would love to have every inch of every window at Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe covered with

8.5 x 11 inch rainbows and their first names and ages.

They are the hope we all need.

Starting tonight ….

Please share and drop them off at 10 central square in Keene. Please share with your friends and their kids. This would make my day.

Stay safe and

#WiiFive!!!!!!!

Not too long after, Machina Kitchen & ArtBar, posted this.

Thank you Carter (the son of Mary Hurley who works here @ Machina) for this BEAUTIFUL rainbow ? it brightens our day & all the customers that will get to see it when they pick up their orders! ?

What an amazing idea Luca Paris!

#spreadpositivity

And so it continued. As someone who lives here, I am thankful for those who grabbed hold and made it their own

I asked people what they see positive in their day. Well, two things in my day ;

1) starting to fill the Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe windows with Rainbows of Hope

2) teaching Carter (our first kid rainbow maker) to #WiiFive.

On the 22nd the drop box was out for RAINBOWS!

JR shared this on Luca’s wall.

When I first heard about the Rainbow project in Keene about 10 days ago, it was suggested as a “scavenger hunt” of sorts….. something for kids to spot and count while they were out for a walk, practicing social distancing…… Phase Two: Leave it to Luca Paris to lead the charge and help make it a movement that pulls The Community together!♥️ I suspect that “Rainbows Of Hope” will blanket our little town of Keene, New Hampshire to the extent that a Rainbow may overtake the pumpkin image that was once our moniker! Luca has vowed to plaster his windows with these….there is a collection box at Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe, so get the kiddos busy and we will share this message of hope?♥️ Thank you Luca for being this person who never fails to build on a positive message! (cookies made by Amy Christiansen-Schoefmann at Eat More Cake!)

Melissa shared this…

? ❤️ Someone started a rainbow project in Keene last week. The thought is to put a rainbow in your window and when families are out walking, they can hunt for rainbows. We have one in our window at home, and if you are walking on Park Ave, you could spot it! Luca Paris is collecting rainbows for this storefront at Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe. They’re closed today but they have a Dropbox to collect while they’re enjoying a day off. A fun project for your little ones today and a great community building event for Keene! ❤️ ?

Joan shared this…

Our first window of rainbows is almost full!! Shout out to all the awesome parents and kids in Keene for helping brighten up our storefront and lifting our spirits! The Rainbow Dropbox is still outside, waiting for new pictures!! ?☀️

For all of our friends outside of Keene, please send rainbows to: Luca’s, 10 Central Square, Keene, NH 03431

#besafe #bekind #behopeful

Machina had this post up on the 24th.

Please Share: Looking for rainbows for restaurants! Brighten our day!

Please draw us a rainbow & post and tag #rainbowsforrestaurants and we will fill our front windows to spread joy! (for all ages!) Drop it off or mail to 9 Court Street, Keene NH! (If we are not around please slip it under our door!)

Thank you Luca Paris of Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe for starting this! If you are a restaurant please feel free to share/ask for rainbows for your window as well. Let’s make this a movement of joy for all! You are welcome to use the graphic below.

Today, we were notified in the State of New Hampshire, our Stay-At-Home was in place from the 27th through the 4th of May.

Luca had this up…

Hey everyone. The chart below makes it easy to understand the stay at home order.

It is something most of us are already doing.

We will get through this.

And to the businesses that are going to be open. We have a huge responsibility to the public, and our employees, if we choose to serve them.

I pledge to maintain impeccable standards to the best of our ability and offer you a safe environment to continue some normalcy through this difficult time.

Luca’s Mediterranean Cafe will continue to do take out ~ curbside ~ delivery for the foreseeable future.

Be safe ~ Be responsible ~ Be kind ~ Be hopeful

We will get through this together…..but still 6 feet apart

What is a POSITIVITY PROVOCATEUR? It one who sees the silver lining in all situations. In this case, it is my friend, Luca. A man who inspires others to be the best at what they do. An encourager. A person who does what they can to make where they live better than when they arrived.

We have a lot of them where I live. I would imagine you do, too.

I look for the next thing Luca is going to do.

(And maybe I will tell you about the block parties organized, the races put together, the cutting of school children’s hair and the benevolence extended by so many in the Keene area, the next time out. I can’t cover them all. If you have a great story about a Positivity Provocateur, I hope you will share it with us.)