AN INVITATION TO PLAY

FALL/WINTER 2020

NO. 1 DAD: PAUL COOK

P. 8

AT-HOME ACTIVITIES P. 9

Event-planning company Rock Paper Sprinkles created Boredom Boxes, a party in a box, to inspire creativity at home.

Imagination runs wild at Rock Paper Sprinkles, which comes in handy for an event-planning business navigating a global pandemic. Co-owners Cara Kopec and Courtney Yarbrough launched the company as a birthday party business last November. The focus: creativity and interactivity. “Our goal is to tap into kids’ imagination and to build it into everyday play, celebrations, and special moments,” says Kopec. “We focus on playfulness, humor, and fun as we try to save parents’ time and energy by giving them all the supplies they need.” When the pandemic took hold in March, many in-person birthday parties, holiday gatherings, and playdates were cancelled. That’s when Rock Paper Sprinkles came up with the idea for “Boredom Boxes,” themed boxes for kids ages 3 and older that include games, activities, props, and decorations. The duo partnered with another business that values imaginative play, Urban Fort Play Cafe, to bring Boredom Boxes to the city for local pickup—and to include a special sweet treat, chocolate chip cookies. Rock Paper Sprinkles plans to release new themed boxes every few weeks and will have seasonal themes during the holiday season. From $34, available for pickup or delivery, rockpapersprinkles.com. —JESSE BAALMAN

PAUL COOK

The lighthearted, wisdom-filled voice of Y98 radio host Paul Cook fills the airwaves every afternoon with joy, humor, and even companionship for many listeners. His path has not always been easy, but he’s living his best life today. BY PAM WILSON

BASIC STATS

AGE: 48 FAMILY: Quinn, 17; Ryan, 14; wife Jen PROFESSION: Radio personality HIGH SCHOOL: Lindbergh High School, Class of 1990

WHAT I REALLY DO

I talk to people on the radio and try to brighten their day. Luckily, people like my lowkey approach. Being able to do this in my hometown— I’m a St. Louis boy through and through—is extra joy.

MY CHILDHOOD DREAM CAREER

I remember watching MTV with my mom and thinking, I want to do that! Since I was 17, I have been recording (at first with a boom box) myself and friends. My goal was to be a game show host or David Letterman.

RECORD-BREAKING MOMENT

I was on-air for 90-plus days in a row!

MOST RELEVANT THING I’VE LEARNED FROM HOSTING A RADIO SHOW

We, as human beings, need connection; we need to talk and be heard. I love being able to do that. Folks light up when they get to share with others.

FUN FACT

I am really good at recognizing voices from commercials and animated shows.

ON BEING A DAD TO TEENS

It is wild! It’s funny and totally maddening. I definitely feel a responsibility to

Catch Paul’s new podcast, “Life After Lemons,” at Y98.radio.com

try to make sure they don't live all of the excitement in life on their smartphone.

LESSONS FOR MY KIDS

Lift someone else, and make them feel loved. To be good at anything, you have to put the time in.

HOW COLORECTAL CANCER CHANGED MY LIFE

What I’ve been through should have taken me, but I’ve been given a gift. I went through 12 rounds of chemo/ radiation and had two big surgeries. At the one-year check, a new cancer was found, and I had an even bigger surgery. As of June, I am cancer-free.

WHEN LIFE THROWS YOU A CURVE

I research and try to be informed. For the last six months, I’ve been meditating and doing qigong.

HOW LIFE HAS CHANGED WITH THE PANDEMIC

I can go deep with people. I’ve had suffering and awakenings from it. And I want to make sure that people know they are being heard. By me. Every day.