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Paulanne Simmons

Three decades ago, I was on a crowded subway train the day before Thanksgiving with my son Alex. Halfway through our trip a man in torn jeans and a shabby shirt came onboard, leaned against a pole and began singing “Me And Bobby McGee,” a song written by Kris Kristofferson and most famously recorded by Janis Joplin.   The man was obviously looking for a handout, and many people were not listening. But he sang with such emotion and sincerity I was hooked. When he came to the l

Getting a New Coat! Thirty-seven years ago I wrote the first ad to launch the New York Cares Coat Drive. It is now the oldest such campaign in the United States. It is one of my proudest accomplishments. When I see advertsements for the campaign every fall, I am not only reminded of this accomplishment, but also of the fact that I am a year old. It's like a second birthday, only the gifts go to all the people who get new coats. In life, we don't often get the chance to play a

Rev. Gregoary's Booth The last time I went to the doctor, the first question I was asked was, “Are you depressed?” My answer was, “Who isn’t?” But if you find yourself beset by personal and existential angst these days, help can be found on Lexington Avenue every Tuesday morning. And it only costs five cents. What a bargain.    Reverand Gregory P. Fryer, pastor of Immanuel Luteran Church, says every day people stop for spiritual advice. Sometimes they have more mundane issues

I bought a cowboy hat in Austin. It was my birthday, and I wanted to get myself a present. The hat makes me look ten years younger.   I...