A simple idea for relief from quarantining

I live in a little neighborhood that surrounds the new Monserate Winey. Over my 19 years of living in this neighborhood, I have managed to collect almost 100 email addresses. I used them in the beginning to get word out about Save Gird Valley. But once that was over, I mainly used it to help people find a plumber, electrician, home keeper, or a lost dog.

Sometimes I sent messages about new businesses in town opening, urging their support. It was not an open forum type thing, just me kind of helping when and where I could and keeping neighbors connected.

But when COVID-19 hit, not much emailing was going on. So, after being quarantined in our homes from the beginning of March until April 4, I got an idea.

We had many walkers in our neighborhood, so I suggested we all take a walk on Saturday night from 4-5, masked, or sit in your front yard, and let's just say "hi" to each other. Get out of the house and feel some personal interaction. It went over so well that we named it the "Saturday Night Social Distancing Happy Hour."

We have continued that Saturday Night Social Distancing Happy Hour every Saturday since.

On the second Saturday night, John Garrett decided singing with his guitar was his way to say hi to everyone walking by. John became so popular that soon people walked to his house just to hear him sing. Some nights another neighbor, Daryl Bickley, joined him. Saturday night became a welcomed event.

Soon we had children coming and lots of dogs. John was so excited to have such an appreciative audience, he started taking requests, and practicing all week for Saturday night.

John and his family have always been involved in the music business, but John made a decision early in his life that he didn't want the "celebrity style" of life. So, he only did small gigs. But to be able to play to a neighborhood audience every night has brought a new light and joy to John.

Sandra Kopitzke also lives in our neighborhood and sings locally with the Gin 'N Tonix quartet. COVID stalled their engagements, so Sandra thought "let's have a practice session in our driveway." That drew quite the crowd. So, they did it a second time several weeks later! Social distancing and with masks.

Since all this began, John says he knows more people in our neighborhood now than ever before. People are waving to him every time he drives out. Sandra has started a little neighborhood choir group from just the little ones in our neighborhood.

I can tell from the signs in our neighborhood that we have different political views, but that does not stop us from joining together once a week to celebrate life, freedom and good neighbors.

I am proud to live in this neighborhood, and just wanted to share with others what it's like to live in this Friendly Village during a pandemic.