A Report on the Summer at The Gathering Place | A Letter to Our Volunteers

Hi folks,

You have probably heard of the team of six from Sally’s memos. We have been meeting every Tuesday morning since mid-March- the beginning of Covid. I call us the gang of six as it sounds more exotic. Four of us from the gang (Judy Bauman, Mary, Phil and I ) have volunteered at least once a week and occasionally twice, and I thought it might be useful for you to know, from our individual points of view, what it has been like. I should also say that there has been a number of additional volunteers who have served as consistently as the gang members have.

The gang has met so consistently every Tuesday morning because operational and major physical changes have been made to protect everyone— guests and volunteers alike. Changes are still being made. An expansion of outdoor activity will continue even in the colder weather. (More about that later) Ventilation and air filtration changes are being made. And, of course, as we move inside, because of social distancing, the number of guests will be reduced quite substantially. There have been so many changes I can’t remember them all. You would have to see them. But when Judy, Mary and Phil report to you, as they will, they will report further on what is being done, as well as on their own individual experiences and impressions.

Personally, being at TGP during the summer has been a distinct pleasure. Before we opened in July, I had some concerns, and I think most volunteers and guests did, but very quickly we realized this was going to work fine. Most of us volunteering have been outside because that is where mostly the guests sit, except to use computers. We follow CDC guidelines closely, and Mary is in touch with CDC often. We have been absolutely amazed at the responsibilities that the guests seem to take during these Covid times. Not once have I had any pushback from any guest about masks or social distancing. We locate all chairs on marks on the ground which are a minimum of 6 feet apart. We have a plentiful supply of masks which we make available to guests who may have forgotten theirs. Every guest has been careful about masking except that we exempt masks while they are seated to drink coffee or smoking in the smoking area. There is an occasional lapse in mask use due to simple forgetting, but when we remind the person involved, the compliance is immediate and pleasant.

There have been no arguments, no fights, no obstreperous behavior, nothing but pleasure. Guests and volunteers tend to sit together and chat. There’s been a number of new guests, who seem to appreciate the availability of The Gathering Place. When we began on July 1, we usually had 8 or 10 guests in the morning. We have since gone to 2 full days a week and will soon go to 3 days. The numbers have since increased to a total of about 35 one day last week, usually no more than 7 or 8 at any one time. We register each guest by name and telephone number before they sit down or enter the building so that we can do contact tracing, should that become necessary.

There have been relatively few guests using the indoors as they tend to prefer to be outside. As things get colder, we are sure that will change, and we are making provisions for heated outdoor space where people can drink their coffee. We are doing that because we will require complete masks at all times indoors, and no coffee drinking, except outside. We received a generous grant for a very large awning, on the right as you approach the door to The Gathering Place, which rolls up electrically so it can be protected during nighttime or storms. We are planning outdoor heating elements under the awning which will provide for comfort except on the coldest of days. Because of Covid, we began to orient activities outside, and with the large awning and outdoor heating, we hope we can continue outside seating on fair days all winter.

Altogether, the summer has been a real pleasure and I’m inclined to think that that will continue. Guests seem to feel a greater sense of responsibility and a greater tendency for cooperation than they did prior to Covid. It has been really gratifying to see.

Whether you choose to volunteer this fall and winter is, of course, entirely up to you and your circumstances. The number of days we are able to open as the season advances will be determined by the number of volunteers. We are fortunate to have some new volunteers, very competent ones you will enjoy getting to know, including: Frank Maucier, Kathy Hirst, Dana Cary, and Ken Spidle. Also, many regular volunteers have served this summer, including: Ken Darby, Nancy Chandler, Bob Lord, Mary O’Brien, Jo-an Jacobus, Lisa Green, Judy Bauman, Les Hodgdon, Marcia King, Annie Rose, and Denise Deschaies.  There has been a regular crew of supervisors all summer as well in addition to those in the gang of 6, including Colt Hitchcock, Patsy Oehl, and Madeleine Msall, Ann Lindner who is a new supervisor. Beulah Tobey and Bob Lord will be returning to their Wednesday shifts next week.

When Covid first hit in March, none of us could foresee what the future held. The reality has been wonderfully fulfilling— and easy, as well, thanks to everybody. Will it continue in the same way? I have given up predicting anything these days.

Best to each one of you,

Chick Carroll