open this summer. Many residents began to cheer up. They knew warmer temperatures were here for a few months at least and maybe, just maybe, neighbors would be allowed to gather. After hearing the many requests from residents desperate to see one another, one board came up with a resolution. A pool opening party on their very large, outdoor pool deck. There is plenty of space for people to spread out and there’s usually a breeze. Now the question was do they serve food and drinks? How can you have a party without food and drinks? Does the board ask people to bring their own? You can’t have glass containers of any kind on a pool deck so what’s the best way to make this a great party for everyone? The board tossed around a few ideas until one was mentioned that was the perfect solution. Individually wrapped snacks like pretzels, granola bars, mini cookies, chips, etc. They’re sold in large quantities at Costco. Drinks? No problem. Individual, single serve cans of beer, wine, soda pop and water were also available at Costco. Attendees would grab their own packages of snacks and cans of drinks.
The party date came and tables for the snacks and drinks were set up nicely with tablecloths and decorations. The day was perfect too. Sunny and 75 degrees with a slight breeze. Almost eighty people attended, all safely and all outdoors. The smiles were endless from people finally being able to see neighbors and their faces. Compliments to the board were flowing as nicely as those cans of drinks. It was a great party. There was still one problem. In an older building where there is no elevator to the pool deck, what about the older residents who were left out of such a great gathering? The property manager came up with a great idea. Care packages. Brown paper lunch bags were purchased and filled with two canned drinks, usually one white wine and one red wine and an assortment of those individually wrapped snacks. Close up the bag and attach a handwritten note saying to each person that they were thought of during the party, missed, and hoped to be seen soon. The property manager dropped off the care packages to each person’s door and immediately began to receive phone calls from residents who often were choked up and a couple who cried because they were so grateful that they were remembered. One resident even said, “All I could do was watch the party taking place from twenty floors above but eventually I had to close the curtains as it became too much to see what seemed like everyone having a great time.”
20 | COMMON INTEREST®
While this small gesture had a huge impact on these residents it still wasn’t the same as seeing people in person. Would there be a holiday party this year or do they have to wait again? The nightly news seemed to be filled with worry as fall arrived. Would people spending more time indoors create another large spread of COVID? Were enough people vaccinated? Were people getting the boosters? The answer seemed to be that only time would tell. September through early November seemed to go just fine. Then everyone worried about Thanksgiving gatherings. Should they even happen? Pre-COVID Thanksgivings were traditionally the busiest travel time of the year. Travel restrictions were all but gone away now. Mask wearing was only a requirement on flights or in healthcare environments or assisted living or nursing home facilities. People did travel for Thanksgiving and in large numbers. For many this was the first time seeing their family since the pandemic began. COVID positivity rates did not skyrocket as many had feared. The outlook was good for a holiday party.
The first couple weeks of December remained okay and the same board and property manager decided it was time to bring back the holiday party. The best part about this party is that those older residents who couldn’t attend the pool opening party because of the stairs could attend this one as it was in a room just off the main lobby. The Board even had the food catered. Plates and cutlery. Lamb “lollipops” and rosemary chicken. Drinks were poured from wine bottles into wine glasses. No individually wrapped snacks or cans of drinks. The older residents who at this point desperately wanted to see their neighbors, seemed to have a spring in their step when getting off the elevator, all gussied up and beaming with a smile. These residents were the last ones to leave the party two hours after it was supposed to have ended.
We made it through the pandemic and after a long time of waiting for vaccinations and enough people being vaccinated, we were able to safely see one another again. Perhaps the use of individually wrapped snacks and single serve drinks will help you still host a party even if your community and residents are still worried about spreading germs. Socializing can be done safely and people can still enjoy seeing their family and friends. Lean into easing your community back into the new social calendar of the early 2020s. Your next association gathering can be the cat’s pajamas, and this still young decade can be the bee’s knees!
• Spring 2023 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
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