“Socialization is a huge piece that’s been missing for more than 14 months,” says the center’s Director, Shelley Johnson.” It’s isolated people a great deal. We’ve had phone calls, a lot, asking ‘when are you going to re-open again, when can we come back, we miss seeing people.'”
Johnson says there have been other forms of communication during the pandemic like newsletters, but it doesn’t take the place of being there in person. The center closed on March 13, 2020 for more than four months. They tried to re-open a couple times later in the year, but COVID rules changed and thwarted that effort.
Members of the wood carving group were among the first to be allowed to meet in person again.
“It’s great to get back together again. For a lot of us, it’s as much a social activity as it is wood carving,” says wood carver Wes Spaduenske.
As the center slowly re-opens, June may be a big month. Card and board games, the movie of the month, in person meals, and transportation all could make a return as capacity restrictions loosen. The city says precautions are in place. They recommend being fully vaccinated before participating. They’ve also added an air flow ionization system, improved furnace filters, plexiglas barriers, sanitizer stations and consistent sanitation procedures.
“We hope we just continue to move forward, not backward. That would be wonderful, looking forward to seeing friendly faces again back in the center,” said Johnson.
Wood carvers, meanwhile hope to rebuild their numbers and get more folks hooked on their hobby.
“It’s good to come in here and chat and solve the world’s problems,” said Spaduenske.
