Gwen Burke, Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 member and an Edith Wolford Elementary School Cover Girl volunteer, said she is enjoying the quiet and staying home. ìI miss volunteering at school, of course. Iíve lived in Black Forest since 1956 and so Iíve always been prepared with extra supplies, especially in the winter when we can get bad weather. Iíve been doing a lot of praying for everyone. I have a son who cooks and helps me out and my neighbors call to see if I need anything, so Iím doing OK.îìWe have been staying at home like ëold peopleí are supposed to do,î said Stanley Beckner, also a Black Forest AARP member. ìMy wife has been able to work in the yard on nice days, and I take a lot of walks. Staying at home has been pretty easy since all our usual activities and group meetings are cancelled through the end of April.†So far no sign of ëcabin feverí, as they say in Alaska.†It has, in fact, been pretty restful! It has given us time to do things in the house like catch up on reading, viewing CDs and movies we havenít seen in a long time.†Iíve done a lot of things on the computer Iíve been putting off, like working on genealogy research.†We have also had some good email exchanges and telephone conversations with our kids and friends.†TV has been somewhat of a bust however; no sports for me, and all the news seems to focus on the coronavirus epidemic.†Gas is cheap, but nowhere to go!†We have visited the grocery store about once per week.†I found some dust masks in my shop, so we are good to go with that.†Bottom line; we are faring well.îCarlene Peters, long time St Francis Hospital Medical Center volunteer, said, ìWeíre not too worried about anything. My husband and I are well and fortunately in good health. I go shopping for us and get prescriptions and wear a mask. I still have my nursing license, so I could go to work if need be. Iíve been doing a lot of house cleaning and all the things everyone is doing while staying at home; I have several bags to take to the arc Thrift Store when this is over!î
