9 minute read
WHAT’S GETTING
Kawartha Lakes
The COVID-19 pandemic was an unwelcome surprise in so many ways. For some of us, the virus has taken our loved ones and for others it made them seriously ill. For most of us, though, it disrupted the rhythm of our lives. It forced us to change how we live — at least for an extended time period.
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We were asked by our country and by public health to do our part to stop the spread of the virus by staying home whenever possible. Staying home seems like a small sacrifice and yet we are creatures of habit. We are all forced into at least some level of introversion now, no matter our natural orientation.
So, what has gotten us through this pandemic so far? We asked 12 Kawartha Lakes residents that very question. Oh, and don’t worry! Our own Sienna Frost kept a safe distance away and used her zoom lens, as did guest photographer Mark Ridout.
12 How residents are getting
through the pandemic
Dana Bowman
Photo: Sienna Frost
www.lindsayadvocate.ca Dana Bowman was missing the company of a pet, something that became more pronounced whenever she’d visit her pet-owner daughter, Samantha before the pandemic hit, Samantha gave her mother a new puppy — which she named Bane — to keep her company. “I’m not a person who just strikes out to go for a walk, especially with the pandemic, so Bane gives me the incentive to get some fresh air and exercise. He gives me positives to focus on and the rewarding work of taking care of him. Maybe it’s the trusting looks I get from him and the unconditional love that I found I need in these challenging times. I’m grateful for my new fur friend.”
2
Dennis Geelen
Photo: Sienna Frost
Dennis Geelen’s company, Zero In, was put on hold during the pandemic but he figured out how to do some charity work with webinars which supported local non-profits. He’s been exercising each morning, reading a lot, and even writing his next business book. But it has been a goal of his for a long time to learn how to play the guitar.“After borrowing a guitar from a friend, I have been spending 15-30 minutes each day, teaching myself how to play. What a great treat it has been to have this to look forward to each day, see my progress, and have a new outlet to help relieve the pressures and anxieties that come with this new normal.”
3Kate Dorotheou
Photo: Sienna Frost
Kate Dorotheou feels fortunate to be a staff member at Kawartha Lakes Food Source, so getting through this crisis was essential for her, “as our work was not going to stop.” Even through the tough days of not knowing if our food banks would have enough for those in need, of working from home, of feeling isolated and alone, I got to witness an outpouring of good happenings as well. Our community has come together to support those who are vulnerable, and I see it first-hand every day. What a bright side to focus on! I’ve tried some quarantine cooking too, though. I can make pad Thai — who knew?
Sharon Robbins 4
Many years ago, Sharon Robbins took pottery lessons and really enjoyed them. She found a used pottery wheel and a kiln and set them up in the garage, but a busy life meant that she rarely had time to use them. “Years have passed and while I find that I’m a bit rusty, I now leave the house most days to throw clay in my little studio. Time is a real luxury when it comes to improving any skill and the current circumstances have provided that time for me.”
Mark Robbins 5
Less than a year into his retirement from the Ontario public service, Mark Robbins was just getting used to the change in lifestyle when the pandemic occurred. The touchstone he has returned to througout his life is the natural world. “Unlike most people I have never oriented well to the twelve-month calendar. My life has always revolved around the seasons and their associated fishing and hunting activities and I can find a good reason to be outdoors any time,” where there is always something different to learn and something new to see. “It’s both relaxing and exciting at the same time and always puts me in a better frame of mind.” Photos: Sienna Frost
How are you getting through these times?
Let us know by emailing kawarthalakespublisher@gmail.com in 150 words or less
6Artemis Chartier
Artemis Chartier believes many of us faced a potential loss of purpose and connection during isolation. “For me, meaningful human connections still happen through writing songs. I hoped with all my heart that a few light melodies might help lift some heavy burdens people were carrying.” Reaching out through songs took the form of original Easter music for a live-streamed church service, and then a musical thank-you to essential workers, called “On the Front Lines.” About 40 paramedics, pharmacists, police officers, firefighters, clergy, sanitation workers, hospital staff, and other heroes participated in the related video. “Creating music, while feeling gratitude for the service of others, took the chill out of isolation. I was moved to see that Kawartha Lakes really did draw closer together.”
8Reeja Satheera Rajan
Rajan is a stay-at-home mother of two children aged 7 and 3, while her husband is a health-care worker. They live in an apartment in Lindsay. “When the COVID-19 pandemic started my husband decided to keep some physical distance because of the nature of his work.” She says her children adapted to “air hugs and kisses” with their dad. When the schools closed it was a bit tough, she says, but she keeps them busy doing things like reading, painting, colouring and clay modelling. Rajan also has a good friend who provides new books and games for the kids. “We are also doing a lot of cooking and baking and maybe I will become a good baker before this pandemic is over.”
7Pierre Chartier
This unexpected quiet time at home allowed Pierre Chartier to turn his full attention to writing a novel based on his grandparents’ and mother’s experiences in the French resistance during the Second World War. Weaving together the elements of a story is consuming, and research takes even longer than riting, he says, so he made the most of the opportunity to focus. “Some of the difficult historical events I was trying to depict shook me or resonated with me for long periods. During the COVID-19 situation, we may have complained to some degree about our confinement, but it was really nothing compared to what many of our ancestors went through during the Second World War.”
9Lynn Hasson
Lynn Hasson’s farm life is probably less affected by the COVID-19 virus than most people’s. “Except for the personal distancing with family and friends our daily routine is marginally affected. The saying ‘life goes on’ is most obvious here on the farm.” And that means weather gets warmer, the chickens keep laying, the sheep will be lambing and the garden still needs planting. “A positive for me is the extra time at home has made it possible to spend more time working with my fibre.” Lynn operates Lanesend Farm & Fiber in Reaboro. “Dyeing my wool and spinning it into yarn is one of my favourite pastimes and staying home has allowed me to pursue my passion.”
10 Nicole Bryant
“During the pandemic I have been able to keep positive and motivated by the fantastic work that my team at A Place Called Home continues to do.” We have partnered with the Kawartha Lakes human services and the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit to respond to the needs of the homeless in our community during the pandemic. We continue to rally together to serve this vulnerable population with passion and integrity. My staff has shown unwavering commitment; adapting and pivoting to meet the need as we all struggle to find normalcy during this time. My heart is filled with gratitude, happiness and a deep appreciation as I continue to work alongside these amazing men and women who are all ‘in it together.’
11 Gabrielle Simpson
Gabrielle Simpson has a three-year-old son, Austin, and another baby on the way. Her social-distancing days started off “lazy and easy,” she says, “a great break from our normal busy life.” “As the weeks went by Austin needed something more. We are adjusting by spending as much time in our large backyard as possible. We have set up a ‘construction site,’ and there are three large areas where Austin has worn away the grass — and that’s okay. My husband put ropes on the large dump truck toys so I wouldn’t have to bend over and push the trucks. I hope our son will remember the hours at the ‘job site’ in our backyard and not all the things we miss about our busy lifestyle we lived before social distancing.”
12
Priti Patel
Photo: Mark Ridout
The changes resulting from the pandemic have given Priti Patel the chance to dust off her old recipe books and cook some traditional Indian food from east, west north and south. “I absolutely love cooking and while the whole family is home all day, the food never seems to stay.” She says she has been able to create some new recipes “and make do with what I can find in the house — always creating new fusions exploring unique flavours.” There are so many kinds of different recipes from all over India which Priti has enjoyed cooking. “Nothing brings people together like good food.”
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