Page 10 - Chicagoland Cooperator Winter 2020

10 THE CHICAGOLAND COOPERATOR —WINTER 2020 CHICAGOCOOPERATOR.COM The support you need to manage your associations. Hugh Rider ph: (773) 989-8000 hrider@realtymortgageco.com REALTYMORTGAGECO.COM Call Us Today. Chicago’s Trusted Customized Property Management Program. Since 1906 The Premier Landscaping Maintenance Contractor in Chicago’s Western Suburbs Preserving, Protecting, and Enhancing your communities values. 630-393-7373 pezzalandscape.net pezzalandscape@sbcglobal.net been very ironic,” says Gallogly, “in that pantries and food banks, working with lifestyle directors are normally tasked with the local United Way, has really helped to bringing people together—and now they keep the community spirit alive. Many of literally have to keep people apart. This has the clubs and groups like ladies’ and men’s posed a very big challenge for management. lunch groups, book clubs, wine tasting, gui- Very early on in the pandemic, we started tar club, etc. have been able to meet outside, to see our various sites making adaptations weather permitting, while social distancing. to their activity calendars as the country This has also helped to maintain social con- started to shut down. This included clos- ing pools, fitness centers, and kids’ clubs, as well, where everyone sets up their own and canceling traditional celebrations like tables, chairs, food, and music at the end St. Patrick’s Day and Easter festivities. We of their driveways and socialize from a dis- quickly sought out candid feedback from our tance with their neighbors.” directors from all regions on weekly Zoom calls to discuss what was happening in their connected and engaged while safely social- world. This simple move has been a lifesaver ly distancing,” adds Gallogly. “Some of the for our operations team. For instance, man- agers shared tips on what vendors had gym person are now being offered virtually, along wipes or sanitizer in stock, along with best with kids’ programming like karate and bal- practices for programming at 55+, mixed- aged, resort, and high-rise properties.” Lynne Ed- wards, also with WTS, is a life- style director at Four Seasons at Monmouth Woods, in Howell, New Jersey. She adds that “networking and idea-sharing between during the summer months and when the lifestyle directors are becoming more and weather is more cooperative. Activities more important than ever before. Weekly like geocaching in the Catskills region and Zoom calls have become very productive rocket building in some of their mixed-age and important, as social distancing will con- tinue to be the way of life for a while. One popular. In New Jersey and Nevada, virtual great positive with virtual programming group exercise classes and personal train- is that lifestyle directors can now combine ing have become the norm, and can be both programs where multiple communities can streamed live or pre-recorded and replayed participate together in one event.” The Evolution of Bingo Night Management and lifestyle staff have also been very popular. To participate, resi- had to be quick on their feet since the CO- VID-19 crisis began. Balancing safety and and pick it up at the store or have it delivered activity was also a matter of balancing san- ity. Much has been written and discussed book Live. Movies outdoors on community regarding the toll that the social isolation of lawns or in parking lots have been another quarantine has taken on community cohe- sion and individual mental health—particu- larly in demographics that thrive on social marked out six feet apart to be socially dis- interaction. “I have been so impressed by the flex- ibility and ingenuity the lifestyle profes- sionals continue to show,” says Gallogly. drink-making kit from a local bar, which “It’s really been remarkable how quickly was delivered to their home. Participants they have been able to adapt. Social events then joined the scheduled Zoom meeting to like ‘Wine-Down’ Wednesdays, the annual watch the mixologist instructor live to learn Cinco de Mayo celebrations, and ‘summer how to make the craft cocktails. After the kick-offs’ have taken place in driveways and drinks were made, the residents logged into clubhouse parking lots all over during the a private group for a resident-only happy \[summer and early fall\]. In some of our 55+ hour to socialize with friends and neighbors communities, we offer a live stream of bingo and enjoy the fruits of their labor. night, weekly happy hours, and even chef demonstrations.” “Philanthropic events have been another way to connect in 55+ communities,” says Edwards. “Partnering with the local food nections safely. Block parties are popular “These activities keep the community popular card games traditionally held in let. We leveraged various social me- dia platforms and web-based sites to hold dance con- tests, talent shows, and weekly ‘par- ent-and-me’ story time.” New Approaches Gallogly ex- plains that na- ture-related pro- gramming had a resurgence of sorts communities in the Florida market were when it’s convenient for each resident. Edwards reports that ‘Paint & Sips’ have dents purchase a basic painting kit online and join the class virtually via Zoom or Face- popular event where everyone comes with their chairs, beverages, and food. Spaces are tant and watch the movies safely. They also offered a mixology happy hour in Arlington, Texas, recently, where residents purchased a SOCIAL... continued from page 1 “It’s been very ironic in that lifestyle directors are normally tasked with bringing people together—and now they lit- erally have to keep people apart.” — Amy Gallogly