and its effects are seen in many
ways…tempers flaring…tears of
fear.” But she is also aware of the
positive side. “I have heard many
stories of neighbors doing shopping,
giving rides to appointments
and just making calls to see how
they are doing.”
Resident Terry Feit said, “I find
being more confined to the house
has made me more aware of the
health and welfare of my friends
and neighbors.” Reaching out to
others is its own way of coping,
and many people have taken more
time to check in on their neighbors,
cook for those who aren’t
able to, and teach others new
computer skills, such as Zoom.
Ah, Zoom. Believe it or not,
Zoom was founded in 2011, but
few had even heard of it before
2020. The app has really taken off
at the Towers and has evolved to
become a lifeline for many NST
residents. It’s used by the Women’s
Club, the Men’s Club, NST’s
Migdal chapter of Hadassah and
others to keep members connected
and help maintain momentum for
their members and activities.
Even more impactful is that
Zoom, as well as FaceTime, are
being used by many residents to
keep them connected to their
loved ones. Several residents
reported that they have Shabbat
dinners with family or friends each
week, and others are connecting
(and reconnecting) with friends
and relatives across the country.
Resident Vicki Mazel, for example,
has grandchildren who live in
Arizona, California, Manhattan
and Glen Oaks. Her grandson
came up with the idea that the
grandkids would pick a book that
they and Vicki would all read and
then get together on Zoom to discuss.
“It’s a way of getting together
on a different level, to share the
same reading experience,” she
said. They’re now expanding the
concept to share movies and are
inviting the grandchildren’s parents
to join the group.
In some cases, the extra time
most everyone has on their hands
has actually provided an opportunity
to expand their relationships.
Terry said, “I have a group
of friends who live all over the
country and I talk to them much
more now. Contact with my family
is a daily occurrence.”
LIFE AT NORTH SHORE TOWERS
A handful of people were
somewhat nostalgic for the days
when they lived in a house with
“more space, a backyard, a barbecue
and a dog,” as one resident
put it. However, resident Gloria
Beck observed that people she
knows who are in private houses
are “sadder, more nervous but
there’s a place for everyone here,”
she said. “I’m lucky to be here.”
The vast majority of people
interviewed agree with her, and
as one resident put it, “I’m glad to
be here; NST is a village.” It takes
a devoted team to keep this village
running, and many residents
made a point to credit North
Shore Towers’ staff. Compliments
included, “The concierges are
very helpful and friendly,” “The
NST staff helps keep normalcy,”
and “I’m very appreciative of our
staff.”
But it hasn’t been easy for the
management, staff and shopkeepers
throughout this time. Bruce
Vogel, the assistant to General
Manager Glen Kotowski, has
been impressed by the level of
dedication the staff and store
owners have shown. “There has
never been an interruption of
service,” he said. “At the onset
of the general public lockdown,
everyone was understandably
concerned for the safety of their
families at home. It’s truly commendable
that our entire staff
continued to perform their duty as
normally expected, while working
under the most abnormal, uncertain
conditions.”
NST employees, who are
deemed essential workers, are on
the “front lines” every day dealing
with residents and delivery people
on a daily basis. Naturally, they
have their own concerns. One
porter said he travels to NST by
mass transit, which makes him
frightened, but he is appreciative
of management’s support in supplying
protective equipment. One
concierge remains very cautious
about wearing masks and gloves.
He has also noticed that the overall
mood at NST is “less tense”
than it was last March.
Business owners, a few of which
are essential services and have
remained open throughout, have
made their own observations. Mr.
O of the Towers Fruit Market has
noticed that people are looking
out for neighbors but that their
personalities don’t really change.
“People who are impatient remain
impatient; people who are patient
remain patient.” Kenny of the
Towers Supermarket has noticed
how grateful residents are of not
having to worry about where to
get their groceries. “They treat
us like kings now!” he said. And
Paul from Towers Drugs has seen
residents being “very positive”
and, of course, that his “deliveries
are up!”
Buffy of Towers Restaurant has
had a more difficult time of it since
restaurant openings and closings
have gone back and forth in NYC.
This is hard on business, but it’s
also hard emotionally since she
has many regular customers. “I
miss seeing everyone,” she said.
THE FUTURE
Make no mistake: Although
the vaccine is blessedly here, its
distribution has been achingly
slow, and so we continue to slog
through with distancing and masks.
As we’re all feeling greater hope
with the vaccine and seeing light
at the end of the proverbial tunnel,
many are looking forward with
hope and optimism. “This is now
and not forever,” one resident said.
Another remarked, “We are blessed
and will get through this.”
Finally, another wisely observed,
“This will be a recorded event we
will never forget and will be noted
as ‘In the Time of Covid.’” No one
can argue with that.
Thanks to all who agreed
to participate in these interviews.
Karen gives us her
own insights here about the
experience of reaching out to
other residents for this project:
“First, my deepest thanks
go to Arlene Greenwood and
Eleanor Ulrich. Their dedication
helped to make this
project a reality.”
K a re n c o n t i n u e d ,
“Sometimes when you are
looking for one thing, you
find something else of much
greater value. Such was my
experience in conducting this
survey. My goal was to assess
the impact on this community
of one year of the Covid-19
pandemic. I satisfied that goal,
but learned things of much
more importance.
I learned that this is a community
of incredible strength,
resolve and faith. The strength
to not let these crushing times
beat them down. The resolve
to treat each day as a blessing,
never to be squandered. The
incredible, indelible faith that
we will emerge from this great
trial. Not merely emerge, but
will be stronger and higher for
The Art Studio and Library the experience.”
remain off-limits
March 2021 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 9