Text by Kathy Riley, photos by Ann Campbell, Diane Symcak, and Jim Tappen
It was the perfect late April evening to be outdoors. Knowing that many Lumberton residents had already taken to trails, paths, lawns, and driveways for socialization and solace during the days of isolation, Jane Weston, Director of Development and Community Relations, suggested that we all use our meadow as a focal point for raising a toast to the Arboretum, the Medford community, and each other at 6 p.m. Our annual Evening in the Arboretum, scheduled for April 25, was canceled in compliance with our stay-at-home policy, and many of us were feeling disappointed to miss it.
It was the perfect late April evening to be outdoors. Knowing that many Lumberton residents had already taken to trails, paths, lawns, and driveways for socialization and solace during the days of isolation, Jane Weston, Director of Development and Community Relations, suggested that we all use our meadow as a focal point for raising a toast to the Arboretum, the Medford community, and each other at 6 p.m. Our annual Evening in the Arboretum, scheduled for April 25, was canceled in compliance with our stay-at-home policy, and many of us were feeling disappointed to miss it.
Instructions were to gather on decks if we lived inside of Woodside Drive or on lawns facing the Meadow if we lived outside it. Jane’s suggestion offered a feasible substitute with social distancing, weather permitting.
And it did. Several clusters organized a smaller check-in before moving to the Meadow. As the clock ticked down, more and more people appeared on paths, decks, and lawns. Barbara Lassen, with more than one kazoo, marched up the culvert from Lower Meadow to Upper Meadow, drawing hearty applause from the spectators. Some residents followed her and waved to left and right, while others maneuvered to take candid shots of the event. Beverages of all sorts were raised.
And it did. Several clusters organized a smaller check-in before moving to the Meadow. As the clock ticked down, more and more people appeared on paths, decks, and lawns. Barbara Lassen, with more than one kazoo, marched up the culvert from Lower Meadow to Upper Meadow, drawing hearty applause from the spectators. Some residents followed her and waved to left and right, while others maneuvered to take candid shots of the event. Beverages of all sorts were raised.
Estimates place attendance at approximately 65 people, not counting those who may have enjoyed the scene from their front doors or windows as the temperature dropped. What could have taken five minutes stretched to half an hour of greetings, introductions, and catching up with everyone’s activities. Eventually we all went indoors, agreeing that this had been a significant respite from the separation of our neighbors that we had all been feeling. It was also a reminder that self-isolating in an arboretum is probably one of the best aspects of this difficult situation.
Estimates place attendance at approximately 65 people, not counting those who may have enjoyed the scene from their front doors or windows as the temperature dropped. What could have taken five minutes stretched to half an hour of greetings, introductions, and catching up with everyone’s activities.
Eventually we all went indoors, agreeing that this had been a significant respite from the separation of our neighbors that we had all been feeling. It was also a reminder that self-isolating in an arboretum is probably one of the best aspects of this difficult situation.