Pandemic Positives HOW LOCALS MADE THE MOST OF A CHALLENGING SITUATION
COMP I L ED B Y N I KK I M. M UR R Y & R OBYN L. J ONES
Believe it or not, the COVID-19 has brought some positives into our lives. We reached out to a handful of Berks residents and asked: How have you made the most of the pandemic blues by bonding with family at home?
Here’s what they said… “We have many more family dinners. “We invested time into doing things as a family around our house and property. We now have a dog, chickens and hair sheep. Our first lamb was born on Feb. 15!” — Rebecca Ezolt, Kutztown
We go on hikes. We play board games. I’m betting that when our kids think about their childhoods, when they remember things we’ve done together, they’ll be thinking about the past year.” — Nathan Brant, Wernersville
“We got a firepit
and two bird feeders for our back porch and we spent a lot of time as a family sitting outside – morning, Noon and night. We would do our remote work outside, drinking coffee and hot chocolate, watching the birds, eating meals and lots of conversation time. I also kept a journal during this time to document what was happening. I can only imagine what it will be like to look back on it years from now.” — Vicki Gallen Schutt, Wyomissing
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MAY 2021 | berkscountyliving.com
“This year, I realized my life should be more than running a business.
My almost 14-year-old daughter, Zainab, can make better Chicken Parmesan than most of the restaurants. It took COVID curfew to make me realize how creative, funny and alike we are. Currently, we are on a need-to-talk basis (when she needs something, she talks to me). I got to teach my 17-yearold son, Bilal, how to drive. Yes, there were couple minor fender-benders and close calls with me nearly having a heart attack. I realize how blessed I am with a caring, intelligent son. 2020 was an opportunity from God for me to make up lost time with my family for a couple decades of averaging 70+ hours a week.” — Hamid Chaudhry, Mohnton
