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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 2 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />However, the concept of dealing with less, has <br />very much come into play—eating out less, <br />shopping less, and by far the most impactful and <br />the most painful, interacting less with cherished <br />friends and family members. Gem Lake residents <br />are craving the chance to be with their loved ones <br />without the social distancing restrictions. <br />Translation: most of us want a bear hug from a <br />buddy. <br /> <br />For instance, high school senior Corey Doran, <br />says that while he is sad to have no graduation <br />ceremony this year, what he really missing is time <br />with his friends, especially in his senior year. <br /> <br />A serious student, Corey wants to get on with <br />college and a career, but he also misses being <br />with friends as part of the learning process. He <br />says on-line learning works well from a technical <br />point of view. The challenge for him is that the <br />work can be done at any point during the day. He <br />finds he is staying up later, turning his former <br />school schedule upside down. <br /> <br />Tim and Sherren Heil are coping with their <br />quarantine time by getting outside more. Their <br />survival skills have included organizing a safe and <br />socially distant neighborhood activity. <br /> <br />“Sherren and I live in the cul du sac at the end of <br />Big Fox Road. Because of the stay at home order, <br />the local pickle ball courts are closed. So, I bought <br />a portable pickle ball net and drew court lines in <br />the cul du sac. I supply hand sanitizer for the <br />group and we play wearing N95 masks. Strange <br />times!!” <br /> <br />Tony Scornavacco and Michael Garrett on the <br />south end of the lake festooned their beautiful barn <br />with a large wooden heart. It was done as a show <br />of solidarity to their neighbors and, also, essential <br />workers in the community. <br /> <br />Isaac Nelson, who acts as a caretaker for several <br />properties in Gem Lake says he has been helping <br />with grocery shopping and other tasks. He notes <br />that one of the families he is working with is very <br />careful to limit the number of restaurants they use <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Surviving the New Normal—Residents and Businesses Share their Stories (continued from page 1) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />for take-out food and the number of grocery <br />stores they will shop at. “I see people taking this <br />very seriously to stay healthy, “says Isaac. <br /> <br />Tolga Ata, who owns and runs Black Sea <br />Restaurant on County Road E says things have <br />been challenging, but he is managing okay, <br />thanks to loyal customers. “Our customers have <br />been so supportive and we are really grateful.” <br /> <br />Thankfully, Black Sea had significant take out <br />business already, which softened the blow of <br />shutting down inside dining. He had to lay off <br />his employees and is primarily doing everything <br />himself, from order taking to cooking. Lately, <br />business has picked up a bit and he was able to <br />hire a part-time person to help out on weekends. <br /> <br />He is working fewer hours and is able to spend <br />more time with his daughter, who is three years <br />old. This has been a plus, but he looks forward <br />to getting back to normal activities for his <br />restaurants too. <br /> <br />