Residents of Unit 8A pose for a socially-distanced and masked group picture in celebration of the unit’s streak of 60 months of happy hours. (Photo by Steve Weiss)
Steve and Debbie Chapman, Jerry Fox, and Brian Cowman measure and mark designated spots to ensure participants in the Unit 8A 60th happy hour picture were socially-distanced.
Janelle Authur
Sixty-three Unit 8Ars gathered at the neighborhood cul-de-sac for a group picture and celebration of 60 months-in-a-row of happy hours on Feb. 19.
The happy hour gatherings started at The Bistro in March 2016 with a small group of the first Unit 8Ars. The monthly event quickly became a Unit 8A tradition as well as a way to welcome new neighbors to the unit. As the unit and attendance grew, happy hour moved from The Bistro to the La Vista Room, to the Ranch House Grill & Brewery, and finally to the Sol Ballroom for the three and four-year milestone celebrations.
When the March 2020 COVID pause went into effect, Unit 8A residents were undeterred in their goal of continuing the streak. They regrouped, masked-up, and met outside in small, socially-distanced settings in neighborhood driveways and patios. They even added a few twists to happy hour. In March 2020, residents contributed their thoughts about COVID to a time capsule, to be opened in 2021. In April 2020, residents created outdoor displays based around the pandemic, with prizes awarded for funniest, most artful, and most relevant or emotionally uplifting.
To ensure social distancing at the 60th happy hour photo session, event planners and volunteers measured and marked almost 40 giant X’s in the neighborhood cul-de-sac, and participants stood in ones or twos on the designated spots. Dick Ryan created a 60th happy hour banner, complete with the unit’s logo. Steve Weiss once again climbed a ladder to shoot a unit picture, and Brian Cowman flew his drone overhead for a picture from above. Following the pictures, residents socialized and enjoyed light snacks.