Because we’re a newspaper, we always poll participants at the Fall Festival, with local, state and national questions. This year, in keeping with one of the themes of this issue, one of the themes of this year, we decided to focus on the effects of Covid.

What was the hardest part of the pandemic for you?

Losing people, friends and relatives, was the most frequent response. “Limitations” was second: limited social occasions, missing friends, isolation and loneliness. Having Covid was next, and “constant anxiety” over the health of our elders “until the vaccine”.  One participant wrote “finding shot appointments”, another that “It lasted too long!” and one astute person called “mistrust” the hardest part of the pandemic.

What did you miss most?

The number one answer: smiles. Second: people. Several residents missed “going out”, specifically to restaurants, movies, and plays, a few people missed “feeling safe”, and one person missed “singing” the most.

What did you learn to appreciate more?

There were specific things listed: mystery novels and DVDs, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, my phone, my garden, nature, the town we live in, home life, and “the quiet moments”.  Activities were also listed – cooking, exploring, walking in the woods, getting things done, and being less busy. One person appreciated more “free time”, while another, the opportunity to “change my routine”.  While several people wrote that they appreciated their friends more, people in general, and their smiles, “freedom” was the response recorded most.

On a scale of 1 – 10, how much did your life change during the pandemic?

With a score of 10 as the most drastic change, and 1 the slightest, several participants, especially younger ones, selected 8 – 10 for the change in their lives. Only a couple of people selected 1 and 2, with most residents choosing 3 – 5. Country living, as mentioned many times in the other questions, might account for less impact.

What was the longest time you were stuck in the house?

Answers ranged from a couple of days, through two weeks of quarantine, to “winter”, though most people’s response was “never”, as so many residents took advantage of our environs and walked. As one resident wrote, “I wasn’t stuck in the house; I opened the door and walked outside!”

What new shows did you discover? And how long did you binge?

Shows listed included: The Crown, Virgin River, Stranger Things, The Repair Shop, Reservation Dogs, The Middle, Only Murders in the Building, the Queen’s Gambit, Emily in Paris, and “too many to list”.  One person played “Dungeons and Dragons” with friends on ZOOM, several people spent more time reading instead, and one person wrote: “Not sure, but it was as lousy as ever.” Bingeing?  “No bingeing…one hour…here and there bingeing…still bingeing.”

Are you still married?

Along with the twelve “yesses”:

of course

it’s like gum on your shoe

happily, too

in my heart always

hell no!

never again!

maybe?