A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT

March ... the harbinger of spring ... and it appears this year that it will definitely "come in like a lamb!" And, as we look ahead to the coming of spring, we also begin to experience a new ray of hope; much of the Grove population has now received (and survived) their second Covid vaccination and the "metrics" that have guided so much of our existence seem to be steadily improving.

So, we ask ... when can life return to normal (or at least what will be the "new normal")? If you were able to attend last week's Town Meeting, you heard Debbie's answer: "Please be patient a little bit longer." And you would have heard Dean Thompson appeal for a time when at least we could all begin to gather with larger groups of our MVGH friends in social outdoor (even) settings.

Your REC has heard these concerns and is making plans to provide just such opportunities for which Dean was appealing. There is a $1,000 item in the current budget to facilitate ways in which we can begin to be together, again. And, a special Task Force, chaired by Karen Berns (secretary of REC) has been appointed to "make this happen". It will monitor all loosening restrictions on being able to be together again, and will suggest creative ways to accomplish that.

Have an idea for our being able to socialize once again? Please share it with one of the Task Force members, so they can help all of us make this happen. ln addition to Karen, they are Norm Thomas (who also chairs the MVGH board resident relations committee), Bev Grant, Bruce Calkins and Jeannie Cobb. Maybe by the time the April Tidings ... and more of spring rolls around, some of these plans will come much closer to reality!

- Dave Tomlinson