• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Skip to footer navigation

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE
Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

  • Home
  • About
    • Platform
    • FAQ
      • How does Ethical Culture make a difference in society?
      • What social life is there in Ethical Culture?
      • How is Ethical Culture religious?
    • Ethical Brew
    • Ceremonies
    • Philosophy
    • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Contact Us
  • Ethical Kids
    • Sunday School
      • Primary Class
      • Elementary Class
      • Junior Class
      • Senior Class
      • Sunday school FAQ
    • Youth Group
  • Leader
    • Leader Curt Collier
    • Leader’s Talks
    • Joe Chuman, Retired Leader
      • Talks by Dr Joseph Chuman
      • Speaking of Ethics: Living a Humanist Life
      • Wedding Officiant
  • Social Action
    • All Social Action Articles
    • Battling Racism
    • Environmental Action
    • Healthcare
  • Adult Ed
    • Job Club
    • Socrates Cafe
    • Ethical Culture Review of Books
  • News
    • President Column
    • UN Report
    • Platform Addresses
  • Events

Despite the Snow, Cold, and Covid, Camaraderie Finds a Way

February 24, 2021

By Lisa Schwartz

            Are you sick and tired of winter, of being stuck indoors, nowhere to go, no physical contact, no family and friend gatherings? If so, we recommend our new social phenomenon called “driveway drinking,” started serendipitously with a surprise knock on our front door from good friend and Ethical Culture member Sue Kirschenbaum and her partner, Shu.

Sue and Shu, dressed in their driveway party best. Photo by Ron Schwartz

            Sue and Shu had been cross-country skiing and were bundled up for the cold. We, on the other hand, were lounging around the house in our sweats, walking in circles, bumping into each other to get in our daily Fitbit steps, our latest boring obsession during these Covid winter days! A visit from friends was a welcomed surprise! We chatted a few minutes at the door until Sue said, “Want to come out for a while?” Hmmm! In pre-Covid/pre-snow-covered deck times we would have met indoors or on our back deck with outdoor heater, enjoying a glass of wine or two or three! Longing for in-person social contact, I eagerly said, “Sure, we’ll sit in the driveway.” Ron had a look of “Are you nuts?” But, starved for camaraderie, we quickly bundled up, got chairs out of the garage, and sat masked, socially distanced and covered head to toe in a small patch of cleared driveway. After some time, wine and snacks were needed, so there we were, happily freezing, drinking, and snacking in the driveway.

Susan and David, well disguised. Photo by Ron Schwartz.

            A week later, Susan Lesh and David Bland, hearty souls that they are, stopped by in 15-degree wind-chill temps with Sue’s homemade killer Bailey’s Irish cream and other goodies in hand as they waddled into our driveway literally covered head to toe. A Facebook friend said they looked like refugees from the Witness Protection Program! What fun! Passersby stopped to chat in what reminded us of the “old days,” when people sat on front porches and casually met with their neighbors, albeit in more friendly weather!

One of the lessons Covid has taught us is just how very important community and social interaction are. Zoom has been wonderful, but nothing replaces in-person contact. We are all longing for it. So, if you have warm clothing, a hearty soul, and want to join us for “driveway drinking” (and snacking), give a call!

Lisa Schwartz is a longtime member of the Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County.

Primary Sidebar

Recent News

  • Society Gets Grant to Explore Concept of ‘Sacred Spaces’
  • Church-State Separation: Who Stands to Lose if the Wall Fails?
  • Two Grants Help Fund ‘Great NJ Science Show’
  • Meet Our Newest Members, Andy and Deborah Krikun
  • Struggle over Church-State Separation has Deep Roots in America

Sign up for our newsletter.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Ethical Brew

Being White And Its Hidden Assumptions

‘How Race Impacts Conservation’

About Us

Ethical Culture was founded to focus on community and good works, rather than personal salvation. Read more…

Archives

Footer

Connect with Us

Address: 687 Larch Ave, Teaneck, NJ 07666
Phone: 201-836-5187
Email: [email protected]

Sign up for our newsletter.

 

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Vimeo
  • YouTube

Recent Posts

  • Society Gets Grant to Explore Concept of ‘Sacred Spaces’ January 31, 2023
  • Church-State Separation: Who Stands to Lose if the Wall Fails? January 30, 2023
  • Two Grants Help Fund ‘Great NJ Science Show’ January 29, 2023
  • Meet Our Newest Members, Andy and Deborah Krikun January 29, 2023
  • Struggle over Church-State Separation has Deep Roots in America January 28, 2023

We believe in ethics. We believe in people.

Please believe in us.

Topics

atheism atheist church book review children church-state separation civil rights climate change community compassion death democracy Doris Friedensohn Elizabeth Warren environment Ethical Brew Ethical Culture ethical education ethics family Felix Adler gender global warming happiness healthcare humanism humanist humanists human rights Israel Joseph Chuman meetinghouse Middle East politics racism religion Robert Gulack Secular Humanism social action Socrates Cafe Sunday School technology Trump unemployment world health youth

What We Do For Fun….

There's always time for play: celebrations, discussions (some in Spanish -- find Conversemos on our calendar on the fourth Tuesday of the month), hikes, picnics, cultural outings, and more. Come join us!
Kids get into the act
Diane running the show

Important Links

  • Member of the American Ethical Union
  • Ethical Brew
  • Sanctuary Committee
  • BC Gun Violence Prevention
  • NJ Website Designer
© 2021 | The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County NJ

Copyright © 2023 · Kreativ Pro On Genesis Framework · The Ethical Culture Society of Bergen County · Log in

  • Calendar of events
  • 687 Larch Av, Teaneck NJ
  • 201-836-5187
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE