Five Towners keeping busy during Covid with hobbies

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to linger on, some Five Towners have picked up or revisited hobbies with the extra time they have had since March.

Melanie Glick Rosen, an administrative assistant in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District athletic office, said that she has been learning new languages such as Russian and Yiddish. “I’m concentrating more on the Russian since the Russian population of the Hewlett-Woodmere district is increasing,” she said. “Plus, my grandparents emigrated from Russia in 1992 so it would be great to be able to speak the language.”

Rosen also said that she has been taking day trips throughout the pandemic. “Since a lot of beautiful sites are not crowded by tourists, I have taken many day trips throughout Long Island, New York City and upstate New York,” she said. “The city streets were practically empty. This is a great time to explore since people are being so reclusive.”

Hewlett resident Stefanie Aiytas has turned to solving crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp during the pandemic. “I think with being home all day with a six and a two year old, I was just starting to feel like my brain was turning to mush,” she said. “I wanted something that I could do quietly at night when the kids were asleep that was fun, got my brain thinking again but that I could pick up or put down as needed. I think I’ve gone through about three full crossword books”

The pandemic has also been a time for some to stay in shape. Helene Igielski noted how she got back into exercising after taking a hiatus from it. “During the lockdown we were baking and eating and the weight was going up. The owner of my former gym got rid of his location and did virtual sessions at a much more reasonable price,” she said. “They reached out to former members and I knew I needed to make a change. Our coach is such an inspiration both physically and mentally, this it was the push I needed.”

Some view their hobbies as a way to escape from negativity surrounding news on the virus. Inwood resident Deletrious Jackson said that she has rediscovered gardening and planting in the past few months.

“Planting is usually a seasonal hobby but due to Covid and the gloominess of the disease with people dying, I need a little brightness and positivity in my life,” Jackson posted n Facebook in response to the Herald’s question. “I expanded my regular garden to artificial as well to brighten things up. Gardening is peaceful and it keeps my mind off of all that’s going on even for a brief moment. We all need to tune the news and what’s going on out for a while.”