This year marks the 11th year since I left my house on Beechmont Road and moved into my newly remodeled condominium. I looked that up in response to a “how long have you lived here?” question at a gathering for coffee and pie this morning.
This gathering, begun spontaneously by a member of the building’s board, is just one example of the warmth and friendliness among the residents at Hanover Towers. This same board member, Marie, is responsible for other gatherings, including invitations during the winter to have a bowl of soup (bring your own bowl and spoon). The attendees are as spontaneous and informal as the invitations, and Marie’s invitations have nothing to do with her position on the board – she’s just that kind of person.
Moving here came with no promise of sociability, and at first there was very little. Then two residents began our weekly Thursday cocktail hour. Again, it was completely open, with residents invited to join as they wished and to bring a snack and whatever they wished to drink. More than 20 people regularly attend, and the result has been a warm discussion – sometimes raucous and always fun. Many residents don’t come; we conclude it’s not their cup of tea, and we nod politely to them on the elevator. The attendees tend to be the ones who show up for soup and pie.
Residents at other condos say somewhat wistfully, “Oh, that’s your party night!” I love it, and the gatherings do foster friendships and warmth. I’m a party person, and I hardly ever miss a gathering, but having one is just like having a beauty salon at the place– some of us use it and some don’t.
We long-term residents love living here, but we are not the only long-term people. Stanley of our maintenance staff is about to celebrate 30 years of longevity. We hear that one of his early chores included a weekly booze run so the tippling tootsies’ supplies were maintained over the weekends. Forgive me! They were not tootsies – they were ladies who enjoyed a cocktail. I just couldn’t resist the alliteration. After all, they lived at what was then referred to by the irreverent as “hangover towers.”
My aunt lived here then – a long-term resident, who was thought in the family to be abstemious and well-behaved. I’m not above checking on her for the sake of family or just because I’m curious, but Stanley – gentleman to the core – does not identify her as one of his customers.
Anyway, as I started out, I’m praising this place. Many of us live alone, and if we are invited for later celebratory dinners with family or friends, the long holidays are rendered less long and lonely by having a place to drop in for coffee, conversation and a piece of pie.
My 11th year of residency means that this is the 12th time of wishing all who live here – and the 17th time of wishing all my readers – a good new year, full of health, happiness and good companionship! cc