With school cancelled and senior center and library events and groups suspended until further notice, Tri-Town residents have filled their days with sword fights, hikes, online boating courses, cleaning and more.   

For families with kids, activities often centered on keeping them busy. Jennifer Sherry of Rochester had her son Nixon turn four on St. Patrick’s Day, and found a way to throw a small celebration.

Other than that, she fills her sons’ days with towers, nature scavenger hunts, schoolwork and clay molding.

Jennifer Murphy of Marion wrote that her family is going on educational websites, hiking, and riding bikes.

Already technologically competent, 10 year old Alex Doran of Marion spent some time window shopping on Amazon with his guinea pigs, Creeper and Alvin.

Roxana D’Italia came up with several ways to be active, and one to relax. She has spent time “exercising with the kiddos,” creating a mini wrestling ring, celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, riding bikes, going on a nature walk and picnicking on the back porch.

Archer Latham, 4, has enjoyed daily doodle lessons with Mo Willems.

For Gabriella and Tristan Harkins, the break from school has involved beach visits and sword fights.

On the adult side of things, some are still working. Library Director Susan Pizzolato said last week she was “working in the library even though it’s closed. Miss our patrons!”

Alan Barre said he was “still working at my 40-hour a week job in manufacturing.” Sara Preston also said she was working.

Nathan Patnaude called himself “lucky enough to be going to work.”

Seniors like Nancy Ross might not have that luxury. She expressed frustration that she was “just going nuts,” because “all my volunteer activities have been cancelled.”

Others had plenty to do, and Isabel Morra said, “I don’t know what boredom is.”

She has worked to complete unfinished projects, hung updated family pictures, checked in on family and friends, walked with and without her dogs, read some accumulated books, tried different recipes and prepared the yard for some relaxation in the hopefully near future.

Though she admitted that she is “missing my grandchildren.”

Rochester resident David Hughes also called himself “very, very busy.” He said he was cleaning his yard after the winter and getting things ready for the summer.

Another Rochester resident, Bob Dupont, also took to outdoor projects to keep busy, including re-building a stone wall.

Some spent time with their pets. Dawn Desrochers said she was puppy training, and Karen Chadwick-Mello brought her cat outside on a leash for some fresh air.

Humor is an important coping mechanism for some, including Gail Charbonneau, who said she was busy making a to-do list for her husband. Sippican Week has no comment on how Mr. Charbonneau felt about this.

Another Tri-Town resident realized  she had to do some “spring cleaning because yoga practice on our own floors exposed unseen dust under furniture.”

In Marion, Jen Carroll has been reading, making puzzles, sewing, and taking some Youtube ukulele lessons. Jayne Poshkus has been quilting, reading and walking her dog.

Piano teacher Michelle Gordon has continued lessons, but now she is just online.

Kristyn Carr has used the time to reconnect with her husband and dog — and watch plenty of  Netflix.

The Tri-Town (and Beyond) kids group on Facebook has been essential to Courtney Dubois for activities. 

Julia Olsiewski found that Babel is offering discounted lessons during the quarantine and  signed up  for a Spanish class.

Crafter Jacqueline Sousa has spent the time filling up her inventory for Jackie’s knits and knots, which can be found on Facebook.

Other Tri-Town activities include taking an online boating course, updating the Mattapoisett Woman’s Club Facebook Group, woodworking, organizing photos, reaching out to Christmas card recipients and taking French lessons on Duolinguo with the hope of being able to travel again one day.