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The coronavirus has many Sun City residents staying in their homes and missing out on club and other activities they have become used to.
Sun City Ukulele Club members found an innovative way to continue their activities and satisfy authorities recommendations to avoid large group gatherings at the same time. Club members continued their weekly jam session, but they did it remotely.
Club member Jenny Bergeson is a retired teacher. She suggested the club conduct its weekly jam sessions via the Internet over a program called Zoom, according to Trudy Bryson, club president. The first such session was conducted March 19 and a second March 26.
“There were 30-35 of us the first time,” Ms Bryson said. “We’re going to continue this as long as the rec center closures continue.”
The Zoom program allows up to 100 people to participate during the live session. But they must have an ID number and sign in at the exact time scheduled, according to Ms. Bryson. While the Zoom program and Ukulele Club sessions are public, people could not join in to watch or participate unless they had the ID number.
During the Zoom jam sessions, members play and sing in front of their computers where they can see others participating on screen as images are rotated among those taking part. Those who don’t have video capability on their computers can participate with audio only.
The Ukulele Club is a popular act in Sun City and beyond, and is booked for numerous events during normal times. That helps give members the chance to perform and socialize, something that was completely absent in their lives before they discovered Zoom, according to member Mary Ragland.
“The club is very social and we like to get together in general,” she said. “We love to perform, and not being able to with this closure just left a hole.”
The Ukulele Club had about 160 members, but not all are involved in performances or the jam sessions, according to Ms. Bryson.
“We have had performances of four to up to 100,” she said.
The Zoom sessions are a way for club members to stay connected while they try to remain at home, according to Mr. Ragland.
“Other groups should really give this a try,” Ms. Bryson said.
Rusty Bradshaw News Editor | Sun City &
Sun City West @SunCitiesEditor
Rusty Bradshaw is a 40-year veteran of community journalism, having worked at newspapers in Wyoming, Oregon and Arizona. He has been with Independent Newsmedia 15 years.
Rusty earned a junior college certificate from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming and a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande Oregon.
An avid football fan, Rusty also enjoys photography, reading, spending time outdoors and enjoying life with his wife. He also authored three books of fiction, “The Rehabilitation of Miss Little,” “Moist on the Mountain” and "Gorge Justice." Visit www.rustythewriter.org.
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