ROCHESTER - For Raspberry's Salon and Day Spa owner Kelly Dillon it was customers in the chair and cash in the drawer after a monthslong shutdown.
For Greg Ingalls of Barrington it was finally getting to browse some vintage vinyl at Skeletones Records.
And for avid golfers Art and Heather Davis it was playing a full 18 even in a cold, damp rain.
"Oh yeah, we're playing through all 18, even if it keeps raining," Heather Davis said as her husband teed off from the first hole at Rochester Country Club around 1 p.m. just as a sprinkle began to fall.
A Rochester Country Club employee sprays disinfectant on a golf cart to prepare it for the next golfers on Monday afternoon. |
As the Ingalls were heading out, John Cass was ordering a quick Tito's to celebrate his first round in "too long a time," he said.
Cass, of Portsmouth said the course was in immaculate condition with excellent greens.
"I've never seen it in such beautiful shape," he said. "It's absolutely gorgeous."
He said he shot a 46 on the front and a 41 on the back.
"Would have done better, but I had two double bogeys," he quipped.
Rochester Country Club was following the governor's guidance under Stay at Home 2.0 with no loitering near the check-in table, no going inside the club and strict 12-minute tee times.
Nearby an employee made sure all the carts were sanitized and cleaned prior to service.
As in all clubs statewide, it's only two to a cart unless they are part of the same family unit.
Golf courses, retail stores, hairdressers, barbershops and dental offices were all allowed to open on Monday for the first time since the lockdown went into effect on March 13.
The new orders require all to ensure social distancing and follow the state guidelines.
At Skeletones, owner Todd Radict said it was great to be open to the public again, but added he's been busy right through the shutdown with curbside pickup and free deliveries as far as Sanford.
"As long as the gas stays low, I'll keep doing it," he said.
Several shoppers were browsing the vinyl and vintage clothing available at the store, including Greg Ingalls of Barrington, who said he was happy to be able to just relax and browse the thousands of records and CDs and clothing items available at the store.
About a mile north Dillon was cutting the hair of one of her longtime regular customers.
Dillon said she's able to execute a great cut with patrons wearing a mask, just lifting the elastic band a smidgeon to cut around the ear.
Her longtime customer who didn't want her name in the paper said she was glad to finally get her hair cut after close to two months on lockdown.
"I'm very happy," she said.
If no COVID-19 surge emerges over the next week, restaurants will be allowed to have outside dining beginning next Monday.