Surprise Drive-By Birthday Party Delights 87-Year Old

SOUTHOLD, NY — Coronavirus has nothing on the love shown by a small-town community for one of its own Sunday, when residents organized a surprise drive-by birthday party for Alice "Babchi" Kramer, who turned 87.

Sharon Kramer, Alice's daughter, said the event was inspired by a Patch article about a drive-by birthday party for a 5-year old in Illinois.

Kramer and Karen Byrnes, Alice's great-niece, helped to organize the event, along with others including Denise Thilberg; a group of cars lined up at the corner of Booth Rd. in Southold Sunday for the big surprise.

Alice, Byrnes said, had been "cooped up since February because of cataract surgery."

Friends drove by with signs in the windows of their cars as Alice waved happily; a giant, colorful chalk circle was drawn outside her home to make sure no one came within 6 feet, as per coronavirus safety guidelines. Highlights included a vintage car and even a big yellow school bus decorated with birthday signs.

"She loved the vintage car," Sharon said.

Originally, her daughter Sharon said, her mom's birthday party was scheduled to take place on her birthday weekend in Maryland after the christening for her great-grandson.

"In light of the world events, the christening was postponed. I asked at work for ideas in light of these unprecedented times and was told about a drive-by birthday party for a little girl," Sharon said. "I read the Patch article and was inspired."

Even relatives from afar sent birthday wishes: Sharon's sister Kris, in Maryland, sent a video with two of Alice's great-grandchildren "doing a drive-by in their driveway in Maryland! Too cute. My mom is still crying. A happy 87th birthday!"

(Video courtesy Sharon Kramer)

Her mom, Sharon said, was raised in Southold. When she married her husband Edward Kramer, Jr. — who passed away in 2015 — the couple moved to Greenport until they built their "forever home" in Southold, where Alice still lives.

Being in the house for weeks hasn't been easy for her mother, Sharon said. "She is a social person. Limiting her excursions, such as shopping, lunch with friends, and bingo is not her style," she said.

Her mother, Sharon said, loved her drive-by birthday. "She cried with joy and was on the phone chatting all afternoon. And it was a nice diversion for the attendees, too," she said. "I want to thank her family and friends who participated on this sunny day. You’ve made a special lady feel happy and blessed!"

(Video by Karen Byrnes for Patch)