click to enlarge
Frolicking on Hudson River ice in early February near the Saugerties Lighthouse. Ask someone from Saugerties how they re doing and they tell you the truth. They re exhausted. They re tired and fed up with all the endless extra work that s yet another side effect to the pandemic s trauma. Saugerties has always been extremely proud of its community spirit. Residents seem preternaturally compelled to support each other, but to sustain the level of organizing and charitable giving necessary to keep their collective heads above water is draining. Yes, it is exhausting, says Peggy Schwartz, Chamber of Commerce co-chair, owner of Town and Country Liquors, mother-in-law of Congressman Antonio Delgado, and community matriarch. But we are existing. There is activity and we are keeping on. Saugerties is a very social town. People love to get together. Another e-word: