‘It’s been a difficult year and a half.” How many times have you heard that one? Of course it’s true, but as things with the pandemic continue to trend in the direction of normalcy, we believe it’s important to shout out an unsung hero of the pandemic .... the arts.

While cooped up inside our homes for months, how many of you watched at least one virtual performance, whether it was theatre, music, etc.?

We certainly did.

Those performances, while only a number of mere minutes or hours, took our minds off the most challenging period of time our generation has ever faced. In fact, many of these talented individuals and organizations offered these performances at no cost.

As Thomas Merton once said, “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

To each performer, thank you for making those dark days a little bit brighter.

Now that things are opening up and a series of events are on tap for the summer and beyond, it’s time we return the favor.

After the busy work week, we get that some R and R at home is very enticing, but consider heading out to a show, concert or performance to support the arts. Please also consider making a donation to one of the many local arts organizations.

We are lucky to live in an area where we don’t have to travel far to be in awe of someone’s artistic talents.
Let’s cherish this gift.

Make sure to check out our community calendar and coming ups section of the paper to see what awesome events are going to be taking place in our backyard.

You can also head to our website, scdemocratonline.com to view a PDF version of our recent Where to Go magazine, which also showcases the abundance of things to do in the Catskills this summer.

Wear a life jacket
Speaking of fun summer activities, many of us like to take advantage of living along the Delaware River. However, we must put our safety at the forefront of any thoughts relating to the 2020 River of the Year.
Shifting gears to a very serious topic, our hearts hurt for the families and friends of the four individuals who recently lost their lives as a result of drowning on the Delaware River.

While each circumstance is different, the message from local officials and first responders remains consistent … Please wear a life jacket.

Lifejacketadvisor.com referenced statistics from the 2016 Recreational Boating Statistics report by the United States Coast Guard. The report stated that 486 drowning deaths occurred that year where life jacket usage or non-usage was known. Of those drownings, 83 percent or 404 of them, the individual who lost their life was not wearing a life jacket.

Be smart and be safe, while participating in recreational water activities this summer and beyond.