If you drove on Bridge Street headed toward Main Street this past Saturday evening, you may have been part of a traffic jam as guests gathered at The Union. It was truly a grand event on June 17, with over 350 guests coming to pay tribute to Elaine Giguere, executive director of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance for 40-plus years. Guests came from all over Sullivan County, Westchester County, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York City and beyond. As they entered The Union there was an air of festivity with fresh flowers in every nook and brightly colored tablecloths adorning the tables to match the now familiar graphic of “A Toast to Elaine.” The former gymnasium/auditorium was abuzz as guests mingled, caught up with each other and wished Elaine health and happiness in her next stage of life, retirement.

As might be expected, the event included a review of accomplishments over the last 42 years. This review served as new facts to many and reminiscence for others. Elaine noted how the local community, after admittedly finding it strange that anyone would want to create an arts organization, turned out in high numbers, over 120, to support the development of the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance (DVAA). With the support of the community, DVAA developed and began to spread its activities around town. It was the DVAA that received a national grant to refurbish the Park Theatre, now the Tusten Theatre. DVAA was housed in various buildings on Main Street until they settled in at the historic Hotel Arlington. DVAA is now responsible for gallery exhibitions, live performances in the Tusten Theatre, creation of the Delaware Valley Opera, Delaware Valley Chamber Orchestra, Riverfest, The Big Eddy Film Festival and more. The arts have spread throughout Sullivan County.

Elaine’s successor, Ariel Shanberg was introduced. Ariel has a great act to follow (pun intended), and we will watch as the DVAA continues to develop over the next decade. But for now, the most important message is to congratulate Elaine, and send her on to a happy future. So be it!