For something completely different, I did a thing the other night. And by “thing” I mean attended yet another event celebrating or honoring or acknowledging something or someone being recognized for their efforts or achievements, or, well—you get the picture. 

Truth be told, (and snark aside) it doesn’t get old. Honestly. As I made my way home from the Greater Barryville Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) Winter Warm-Up a few nights ago, the fog was so thick that driving was a nightmare and I had to pull off the road a few times in order to remain calm, cool and collected. It was in those moments of quietude that I reflected on where I had been, and what events like the warm-up really mean, not just to me personally, but in the bigger picture.

Upon said reflection, I realized that along with a few fellow journalists and photographers, I’m in the wonderful and unique position of experiencing small-town life on a grand scale, since I traverse the Upper Delaware River region, covering a wide swath. 

It’s worth noting (IMHO) that each chamber of commerce has a unique fingerprint, and no two are alike, yet all hold to the same ideal: to uplift, support, showcase and enhance the individual towns that they represent. While attracting new businesses and residents to a particular town is vital, celebrating the successes of those that have paved the way is equally important, since we have to know where we’ve been in order to understand where we’re headed.

The “unique position” I alluded to is just that. Simply because of the fact that I get around as much as I do, I have the great good fortune to experience the wide variety of people, places and things that make up the backbone of the Upper Delaware River region, and what a backbone it is. 

A quick glance at the Google informed me that Barryville, NY “is a hamlet (not the Shakespearean kind) in the town of Highland, New York, previously known as ‘The River’ [and] renamed for William T. Barry, postmaster general under President Andrew Jackson.” Who knew? Did you? 

I had no clue that the town was ever called The River nor for whom Barryville was named, so the bigger picture once more came into view.

As for the chamber’s event itself—while I haven’t attended in a couple of years, I was more than happy to do so last Saturday on a multitude of levels. “Celebrate With Us,” the announcement for the warm-up read. “This is a fundraising event for the GBCC scholarship, beautification and community programs.” Promising dinner, dancing and the requisite silent auction, the evening was held at the Local Nest in Glen Spey, a beautiful venue I had never been to. 

That alone was an attraction, as was the allure of hearing Margo Seibert and the Treblemakers (Edward Barnes and Patrick Kolsch) entertain in great style, along with Silent J Music’s D.J. Jorit, who created cool-mood vibes in between sets. Catering by Katery To Go and backed up at the bar with libations from Three Hammers Winery and Do Good Spirits, the evening was kinda swank. There were plenty of sequins glittering in the room to lend an air of sophistication, elevating the event to that of a truly memorable evening. And That Dog Named Gidget (follow her on the socials) was a very, very good girl.

As tradition dictates, the dinner-dance centered on the achievements of some very special young folks—Sara Kovacs, Aly Galvin-Bliefernich and Avery Moscatiello—all of whom were the beneficiaries of scholarships presented by the chamber. Kovacs (Warren Picardi Scholarship) is headed for Georgetown University, where she’ll “be pursuing a degree in international relations and business,” while Galvin-Bliefernich (Emmerson Heasman Trade Scholarship), who is a member of the National Honors Society, will be focusing on a career in design at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City next year. The third honoree, Moscatiello, was unable to attend because she was “playing the state basketball championship game on Long Island,” but the room burst into applause, acknowledging her contributions to the community. She is the recipient of a second Heasman Scholarship, recognizing her plans to study math, with “hopes to coach soccer” as well, as she prepares to conquer the world along with the other honorees.

Rounding out the presentations were GBCC board members Cathy Daboul, Mary Jones Mellet, Angela Kiser, Nonna Hall, Roswell Hamrick and John Pizzolato, who honored fellow board member Marie Devore (Business of the Year) for her contributions to the community throughout Barryville. 

“Marie is an exceptional employer,” Daboul, the chamber president, said while addressing the sold-out crowd of well-wishers. “She deeply loves her employees, has a passion for animals and gardening, and has been a dedicated member of the GBCC, volunteering her time and actively assisting in securing donations for the chamber’s projects.”

Honestly, I was moved. Grateful that my work with the River Reporter dictates that I somehow manage to careen from town to town in this amazing corner of the world, affords me the opportunity to see the bigger picture. It occurred to me that each village, town and hamlet (no, not Shakespeare’s) has a unique attraction, and the commonality—community pride—shines through like a beacon of hope, even in the darkest times. The radiant faces of the students preparing to shape our future, the upstanding citizens who toil away behind the scenes, and the residents themselves who support and show up to recognize the hard work and dedication of those who do, is inspirational and warms the cockles of my heart, whatever they are. 

As I chatted with folks at the dinner table post-awards ceremony, I was asked what brought me to the Catskills, and what keeps me here. “Community,” I replied. “It’s all about community.” 

I’ve lived in large cities where I often felt alone, and dwelled in small towns where I felt more at home, and the small town always wins, hands down. 

“I wouldn’t have it any other way” I said, realizing in that moment what drew me here lo, those many years ago—and what continues to feed my soul. It’s the sense of belonging, feeling accepted, feeling seen, like those recognized by the GBCC last weekend. 

At the end of the day, I’m not on the outside looking in, but prefer to think that I’m a small part of something special called community. One by one, all of those wonderful, quirky, individual small towns add up to create the bigger picture. And what a beautiful picture it is.