More than 90 items were fixed at the third Saugerties Repair Cafe, a free local event where neighbors bring broken items to be repaired by volunteer fixers and tinkerers. Part of an international movement, the event was held Feb. 1 at the Saugerties Senior Center and organized by a team of local volunteers through the Hudson Valley Repair Cafe network.

Attendees brought a variety of items for repair, including lamps, vacuum cleaners, clocks, chairs, electronics, small appliances, computers, clothing, blankets, dolls, stuffed animals, tools, and jewelry. Volunteer fixers were stationed at designated tables based on their expertise, each with their own tools and materials.

Linda Kelly Armour, the event’s organizer, welcomed participants, who were invited to complete a short form before being guided to the appropriate fixer. A Saugerties resident since 2016, Armour—a sewer, quilter, and retired schoolteacher—was inspired by repair cafes in nearby Phoenicia and Esopus. After volunteering at Woodstock, Kingston, and Rhinebeck, she decided to launch in Saugerties.

With support from the Hudson Valley Repair Cafe network, the Saugerties Repair Cafe became part of the global Repair Cafe International movement and a project of Sustainable Hudson Valley. Co-sponsored by the Climate Smart Saugerties Task Force, a group dedicated to engaging community members in finding ways to address climate change, the event is hosted at the ADA-accessible senior center since its launch in June 2024.

“People love it,” Armour said. “Participants are so happy, and talented volunteers keep stepping up. We loved having Jonelynn Barr, a doll fixer, join us this time. She had a handful of people, and it was adorable to see ‘my doll has a broken leg’ on the intake form.”

One recent success story involved a woman who brought in a steam mop that wouldn’t produce steam.

“Our electrical mechanical repair person couldn’t fix it but suggested she try a specific product,” Armour said. “I later ran into her daughter, who told me her mom was ecstatic because it worked! Sometimes our success stories happen after the event because our volunteers also give great advice.”

Mary McLaughlin, a mender who has volunteered at all three Saugerties Repair Cafes, enjoys the problem-solving aspect. “It’s like figuring out a puzzle, and you meet the nicest people,” she said. “Everyone is so delightful to talk to. And I like putting my materials to good use too.”

At a past event, McLaughlin cut up an old pair of her own jeans to patch someone else’s. “The man loved it!” she said.

More Than Just Repairs

While the cafes aim to prevent waste and preserve repair skills, organizers emphasize the community-building aspect as well.

“Because these events are cafés, there’s a built-in sense of hospitality,” said Suzie Fromer, jewelry fixer and coordinator of Hudson Valley Repair Cafe. “You don’t just drop off an item. You sit with the fixer. Sometimes you learn how to do the repair, but it’s also about sharing time and stories.”

The welcoming atmosphere extends across political and social lines. “When it comes to fixing things, saving money, and helping neighbors, we’re all the same,” Fromer said. “Our events bring people together in a very inclusive way.”

The Hudson Valley Repair Cafe network, a grant-funded project of Sustainable Hudson Valley, connects 70 official repair cafés across the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Capital Region. Each independently run café is part of the Netherlands-based Repair Café International and has access to shared resources and monthly strategy calls.

Fromer credits the network’s success to its late founder, John Wackman, who helped establish the region’s first Repair Cafe in New Paltz in 2013.

Getting Involved

Fromer encourages more people to get involved, regardless of their skill level.

“You might not think you’re good enough to be a ‘fixer,’ but if you tinker at home or have any skill to offer—from resume help to fly-fishing, which was a recent event focus—you’ll fit right in,” she said. “Many of our fixers love training others too. And there are plenty of non-fixing roles as well.”

For those interested in starting a Repair Cafe in their neighborhood, Fromer is available to provide guidance, and Repair Cafe International offers an instructional guide.

A full calendar of upcoming events is listed on the Hudson Valley Repair Cafe website. The next event will be Feb. 22 at Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church in Kingston. A Woodstock event originally scheduled for Feb. 9 was canceled due to weather and will be rescheduled soon.

On average, more than 75% of items are successfully repaired at each event—but even when they aren’t, organizers say the experience is always worth it.

“We have a great time trying,” Fromer said.

Chana Widawski is a contributing reporter. Send correspondence to reporting@theoverlooknews.com