March 27, 2020
Dear friends,
The Red Hook streets are quiet. Most businesses closed. The restaurants are trying to make it on take-out. I'm sitting here alone in the shop looking at a 4-foot-high water mark on our brick wall: evidence of Hurricane Sandy; another trying time. Hanging nearby is a 1969 photo of my mentor Les Smith (photo shown), a logger and professional boxer who taught me to fish. He said to me many times, “Charlie, it's a great life if you don't weaken.”
So how do I stay strong with coronavirus invading every aspect of my life? I keep it real simple and just do the next right thing. Take food to the neighbors who are seriously ill. Transfer the shop's extra N95 face masks to our local Methodist Hospital. Call friends and family to get the love and support I need. If you find yourself needing a little bolstering, please be in touch. We'll run it around until we both feel better.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to take orders and we hope our newsletter is a welcome distraction.
