December Repair Cafe News

We held twelve Repair Cafes in November, including one in Rockland that was a "LampFest," aka a lamps only repair event. Fun fact--lamps are the number one fix requested at U.S. Repair Cafes. Rondout Valley returned (see cafe organizer and local veterinarian Dr. Lonnie getting a bike tuneup above!) and the Saturday before Thanksgiving was extra busy with five cafes held throughout our coverage area.

Haven't You Heard? Repair and Reuse are Everywhere


For many of us, repair never went out of fashion (see above for a vintage phone that was fixed last month in Rhinebeck)--but it's clear that interest in repair, reuse and what is now called 'the circular economy' is on the rise in the U.S. Just last month, the White House even held a zoom to discuss the Right to Repair movement. And US PIRG, a public interest advocacy group, is developing 'Repair Scores' to help consumers make more sustainable choices when purchasing laptops and cellphones. Suzie Fromer, the RCHV Coordinator, was interviewed by Consumer Reports about all that is going on in the U.S. repair and reuse zeitgeist. RCHV is also helping behind the scenes at an upcoming virtual Repair Economy Summit on Dec. 5th and 6th being hosted by Repair Economy Washington. It is free and open to all, though probably best suited to fellow 'repair nerds,' but feel free to forward the link to anyone you think might be interested. More info here.

We Know You've Got Your Hands Full!


We here at Repair Cafe Hudson Valley get it. You're busy. You're juggling a lot, and while it might be a #lifegoal to learn to become a master carpenter or restring that broken necklace that's been in your jewelry box for, well, forever, it may not in the cards this month. Or next. But you've got sustainability goals to meet and budgets to stick to NOW. Thanks to our dedicated and highly skilled pool of volunteer repair coaches, cafe organizers and helpers, there is a repair cafe in our region almost every weekend. This holiday giving season, please consider donating to keep RCHV's 50+ repair cafes going (and growing) strong so we can keep you freed up to keep doing you.


Donations made through the below link go to our fiscal sponsor, the 501(c)3 Sustainable Hudson Valley, and will go towards RCHV if you make a note.

Donate to RCHV

Things here at RCHV slow down for the end of the year, but just a little! There are still plenty of chances for you to get your decorations into tip-top shape and your holiday table picture perfect with a little help from your friendly fixers at one of eight repair cafes, including two brand new ones. The cafe in Croton is a joint effort with the Town of Cortlandt, which will host the next one in March. We're also thrilled to finally offer a cafe again in Putnam County, this time in Mahopac, thanks in large part to help from the neighboring Yorktown Repair Cafe.

December 2023 Repair Cafe Calendar

For more information, visit our online calendar.

Repair Coach Corner

Vince Murray, Welder


Cafes: Esopus, LaGrange, Kingston, New Paltz, Poughkeepsie, Rhinebeck and Stanford

 

When you roll up at one of the repair cafes where Vince is volunteering, the first thing you see is his welding truck. That’s right—THERE. IS. A. WELDING. TRUCK. AT. SOME. OF. OUR. CAFES! This is all thanks to Vince Murray, a professional welder who gives generously of his time, skill and equipment at so many of our Dutchess and Ulster County cafes. He doesn’t even get to work inside and he still volunteers EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR! Unless it’s pouring rain, Vince shows up for us, and for you. That is the kind of commitment to the twin pillars of repair and community that make Repair Coaches such special people.


Many of us may not know exactly what can be fixed by welding, so I asked Vince to spell it out. He explained it thusly;We repair metal things. This

could be lawn furniture, children’s toys, lawn equipment, metal lamps and cookware with handles that have come off. We can repair these things using welding, brazing, soldering or riveting.” In addition, he can also sharpen and balance mower blades on site, which was news to us.

 

Vince has been volunteering as a repair coach at RCHV cafes for about 8 years now; his first repair café was in Rhinebeck, then he added New Paltz and then just kept on going. He also still works as a welder during the week and has a complete welding shop where he has even mentored several interns.

 

In addition to welding, Vince likes to do the occasional kinetic sculpture, usually working in the medium of stainless steel. He’s also been a ham radio operator since the age of 14 and he talks to folks around the world using Morse code! He has a son Joseph and a granddaughter named Lacey. He’s also second vice president at the Casa Italiana in Wappingers where they play bocce and celebrate Italian heritage.

 

Vince also volunteers at the repair café in Riverhead, Long Island, one of just a few repair cafes out on the Island. He adds, “I own a small motorboat (or does the boat own me?) and I’m hoping to go clamming next year in Long Island. I’ve had many, many rewarding repairs over the years—people are usually delighted when we can fix their metal items.”

 

Vince is always a pleasure to chat with, and I encourage you to stop by and say hello even if you don’t have any metal items to be repaired. If not out at his truck hard at work, he can be found warming up inside with a cup of coffee while he waits for his next item to come through the doors.

 

Vince's website is www.vincemurraywelding.com and it has some beautiful photos and videos of his work. You can also reach him at his work phone 845-724-3154 or on Instagram at @vincemurray_the_welder.

RCHV in the News

"Repair Cafe Returns to Warwick" (Warwick Repair Cafe), Warwick Advertiser, November 15, 2023.


"Repair Cafe Fixing to Save the Planet" (Schenectady Repair Cafe), Times Union, November 6, 2023.

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