Rain or shine, for the last four weeks, Hudson has been living the way hundreds and thousands of small villages, medium-size towns and large cities throughout Quebec, Canada, and the rest of the world are living: confinement and social distancing are the new way of life for many weeks to come and Hudsonites seem to deal with the situation in the best possible ways.
Céline Pilon
Living in a small community has its advantages in good times as well as in dire times. People reach out and check on an old neighbour, a single parent or a family struggling to make ends meet.
A number of businesses were forced to close down but some owners became very creative. Besides the IGA, Castle, the hardware store and Pharmacie Brunet that literally go out of their way to serve the community, eleven restaurants, cafés or catering services have been preparing meals for their customers to pick-up and/or to have delivered at home. Even if the response has not been overwhelming, the initiative should help most of them keeping their business afloat.
Main road and Cameron, the two major avenues are practically deserted all day long, every day. Such a different scenario from the usual daily routine, as very few cars, delivery trucks or the community patrol will drive by from time to time.
Every now and then, a cyclist, a jogger or a pedestrian (or two) will give life to what looks like a ghost town. People wave friendly at each other and will have a short chat from a reasonable distance, catching up on the latest gossips. But sadly, the seniors living at Manoir Cavagnal that usually go out to run their daily errands, are confined in their apartment, most of them alone all day.
Outdoors spaces and parks – Benson, St. Thomas, Thompson, among others – are closed to the public to prevent gatherings.
Hudson’s nature trails – Sandy Beach, Gary Cirko, Windcrest, Como Gardens and others – very popular amongst dog walkers, are still being used from early morning to late afternoon, as well as Jack Layton Park and the Hudson Yacht Club, especially on sunny days.
Families walk together, with children in strollers or on their bicycles, looking forward to stretch their legs as well as getting a bit of fresh air, now that the nice weather is back.
Homeowners took a head start on lawn maintenance with the first clean-up of the season – thankfully, spring arrived early this year! – in an attempt to stay busy and enjoy a bit of the outdoors.
Daily life in Hudson, as for all other places, has been put on hold with hope of better days to come … eventually!
Céline Pilon
Special collaborator
