To save money on non-essential expenses, the Palace Theatre owners this week decided not to light up their marquee at night. This marquee has been a bright spot for locals and visitors since the first week of the pandemic shutdown this spring, as catch phrases from movies have been tailored to COVID-related messages.

This week, as the Palace Theatre posted the cost-cutting measure on its Facebook page Sunday evening, the marquee read, “LET’S SEE THOSE GROOVY MASKS! YEAH BABY YEAH!”

Last week, it was, “ANOTHER MASK ON, ANOTHER MASK ON, NOT ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST.”

Thank you, Clark family for keeping our spirits up during the pandemic. We hope Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Health Department figure out a reopening plan for movie theaters very soon. We can’t tell you how many times we’ve heard, “I miss going to the movies.” And going to the movies at the Palace is always a great experience.