After 800 Saturday vigils, it's no surprise that sometimes, over coffee-or coffee that never comes-members of the Schoharie County Peacemakers talk over each other (respectfully), finish each other's sentences, and laugh at the same (bad) jokes.
The Peacemakers have been standing vigil in Cobleskill for an hour each Saturday since the Vietnam War.
Since October 2001-when the United States was preparing to bomb Afghanistan-the vigil's been at the corner of Main and Union Streets; before that were vigils in front of the library.
The group's core members have lost track of how many wars and conflicts they've stood in silent protest of, but they haven't lost their sense of humor even as they've been the worst-and best-of people.
"We've been spit on and seen lots of 'fingers,' said longtime member Katherine Hawkins of Summit.
"But there have been fewer 'fingers' through the years," said Susan Spivack, another longtime member, from Cobleskill.
"Things have gotten more and more positive."
"And we're really good traffic cops, now," said Ann Adams of Sharon Springs, who like all of the others, is also longtime. "We've helped a lot of people across the street."
When it's hot, passersby sometimes stop with cold drinks.
When it's cold, they bring coffee-with all the fixings-and hot chocolate.
Cobleskill cops have stopped to make sure there's nothing the Peacemakers need and out-of-state visitors ask them to pose for photos.
Others stop to thank them for flying the rainbow gay pride flag.
And then there's the young woman in a patriotic t-shirt who stopped to thank them on behalf of her husband-a veteran who she also introduced them to.
"And of course, we thanked him for his service," Ms. Hawkins said. "This is about being anti-war, but it's really about people, isn't it?"
When they send out a call to action or ask for donations for a specific project, the Peacemakers have a list some-80 people long they can turn to.
But when it comes to their vigils, they have a core group of 5-10, all in their 60s and 70s, and all with their own individual passions.
"Each of us focuses on specific issues," said Ms. Spivack, whose focus-now-is on human rights.
"Peacemakers is our gathering place. We get to be with other people who share our concerns."
The vigilers stand quietly for an hour, not really expecting to change minds, but to keep the conversation going, said Ms. Adams.
"I have no idea of our impact, but I feel it's important-for myself-to be there as a weekly witness," added Ms. Spivack.
Ms. Hawkins said she also stands vigil for herself, "so I can look in the mirror and I tell myself, at least I try to present another side...I ask passersby to consider alternative arguments."
Wayne Stinson of Summit reluctantly accepts the title of the Peacemakers' elder statesman and said "why" he stands vigil is something he's discussed with his son and daughter-and in letters to the editor at the Times-Journal.
"My simple explanation is that I have an obligation to put my thoughts out there," he said. "I stand there and I keep people thinking."
"I stand here because democracy-small 'd'-requires that we look at every side of each issue-beyond the sound bites and bumper stickers," Ms. Spivack added.
All of the Peacemakers said they owe an immeasurable debt to the late Jack Daniels.
"He could talk to anyone," said Elliott Adams, Ms. Adams' husband, and a veteran who's been arrested for his anti-war efforts,
"He exuded peace. Someone would start out disagreeing with Jack and by the end, he'd have his arm around their shoulder...He knew if you listened to people, they softened."
Ms. Spivack points out that they're all involved in their communities in additional different ways; the Saturday vigil is just one more thing they do to help keep their communities safe.
That's why-through the 'fingers', the jeers of 'Get a job,' and 'Go back to Russia,' they keep doing it.
What worries the Peacemakers-other than whether Mr. Stinson will get his Coby's coffee before this conversation is over?
"We're worried about all of the issues connected to war," Ms. Hawkins said. "Capitalism, the pipeline, poverty...They're all related to justice."
They're also worried about the Presidential election.
But no matter who wins, they'll still be there on their Saturday street corner.
"We didn't stop when Obama got elected," Ms. Hawkins said. 'People thought we would. But war isn't partisan."