A Positive View

by Karen Shughart

When I was in college one of my closest friends was from Far Rockaway, New York. She lived with her family two houses from the Atlantic Ocean. When I visited her one spring break what struck me, as someone who was born and raised in a city, was how much she and her family took for granted hearing waves crashing on the shore and the gulls shrieking above, smelling the salt air, or walking on the soft sand beach. From the time I was a child I wanted to live by the water and vowed then that if that ever happened, I would always appreciate my good fortune. Since moving to Sodus Point 23 years ago, there’s not a day that goes by when I don’t feel incredibly grateful for being able to fulfill my dream.

Last month our adult children and extended family members visited us to help celebrate a milestone birthday for my husband and other family events. Our kids stayed with us; everyone else chose lodging  within close proximity to our house, the beach and local attractions, with our house being party central. We hosted dinner for two nights in our backyard and on our deck; then for the final celebratory dinner went to a lovely inn and party venue with spectacular gardens surrounded by apple orchards.

What was really neat about the experience was being able to share the beauty of our area along with the myriad of activities available during summer months.  Many had been here before but often for shorter visits, or at times when the weather didn’t cooperate. I wanted them to see our village as we see it and sent a list with website links of activities they could experience while they were here.

A friend of ours, an apple farmer, gave a Saturday morning tour of the orchards for a small group. Others spent the day hiking trails at nearby Beechwood Park or at Chimney Bluffs, both with stunning views of Lake Ontario;  visiting the Sodus Bay Lighthouse Museum and Historical Society, or at the beach. They could also walk the boardwalk at Huckleberry Swamp,  explore local wineries, gift and antique shops; farm markets, lush with local produce, honey, jams, cheeses, meats and crafts. They could rent bikes, pontoons and kayaks. Music, of course, takes center stage: Sunday and Friday concerts on the spectacular grounds of the museum; on Tuesday nights at a local park; a jazz club; rock, pop, blues and country groups performing during evening hours at just about every restaurant and pub.

While we were disappointed that there were no festivals that weekend – there are several here each summer – and because of a people-powered boat race on Sodus Bay our tour boat, Rose Lummis, was otherwise occupied, we mentioned those for future visits. They had such a good time that many said they’d like to make our family event an annual one. I was pleased I could provide them with a positive view of what it means for us to live in this spectacularly beautiful and active community.

Karen Shughart is the author of the award-winning Edmund DeCleryk cozy mystery series and a short story, all set in the northern Finger Lakes region of New York. She has also co-authored two mysteries and written two non-fiction books. She lives with her husband, Lyle, in Sodus Point, NY. Her books are available at local gift shops, bookstores and in multiple formats at amazon.com.