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August 25, 1988 - Salt Marsh Memories, Old and NewAugust 25, 1988/The Suffolk Times/Page 13A Salt Marsh Memories, Old and New By Paul Stoutenburah It seems we've shaken that hot and humid weather that plagued us for so long and a more summery atmosphere has taken over. It's like the old days most of us remember when we think of summer. Recently my son took his little daughter down to the creek at flood tide for a swim. Remember, tides are at their fullest (spring tide) when a new moon or a full moon appears. Normally it would be too shallow to swim in the creek. I can remember doing the very same thing with our kids when they were young. There was something spe- cial about this extra - high -tide swim- ming. Perhaps it was because it was so unusual and unavailable at other times. Normally you'd try not to touch bot- tom. There were always mud and sharp shells lurking below. Besides you'd stir up the mud and lose the clarity of the water that had just been filtered by the marsh grasses. As the tide moved in, loaded with its sediment, it would first pass through the tall thatch grass along the edge and then into the higher marsh in back where the salt hay spread out. This was the best time to go swim- ming. The sediment was trapped by this huge filter of marsh grass and the water would come into the creek cleansed and clear. This capturing of sediment is ex- actly how a marsh bog is formed. It's a collection of filtered material plus de- cayed debris over eons of time. Right now the tall thatch grass is flowering and the ripe seeds will start to develop for later release. Like all of na- ture's never - ending attempts to recolo- nize, some seeds will find a likely spot to sprout and a new addition to the marsh will be started. I often chuckle at the waterfront owner who tries to keep the persistent marsh grass from growing in front of his property. True, he can hold it down if he keeps at it year after year but some day, when his vigilance drops, the marsh will come in and fill the gap, just as it has done from the beginning of time. Fun Times in Creek Those years of swimming in our little creek will always be remembered. How the kids loved it! It was a new adventure for them and one that must have made an impression, seeing my son repeating it just this week. After the swim "the way we used to," he took Chelsea for a boat ride. The rowing of the boat, the tall grasses passing by, a mother duck and her young, a gull flying above, and hands paddling in the water all made up that afternoon's adventure. I'm sure we could have paid for some sort of man- made entertainment that would have filled the bill, but in a child's mind I doubt if Chelsea would have swapped her daddy's ride for anything. I spoke of the seed heads on the thatch grass in our creeks. From now on these grains will fill and the plant will ma- ture. It was after this maturity in colo- nial times that the colonists went out into the marshes, cut and dried the thatch. Special days were set aside for these marsh outings. Big lunches would be brought to the workers and a merry time would be had by all. Horses equipped with special flat wooden shoes to prevent their sinking into the marsh were driven out to haul in the thatch, eventually used on the Focus on Nature roofs of buildings. Also the short salt hay would be cut and stored on special wooden racks in the marsh. There it would remain until winter's freeze -up when it was taken off and used for fodder and bedding. The colonists used the marshes to their advantage and they were highly sought after as one of their most prized possessions. Many a deed carried a de- scription of a salt marsh "parcel of meadow or creek thatch lying at ye head of Tom's Creek." Seaweed, or eel grass, was also gath- ered. There are people still alive who can remember wagons going down to the beaches to gather seaweed. It was used around the base and between parti- tions of farm buildings to keep out winter winds. Of course, it was used as bedding for cattle and later, when the stables were cleared, it was put out on the land to enhance it. Importance of Marshes Our marshes and creeks have had their ups and downs in the minds of men. The Indians knew their importance and always built nearby. After all, where else could you find an endless food sup- ply and easy transportation? Then the colonists came and utilized the marshes. Early deeds vouch for their importance. But as man became more sophisticated with his upland pastures and hay barns for storage, the marsh was forgotten. It became only a place, in the minds of some, where mosquitoes and greenheads bred In those early colonial days few built along the creek. Often the marsh became a dumping ground for anything un- wanted. In recent years when these building lots were in demand we began to dredge the creek, fill the marshes and build on the water's edge. The selling motto became "a boat in every front yard," which meant more dredging and filling. Rules and regulations were enacted as the true value of the marshes became known. They provided dampeners for violent storms. They cleansed the water. They provided wildlife habitat and above all provided nutrients for the vast array of shellfish and finfish we've always re- lied on for food. From the biologist who knows their importance to the young man who ekes his little girl for a swim and a slow boat ride up the wondrous green - walled wa- terway, we've come a long way in ap- preciating our creeks and marshes here on the East End. school news•business beat•community news* real estate transfers•your home focus on nature• town hall notes•on aging• north fork outdoors• scoreboard coming up• features• Only The news• sports• Suffolk 95mes columns• does it all Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh KIDS— Whether ocean, Sound, bay or narrow creeks, kids will always enjoy themselves in our East End waters. PARTY TIME- At Our Bar FREE BUFFET 4 -6 pm, Monday through Thursday Special Monday and Tuesday All The Barbecued Chicken and Ribs You Can Eat for $11.95 Includes: One bowl of unpeeled shrimp, salad, vegetable, potato and coffee Special Wednesday and Thursday Twin 1 lb. lobsters for the price of 1 - $12.95 (No Sharing) while they last PLUS OUR MANY BLACKBOARD SPECIALS AND OUR REGULAR MENU • PRICES RANGE FROM $8.95 AND UP ORIENT BY THE SEA MARINA AND RESTAURANT Main Road, Orient Point (just west of the Orient Ferry) 323 =2424 Open Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.