August 05, 1982 - Old- Fashioned PicnicSECOND SECTION The *Uffolh TiMC5
Old- Fashioned Picnic
We'd been away on our boat for a couple
of weeks, but arrived back in time for a
well - planned family picnic. What my side
of the family lacks in numbers, my wife's
side makes up for. When all the adults
were seated, we counted 57 heads -- and
this didn't, even count the children who
seemed to be everywhere. So you can see
when a family picnic on my wife's side is
planned, it's a major undertaking.
One couple was brave enough to take on
making a clam bake and what a clam bake
it was! It came complete in an old
blackened cooker, that I'm sure could
have served 100. We had the basic clams,
with an ample sprinkling of mussels,
chicken tied in cheese cloth bags, corn in
the husk and then those long wonderful
hotdogs that everyone seems to like. That
part of the picnic started way before
anyone got there.
Then as people arrived, all sorts of
specialties were added. Salad dips with
cold beans, carrot sticks and chips were
offered along with clams on the half shell
and tubs of cold drinks. Later, potato,
macaroni, tossed salad and an array of
desserts, including, of course, the
traditional watermelon, filled an entire
table that would make any gourmet chef
envious.
All this was prepared at one of the oldest
family clubs here on the East End. It has
been used by families and other groups for
over 80 years and has that elegant mellow
look that lets you know it has served its
patrons well. The building is merely a
frame shingled big eating place.
Out in front is the bay, where most of the
young people spent the day either
swimming, water skiing, sailing or just
sunbathing. Up above, the older
generation lounged about swapping stories
of interest about this or that. But the
overriding flavor of all this was the warm
greetings that spontaneously came when
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ola or young relatives met. You've heard
the old saying, "one big happy family "...
Well, here was one of them.
In Days of Yore
Time drifted by. Couples moved from
one group to another. Some recorded the
events with cameras. Others just
mellowed in the warmth of memories.
Picnics are part of our tradition and
were a very important way of life years
ago. Somewhere along the way this
tradition has slipped away, making some
family ties not as strong as others. These
ties when correctly nurtured are like the
roots of a tree; without them the tree will
surely topple. Perhaps our society has
become too mobile and many a family
finds its members spread too far apart to
gather in. Lucky is the family that can get
their clan together for a family picnic.
I was rewarded by having some of our
family, including our 18- month -old
grandson there. My mind flashed back to
when our kids were that age. Now I was
enjoying a repeat of the first. Robbie and I
went down to the beach that acts like a
magnet to all young people. There was no
fear of the water and the accompanying
splashing about only added to his joy.
Later on `Pa' got more tired than he, and
we sat on the beach and examined the
miniature world of stones, pebbles, shells
and sand. Again how fortunate we are to
have the lovely beaches along our shores.
Here we sat with no qualms about
sucking up a mouthful of bay water and
TwOMEY. LATHAM & SHEA
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT
AMY B. TURNER. ESQ.
HAS BECOME
ASSOCIATED WITH THE FIRM
LITIGATION
REAL ESTATE AND COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
MATRIMONIAL LAW
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
AND
MATTERS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST
33 WEST SECOND STREET 9 NORTH MAIN STREET
RIVERHEAD,.N.Y. 11901 EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. 1 1937
(6 1 6) 727-2180 (6 1 6) 324-1200
AUGUST 5,1982
MOLE CRAB OR SAND BUG - -The sharp eye can usually see these little
sandcolored crabs scurrying about in the wave zone of our beaches. As
each wave goes out, they feed on microscopic food that thrives in our
unpolluted waters. Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh
squirting it `whale -like' out to the glee of
youth. Then came digging time and a pond
was dug to sit in and play -- what a
treasure we found -- a mole crab or sand
bug. I'd almost forgotten about these sand -
colored diggers that play in the surf line.
On the ocean, bay and Sound beaches,
these ever - scurrying 1/8 to one -inch long
diggers pursue the plankton that swirls
back and forth through their webbed
catchers. As the waves roll in, these sand
moles dig below and hide to avoid being
washed away in the turbulent surf. Then as
the sea runs back, out come their web -like
antennae to catch the microscopic
organisms they feed on in the water. Their
life is in this one zone alone, and no where
else will you find them.
They are indicators of clean, unpolluted
beaches. Should oil ever come ashore.
their lives would be doomed.
Finding one of these sand moles became
a fascination enjoyed by this young mind.
Holding it, dropping it, watching it dig in,
brought bursts of glee. Plastic pails and
boats would have to wait their turn
because now the lowly sand mole stole the
show.
It was a wonderful summer day for a
picnic. The clambake couldn't be better.
The drinks were iced just right. The
families brimmed with friendship, and
most importantly, grandfather and
grandson enjoyed themselves immensely.
PAULSTOUTENBURGH
< <ia
85 EAST MAIN STREET, RIVERHEAD
• 727 -9824
The Riverhead
Grill has become
more than a place to
grab a cup of
coffee... It's an
establishment that
serves good hearty
family food at rea-
sonable prices.
And now we are
pleased to announce
that we have
expanded. Our new
dining room offers
the kind of
atmosphere you
would expect in
more expensive
restaurants!...
Open early for a
fishermens break-
fast... catch you for
lunch... meet you
for dinner...
The Riverhead
Grill has got it all.
See you soon.
SPECIALS
Served after 4 P.M. Only
MONDAY
SAUERBRATEN
DUMPLINGS
served with Gingersnap
Gravy and Red Cabbage
$475
WEDNESDAY
POT ROAST
Served with potato pancakes
and choice of vegetable.
$415
SATURDAY
GOULASH
NOODLES $405
choice of vegetable.