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Septpember 03, 1992 - A Perfect Family Picnic at the Beach84; .Thy- ,5uffc�{f:J� Mc ,,w S?�ta�nt�r.,�,r11�� A Perfect Family Picnic at the Beach Ar-Paul Stoutenburgh Our kids and grandchildren gave my wife an old - fashioned beach picnic for her birthday. Of course, it included all the trimmings necessary for such a gala occasion. As you remember we've just come out of a week of wet, hot, humid weather that usually hits us at least once every summer. When relief came it was like being released from some oppressive layer smothering us and its passing trig- gered everyone into wanting to do some- thing special. Beaches today Focus are not what they were years ago. on Nature Seems everyone owns the beach and "Keep Out — Private" signs are everywhere. The few public areas are usually crowded and just don't fit for a family picnic. To solve this problem our son, who has a trailered aluminum boat, decided that he'd take everything neces- sary for the picnic in his boat and meet us a mile up the beach away from it all. The rest of us would walk, empty-hand- ed, to the rendezvous with its secluded open beach. They had gotten clams the day before and used some to make a gallon of clam chowder and just that morning had got- ten a nice mess of hard crabs, so we had the basics for a feast. The weather couldn't have been better — cool, dry air out of the west would keep us free from the sometimes pesky flies and gnats and the bright sum would make the water sparkle along the sandy beach that would spread out before us. The oldest grandson had the privilege of helping with the boat that was laden with all the provisions of beach chairs, cool- ers, cooking pans, blankets and, of course, a birthday cake. Walk Down the Beach In the meantime the rest of the clan headed for the meeting place we all re- membered as a place away from every- one and ideal for picnicking. It was a long hike to the west with grandchildren ranging from 4 to 7 and it took a bit longer because the new apprentices of beach collecting had not yet learned to be selective and therefore their collec- tions mounted and mounted. Before we arrived at our destination we could smell that wonderful odor trav- eling down the beach from the fire that had been lit. The grandchildren had col- lected twigs from the lawn to start the fire and put them safely in the boat before it left. Evidently plans were Photo by Paul Stoutenburgh STEAMED CRABS —It seems we wait all season to harvest our local crabs from our creeks but it is worthwhile, particularly when they are eaten still steaming hot. working well for we not only could smell but we could now see the pale blue smoke ahead signaling that the beach fire was burning well. When we got close enough to recog- nize the shapes and sizes of people, hands waved and a new burst of excitement took over from the young ones as they dropped everything but their special find and ran on ahead. The boat had already been beached high and dry so when we arrived the only job left was for the ladies to sort out the food and get things ready. We'd fix a makeshift table and benches out of old driftwood and everyone would position themselves into a crude circle where chatter, snacks, clams on the half - shell and drinks seemed to blend into a wonderful harmony that only such a gath- ering can produce. The camp frying pan, fully 30 inches across, was half - filled with sea water. This was put on the fire to heat to boil- ing and then the fresh crabs were dropped in. Bowls of clam chowder, fried chicken and more snacks were con- sumed. In the background kids climbed rocks and played in their newfound free- dom of air, sand, water and sky. These were the only ingredients necessary for the beach party we had all been looking forward to. This was true family and everyone was enjoying it to the hilt. Birds Watching Nearby Offshore the terns were on their usual patrol looking for sand eels or other small fish that would fatten them and their young for their long, upcoming migration south. Cormorants sat collec- tively on one big rock, all seemingly reluctant to move from the warmth of their midday rest to the water below, where they knew they'd sooner or later have to return to feed. Then, of course, there were the always - present seagulls. One in particular stood on a nearby rock just waiting for us to leave in hopes of finding a few fallen pretzels or a bit of food dropped in the sand. No sooner were the bright -red crabs taken from the pot than the clams were put on to steam. Now the crab feast took center stage with cups of golden butter i wsvw i ..wV naftmom 78 Years Ago Sept. 5, 1914 Credit System Interest: Merchants of Greenport and neighboring villages are interesting themselves in an association for protection against people who do not pay their bills. All over Long Island similar `organizations" are being formed by the Merchants' Credit Co. with headquar- ters in Portland, Maine. As soon as all organizations have been effected, a Credit Rating Guide will be published. All persons from Bay Shore to the eastern end of Long Island will be rated in this guide. Merchants will then know whether an individual is "prompt pay," "fair pay," "slow pay" or "no pay." No Scallops: The season for catching that much sought after seafood, the scallop, is now open. But where are the scallops? So far none can be found in Coecles Har- bor at Shelter Island where they were so plentiful last year. The outlook is not very promising. 50 Years Ago Sept. 3, 1942 Security on Fishers Island: The home security services at Fishers Island, that isolated portion of Southold Township, famed as a summer resort and army stronghold, were inspected Sunday by a group of state, county and town for dipping and drinks to wash it down. We could hear the "oohs" and "aahs" as the feast went on. Hands and lips ran with the juices of the feast and soon the whole pot was empty except for a few scattered legs and claws. Now the huge camp pan of steamed clams was brought forth and put on the makesti. driftwood table along with all the salads. The feast renewed its vigor as clams dipped into the golden butter disappeared into open mouths. Even the grandchildren came in for their share of the spoils and excited- ly awaited their part of tf�e seafood delight. Soon finished, they were off. Now rejuvenated with food, they climbed the steep banks of the cliffs behind us. How I remembered as kids we used to enjoy this adventure of climbing and sliding. By now the sun was starting to set. The tide had dropped and the boat was far from the water's edge. It would take a concerted effort by all to get it loaded and floating again. Our day was coming to an end. Once launched and off, they would travel to the ramp while the rest of us would head back along the beach to the waiting cars. But first, a quick check to make sure the beach was left as `Chatter, snacks, clams on the half - shell and drinks seemed to blend into a wonderful harmony' good or better than when we had ar- rived. As we headed back, one of the weary grandchildren took my hand while the others did more beach comb- ing. This time it was at a slower pace, one that tells of a perfect picnic, one we will remember well as other families remember their special family gather- ings this year, a fitting tribute to the end of the season. civilian protection officials. The party made the trip from Greenport in J. Benedict Roache's cruiser. Big Bond Drive: As a community Greenport can be proud of its record on the opening night of the moving pic- ture film industry bond drive in the Greenport Theatre Tuesday. Manager Herman Fhcken announced that the amount of war bonds sold was $3,494.60. 25 Years Ago Sept. 8, 1967 Navy Will Pay for Damaged Yacht: Shelter Island marine architect Richard C. Carlson said this week that the U.S. Navy will pay for damage suffered by his 30- foot racing sloop in a collision Saturday with a Navy sub- marine. Carlson said the Navy's legal officer told him a marine surveyor would be sent to Shelter Island to examine the damaged yacht, Medea IV. Carlson estimated the cost of repairs between $1,000 and $1,200. The craft was damaged in collision with the USS Corporal, a 326 -foot submarine, about 5 a.m. Saturday, two miles south of Fishers Island. According to Carlson the submarine was running sur- faced at about two knots but was not showing any lights. Carlson was participating in a race from Stamford, Conn., to Martha's Vineyard when the collision occurred. His wife, Mary Jane, was in the galley and suffered burns on her legs and feet when a coffee pot was knocked off the stove.