Outdoors with Larry DiDonato - ECO Exam Now Open-Fee’s Waived by Governor Hochul

Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the application period is now open for New York State’s entry-level law enforcement civil service exam. The exam is for interested, qualified applicants seeking a position throughout the state at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), the Office of State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and the State University of New York (SUNY). Qualified candidates can apply online until 11:59 p.m. on August 14th 2024, to take the exam, scheduled for the fall. The difference for this NYS Civil Service Exam series is there is no cost to take the exam as all state exam application fees are waived through December, 2025.

There are approximately 150 entry-level law enforcement positions at DEC, State Parks, and SUNY anticipated statewide over the next year. The police series civil service exam is also used to fill positions in municipal police departments and sheriff's offices across the state. 

Those interested in becoming police officers in New York State must first meet the minimum qualifications for the title or titles of interest, and register for the civil service exam by submitting all the required information by August 14th by using this link here or by visiting the NYS Civil Service website at https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/.

The entry-level law enforcement exam is used to fill the following state titles:

• DEC - Environmental Conservation Police Officer Trainee 1 & Forest Ranger 1

• Parks - Park Police Officer Trainee

• SUNY - University Police Officer 1

To qualify to take the exam to become an Environmental Conservation Officer, you must have, or obtain the following experience/education:

Either:

 1: a bachelor's or higher-level degree; OR 

2: an associate degree; AND one of the following: 

a. one year of experience in the areas of environmental engineering or environmental technology, freshwater or marine sciences, wildlife sciences, or forestry; OR 

b. one year of experience as a police officer in New York State with Municipal Police Training Course certification (or equivalent course approved by the NYS Municipal Police Training Council). A certified Peace Officer Training course does not meet this requirement; OR 

c. one year of experience as a certified federal law enforcement officer; OR 

d. two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act; OR 

3: three years of experience as a police officer in New York State with Municipal Police Training Course certification (or equivalent course approved by the NYS Municipal Police Training Council). *A Peace Officer Training course does not meet this requirement.

To take the Forest Ranger exam, you must have or obtain the following education/experience:

Either 

1: an associate or higher-level degree in aquatic biology, conservation biology, environmental biology, wildlife biology, environmental and natural resource conservation, environmental engineering, fisheries and fisheries sciences and management, fish and wildlife technology, aquatic and fisheries science, forestry, forest engineering, forest management, forest resource management, forest resources production and management, forest sciences and biology, forest technology, land surveying technology, natural resource management, natural resources management and policy, wildlife science, wildlife fish and wildlands science and management, or any other associate or higher-level degree program accredited by the Society of American Foresters; OR 

2: 60 college semester credit hours or higher including or supplemented by 24 college semester credit hours in coursework as described below; * OR 

3: two years of active United States military service with an honorable discharge or under conditions in the New York State Restoration of Honor Act AND two years of qualifying experience in forest management, fish and wildlife management, forest, fish, or wildlife interpretation in a wildland setting, or law enforcement in a park, forest, or wildland setting. **

ECO salaries start at $56,360.00. After a two-year traineeship their base salary becomes $70,404.00. Forest Rangers salaries begin at $59,298.00.

 The police series exam will also be used to fill positions in municipal police departments and sheriff's offices. Candidates interested in taking local examinations for municipal police departments and sheriff's offices should apply directly through their local civil service agency. 

A list of the local entry-level law enforcement examinations taking place is available using this link, here or by contacting the respective municipal civil service department.  

Applicants can view more campaign content and additional information, including a test guide to prepare applicants for the exam by going to the following NYS Civil Service website; https://www.cs.ny.gov/police/. 

On June 2, 2024 DEC began its 24th Basic School for Uniformed Officers with the newest class of Environmental Conservation Police Officer recruits. They are currently in the midst of their training at the academy in Pulaski, NY. 

DEC Forest Rangers are also in training at their academy which began on May 19th 2024 in Wanakena, NY.

Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “DEC's Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Forest Rangers serve on the front lines to protect New York's environment, natural resources, and communities, and through Governor Hochul’s support and leadership, we are growing our forces of the future. I encourage all eligible candidates to take the State’s entry-level law enforcement civil service exam and join the revered ranks of Forest Rangers and ECOs in our efforts to safeguard New Yorkers and our environment.”

 ECOs, originally called Game Protectors, were first appointed for service in 1880. The first Forest Rangers, originally known as Fire Wardens, were put into service in 1885 when the New York State Legislature established the Forest Preserve of New York State. ECO job duties are centered on the enforcement of New York State Environmental Conservation Law and range from deer poaching to solid waste dumping, illegal mining, the black-market illegal wildlife and pet trade, emissions violations, plus all manner of environmental quality enforcement. They patrol the state on vessels of all sizes, ATVs, snowmobiles, and on foot. In 2023, ECOs and Investigators across the state responded to nearly 31,000 calls and worked on cases that resulted in nearly 16,900 tickets or arrests.

Forest Ranger duties focus on the public's use of DEC-administered State lands and easements and can span from patrolling State properties to conducting search-and-rescue operations to fighting wildland fires. In 2023, DEC Forest Rangers conducted 370 search and rescue missions, extinguished 146 wildfires, participated in 52 prescribed fires that served to rejuvenate more than 1,000 acres, and worked on cases that resulted in hundreds of tickets or arrests.

Happy Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping until next time!

News and Notes…

70th Annual Greene County Fair Opens in Cairo on Thursday, July 25th 

Come and help celebrate the homespun fair’s 70th Anniversary. It’s the only county fair that has free admission in NYS. Be sure to go to the Trade Tent and stop by “Conservation Corner.” That’s where the DEC Trout Tank is and biologists are around to answer wildlife questions across from the Greene County Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs. That’s where 12-15-year-olds can sign-up for the free Youth Pheasant Hunt coming up in September. Slide down a bit and visit veteran hunter, Frank Algozine to learn everything you wanted to know about coyotes, and perhaps even some things you didn’t!

Norton Hill Wildlife Club’s 2024 Trap Shooting Schedule 

Trap shooting at Norton Hill Wildlife Club at 946 Big Woods Road in Greenville begins at 10:00 am on the following Sundays: July 28th, August 4th and 25th, and on September 15th and 29th.  Cost is just $5.00 per round. Bring your own ammo. Trap shooting is open to all; you don’t have to be a member to take advantage of this opportunity. 

Remember to report poaching violations by calling 1-844-DEC-ECOS.

  

  

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Out Lexington Way

By Christine Dwon

Lovely afternoon of fellowship spent at the home of Jane and Joe Concato in Lexington on July 20 for the first annual Hudson Heroes BBQ.  Jane and Joe are members of the Brain Injury Association of New York State and members of BIANJ while they lived in New Jersey.  Their passion is to assist those impacted by brain injury across the Mountain Top and throughout the Hudson Valley.  Guests were friends from New Jersey and here on the Mountain Top. The Hudson Heroes is the name of their team who “March on for Brain Injury” fundraising when many walk at the Walkway Over the Hudson.  Even though there was quite the downpour, that didn’t stop Joe from grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs and there was a bountiful table set with side dishes and desserts.  

Potluck Dinner Church Friday, July 26, 6 p.m. in the Ashland Community UMC, 12216 State Hwy 23, Ashland.  Come and enjoy a delicious meal and fellowship.  Invite a friend and join us.

Come one come all to the Thunder in the Mountains Car Show Saturday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the grounds of the Lexington Municipal Building, 3542 Route 42, hosted by the West Kill-Lexington Community Improvement Association.   Breakfast sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers and beverages available for purchase.  There will be trophies, 1995 or newer will have their own class, over 50 beautiful gift baskets for raffle and a 50/50 raffle.  Lexington fFre/Rescue company will be there with the antique fire truck and a very special guest, Sparky the Fire Dog.  Fun for the whole family.  Proceeds benefit the WKLCIA.   Call Mary at 518-989-6813.

Sunday, July 28 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., under the Lexington pavilion, Bette Knapp will be remembered at a Celebration of Life with family and friends.  Please bring a covered dish to share.

Summer Sunday worship services will be held in the Methodist Church in West Kill, 65 Spruceton Road, West Kill at 9 a.m., July 28, Aug. 4, Aug. 11, Aug. 18.  All are welcomed.

The 70th Greene County Youth Fair is Thursday, July 25, Friday, July 26, Saturday, July 27, Sunday, July 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  There will be fireworks on Saturday night.  The Fair is held in Cairo at Angelo Canna Town Park, Joseph D. Spencer Lane.  Free admission.

Happy birthday to Nancy Kizyma on Friday, July 26.

July 26 is also Tina Albino’s birthday.

Sharon Becker’s birthday is Saturday, July 27.

July 27 Emmett Turk celebrates his birthday.

Wayne Thompson’s birthday is Tuesday, July 30.

July 30 is Louie Kizyma’s birthday.

Best wishes to everyone.

The Greene County Department of Human Services Senior Nutrition Program menu for the week of July 29 – Aug. 2 is as follows:  Monday—Meatball sub, Italian mixed vegetables, Italian pasta salad, blondies; Tuesday—Crab cake with lemon and dill aioli, spinach, rice pilaf, lemon mousse; Wednesday—French onion pork chop, Sonoma vegetable mix, buttered noodles, pears; Thursday—Roast pork loin with gravy and applesauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, watermelon; Friday—Chicken salad plate, mixed greens with cucumbers and tomatoes, macaroni salad, mixed berries with whipped topping.  All persons age 60 and older and spouses are invited to join for lunch.  Suggested donation is $4 per meal.  Congregate dining reservations are required at least a day in advance by noon by calling the appropriate centers.  The number to call for the Senior Service Center at the Jewett Municipal Building, Route 23C, Jewett is 518-263-4392.

Friday, Aug. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Mountain Top Library in Tannersville, the Greene Room Players Songbirds will have a free performance.

The Greene Room Players Songbirds will have another free musical performance at the Community Center, 5494 State Route 23, Windham with favorites from the 60s and the old standards on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Jewett Fire Department, Route 17, Jewett, is holding their annual Brooks Chicken BBQ on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Takeouts, $15 includes chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, corn on the cob, roll, brownie.

Saturday, Aug. 3 is the Hunter Fire Company’s Block Party at the Hunter Firehouse, 17 Bridge Street, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.  Dj Frankieokie 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; live music with The Lost Cowboys, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; fun for the whole family, bouncy house, climbing wall, slide, foam machine and more. 

The next Lexington Farmers Market will be Saturday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The Western Catskills will have a table at the market with information on the Town of Lexington Housing Rehabilitation Grants.  The Town of Lexington is considering applying for a Community Development Block Grant to fund the rehabilitation of homes for its residents.  If you are a full-time resident in the Town of Lexington, if you have a sick-built home, do you need health and safety repairs on your home – come and talk to them.  They need your help to build a wait list.  If you can’t come to the Lexington Farmers Market on Aug. 3, you may call or email to get on the wait list – 607-652-2823 ext. 102 or info@westerncatskills.org; www.westerncatskills.org/programs/.

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 4 p.m. is the Lexington/West Kill UMC Administrative Council meeting in the Lexington church hall.

Thank you to all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS, dispatchers, healthcare providers, volunteers, veterans and actively serving military, farmers, truck drivers and so many more.

Prayers for all who are dealing with loss, illnesses, healing, difficulties, our country, our military and their families, the world.

Until next week take care, be thankful, be respectful, be safe and please be kind to one another.  Your act of kindness may change someone’s life.

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A History of WRIP Part 1

By Michael Ryan

WINDHAM - The beginnings of WRIP in Windham are steeped in history as the small town radio station continues forming its legacy.

WRIP, located at 97.9 on the FM dial, is celebrating its 25th anniversary on August 5, 2024, a milestone the Community of Windham Foundation did not want to slip past unnoticed.

Four of the Foundation members, Annie Jakubowski, Denise Meehan, Jeri Miltenberger and Sharon Quinn, recently surprised station manager and chief executive office Jay Fink with a banner.

They wanted to do more, perhaps repeating the giant party staged five years ago on the 20th anniversary, but Fink asked to low key things.

“Jay never likes to bring attention to himself but we can’t let twenty-five years go by without some recognition,” Jakubowski says.

“Jay and [WRIP “Morning Man”] Joe Loverro mean everything to our community. They hold our community together,” Jakubowski says.

While Fink and Loverro are the most-known voices of WRIP, they would be silent without the entrepreneurial vision of Dennis Jackson.

Jackson is the man and the money behind the formation of WRIP, forging a partnership with the late Guy Patrick Garraghan to launch what many believed, at the time, might be a Don Quixote misadventure.

Instead, it became a reliable reality, being there through the toughest times in the town of Windham including the destructive flooding of Hurricane Irene in the summer of 2011 and the Covid pandemic.

Jackson stays in the background but fondly remembers the burgeoning of WRIP, saying, “it was the early 1990’s when a Yonkers resident with a summer home in Jewett hatched an idea to start a new radio station to serve the local Ukrainian population.

“He induced the FCC to allow an FM station on 97.9, but never got around to building it,” Jackson says, speaking in the third person.

“We suspect it was because he came to his senses and realized that at the time, the local economy was not large enough to support a station with a payroll of live personalities around the clock.

“Nowadays, computers do much of the work, freeing our small staff to be out in the community. In 1995, the FCC announced that it would accept new proposals to start the 97.9 FM station.

“I had learned the process by starting other stations over the previous decade, and decided to go for it.” Jackson says.

“Our legal notice in the Windham Journal [newspaper] attracted attention, and I was soon served with a registered letter.

“It came from a certain Guy Patrick Garraghan.  My first thought was that somebody was already planning to sue me, but thankfully not!

“Guy simply wanted to be sure the person who was planning to start the local radio station received his letter.

“He told me of his tenure as Morning Host on WCKL radio, his involvement in producing music festivals at Hunter, his service in the US Air Force and his role as manager of the Wintergreen Club” at Windham Ski Center.

“I realized we had lucked into an ideal situation. I had no idea how to attract experienced, professional talent to a small radio station in such a rural area, beautiful as it is,” Jackson says.

“But “talent” was an understatement.  Guy was a popular and well-loved native son with a big heart, a great radio voice and a wicked sense of humor. He seemed to know everyone.

“So we met at the Wintergreen Club and came up with a plan to ascertain whether the business community would invest sufficiently in advertising to support a slimmed down but efficient broadcast operation.

“We decided it had a chance, and took the plunge. [Local business owner] Don Murray was renovating the old bowling alley at the corner of South Street and Garraghan Lane.

“The site once served as home base for Guy’s father, John Garraghan, who barnstormed the mail into an airstrip that’s now the [Windham] golf course.

“We rented half of one of Don’s units from realtor Carol Shaw and built a studio from scratch. During construction, Jimmy and Mary O’Connor, at the Windham Mountain Inn across the street, generously kept us well fed.

“Dan Frank, then-manager of Windham Mountain, cut us a deal that we could afford in order to install the transmitter and antenna at the top of the Cave Mountain. 

”Later, it would be Windham Mountain manager Chip Seamans who would help the station by allowing us to build a brand new studio in the Mountain’s historic Bentley House, which we’ve dubbed “Broadcast House.”

“For our grand opening on August 5, 1999, Guy arranged for the beloved Dr. Edwin Graham Mulbury, the area’s most senior citizen, to cut the ribbon. 

“12-year-old Charlene Cross sang the national anthem live at noon before a small crowd, and WRIP was on the air!

“It’s hard to believe we’ve been broadcasting for a quarter century,” says Jackson. “People say having a local radio station available 24/7 has changed how it feels to be part of the mountaintop community.

“For the better. We feel gratified and proud of the role WRIP has been able to play in the life of the community, and at the same time, the people of the mountaintop have been generous in their support of the radio station.

“We cannot express enough our appreciation for the longtime support of the Community of Windham Foundation, the Windham Foundation, the Windham Chamber of Commerce and the Greene County Legislature.”

NEXT WEEK: A pictorial glance back at WRIP.

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Chamber Music Concert at the “Music at Grazhda” Festival

The Music and Art Center of Greene County invites you to the “Music at Grazhda” Festival on July 27th at 8pm. This concert will hold a special significance as it is dedicated to honoring Natalia Sonevytsky, President Emeritus of the Board of Trustees, on her 90th Birthday. Join us in celebrating her enduring legacy with a heartfelt tribute featuring acclaimed musicians performing works by Skoryk, Barvinsky, and her late husband, Ihor Sonevytsky, the Center’s founder.

Experience the artistry of Nazar Pylatyuk, Distinguished Artist of Ukraine and soloist at the National House of Organ and Chamber Music in Kyiv and Vasyl Zatsikha, principal second violinist at Orchestra della Svizzera Italiana in Lugano, Switzerland. Richard Young, esteemed violist of the legendary Vermeer String Quartet, will add depth to the ensemble. Enjoy performances by Natalia Khoma, the sole Ukrainian cellist laureate of the Tchaikovsky International Competition, and Marta Bagratuni, a versatile cellist known for her performances at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center, as well as for her multifaceted talents as a singer, filmmaker, writer, actor, editor, and producer. Completing this stellar lineup is Volodymyr Vynnytsky, virtuoso pianist, laureate of the Margueritte Long-Jacques Thibaud International Piano Competition in Paris and Artistic Director of the festival.

Don’t miss this extraordinary event!

For information on location, time and tickets, go to the Music and Art Center of Greene County website:  http://www.GrazhdaMusicandArt.org

For information on location, time and tickets, go to the Music and Art Center 

of Greene County website:  http://www.GrazhdaMusicandArt.org. 

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The Prattsville Scoop

By Abby and Gabby

Prattsville – You need to have multiple bodies to enjoy and take part in all the activities that our area is offering. There are concerts, shows/plays, craft vendors, vegetable stands, yard sales, museum visits, and car shows.

The American Legion Virgil E. Deyo Post 1327 and American Legion Auxiliary Virgil E. Deyo Unit 1327, Prattsville, hosted a BBQ at the Stratton VAMC on July 10. Those attending and helping to serve and spend the time and food with the residential veterans were Shelly and Elliott Brainard, Marianne and Johannes Krauss, Pat Minew and Nancy Orr. Due to last minute family obligations, six others had to attend other functions. There will be other events in the future. The funds were made available through bottle deposit returns and a large and heartfelt thank you to all who continue to donate their returnables to this cause. Your love and care are appreciated.

Congratulations to Ann O’Hara and Steve Majoris on their recent marriage. May their happiness be multiplied in many, many years of marriage.

Claudia and Ray Bracaliello wish to share with us. Claudia does a lot of reading of “Throw Away” mysteries and they enjoy going to G-Jimmees and Ray gets a twist and Claudia tries one of the hard ice creams.  Yum!  Claudia continues to work on a lap robe for the VA, “but only a row or two at a time, while Ray watches the “Grit”. The old cowboy shows, if he is not watching baseball, but when watching baseball he yells at the TV telling them what they should be doing, but they do not listen.  He keeps calling the Yankees ‘The losers’”. Claudia had cataract surgery, after her doctor said she could have them whenever she wanted them. She opted for the surgery “And it certainly has made a difference in the clarity of my vision, at least in the one that has been done.  Colors are amazing! It was done at the Albany Eye Surgical Center, which I guess is where most of the eye surgeries in the Albany area are done in Latham. Quite an interesting facility. Well run.” Have news of Claudia’s brother Andy and family.  “Andy and Holly( and Tila the dog) are now living in a “ Senior Community” that will provide care as needed if things change.  Holly has been ill since January. Starting with A-Fib which required a pacemaker that needed replacement and then MERSA, which Drew is sure because of the replacement.  She then had at least one stroke and was in hospital and rehab through February.  She has not lost physical ability, except balance and weakness as result of hospitalization, but recent memory is nonexistent, uses a walker and much supervision.  So they are in the process of selling the house in Stone Ridge so they can afford this place in MA, which is close to Wendy, their younger daughter. Their new address is Andy and Holly Lutz, Suite 201, New Horizons, 400 Hemenway street, Marlborough MA 10152…..Their church had a wonderful service wishing them well and thanking them for all their work for [the [last] almost 60 years, on 23 June. We wish our hometown gentleman and his family all the best.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery to Elsie Stuppert. Elsie had recent hip surgery and is in the care of her family. Wish we could have some of her delicious German food. Thanks for the happy meals at the Hideaway Inn.

Feel better wishes go out to Connie Lane, previous Prattsville resident now of Oneonta, Seems a bee took a liking to her causing a bad reaction. Feel better Connie and wishing you a full recovery.

Can vegetables be eye candy? If you want to enjoy the vegetables of our Catskill Mountains, offered by RSK Farms of Prattsville, stop by their place of business on Route 23A, If you stop for one item, you are sure to buy an extra four or five more. Lettuce and squash of every variety, other greens, tomatoes, corn, their famous variety of potatoes, and peaches to mention just a few of what is available. RSK Farms also offers meat, cheese and ice cream. Also there are handmade items for sale from local craftspeople. Aiding in all of this are honey bees from the aviary in Lexington making sure pollination takes place. We took a quick small tour of the gardens close to the vegetable stand. Almost forgot, they also have hanging petunia baskets that have a very pleasant smell.

Had a wonderful five days in New Jersey with family. It was the annual Gurley Family reunion, now numbering 36, but only 24 were able to make it due to flight cancellations and babies. But wait ‘til next year. The family is spread out over the states of New York, New Jersey and Indiana and all look forward to the yearly get-together. Four generations have conversations, food, drinks and an in-ground pool to enjoy and keep them occupied. And the lodgings are free. Here’s to 2025.

Adam and Kelly Brainard, Stephanie Braswell, Shelly and Elliott Brainard enjoyed dinner at the Brandywine on Saturday, the 20th, evening in recognition of Kelly’s birthday. They enjoyed each other’s company and the meal, and why not.

Got a chance to exchange a few words with Sandy, Kathy Sherman’s daughter. You did a good job Kathy with Sandy. She is always smiling and has good news to share.

Rabbits and deer ate our vegetable seedlings. Woodchucks are keeping their eyes on the squash. Raccoons, minus one, have eaten and will eat just about anything that grows. Have a rather large garter snake that probably got that big by eating all those abundant small toads that “were” around. Now we have a skunk that is not afraid to be out and about during daylight hours. During the night they dig divots in the lawn looking for grubs. Oh yeah, the squirrel population is also minus 1.

Belated Happy Birthday wishes to Kelly (Mrs. Adam) Brainard. She celebrates her birthday on July 21. Happy Birthday to Joanne Lane and John Young on July 27. ON July 28 it is Happy Birthday wishes to Roberta Hull and Shirley Dunham Doroski, Happy Birthday to Lou Kizyma on July 30. On August 1 it is Happy Birthday wishes to Linda Jaeger. On August 2 we wish Emily and Richie Morse a very Happy Anniversary.

Send your happy summer news to gurleyrv@gmail.com or call 518-299-3219.

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Traditionally Speaking...by Pat Larsen - Sunrise and Sunset

Basically, I’m a morning person. I love being outdoors early, attending to my plants, pruning, watering and admiring the landscape at 5 AM.  If you aren’t aware of life at that early hour, I can assure you it’s incredibly quiet at daybreak, right up until the birds begin to awaken all at once! All manner of chirping creates a symphony of sorts that I have come to enjoy as well.

There’s an awakening from so many sources all around at this time of day. I see the landscape in all its glory and this acknowledgement rewards me with even the smallest of inhabitants beginning their day alongside mine.

I thrive at sunrise. 

Recently, I happened to be awake a bit later than usual  for me,  and was met with a beautiful sight that I had forgotten I loved equally as much…sunset.

Right there in the sky,  nearing the earth's horizon, I saw a blood orange glow that painted the blue sky a lovely blend of pastel  peach and purple.

The sun had begun its descent in the west, after being on display all day and I found this to be a magnificent image. 

My mind flooded back to the memories of a time when I was able to stay awake long enough to be a witness to sunsets most evenings. Youthful memories are always the sweetest.

Here’s some of those memories that were the fondest for me.

Living on the eastern end of Long Island that ran parallel to the Long Island Sound, I was  given many opportunities to gaze at the sunsets.

As if on cue, folks in my small beach community would gather at the “overlook”  after consulting the farmers almanac's daily statistics for each day indicating the exact time of the “event”.

We gathered  80 feet above the beach to watch the sun go down. The overlook was a platform that jutted out from the dunes and was built and maintained by the community. It was a very much appreciated viewing station for the entirety of the long stretch of beach that was visible from WildWood State Park to the far reaching borders of Baiting Hollow, NY. 

As we congregated, there were greetings and acknowledgements from neighbors regarding the day’s activities, sometimes we’d even share a  ceremonial glass of wine to toast an anniversary or birthday before the day was done.

Then, on cue, we’d turn toward the sun descending and remain silently vigil until the last vestiges of that orange globe in the sky dipped quietly beyond the horizon before it was gone.

One moment you saw the sun at the horizon's edge and then…blink… the day was done…IF you blinked, you missed it. It was such a fun game that we all played every night.

I realized that I had an equal fondness for both times of day break into night that begged to be acknowledged on occasion.

This display was a good reminder about those subtleties that can often go unnoticed every day.

I’m not so sure I'll be able to hold out for the sunsets this summer going forward, that’s just the way it is. Maybe a nap or a cup of coffee later in the day will help occasionally to allow me to engage in the wonders of that time of day once in a while.

For now, I’ll revel in the ecstasies of the morning gifts and simply hold onto those memories of my younger years witnessing days end. This symbolism, those reminders of the cycles of life are, after all, kinder and gentler to acknowledge.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist, author and director of the program, Aging with Grace…growing wiser as we age. She lives in Greene County, NY with her husband and pup, Lily. Please feel free to contact Pat to chat…# 518-275-8686. 

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