Missing Sodus
By Melissa White

mgoodcooke@yahoo.com

We went to Sodus Point to see Larry Moss and his wonderful orange octopus. It was quite an awesome experience. I am so glad we went out to see it! We walked into the park to find huge blue and white balloons and then spotted the octopus. The detail was unreal. He looked so happy, watching as the pilot lifted him into the air and then way up so far into the air then to drop it on the other side of the water. We could just imagine the people on the other side saying drop it in front of my place. If you would like to see lots of pics of the sculpture from beginning stages till the ends please look at Larry's website. Larry did set the record and it was fun to be a part of the event. Kids rode in tricycle races, while the adults listened to the band and karaoke.

A note from Larry:

'A special thanks to all of our sponsors for making this possible. They are Pioneer Balloon Company (they provided Qualatex balloons for the project as well as lots of other support), New Horizons Yacht Harbor (the barn we worked in), Tim Bayer Productions (making a documentary of this whole thing), Air Affair (provided the helium), Sky Chutes Inc (put me in the air on a powered parachute so I could take some aerial photos), and of course, the village of Sodus Point, NY When all of the pieces of the octopus were complete, we paraded them to the launch site where we assembled the whole thing in the hot sun. Balloons popped, but since most had been inflated days earlier, they were relaxed enough that the majority made it through the day. Six days after this whole adventure began, we found ourselves on the ball field in the center of town surrounded by a huge crowd of onlookers as the launch took place. This crowd didn't feel like an audience as much as a group of friends cheering for us while we took on the last part of the project. Roughly 100 balloons ranging in size from five to seven feet were inflated with 10,000 cubic feet of helium and placed inside or over the octopus. John Ninomiya, the pilot, was placed on the giant beast, and the octopus was launched. John carried the octopus to an altitude of approximately 1000 feet and released the creature over Sodus Bay (right near the edge of Lake Ontario) before he himself started to make his own slow descent to a boat waiting below. The coast guard and local fire department towed the octopus to shore where the crowd popped it in search of prizes hidden inside. Five days to build; five minutes to destroy. It couldn't have been more fun. The support of everyone in the town was incredible.'

Click here to see more of the pics I took.

This weekend is the Sodus Fire Company's Firemen's Carnival. Great fun if the rain holds off.

The Summer Concert at Sodus Point this weekend (Sunday, August 3) is the Music Makers Band and will begin at 2 p.m. on the old Lighthouse lawn. Refreshments are available. Just bring your favorite blanket to sit on or your comfy lawn chairs and enjoy the view while you enjoy the music from the 30's to the 90's.

Be sure to mark your calendars for the Olde Tyme Country Faire in Sodus: Friday, August 8 at 7 p.m. Patriotic Pet Parade hosted by the Cracker Box Palace. Call 483.2493 to enter your pet in the parade. Parade line-up at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Sodus; ends in Sodus Village Park. From 7 to 10 p.m., there will be an Ice Cream Social & Free Street Dance sponsored by Culligan Water Conditioning Food. Non-alcoholic beverages will be available. Music provided by Music Mix, playing country music and hits from the 50's through the 90's. DJ Steve Bates, will also be announcing the winners of the pet parade! On Saturday, The Faire will have lots of homemade backed good and food including the Wallington Fire Dept. famous chicken BBQ (take out available or eat under the tent). Music will be provided by Steve Bates courtesy of WCTA Credit Union. The Wallington Cobblestone School will be open from noon to 4 for tours and a real chance to step back in time.

Saturday, August 9 in SODUS POINT, there will be a Fishing Derby, Horse & Wagon Rides, free entertainment and 'Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone' at dusk. Click here for details.

Between all the events in the area, such as the Wallington Cobblestone School being open for tours, a fishing derby, and the free movie at Sodus Point, people will be 'traveling' in and around Sodus.

Who knows? You might see us wandering around at the Olde Tyme Country Faire. While we were out and about in the Wayne County area we took a picture of the eagle in front of Motts in Williamson, stopped to get a milk shake at Burger King for old time's sake and drove down our old street, Sergeant Street. We were going to stop in to see Lill Burkholder but didn't want to bother her. And of course, Al Dobbin is always a busy guy. We would have liked to stop and see our old friends but didn't want to miss the big event in Sodus Point.

At the Williamson Library members of the Summer Reading Program is enjoying a Culinary Class today. PJ storytime is at 7 p.m. on August 13th. Be sure to wear your comfy pj's, bring your favorite stuffed animal and enjoy wonderful stories along with yummy cookies and milk. Lapsit Storytime for Toddlers ages l8 months to 3years accompanied by an adult story partner will begin on Monday August 4 and will be every Monday through August - 4, ll, l8 and 25 at l0:30 a.m. Please call the library for registration. Book Buddies ages 6-9 who have been teaming up with younger readers will have their pizza party on Wednesday, August 6 at l0:30. Calling all Book Buddies.....

At Sodus Free Library, they have been busy with their Summer Reading Program as well. Today, they are having Crafts with Sandy. Sandy Hopkins from the Kraft Shack will let her imagination run wild and teach everyone a new craft. Story Hour is on Mondays from l0:30 -ll:30 with Mrs. Combes, where the kids will share stories and songs. On Tuesday, August 5, the Reading Club meets from l-2 (this is kids grades 4 - 6). Bring along a favorite book to share with the group. Everyone will take turns reading short passages so they can all picture the stories. August the 6 brings you another PJ story time with Mrs. Garland. On Thursday, August 7, grades l-3 bring along their imaginations for stories with Mrs. Garland from l - 2 p.m.

If I have missed any events, please let me know so I can include them. If you did something fun with your family, write to me and we can share:

mgoodcooke@yahoo.com

Have a great week, share some good books with your kids and enjoy each other's company. Before you know it they'll be going back to school.

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