Missing Sodus
By Melissa White
mgoodcooke@yahoo.com

 I don't know about everyone else but I will be so happy when spring comes. When we get excited about the temperature going up to 23, we have been cold way too long. I want to look at the spring flowers, breathe fresh air and feel warm sun!

News from Ralph Everdyke in Florida:

I had rather an interesting golf day yesterday. I play in a league at Countryway Golf Course. I had taken some crackers along to snack on for lunch. While I was waiting for my time to tee off I left my cart for a while and when I came back my crackers were missing. I asked one of the people there what had happened to them and I was told a bird had came down out of the trees and taken them. When we got to the fifth hole there was about a ten foot alligator sunning himself on the edge of a large pond. Then on the next hole I saw the smallest alligator I had ever seen. I don't think it was over two feet long. Very cute, wish I had my camera with me. To top it all off, we got rained out after the tenth hole. Got a little wet before getting to the car.

The Chinese New Year is coming upon us - in fact it is Sunday February 18.

For the Year of the Pig, open your window and air out the stresses of last year. The pig is known for honesty, tolerance and reliability, so prepare for a calm, steady year ahead. Why not share in the hope for a fulfilling and prosperous New Year by cooking some classic Chinese dishes? We have all the recipe ideas, I'm sure, to usher in the Chinese New Year.

While most cultures around the world celebrate New Year's as a time of renewal, for the Chinese, the New Year means that and much more. It is a time to gather with family, honor ancestors and celebrate with a big banquet that symbolizes prosperity in the New Year.

Food Symbolism:

Most of the dishes served during Chinese New Year (also known as Spring Festival) are symbolic of something positive and hopeful. Chicken and fish, for example, symbolize happiness and prosperity - especially when served whole. Dishes made with oranges represent wealth and good fortune because they are China's most plentiful fruit. Noodles represent longevity; therefore, they should never be cut! Duck symbolizes fidelity, while eggs signify fertility. Bean curd or tofu are avoided because its white color suggests death and misfortune.

From the Sodus Free Library:

Congratulations to our colleagues at the Ontario Public Library, whose team placed first in the adult division at Saturday's 8th Annual Wayne County Rotary Spelling Bee. The ten Rotary Clubs in Wayne County sponsored this event at Eastview Mall as part of their program to call attention to illiteracy and to raise money for adult education services within the County.

The Palmyra-Macedon Rotary homepage states, 'Illiteracy costs our nation's businesses and taxpayers approximately $20 billion per year. In Wayne County alone, the local Literacy Volunteer affiliate tells us there are as many as 28,000 long term residents, one in nine, who cannot read or write well enough to function on the job.'

Kudos to the Ontario team, Ruth Schutt, Michele Goodenough, and Kris Moeller, for their dedication to supporting literacy, both in and out of their library.

• February 19 - Closed for Presidents' Day
• February 26 - Preschool Story Hour, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
• February 26 - Rock Painting Class 5, 10 a.m.-noon

Underground Railroad Roundtable at Sodus Free Library: To celebrate Black History Month, the Sodus Free Library will be hosting an Underground Railroad roundtable at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28. There are many fascinating legends and stories about railroad activities in our area. If you've researched the subject, please come and share with us; if you'd like to learn more about the underground, come and learn with us. Sun & Record columnist Brooks Tenney has agreed to participate, as has Patricia Johns, whose Masters thesis included research on the topic. Stop by the Library at 17 Maple Avenue, or call 483.9292 for more information.

Rhonda Vincent will visit Sodus on March 2, with a concert from 7-9 at Sodus High School. Sponsored by the Sodus Rotary Club. Contact a Rotarian for ticket information.

Also coming in March: 2nd Annual Murder Mystery Dinner. Experience murder on the high seas; wear your favorite cruise wear. A fundraiser sponsored by the Lioness Club of Sodus. Money raised will help to fund our community projects throughout the year, such as: Scholarships, ARC events, Blossom View Christmas and Victorian Tea, Breakfast with Santa. Call 315.483.6774 for more information.

Winter break is coming and it's always best to be prepared. There are a lot of good books and movies to keep the kids busy for part of the days. Remember the Libraries will be closed on Monday because of Presidents' day, so be sure to get them during the weekend.

For the little ones, the Williamson library has always had the book bags filled with all kinds of books, games and sometimes toys and clothes for dressing up.You can set up a time during the day to do crafts, you could make some spring-time things to decorate the refrigerator. For the younger kids, coloring books and new crayons always keep the kids busy for a while and, of course, puzzles. It's when the kids get bored that they drive their parents and sitters crazy. (Did I write that out loud?)

Give the little ones a duster, or a water sprayer to water the plants. (It's when they get older they don't like to help.) A storytime and a plan and your week will go smoothly. Or find a fun place to sled.

Enjoy each other and have fun. Try to keep the kids away from the 'I'm bored' phrase. Sometimes, it can't be avoided, so just send them outside to shovel the backyard. Ok... that might take months.

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