Shoreham-Wading River: Duck Pond Day to be celebrated Sunday, May 22

I suppose all that rain that made the May flowers flourish is also responsible for so many of us hacking and coughing with all the allergens in the air. But I cough while enjoying the beautiful, lush, green grass and the lovely colors of nature.

Wading River lost a valuable commodity when Elizabeth Lapham passed away on May 5 at age 95. “Betty” Lapham was a local columnist and past president of the Wading River Historical Society. In 1971 she planned the 300th birthday of Wading River. She began writing historical columns when people would find items in their attics and contact her. She was the author of “Echoes from the Past,” a book by the same name as her column and a veritable wellspring of information on the history of the Wading River area.

I met Betty Lapham a few years ago through Wading River resident Joey Morton, who introduced me as another columnist from Wading River. It was my distinct pleasure to spend a little bit of time with her. The community will truly miss this wonderful lady and icon to the area.

The Wading River Cemetery Association will hold its annual meeting Thursday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at the Monsignor John Sullivan Hall at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Wading River.

It’s that time of year again when you take out your duck hat, your duck call, your duck T-shirt and take your ducklings to the hamlet of Wading River to celebrate another true icon of Wading River: those feathery friends that stop traffic as they cross the street in Wading River. Duck Pond Day will be held Sunday, May 22, from noon to 4 p.m., when the streets to Wading River Central will be closed off for this great community block party.

It’s the 18th official Duck Pond Day and the 15th Annual 4K Walk/Run to benefit the Carol Baldwin Research Fund. Sponsored by the Wading River Chamber of Commerce, Duck Pond Day features an arts and crafts festival, music, face painting and a community parade. There is shuttled transportation in and out from King Kullen Shopping Center. Organizations are invited to march and the parade starts at 2 p.m. Go to wrschamber.org for more information or call 929-8201 with questions. Wading River “gets its duck on” just once a year, so take advantage of an idea that presents itself in webbed feet, a bill and feathers.

Enjoy your week, whatever the weather may be, and we’ll meet here again soon.