I can practically hear the collective sigh of relief echoing from every corner of the Valley. The brutal, seemingly endless, mind (and finger) numbing, record-breaking winter of 2010-11 is over. Done. Finito. Those unprecedented piles of snow in front of your house? Gone. So before we all start gathering at the water cooler to complain about the stifling heat and humidity, let’s take a few moments to anticipate the singular satisfactions of the upcoming season.
I love the ever-present aroma of grilled goodies that wafts through the neighborhood, and sitting on my wrap-around porch as the sun ever-so-slowly descends over the Hudson River. I can’t wait to run around the yard barefoot and to break out the badminton set. But perhaps nothing says summer more to me than swimming. Growing up in Westchester, I was lucky enough to have access to a sandy village beach on Long Island Sound, as well as to an oversized Olympic pool. Year after year, the entire summer centered around daily trips to one or the other. I can still remember exactly how it felt to be wrapped up in a giant beach towel by my mother after hours of frolicking in the water. As soon as my teeth stopped chattering, I would get to enjoy my favorite snack: a frozen Milky Way Bar.
I can’t wait to take my daughter swimming this summer. Last year, she wasn’t walking so the name of the game was keeping her lily-white skin protected and wooshing her about in the water. This year, her pink plastic kiddie pool is all ready to go, as are her adorable, skirted bathing suits. And while I understand that actual sand castles are still far in the future, I expect a lot of action with the bucket and shovel at the lake beach at Fahnestock this year.
Of course, beautiful lake and river beaches are just one of the many things that make summer so special in the Hudson Valley. Our cover story outlines so many different ways to savor the season from sailing to outdoor dining to taking the whole family to the drive-in. I know that I plan to go crabbing for the very first time this year (I’ve suggested it as a work outing, but have mainly received blank and confused stares). They say catching a crab doesn’t take much more skill than tossing a baited line in the water. It sounds fun and relaxing, just about perfect for any age, and I’m hoping that I’ll have better luck at that than at fishing. For many of you, summer means hitting the links and our annual Golf Guide will surely help you get your game on, no matter where you play or what your handicap is. This year, we outline 18 great holes throughout Westchester. Check it out and see how many you have played.
Finally, this month we cover something that just never goes out of season: cupcakes. If you are a fan of these tiny treats (and who isn’t?), you absolutely must click here. Go on, give in to temptation. Life is short, and besides you still have a few weeks until you have to squeeze in to that swimsuit!
Happy Summer,
Olivia J. Abel
Editor In Chief