file photo by Boyd Loving
SEPTEMBER 11, 2015 LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2015, 12:31 AM
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Another great season at Graydon
to the editor:
Labor Day was the last day of another great season at Graydon Pool.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the village for continuing to operate Graydon — and for finding a way to keep it open on Labor Day weekend — as well as to thank the lifeguards and other staff for their professionalism and courtesy throughout the season.
This summer may not have been great for our lawns, but all those hot, sunny days were terrific for hanging out at Graydon. Some highlights: watching groups of children in the deep end play what looked to be a very fun game whose rules I never quite figured out but which involved guessing names of movies and swimming very fast; looking across to the “kiddie” side and seeing young families with small children splashing in the water or building sand castles; listening to groups of kids establish and administer the rules during volleyball games (we should all be proud—they are models of fair play); watching first-timers go off the high dive, or dazzling displays of prowess by high-dive veterans of all ages; reading undisturbed for hours on end with my feet in the sand; the hymns on the church bells every evening at 6:30 p.m.; the guards’ sincere-sounding announcement at closing time that they look forward to seeing us the next day; sunset swims late in the season as the days got shorter.
The only negative was the dreaded sound of the lightning-detection system at Vet’s field.
Is Graydon pristine clean? Perhaps not — but what lake is? Still, it’s treated and there’s a constant flow of water. Could the bathrooms use updating? Sure — but they work, and they have a certain old-school charm. I had a backyard pool, and it was lovely, but I was constantly running back into the house for more snacks for everyone or to throw another load of laundry in. At Graydon, my only responsibilities are to stay sunscreened and keep my library book dry.
I know that many of you don’t go to Graydon anymore, but it’s truly a gem. There’s a certain camaraderie — and at the end of the season, as at high-school graduation, people who haven’t spoken to each other all season commiserate about it being the last day and wish each other a good year. It’s a place where everyone is happy — and it’s my “happy place.”
In fact, next year will be the 50th anniversary of my first afternoon at Graydon.
See you next summer!
Janice Willett
Ridgewood
Thank you for a wonderful letter, Janice. You really highlighted that the pool is enjoyed in many ways by people of all ages. It truly is a gem.
When did it reopen?
That’s a nice letter. And I found the kids who work at Graydon and the Village summer camp were well-manered and dedicated to their jobs. A few moments of small-town charm that is often all but forgotten. Thank you, Graydon.
The snack bar employees were pleasant and the food was decent and decently priced. A very pleasant experience to,have a snack or a light meal on the patio.