I got a call from my friend Martha Worzel the other day to remind me that the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary will have Memorial Day Buddy Poppies outside of Peck's Market in Eldred.

The poppies are a Memorial Day tradition that dates to World War I when the poem “In Flanders Field” was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian brigade surgeon, who channeled the voice of the fallen soldiers in the poem after he was struck seeing the red flowers growing on the destroyed battlefield where so many had died in the three long battles of Ypres in Belgium in 1918.

It is thought that the troops digging trenches, battle maneuvers and burials released the poppy seeds in Flanders Field inspiring Dr. McCrae's insightful vision and poem.

The poppies have remained an enduring international symbol to commemorate the sacrifices of so many men and women who have given their lives fighting for their country, and Poppy Day is celebrated in countries around the world. In 1920 the poppy became the official flower of the American Legion to officially memorialize our soldiers who fought and died during World War I.

The American Legion brought National Poppy Day officially to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day which was designated by Congress in 2017. The total number of these military heroes who have died in all U.S. wars is more than 1.4 million, and we must always extend honor and our gratitude to them.

Martha said the Ladies Auxiliary will be at Pecks with poppies on Friday, May 28th, Saturday May 29th, and Sunday May 30th from 9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.

So, stop by and say hello to Martha and the members of the Ladies Auxiliary and donate to underwrite the support services and the important work of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary.

As the daughter of a disabled World War II Navy veteran not only will I get my poppy, but I will wear it proudly in honor of my dad. Due to the Covid Restrictions still in place, there will be a brief Memorial Day Honor Ceremony in Heroes Park in Eldred at 1:00p.m. on Memorial Day but it is closed, and no public invitations will be extended.

Another Memorial Day happening that is one of my summertime favorites is the opening of Lake Superior State Park in Bethel. The family friendly 1,410-acre park has a 90-acre lake for swimming, paddle boats for rent, fishing (license required), a picnic pavilion with BBQ grills, hiking, clean restroom, and showers.

Starting Memorial Day weekend, the Park is only open on weekends until the end of June, then has daily operations until Labor Day. The Park's land is open all year round for Big Game hunting (with a DEC license) ice fishing, hiking and sleigh riding is permitted.

Day passes are $5.00 and County residents can get a seasonal pass at the Government Center in Monticello for $15.00. For real hardcore outdoor enthusiasts, you can buy a NYS Empire Pass Card for $80 which gives you, your family and your vehicle unlimited day use of all NYS Parks, including forests, beaches, trails, and recreational areas in the State.

Lake Superior has plenty of parking and is located on Dr. Duggan Road in Bethel. For more information call (845) 807-0287 or visit their website at www.parks.ny.gov.

For amazing up-to-date hiking information about the Lake Superior Park's trails which are unmarked but mapped and other interesting hiking resources in the County visit www.trailkeepers.org.

Happy Memorial Day everyone and do not forget your sunscreen!