Continuing the Tradition
as written for the Wayuga News Papers 2002 by Miranda Whitman
It all started some 50 years ago when Walter Sheer would walk from Syracuse to Fair haven every week as part of the Civilian Conservation Corps' effort to provide jobs after the depression. Walter helped build the original cabins down at Fair Haven Beach State Park. Young Walter passed on the news to Edgar and Hilda Ulrich about the wonderful cabins he was building and succeeded in piquing their interest. Edgar and Hilda enjoyed the summers at the Park so strongly that they traveled 14 hours from the Bronx in a '52 Woody just to relax at Fair Haven Beach State Park. After a couple of years in 1962, they decided to purchase a 24-acre lot in Sterling to ensure their family trips could continue each summer. The extended Ulrich family is thankful for that summer cottage up on Juniper Hill because of the fierce competition for cabins at the Park today. Through the years they have created many memories. In 1982 the Ulrichs has a wedding in cabin 21, their favorite spot, Sand Point. Every year they aim to create a comfy haven for family and friends at Sand Point where they can bask in the laziness of summer.
August 8th the Ulrich family has a small party in commemoration of 50 years of family communion at Fair Haven Beach State Park. A plastic mounted flounder danced and sang as a little girl bounced with the music. Balloons and a party tent spoke of the atmosphere surrounding this family get-together. Bright white t-shirts were handed out to all, friend and family alike. The uniquely decorated shirts were specially designed by the grandson of Edgar and Hilda, Christopher Ulrich. He went into such detail as to include his grandparents' initials on a tiny sailboat gliding on the back. Shirts created for the direct descendants of the Ulrichs included the family crest printed on the sleeve. The revelers traveled from all around; New York and Masschussets, Florida and Utah, even L.A., to join in the celebration.
Robert and Edgar Ulrich, sons of Edgar and Hilda Ulrich, received a special surprise visit from two people familiar with the start of the tradition. Erwin Finout was the superintendent of the Park a couple years after the Ulrich family first started visiting. Bill Sawyer worked at the Park with the superintendent before Erwin. They both reminisced with Robert and Edgar about old memories and presented them with two Certificates of Appreciation from the Park.
Later in the day the family gathered for a hearty and bountiful buffet spotlighting a steaming pot of lobster bisque along with a large variety of savory family favorites. As everyone dug in, Robert and Edgar sat down to the tunes of a singing plastic lobster. The brothers were presented with a series of gifts. Cleverly rolled up and placed within the ribbons was a tube of papers. Unrolled they released a flood of memories as the pictures they held brought back visions of family from years past. New memories were created as camcorders and cameras archived this 50 year celebration surprise. After the pictures were passed all around, the smallest of two gifts was opened to show a golden plaque engraved with the words, "Continuing the Tradition... 1952-2002." The remaining gift revealed itself to be a wooden bench which the plaque would fit perfectly on. By the end of this 50th summer, the bench and plaque will be installed on the Ulrichs' property in Sterling for all to enjoy as they continue the tradition of family gathering in the relaxing surroundings of our summer community.