Sag Harbor, "You Still Got It."
Thursday was such a beautiful day. I was glad as my granddaughter had been planning her second annual lemonade stand for Thursday afternoon. And to top it off, her best friend from school and her family were out here staying in Amagansett, and her friend and her friend’s older brother were going to team up with her for this enterprise.
They put their entrepreneurial spirit, community commitment--proceeds would be donated to ARF, and marketing minds together and blew it out of the water!
Last year, people asked why they used plastic cups for one time use, so they had both plastic and paper this year. Last year people asked if there was a sugar-free lemonade alternative, so this time they had both homemade lemonade made with sugar, and also with Stevia. Last year, they had homemade chocolate chip cookies that sold out. This year they had plates of individually wrapped chocolate chip cookies, and oatmeal raisin cookies too... and more of them. Last year people said I would love to buy some, but I don't have any cash. This year they offered Venmo!
The kids were adorable, and as I mentioned the afternoon was beautiful. But truly, in addition to the above, it was the Village of Sag Harbor that shined brightly. Local people, visitors walking through "town," everyone couldn't have been nicer, more kind, or more supportive. I didn't want to stay too long, but my two favorite anecdotes from when I was a customer was when a lovely local woman came up with her mother. Her mother was in a wheelchair, and the woman asked her if she would like a cookie, and what kind. Chocolate chip was the choice, and she wheeled her mom a short distance from the table where she also sat down on the bench while her mother enjoyed eating the cookie and people watching. About 10 minutes later, her daughter came back and said that her mother said the cookie was "so delicious," she would like another. The whole scene was heartwarming. And then, a gentleman, along with an older man, I guessed was a relative, was passing by. He stopped and asked the older man if he would like a lemonade or a cookie. He said, no, but the younger gentleman wanted to buy something. I think he decided on a cookie. He handed a $100 bill for the $2.00 purchase, and said, the change is for you. The surprise and smiles on the children's faces were priceless! No matter what, they knew they would have a good showing for the day. Thank you Chris Cuomo. That was an incredibly nice thing to do. And so it went, No more $100 bills, but they had a consistent flow of support from people that were out and about on Sag Harbor’s charming (in its own unique way) Main Street. They sold out—everything—including every drop of both kinds of lemonade. My granddaughter and her mom will be bringing a check over to ARF which is so important. But I don’t think it should go unnoticed that amid all the reporting about a world of $400 melons, and oftentimes rude behavior, entitlement, and arrogance, there are days like this, when children take home the feeling of the embrace of a very special place.
Addendum: A couple of people asked if there were gluten free cookies. Don't be surprised if you see them next year. And I for one, think homemade dog biscuits would be a great add--everyone had a dog and of course the ARF connection! But then again, what do I know? SN
