Life Sketches
Learning to sink
or swim at Perkins
On my way home, while passing over the Elmer Sitts Road that links Monticello to Hyder Road, I always note a sign that marks “The Stauring Retreat,” which amounts to several small camps situated in the woods. Invariably, I think, “what ever happened to Chick Stauring?” I haven’t seen him in more than 50 years.
I don’t even know if he uses the retreat or if he lives anywhere near Richfield. I do know that I am and will always be deeply indebted to him.
When I was about 12 or 13, all the kids used to go to swim at Perkins on Canadarago Lake. There was a long dock that took you out into deep water and beyond that a large float on which we played innumerable games of tag. At that time there was a gas pump, boat rentals and a store up by the road where the Perkins sold everything from fishhooks to hamburgers.
