The other day, I began to think about my life in the small Village of Cayuga. A village I have come to appreciate and will forever consider my home. Cayuga was not where I was born and raised. I grew up several miles away from Cayuga (in farm country) on what is considered a “back” road in the Town of Fleming, near the hamlet of Mapleton.

I would come to Cayuga for parades and carnivals or to visit my friends who lived there.

I can clearly remember thinking, “I would never want to live there!” You see, I believed that my family home in the country was the greatest place on earth. And while I still love where I grew up, I have come to value our little village.

I came to Cayuga via my husband. When we met, one of the first things he told me was how much he loved the village he had grown up in, and how much he wanted to someday move back there. He didn't want to live outside the village; he wanted to live in the village.

My husband has been a volunteer firefighter for Cayuga since he was in his teens, so the fire department and the village mean a great deal to him.

Shortly after we were married, we purchased 7.5 acres of land within the village limits, and built a home where we currently reside with our 5-year-old son.

What does Cayuga have to offer, you might ask? There are no longer any stores, gas stations or restaurants. There is no “downtown” or village square.

What Cayuga does have is a strong sense of community. A place where everyone knows each other. A place where the sound of the lake on a quiet summer night will lull you to sleep. It is a community that cares about its residents and their children.

There are two beautiful parks, Harris and MacIntosh. Harris Park is located on Cayuga Lake. It is a wonderful place to swim, picnic and fish in the summer.

In the winter, when the weather permits, you can see people ice fishing. MacIntosh Park is home to numerous T-ball, baseball, softball and soccer games from May through October. We have the Cayuga Memorial Hall, which provides our children, ages 3-18, with recreational programs throughout the year.

It also provides gym facilities, a kitchen and recreational room for various organizations and residents.

We have the Cayuga Methodist Church, which is rich in tradition and community service. We have the Cayuga Fire Department which provides us with fire protection, EMS and water rescue service.

We have the Beacon Bay Marina, home to a number of boats and their owners. We have our own Post Office, as well as a couple of small businesses that are nestled quietly in our community.

Many of the approximately 600 residents in Cayuga have lived here most of their lives. We are proud of our community and its vast history.

To show our pride, the Village of Cayuga will be celebrating its 150th anniversary Aug. 3, 4 and 5. The Sesquicentennial committee continues to make progress on plans for a fireworks display, laser light show, historical tour, parade, art and craft show and many other events. A successful chicken barbecue was held Saturday, Jan. 27 to raise funds for our three-day celebration.

The next fundraiser will be Music & Mayhem with the Village of Cayuga - �th Edition” train excursion via Finger Lakes Scenic Railway from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 24. There will be music provided by New Moon and wine samples from CJS Winery. A cash bar will be available serving domestic beer and wine. Snacks, raffles and a souvenir will also be provided. The train will depart from the Cayuga Depot at Harris Park. Boarding begins at 5:45 p.m., and the excursion will head west to Geneva and return to Harris Park at 9 p.m. Cost is $40 per person; you must be 21 or older to participate. Tickets are available at the Village of Cayuga Office by calling 252-1707 or through Finger Lakes Scenic Railway by calling 781-1234. A family train excursion is being planned in June to promote train safety.

Anyone interested in helping with our celebration may contact village clerk Joan Rusinko at 252-1707.

Helen Day is a trustee for the

Village of Cayuga