The picnic meeting of the Sterling Historical Society to be held Monday will include a program of readings by writer Susan Peterson Gately from her work in progress, “The Story Seeker,” a new book on Lake Ontario.

Gately will also share historical tales and sea stories about 18th and 19th century and contemporary yachting and boating on the lake authored by herself and others.

One of the readings is a historical sea story, an account of an early cruise on Lake Ontario by James Fenimore Cooper. He and Lieutenant Woolsey of Oswego made a sight seeing cruise in a small boat in the summer of 1809 to Niagara Falls that was described by Cooper many years later.

Gateley will also share a tale or two from the pen of C.H.J. Snider, the Canadian writer, marine historian and sailor who penned a long running newspaper column titled “Schooner

Days,“ and she will tell of the day four years ago when Fair Haven's sandy swim beach at the state park was the scene of a dramatic and stirring work of cinematic art titled ”Beware The Doldrums.“

Gateley has published a half dozen books on Lake Ontario history, sailing and nature. She is currently working on an update of her first book “Ariel's World” written 13 years ago. This was an informal ecological history of the lake with some notes on its maritime past as well.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to pass for the picnic meal.

If you go

What: Sea Stories Picnic Meeting

When: Picnic begins at 5:30 p.m.; program begins at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25

Where: The bayside shelter of the Fair Haven Beach State Park

To learn more: Contact Don Richardson at 947-6461