There always seems to be something bittersweet when good things come to an end. I had to experience this a few times over the past few months. One such occurrence transpired during the last week of school in June, and the other, during the month of July.

Both did mark an end to something special.

For those of you who, like myself, grew up in a home in which Mickey, Thurman, Catfish, Bucky, Goose and Reggie seemed to be household names, Yankee Stadium most likely was, and continues to be, a Mecca, for which you feel some sort of emotional attachment. If that is the case for you, then you too probably feel as though soon, your childhood home will be either leveled in preparation for an adjacent stadium's parking lot, or be used for minor league baseball games. Both scenarios are being milled about.

True, the original stadium, which opened in 1923, had been renovated and reopened in 1976, but a good portion of that original stadium was retained. Somehow it all feels much different now.

Perhaps you visited the stadium once, several times, or maybe not even at all. While watching at home, WPIX, Channel 11 held a front row seat for home viewers during each game, as Phil Rizzuto announced every single play! Even if watched from home, one still felt an attachment to that place where its facade so definitively seemed to lace itself through the blue sky and clouds.

In July, my brother Matthew took our family on a trip to spend quality time within Yankee Stadium for the 2008 MLB All Star Game. The excitement was intense and the experience, emotional. It wasn't about the game; it was all about just being there to experience this spectacular event and to gather with baseball aficionados for a special evening within the game's “Cathedral.”

Off into the distance over the left center field wall, the new stadium's facade seemed to almost “watch over” the game too, as though in curiosity about this magical place next door that has long served, and will always serve, as its predecessor.

After getting onto the No. 4 train before heading to Grand Central, I reflected on the times I had spent with my family within “The House That Ruth Built.” I am sure I will take in a game or two within the new stadium somewhere down the road. Without question, it will sparkle and shine with opulence, and will “boast” of top shelf amenities. Yes, it will be a new place for events to occur and new memories to take a foothold, but personally, it will all feel much different for me. From now on when I go, I will watch a game; before when I went, I experienced it.

On June 23, our elementary school also marked an end to something. That something was another successful school year for the children, faculty and staff. After a year of bonding, learning, and making memories, a few months of summer stood before us, prior to another new beginning in the fall.

Long before play day occurred on the 23rd, committee members worked tirelessly to plan for the event. Those committee members were Melissa Beerman, Danielle Birchard, Logan Blask, Brenda Bochino, Mary Buchmann, Marybeth Galka, Steve Nealer, Barb Ouderkirk, Dee Robinson and Megan Zalewski, all teachers.

Thanks to an idea from classroom aide, Donna Whitman, and the talents of Jackie Watkins, our custodian, every child wore a tie dyed T-shirt. Each grade level's designated color was dyed by Watkins, and all adults within the building joined in as well.

Before the events began, we met our Principal Tim Cowin for announcements and the pledge outside. We had also assembled ourselves, in rainbow form, for a school-wide photo, while wearing our T-shirts.

The photo was taken from the rooftop by Bill Clark, our technology coordinator, and our computer aide, Yvonne Matijas.

Children were grouped by grade level with one other grade. They moved about during the morning to partake in special events.

Steve Nealer, our physical education teacher, prepared a number of relay-type activities, in which children engaged in spirited competition with peers at their grade level within our gym. With the help of his daughter, Maggie, Nealer, along with athletic director Cal Mosher and Jeanne Burnham, Sara Derks, Jackie Finch, Lora Fenton, Kathy Vella and Donna Whitman, all classroom aides, helped to manage the event.

Thanks to the direction of Beerman, Blask and another teacher Ashley Kukula, our children had a blast, as they danced in our Wee Warriors Cafe. After the teachers reviewed the steps to each dance, the children fine-tuned their fancy footwork, while dancing to “The Chicken Dance,” “Limbo,” “Macarena,” “YMCA,” “Cotton Eye-Joe” and “The Cha-Cha Slide.”

Thanks to Mike Ferro from Reva, our students enjoyed the inflatable Moonwalk that was set up on our front lawn. With the help of Karen Ashby, Melissa Aylward, Deb DeSantis, Jill Garcia, Kathy Hobart, Chris James, Barb Ouderkirk and Kathy Tiegel, all teachers within our building, our children bounced about safely, before enjoying a push pop donated by our Association of Parents and Teachers, (APT).

Last, but not least, Susan Talbot, a previous faculty member, shared her storytelling talents with our children. While in full cowgirl attire to complement her theme, Talbot's audience was captivated by her every word.

The events concluded for each grade level, as the children enjoyed a hot dog lunch, before the day came to a successful close.

Yes, the events of a play day during a beautiful morning in late June, and an All Star Game on a blistering hot evening in July, both have their place in the past. Each served to mark the culmination of something special for all those in attendance.

Lynn Cheche Baker is a third-grade teacher at Weedsport Elementary School and is also the owner of the Successful Steps Tutoring Service