Lanterns light up lakeshore as OONA welcomes summer
Photos by Sue Cook – Nicole McGurn and her fiance Ed Bellinger light the first lantern of the evening.
By Sue Cook, staff reporter
POINT BREEZE – Saturday night, the members of OONA celebrated the summer solstice with a party saying goodbye to the spring sun.
During the final moments of sunset, Bob Chaplin played the drums as party-goers shook gourd maracas, hit sticks and cheered.
“I play drums all over the place and I had a night free, so I said I would do it. I was drumming down the sun,” said Bob Chaplain who had been invited by OONA members to help them celebrate.
Cora Goyette and other members light another Chinese lantern.
Jeanne Lauta explained the reason for celebration. “Today is the longest day of the year and summer starts today.”
McGurn releases a lantern into the air while Deanne Borrie watches.
“It’s a great time, great people, a beautiful location, and it was awesome watching the sun go down,” said Debbie Magliocco, who attended as a guest of a member.
The lanterns floated around in the breeze and eventually burned out further down the shore.
Sue Zeppetella said, “I just think it was awesome. This is the third year we’ve done this and it’s a great event. The weather was beautiful and we had fun.”
