Sonya Baker Memorial Donations to Crystal Lake Conservancy
Sonia Baker loved Crystal Lake and her family chose to direct their donations in her honor and memory to the Crystal Lake Conservancy.
Sonia Baker, 1919-2016
Marla Baker and Linda Chessman shared these memories in honor of their mother, Sonia Baker
Our family lived around the corner from Crystal Lake from 1955 until 1980. “The lake” as we simply thought of it held a central place in our childhood and our family life during those years. We skated on, swam and boated in, walked around and picnicked at the lake. In fact we had our own special bench for picnics. It was higher than the other benches and somewhat secluded by large jagged rocks. Mom and Dad would re-connect at the end of busy days with a walk around the lake, while we kids walked down by the water on our way to and from Mason-Rice Elementary and Weeks Junior High School.
In the winter we skated across the lake to the public skating area near the beach house. When our legs got too numb we’d go inside, drink hot chocolate and toast our feet by the fire. Then we were back out for more skating. Dad taught us that in order to learn to skate you first had to fall 100 times. We counted. And sure enough, by the time we got to 100 we had stopped falling!
We also learned to swim at Crystal Lake, with formal lessons this time (flutter kick, anyone?). Mom would take us to the lake every day during the summer. Our self-designated spot was at the far end of the beach. We would meet our friends there and play in the sand and swim while our mothers lay on towels and talked. Eventually they’d make it into the water too. On really hot days Dad would join us for a swim after work and we’d all walk home together for supper.
There was one other family member that loved swimming at the lake. On hot days Peppy, our dog, would disappear for periods of time and come back soaking wet. It finally dawned on us: Peppy was going for a swim, just like us! Apparently he considered himself to be included in the family pass.
These cherished memories make the Crystal Lake Conservancy a fitting tribute to our mother, Sonia Baker. She would be very happy to know that she has an active part in the future of Crystal Lake as well as the past.
Our family lived around the corner from Crystal Lake from 1955 until 1980. “The lake” as we simply thought of it held a central place in our childhood and our family life during those years. We skated on, swam and boated in, walked around and picnicked at the lake. In fact we had our own special bench for picnics. It was higher than the other benches and somewhat secluded by large jagged rocks. Mom and Dad would re-connect at the end of busy days with a walk around the lake, while we kids walked down by the water on our way to and from Mason-Rice Elementary and Weeks Junior High School.
In the winter we skated across the lake to the public skating area near the beach house. When our legs got too numb we’d go inside, drink hot chocolate and toast our feet by the fire. Then we were back out for more skating. Dad taught us that in order to learn to skate you first had to fall 100 times. We counted. And sure enough, by the time we got to 100 we had stopped falling!
We also learned to swim at Crystal Lake, with formal lessons this time (flutter kick, anyone?). Mom would take us to the lake every day during the summer. Our self-designated spot was at the far end of the beach. We would meet our friends there and play in the sand and swim while our mothers lay on towels and talked. Eventually they’d make it into the water too. On really hot days Dad would join us for a swim after work and we’d all walk home together for supper.
There was one other family member that loved swimming at the lake. On hot days Peppy, our dog, would disappear for periods of time and come back soaking wet. It finally dawned on us: Peppy was going for a swim, just like us! Apparently he considered himself to be included in the family pass.
These cherished memories make the Crystal Lake Conservancy a fitting tribute to our mother, Sonia Baker. She would be very happy to know that she has an active part in the future of Crystal Lake as well as the past.
