Fifty years ago a message in a bottle — actually a plea for help — washed up on Three Mile Hollow Beach. Just one of many curiosities of life as it was once lived here.

Your congressional representative weighs in, as do many, many others in this vital public forum.

What’s a waterlogged parent or host to do to keep the troops entertained? Here are a few destinations to brighten a rainy day.

Fifty Augusts ago, you’d have seen a lot more sailboats and power boats, and more water skiers, if you went down to Gardiner’s Bay to do a head count.