Community News

Take a walk through Oswego with local and SUNY Oswego '24 alumna Hannah Hauser.

Lake Ontario

Oswego's signature snow and sunsets

Seagulls squawk overhead, creating background music for calm tides gliding to and from the rocky shore. Green seaweed peeks out from under the surface. The shark-free, salt-free waters are inviting. I dip my toe in to test the temperature and wade close to the shore. I scan the horizon for a sight of anything beyond, but it is endless. I trudge a bit farther. "Don’t swim out too far, or you’ll end up in Canada!" my dad jokes. My curiosity may get the better of me one of these days. 

The lake has been a constant element in my life. It’s there for me when I need it, a consistent friend. Gazing at the body of water is comforting, a reminder that everything is stable, even when it doesn't feel like it. 

The sun sets on the lake every evening, yet it never gets old. People gather to watch the bright glow slowly fade until it slips behind the horizon, capturing the sight on camera as if it were a once-in-a-lifetime event. I step out of my car and join them.

Rudy’s

Most famous fish in town. / An array of rocks.

Sitting steps away from the shore of Lake Ontario is a popular Oswego landmark. The restaurant is famous for its fish, as you can tell by the colorful sign out front. But it's the environment that makes the experience. If the sun is shining and it’s not too windy or rainy, you might just hear, “You want to go to Rudy’s?”  

Signs on the pavilion read Don’t Feed with an image of a seagull underneath. Yet it seems no one pays any mind to them. The birds attempt to snag a french fry or two as you enjoy the delicious food by the water. 

Before departing, you must skip rocks; it’s the unofficial Rudy’s rule. Even if you don’t know how to make ripples across the water, like me, tossing them and watching them disappear into the large body of water is just as satisfying.

Bev’s

Cue the mosquitoes.

A short walk up the road from Rudy’s is the well-known, at least around here, Bev’s ice cream stand. Similarly, it sits feet from the shore, serving soft serve and superb sights. The best time to visit Bev’s is when the sun is just beginning to set. It may be busy, but the view is worth it. 

The sun lowers, and the air cools after a warm summer day. We sit at a picnic table, facing the calm waves now painted orange, and indulge in our desserts. 

When pesky mosquitoes arrive, we pack into our car and finish our ice cream in the dim backseat. Mom passes napkins around to avoid any drips onto the black leather seats. The moon swaps places with the sun, highlighting specks of the glistening lake as we drive away. 

Franklin Square/The Wooden Park

Metal slides are not your friend when it's sunny out.

Before I could identify any park by name, I recognized it by its playground. Franklin Square has always been "the wooden park" to me. It has numerous spaces to crawl through and hide, all constructed from wood (hence the nickname). It's a kids' wonderland but a parents' worst nightmare; good luck to anyone trying to find their small child in the sea of deep brown.

I spent countless hours of my childhood chasing my brother and cousins around the multiple structures and playing games of hide and seek that seemed to last forever. We ducked into the hidden areas, barricaded by boards, trying to decode secret messages left on the walls by other children.

Breitbeck Park

The calm before the rainstorm / Harborfest-ivities

Each July, thousands flock to Oswego for Harborfest. The festival brings plenty of food, rides, and entertainment to parks around the city. Breitbeck Park becomes the event's home base, making the largest park in town seem even more spacious.

The festival lasts only one weekend, though it feels much longer. After the final band wraps up on stage, the park returns to its previous state of tranquility. Breitbeck is a beautiful place to take a walk or bike around. Numerous benches facing the lake are ideal spots to gaze off into the distance and admire the lighthouse or waves crashing against the breakwall.

I am still getting used to the ever-changing park; a splash pad, a fitness court, and a new playground are just some recent additions. Though I have many memories of the aged, splintery playground, the new lighthouse-themed one seems like lots of fun. 

Fort Ontario

Heading to claim our spot for the fireworks.

One of the most historical sites in town is Fort Ontario, or as I usually refer to it, the fort. A former battleground, it is an embodiment of war's past. It has a distinct star shape, which you can view from above.

On a school field trip in fourth grade, we learned about battles that occurred at the fort and the purposes of each building. My friend and I, however, were more interested in whether or not the site was haunted. After hearing footsteps while exploring the bunkers, we undoubtedly agreed it was. 

During Harborfest, the fort functions as my family’s go-to fireworks viewing area. We lug chairs and blankets up the steep, grassy hills to reserve our spot for the evening. I break out glow sticks and explore the grounds with my younger cousins to pass the time before the first boom. As the sun sets, we settle down on our blankets and watch the colorful explosions above us.

River’s End Bookstore

Always occupied.

I step into River’s End Bookstore every once in a while, to browse around. The owner greets me with a generous smile, which I return. I wander through the displays of bestsellers and the tables of new fiction. I admire the special collection of local authors. 

I glimpse inside “The Hideout,” a lighthouse-themed reading nook at the center of the store. The fisherman mural on the inside wall transports me back to when I sat on the carpet amongst other children for storytime. Banna—a former employee who I miss seeing there—would read a picture book as we enjoyed snacks and sipped juice from dinosaur-shaped cups. Kids would scramble to get to the flattened-purple bean bag chair inside The Hideout as if it were a throne. I always left River’s End with a book, even though there were plenty at home.

The shop hasn’t changed too much over the years. The same purple awnings protrude from the exact green exterior walls I passed each week as a kid. And I still leave the store with a book every time—even though I have quite enough.

Lighthouse Lanes

Hoping for a strike!

Many of my childhood birthday parties were held at Lighthouse Lanes, the local bowling alley. If luck was on our side, we got a reservation during cosmic bowling, where lights dim and the music elevates, making it difficult to hear conversations. White T-shirts and smiles illuminate in the black light, and designs appear along the lanes and tables. 

My friends and I would sit in swivel chairs, eating pizza and drinking cups of lemonade and soda between turns. When I was up to bowl, I tried my best at the perfect ball-throwing stance, struggling to lift the heavy object. There was a special joy in watching my name appear across the television screen and hearing everyone cheer me on as we watched the ball roll down the lane. 

Amongst songs and echoes of pins hitting the ground, I would listen for my name and birthday to be announced over the loudspeaker. After the bright lights reappeared and the alley quieted, it was time to go home. I left the bowling alley with gifts from friends and a keepsake T-shirt that read, “My Party Rocked at Lighthouse Lanes!” 

Richardson-Bates House Museum

A splash of color in the dreary winter.

The Richardson-Bates House Museum, or the RB House as my family often calls it, is a hidden gem. The museum is recognizable by two black sphinx statues lounging on its front steps. They guide the way into the pink and mint-green building, a time capsule of life in the 19th century. There are multiple exhibits to explore, that house numerous original items and relics from that era.

People who are new to Oswego are often not familiar with the museum. I may not have been as well-acquainted with it if it weren't for my nana, who has been a museum member for as long as I can remember. I have loved tagging with her and assisting behind the scenes since I was young. Now, I volunteer at annual auctions and summer family fun days. If you visit the museum, be sure to stop by the small gift shop to get a memento.

Fruit Valley Orchards

My brother and I showing off our souvenirs.

Each autumn, my family picks apples at Fruit Valley Orchards. We drive down the gravel path, passing signs marking the different varieties of apples until we come across our favorite kinds. Then, the hunt for the finest, reddest apples begins.

I learned to twist, not pull, the fruit from their branches when I was hardly tall enough to reach them. I relied on metal ladders or my parents' arms to be level with the trees. Each apple I selected was placed gently, not tossed, into a tote resting on the grass until it was full. I always attempted to lift the overflowing bag even though it was half my weight. Instead, I assisted by grabbing an apple off the top to test.

We lug our totes, overflowing with fruit, into the store to pay. I glance around the small, rustic shop filled with autumn decorations. The aroma of cinnamon and apples overwhelms me. I eye the candy on the checkout counter. We leave the store with our bags of apples—and maybe some candy—and say goodbye to the orchards until next year.

Downtown Oswego

Kicking off the holidays.

The downtown area on the west side of Oswego is comprised of many streets. The plaza, located between the police station and city hall, is its heart. 

Each Thursday evening in the summer and early fall, First Street is blocked off for the farmer’s market. Vendors line both sides of the road, selling fresh produce and hand-crafted items. I sit on the raised concrete surrounding the flowing fountains at the plaza's center, enjoying the food and music. 

In December, a towering tree at the plaza’s edge is the highlight of the season. Decorations, such as an ornament-shaped arch and a mailbox for “letters to Santa,” adorn the rest of the area. Many people gather for the tree lighting, which includes hot cocoa, ice sculptures, and a visit from Santa. As the night commences with fireworks launching over the river, the city embraces the beginning of the holiday season.

Oswego Cinema 7

"What's at the movies?"

The Oswego Cinema 7 is a short distance from the plaza. It's the only movie theater in the city and draws in large crowds whenever a blockbuster is released. One aspect of the theater that people love is the retro art-deco style; it feels like stepping into a different era.

I can’t count how many times I've visited the Oswego Cinema, but I can recall the memories. One that has stuck with me is not associated with a movie but with the arcade games on the second floor. My mom had taken my brother, cousin, and me to see whichever family-friendly flick was showing. Afterward, we headed straight to the arcade games that surround the upstairs. 

One specific game that caught our attention was the claw machine. We had come prepared with bags of quarters in our pockets. On a sugar rush from blue and red ICEEs, we took turns spending quarter after quarter on the machine, winning small stuffed animals. We had never won so many prizes from an arcade game before! Wide grins appeared on our faces as we exited the theater, cradling our prized possessions in our arms. 

SUNY Oswego

Home snowy home.

While my memories of Oswego span decades, I have only been making them at SUNY Oswego for the past four years. I’d driven through campus numerous times, surveying the students walking to and from class, but walking the grounds and through the buildings as a student was a whole different world.

I started school in 2020, making my first few semesters rough due to the coronavirus restricting the number of in-person classes and activities. However, as things eased up, college became much more enjoyable. I learned a lot, met many amazing people, and spent a lot of money at the Lake Effect Café.

I graduated from SUNY Oswego last year with a BA in creative writing and a minor in art. Though my time at the university went by quickly, I recognize how many wonderful opportunities and memories I was granted in those four short years, including this very project that I began in my digital storytelling class.