Heading down Shore Road and seeing the white-haired man using a cane to get to the picnic table covered with a red and white checkered tablecloth, while other family members were bringing out food from the house for the July 4 lunch, solidified my understanding about what Ocean Point has meant to many generations of families.

I had just covered the dedication ceremony of the beautiful, new casino and adjoining recreation area when I spied the above scene. After listening to the various speeches by those who worked hard the past decade to get the new facility built, the feelings of belonging and appreciating what Ocean Point means to so many came rushing in. The longstanding and fun Horribles Parade preceding the dedication ceremony was also a fine appetizer for my soul.

My Dad, who passed away last month, was born and grew up on Ocean Point. My great-grandparents owned property there, which eventually evolved into the Ocean Point Inn. However, my family grew up in Boothbay Harbor and we never made it out of town much because my parents didn’t drive. I don’t have many memories of “The Point” before my teenage years, when I would join my friends on a ride down Route 96 to take in the precious view of the ocean.

In the following years, I came to know a few of the people who still have homes or families living at Ocean Point, such as the Mardens, Ripleys and Hambletts. Seeing them and the many others at the dedication ceremony sure made me wish that our family had kept a plot of land there.

Mike Anderson, president of Ocean Point Colony Trust, conducted the wonderful ceremony and his speech provided a refresher to those gathered. He reminded the gathering about what draws them back to, in his words, “this slice of heaven on the ocean.” He mentioned the people, the generations, the traditions and the memories, with the casino being the center of what Ocean Point is all about. Others who spoke at the ceremony backed up Anderson’s feelings.

It is not surprising that Ocean Point in Boothbay, Maine has been a draw for generations of people from in-state and all around the country. Now, with the new casino and recreation area, the traditions and memories will continue for years to come.

Congratulations!