Lake Ronkonkoma Native Pens Children's Book

There was a time when Lake Ronkonkoma was a quiet town, nestled in the woods, hovering around a lakefront that drew picturesque comparisons for years to come. Then the area grew more populated and memories of a respite with old country undertones quickly faded. 

Lily Bedell remembers that time. She was a young girl, running through the woods, enjoying her childhood.

Sixty-years old now, Bedell's new children's book "The Adventures of Lily Raccoon and Cowboy Stub: A Raccoon in the Woods" is a fascinating tale that captures a moment in her childhood.

The book, published by AuthorHouse in 2009 and sold on the publishing company's website for as low as $8.95, is about a journey to the center of the woods to find a raccoon the characters, Lily and Cowboy Stub, had heard about.

Bedell grew up two blocks from the lake on Kirby Lane and makes references to the old birch trees and wild flowers that were splattered across the area. She speaks of the Indian heritage, mentions Newton Boulevard and East Lake Terrace.

The characters are based on the real Lily and her friend Toddy.

"They were born with the spirit of nature within them," she writes. "They live, play, and breathe the ancient spirits of Lake Ronkonkoma, a land rich in history of Native American Indians and their legends.

"Upon entering the woods, magically, they become cowboys, Indians, pirates, soldiers, firemen, superheroes, lawmen, and, of course, there are the bad guys. Toddy and Lily like being cowboy and cowgirl."

Perpetually stubbing his toe, Toddy wore a cowboy hat on his trip to find the raccoon, which turned out to be a pair of wild critters that were caged in Mrs. Finley's backyard. The kids fell in love with Bandit and Rosco, then headed home for dinner, realizing their mission was accomplished – a normal day for any rascal of that era, which Bedell said was a time that parallels today.

"Energy and health," she said. "Back then they also did it naturally. Family activities revolved around hanging clothes on the line, making healthy meals, having a vegetable garden and playing. Turning off the lights and water are big issues, again. This book is about imaginative children exploring their world and respecting nature." 

Bedell, who lives in Lake Grove today, said she has about six other story ideas for more books. Her daughter Katy Wilkinson did the artwork, which beautifully describes the text on neighboring pages.