People of Sayville: Cary Maya, freelance writer

It's the people that make a community come to life. And part of our TOWN FOCUS series this week, Erin Geismar will give you a glimpse of life in Sayville with quick interviews of everyone from community leaders to everyday people on the street.

We came across Cary Maya at the Community Art Laboratory event in Rotary Park on Sunday.

Cary Maya
Age: 54
Occupation: Freelance writer
Community associations: The Common Ground, local food pantries

How long have you lived in Sayville?
Six years. I lived in three different countries by the time I was 15. This is actually the longest I’ve lived anywhere. The people are so community-oriented here. It’s got a great personality, Sayville. I feel blessed to have found it.

How did you find it?
Well, my parents always rented a place in the summers on Fire Island, in Cherry Grove. So I always knew Sayville existed from the ferry. When I found an apartment for rent here, I told my parents and they said, ‘You have to take it,’ and thank God I did. Everything a person could want is here. This is the closet thing to Shangri-La that I could think of.

Describe Sayville

“It’s a very old place with a lot of new ideas.”