- It took a week along Skaneateles Lake to convince Dr. Michael Shende to build a permanent home along its beautiful shore at 2346 Thornton Grove North. The view from the deck. Photos are courtesy of www.ackermanphoto.comPhotos are courtesy of www.acker
SKANEATELES, N.Y. – Dr. Michael Shende’s love for his Skaneateles Lake-front property at 2346 Thornton Grove North began with an ultimatum.
Friends of he and his wife Elaine had made many summer pilgrimages to the lake after moving to Texas and Elaine wondered why they could not do the same from their condominium in DeWitt.
“How come they can come up every year and we can only stay for a day?” Shende remembered Elaine asking.
The busy doctor did not think it practical. He had a lot to do at Syracuse’s hospitals and he would have to get up earlier in the morning for his morning commute.
Then Elaine gave him the ultimatum. Join her and the family at the lake for a week or “we will tell you all about it” when we get back.
Skaneateles property has nearly 200 feet of water frontage
“It was a total revelation,” Shende admitted after a week on the water.
In 1991, after a year’s search by Elaine, they bought a one-bathroom cottage at Thornton Grove North and spent weeks there during the summer with relatives from Maryland, Ohio, and California.
“I had to step over people sleeping on the floor,” Shende remembers of early mornings when he needed to get to Syracuse to start his rounds.
But it was worth it.
“It was delightful,” he said. “The cottage was such a simple little thing, but we wanted to spend as much time as possible there.”
Five years later, in 1996, they demolished the cottage and started building what would become, after a 2006 expansion, their beautiful three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom home.
They have been spending entire summers there ever since.
“I like to get my hands dirty in the garden in early April and walk through the snow and warming myself in front of the gas fireplace in the living room,” he said. “The fall is just as gorgeous.”
He gives full credit to Elaine for the house.
“She planned and organized everything,” he said. “I was so busy at the hospital.”
He says that the property gives them the “most relaxing experience in the world.”
Arriving at the property off a “little road,” they walk through gardens to the front door which, when opened, gives a “panoramic view” of the lake from the open living areas of the house.
His favorite place is the screened-in sunroom, where he listens to the sounds of nature, rain falling onto the trees, the birds and owls, and frogs croaking.
In what Shende calls his “deep woods,” he has cut walking trails.
During summer afternoons, they enjoyed cocktails on the dock, watching his grandsons swim, canoe, and kayak along the small beach on the lake. Dinners were enjoyed on the spacious Trex deck overlooking the water.
The kitchen was kept open because Elaine wanted a “communal experience” when she cooks, getting everyone to involved.
“She had no problems getting people to help,” Shende said. “She has more books on cooking than I do on neurosurgery.”
The owner’s bedroom has beautiful views of the lake, a private bathroom, and a walk-in closet.
Bedrooms on the second level offer views of the woods or the lake and guests often trade back-and-forth for a different experience when visiting.
They have made several improvements lately to the property, including a new furnace, fence repair, water drainage system, two new sheds, and fresh exterior paint.
A new seawall, which should last 100 years, will be finished later this summer.
“I have no regrets,” Shende said of the last 30 years at the property, which evolved from a simple cottage to a luxurious home. “It has been a wonderful experience.”
For more information about this property, please contact Realtor Kelly Hall of eXp Realty. Her contact info is below.
She will be holding an open house on Sunday, July 3, from noon to 3 p.m. Attendees are asked to contact her, via email or phone, to register for the showing.
Address: 2346 Thornton Grove N., Skaneateles, N.Y. 13152
Monthly Mortgage: $13,862 (based on the national average rate of 5.81%, according to Freddie Mac on June 23, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20% down payment. Fees and points not included.)
Taxes: $34,495 (Based on assessed value of $1,500,000)
Kitchen: Like much of the first floor, the kitchen is open and allows for a “communal experience.” Owner Dr. Michael Shende says that his wife Elaine loves to cook and likes to get everyone involved. There is seating at the counter. Appliances are new and there is plenty of counter and storage space. Food can easily be carried to two dining areas inside the house or out onto the Trex deck which overlooks the lake. A pantry and laundry room, which has a sink and even more storage space, is just off the kitchen.
Living areas: When guests arrive at the house, they are welcomed by windows which offer a panoramic view of Skaneateles Lake. Sunlight pours in from the windows on the living room’s ceiling. An open formal dining room is off the kitchen and a more casual one on the other side of the living room is great for breakfast and coffee. A glassed-in gas fireplace warms the space on chilly days. A television swivels and can be seen no matter where you are sitting. A loft space on the second floor, which looks down into the living room, was Shende’s study. A screened-in sunroom is a favorite of Shende’s.
Bedrooms: There are three bedrooms in the house. The spacious owner’s bedroom looks out at the water and has a large walk-in closet. It has access to a private bathroom. There are two bedrooms on the second floor, each with two closets. One looks out at the water and the other the “deep woods.”
Bathrooms: There are two full bathrooms and one-half bathroom inside the house.
Outdoors: This peaceful 2.29-acre property has expansive, professionally maintained gardens and landscaping. Shende cut walking trails in the “deep woods” for relaxing hikes. There is almost 200 feet of Skaneateles Lake frontage and has a small stone beach and docks. The owners enjoy cocktails on the dock while watching their grandsons swim, canoe, and kayak. They enjoyed “cruising” on the water in their boat. A Trex deck, great for outdoor dining, was installed in 2006. A water drainage system, two storage sheds, fresh paint, and fence repair have been done recently. A state-of-the art seawall, which will last 100 years, will be finished this summer. A detached two-car garage is set along the spacious driveway.
Agent: Kelly Hall, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson
Address: 1020 Seventh North Street, Suite 140, Liverpool, N.Y. 13099
Email: kelly.hall@exprealty.com
Photos are courtesy of www.ackermanphoto.com
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