There will be many activities to celebrate this summer in the village of Altamont.  I thought it would be helpful if I gave you a brief synopsis of the many scheduled events.  Enjoy the coming months.  They should present a great summer for culture, music, and entertainment!

A new exhibition opens on Monday, June 16, with a public reception at 7 p.m. in the hallway Gallery, located in the village hall. Entitled Treasured Memories: the Altamont Fair, the exhibition, curated by Keith C. Lee, is organized from among the vintage photographs, ephemera, artifacts, and memorabilia contained in the village’s Archives and Museum Collections as well as the collections of the Altamont Fair Association. 

The exhibition will continue through July 22 and is open to the public weekdays, during regular village business hours.  This exhibit is sponsored by Thomas M. Sands.

In conjunction with the fair exhibit, the Archives and Museum will host an evening with Everett Rau: An American Farmer.  Laura Shore will interview Mr. Rau on Monday, June 23, in the Village Community Room at 7 p.m.  Audience interaction is encouraged.  Members of the Cornell Cooperative Extension will be present to discuss ecological sustainability.

Images complete

After over a year of work, Images of America: Altamont will go on sale for the first time Sunday, Aug. 10, in the Village Community Room, with a book signing.  Author Keith C. Lee and other archives volunteers who assisted in the project will be honored at a public reception. Lee will  be available to specially autograph your book.

All proceeds go to support the restoration and conservation of the Archives and Museum collections.  The book will also be available at the village offices, at the Altamont Fair, or at your favorite bookstore. 

Thus far, Sundown Lawn and Landscaping, Mio Vino Bistro and Wine Bar, and the Altamont Dentistry Practice of Drs. Fass and Edwards each provided $1,000 sponsorships toward this project.  Interested businesses or individuals wishing to provide sponsorship for this project or upcoming hallway exhibits may contact Marijo Dougherty, curator, at 861-8125

During the summer months, archive  volunteers will be engaged in re-organizing the stacks in the  archives.  The group will be installing new wire shelving to hold the village collections.  This system will allow for better preservation of items held in the Archives and Museum.

AFD movies

As part of the Altamont Fire Department’s commitment to the community, the department will be showing the latest releases of family-friendly movies in Orsini Park this summer.   The first of these events will be held on Thursday, June 26, at 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the end of the school year.  Families are invited to bring lawn chairs and blankets. The AFD will provide free popcorn at each event. 

Movie titles will be announced two weeks prior to ensure the AFD gets the newest releases.  These will be posted in the Altamont Enterprise Community Calendar, on the village website, and on the message sign at Village Hall.

In case of rain, movies will be shown in the Community Room located at 115 Main Street.  More Movies at Dusk are scheduled for July 24 at 8:15 p.m., Aug. 7 at 8:05 p.m., and Aug. 21 at 7:45 p.m. These are free events for the family.

Library concerts 

On Tuesday evenings this summer, the Altamont Free Library will be hosting the popular series of concerts at 7 p.m. in Orsini Park.  July 1, Thirteen Feet of Bluegrass, a lively energetic and eclectic band, will perform with music ranging from the Allman Brothers to Flatt and Scruggs.  

July 8, Sensemaya will give a Latin/Jazz performance with crowd interaction, great rhythms, and diverse musicality — music to make you want to get up and dance.  July 15, Running the River will provide a blend of classic traditional Irish, county, rock, and folk.

July 22, Rusticator will play acoustic music with an American spirit, inspired by alternative country bands like Wilco and Avett Brothers.  July 29,  Kevin Begazo, a young beat-boxer who takes his instrument wherever he goes, will display range and flexibility in a variety of genres.  He will share the evening with David Warner.  Aug. 5, Swing Shift will provide swing music from the 1930s to the early ’50s — a great sing-along program. 

In case of rain, concerts will be moved to the Altamont Community Room.  These programs are made possible in part through a Community Art$Grants funding program, the Altamont Free Library, and the village of Altamont.

Senior trips

Senior trip coordinator Kathy Adams has announced the group’s summer travel plans.   Trips are offered to all seniors in Altamont and the surrounding community. Fees vary depending on each particular trip.

On June 17, seniors will travel to the Culinary Arts Institute in Hyde Park where they will enjoy a luncheon and tour the Institute and gardens.  On July 2, the seniors will enjoy a luncheon cruise around Raquette Lake aboard the W. W. Durant.  Raquette Lake is located in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

The seniors will travel to Perthshire in Amsterdam on Aug.  13 for an old-fashioned clam bake. Food will be available all day long! The day will also include live entertainment, featuring music from Frank Sinatra, Frankie Valli, and many more.

On Sept. 17, the seniors will visit Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens. They will be treated to a tour, followed by lunch, and they will spend time in the conservatory filled with butterflies. 

Altamont Seniors meet at noon every Tuesday at the St. Lucy’s Parish Center for lunch and activities.  The program is free and open to all area seniors 60 years of age and older.  Transportation to and from program is free and may be arranged by calling 861-6030.  The village of Altamont, in cooperation with the town of Guilderland, also offers transportation for medical and dental appointments, grocery shopping, and pharmacy visits, and also weekly trips to Walmart.   For more information, call 861-8554, ext. 13.

Park events

Bozenkill Park events also will be beginning soon.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays, Vicki Bastian will host the Adult Water Aerobic Program.  The program will run from June 24 through Aug. 7 from 6 to 7 p.m. There is a fee of  $45 for the season.

New this year, a pick-up game of Wednesday Night Volleyball will be hosted by park staff starting June 25 through Aug. 20 from 6 to 8 p.m.  There is no fee to participate; just show up on any Wednesday night.

Family Fun Nights are back at Bozenkill Park. The park staff invites parents to pack a picnic dinner and head to Bozenkill Park for an evening of fun. After dinner, join the park staff for an evening of organized games designed to included the whole family. Family Fun Nights will be held on Wednesday, July 9, and Wednesday, July 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. There is no fee to participate.

Summer camp  

The Bozenkill Summer Camp will begin on June 30 and continue through Aug. 8 for children between the ages of 6 and 14. There is a fee of $ 50 per child per week.  Camp hours are from 8:30 a.m. to noon.  There will be no camp on July 4th. 

Camp Director Adriene Bush and her staff are excited to see what hidden talents campers possess as the first, third, and fifth week of camp feature America’s Got Talent.   Campers need to ready all their skills for the second, fourth, and sixth weeks to solve mysteries at camp using CSI (crime scene investigation) techniques. Criminals beware!

Campers also participate in games, sport activities, and swimming each day. Registration forms may be obtained from the village office or on our website. There are a limited number of scholarships available for children based on fiscal need; please contact the village office at 861-8554 for more information.

Swim instructions will begin on July 11.  Our swim staff will offer five lessons for a fee of $25.  For more information regarding scheduling, please call the village offices.

Back-to-school barbecue

On Friday, Sept. 12, right after the Labor Day weekend, the Ladies’ Auxiliary will host the Annual Back to School Brooks BBQ from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.  This year will also include Brooks BBQ Ribs. The cost of the rib dinner will be $11.50. Adult dinners are still just $10; a child’s meal is $ 9; and half-chickens are $7.  Just drive through and the ladies will do the running for you!

If you have any questions about our programs during the next several months, please call the village office or check out the schedules on the village website: AltamontVillage.org.