To the Editor:

I often pause at this most stunning time of the year to appreciate the natural beauty and unique cultural and historical heritage of our corner of the world — Altamont, Voorheesville, New Scotland, Bethlehem, the Hilltowns, and western Guilderland. I have traveled the world but think often of the splendor of these local communities.

On Sunday afternoon, July 17, we have an opportunity to celebrate many of the riches of our area as the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy and Indian Ladder Farms team up for the fifth annual Summer Festival. This year’s festival will commemorate the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s 25th anniversary of preserving natural spaces, the 100th birthday of Indian Ladder Farms and all of its contributions to our area, and the grand opening of the Indian Ladder Farmstead and Brewery.

A multitude of experiences for people of all ages will take place at Indian Ladder Farms from noon to 5 p.m. Families can enjoy hayrides, pony rides, berry picking, food trucks, musical and dance performances, and opportunities to interact with service dogs and farm animals. People can take a guided history hike or a guided agricultural tour of Indian Ladder Farms and can also sample the beer and cider made on site with ingredients direct from the farm at the new Indian Ladder Farmstead Brewery.

In addition to all of the activities at Indian Ladder Farms, the Summer Festival includes the opportunity for guided hikes at several of the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy’s preserves from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Visit the Bozen Kill Preserve in Altamont, walk the trails, and hear from docents about the history, the geology, the stream, the forest, the plants, and the animals of this natural gem

Take a walk in the Land Conservancy’s Craven Easement in Voorheesville and discover the magnificence of the native flowers and amphibians. Enjoy a history hike at the Bennett Hill Preserve in New Scotland, or walk part of the Albany County Rail Trail, in which the Land Conservancy played a major role, preserving it for public use. Hikers and walkers are meeting at 1 p.m. at Indian Ladder Farms and taking off from there.

Come out and celebrate some of the unique riches of our area at the Summer Festival on Sunday afternoon, July 17. For more detailed information, directions, or to register for some of the events, visit www.mhlcsummerfest.org.

Kathy Meany

MHLC Bozen Kill Preserve Co-Steward

Altamont

Editor’s note: See related story.