To the Editor:

This year’s “Discover the Hilltowns” self-guided driving tour (formerly known as “Farms and Artisans Tour”) will be on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7 and 8, and it promises to be more exciting than ever!

As you explore the Hilltowns, you can wander the grounds of an artist’s castle, try out English country dancing in an octagonal barn, and sample maple cotton candy. You can marvel at border collies rounding up ducks or sheep. You can watch for migrating hawks at the top of the Helderberg escarpment.

Or you can tour an old grist mill, or visit a yoga studio, or an award-winning dairy farm, or a dog-grooming salon. You can enjoy a picnic lunch by waterfalls or dine in one of our fine eateries.

You will discover many other fun and interesting attractions along the way.

This year, we are coordinating with Cornell Cooperative Extension’s “Family Farm Day” at Two Rock Ranch in Berne, which will be one of our destinations on Sunday only. This event will have live music and many activities for families and children of all ages to learn about agriculture and life in the country.

Paper maps with schedules for each destination will be available at local libraries and other public places, and a printable electronic version will be available at www.Hilltowns.org. Come out for a drive, enjoy the scenery, and discover some of the gems of the Hilltowns!

Amy Lauterbach Pokorny

Chair, Discover the Hilltowns Tour

Helderberg Hilltowns Association