To the Editor:

Each year, as summer winds down, something magical happens in the town of Berne.  Oh, yes, the leaves begin to darken, the buzz of insects fills the air, and stillness settles like a blanket over the fields — all signs that fall will soon be upon us.  

But amid these changes, a celebration occurs!  The town park erupts with the happy shouts of children romping through the grass, colorful tents pop up on its lawn, and the smell of roasting hot dogs and fried dough fills the air — all this while bluegrass music lends a happy backdrop to the scene. Summerfest is underway!

What a happy day!  Summerfest is a community celebration, an acknowledgement of our life together, the fellowship that exists among us, and the strength of those connections. In Berne, we are all tightly connected, and those connections are on full display at our Summerfest celebration.

This day exemplifies what happens all year long: We work together to make Berne the wonderful place it is. The combined contributions of our volunteers, civic groups, and caring neighbors, day in and day out, create a community that serves each and every one of us well.

I would like to thank all the individuals and groups that worked to make this day of celebration a success: the Berne and East Berne fire companies, the fire police, the Helderberg Ambulance, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Little League, the Boy Scouts of America Troop 79, the Albany County Sheriff’s Office, and of course the many vendors who shared their talents and skills with such grace and excitement.

I would also like to extend special thanks to the committee members who organized the event:  Karen Schimmer, chairwoman; Wayne Emory; Dawn Jordan; and Phyllis Johnson.  Their efforts insured the event was well organized and run.

Special thanks are also extended to Scott Green for oversight of the park, John Finke for the donation of lighting, Sheriff Craig Apple for the beautiful fireworks, and Tom Deitrich for the loan of radios for communication.

Last, but certainly not least, a special thank-you is extended to Dick Stock for his unflagging efforts organizing the music.  He worked with each band — Nite Train, Flood Road, The Stringdusters, Shine Hill Road, The Hilltown Ramblers — to insure the music was continuous throughout the day.

We are very fortunate to live in Berne. The strength of our community is no more evident than it is on days such as Summerfest, and that strength lies in our residents and their willingness to work together for the benefit of all. It is both humbling and inspiring.

Kevin Crosier, supervisor

Berne