To the Editor:

Altamont Community Tradition would like to thank the community of Altamont for helping us host the 2015 Victorian Holiday Celebration and Wintermarket. It has been repeated many times, but we can’t emphasize enough that, once again, it takes a village.

We give a heartfelt thanks to our gracious neighbors who opened their homes for the holiday house tour.

Thank you to our fellow local organizations — the Altamont Free Library, Altamont Fire Department, American Legion Helderberg Post 977, Veterans of Foreign Wars Boyd Hilton Post 7062, Village of Altamont Archives and Museum, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Altamont Reformed Church along with Wunsapana Farms, and the Masonic Noah Lodge No. 754, which provided locations and creative activities for the entire family.

Thanks to our local businesses — The Altamont Enterprise, Altamont Country Values, Hungerford Market, The Spinning Room, Mio Vino, Home Front Café, Re-Nue Spa, 182 Main, Altamont Antiques, and the Severson Agency — which outdid themselves with activities and refreshments, as well as acting as hosts for the over 50 Wintermarket vendors, artisans, and crafters.

ACT wants to thank the dedicated effort of the Altamont Police and Department of Public Works for keeping our event safe, clean, and fun. Many thanks to State Employees Federal Credit Union, 1st National Bank of Scotia, Key Bank, Fredendall Funeral Home, Big John’s, Altamont Country Values, Santa, and SMS Rail Lines; their financial and in-kind donations allowed us to provide the trolley transportation, the Festival of Trees, additional restrooms, children’s activities, and the Santa Train.

The children were delighted with the treasure hunt, crafts, photo ops, and perennial favorite, Mac N Tosh the Clown and his balloons. It was lovely to see the young ladies of Miss Altamont Fair fame announce the winners of the Festival of Trees: First prize went to Amy Martin’s fourth-grade class at Altamont Elementary School and its Giving Tree, second prize went to the Spinning Room, and third prize went to Re-Nue Spa.

Thank you to all the groups who participated. Thanks go out to the 20 community volunteers who decorated lovely wreaths for our silent auction. What a great round-up of talent in our community!

Many thanks to all the volunteer members of ACT and their families, and the Friends of ACT who gave their talent, time, energy, and enthusiasm to organize a wonderful family event for our community. Happy Holidays!

Connie Rue,

Secretary, Altamont Community Tradition