Jim and I were excitedly talking about the book signing held in the village community room. The book, Images of America: Altamont was written by Altamont’s own, long time resident, Keith Lee. It is the first look at Altamont since the book written by village and town historian, Arthur Gregg.

Later Roger Keenholts was following in Arthur’s footsteps as village and town historian and village trustee, when he began compiling information for another update of the history of our beautiful village. His early death left a void for many years until Maryjo Dougherty was hired as curator of the Altamont Archives and Museum. Her wisdom, knowledge and expertise have been invaluable to us all.

The above-mentioned signing was well attended by village residents of all ages and was covered by The Altamont Enterprise.

If you do not have a copy of this new book you can purchase one at the village office or at the museum and archives.

My discussion with Jim mentally wandered up and down the streets of our village. We reminisced about some of the structures that are no longer in existence. One of those was the Penguin ice cream stand which sat on the lot across the street from where SEFCU is now located. They had several different owners who opened mainly for the summer business. Their last owner added a room on the side that was winterized allowing them to remain open longer in the year.

 I am sure that many readers will remember the day a deer jumped through the Penguin's front window and pretty well trashed their dining area before the deer became frightened and jumped back out the same way she came in.

The power of suggestion being great, we decided that just talking about soft ice cream would not satisfy us so we decided to treat ourselves. Those of you who remember the ice cream trucks, a favorite was always their cream-sicle, a combination of vanilla ice cream covered with orange ice. The twist today is soft ice cream, a combination of orange sherbet and vanilla ice cream. Yum!

While we were enjoying this infrequent treat a young woman approached us and said: “Are you Mr. and Mrs. Caruso?” Upon admitting to the question she started a conversation reminding us who she was and who her mother and father were. After about 20 years the young children become parents and their maturity and features change. After 30 or 40 years the change is even greater. Our conversation turned to the Altamont Fair. She had fond memories of attending for years and assured us that she would be there again this year. We look forward to seeing her again.

Fair week is such a busy time for almost everyone in the village. By now you have probably either taken your family to the fair or you may have gone yourself for a variety of reasons. We have worked the fair for many different groups who have had the opportunity to raise funds for their organization by having a booth at the fair. Many of the organizations are no longer running booths at the fair but are still in existence and still helping other people.

The Masons are still meeting and helping with local charities and their retirement home and research hospital. Eastern Star is still meeting and raising funds for local charities and cancer. Both organizations also put a great deal of emphasis on helping veterans and work with the Veterans Hospital. Their recent goal is to purchase more minutes for patient’s phones and iTunes. Music is very calming to those veterans who are recovering from stressful combat.  

The Church Restaurant is no longer in existence after many years of serving hot dinners, and homemade desserts to a tired group of fairgoers.  St. Lucy's Church group took over the restaurant from the Reformed Church and in the beginning stayed open until two in the morning. At that time, the midway did not have a commissary and those who worked the carnival rides worked until midnight. After they shut down their rides the workers would line up at the church restaurant for their dinner. 

The VFW was always a popular stop for a great bowl of chili. Since they have closed their booth people have scoured the grounds for a good meal similar to the VFW and some of the other favorite spots. Times have changed and so has the fair. There are new people, new rides, new food booths, and new vendors. However amid all of the changes there is still a lot of fun to be had, and lots of good food for a relatively small amount of money.

If you have not been to the fair yet, there is still plenty of time to enjoy all that it has to offer.

My husband’s favorite is a sausage, pepper, and onion sandwich. One of my favorites is the fried veggies. These may not be the most healthful for us but we can go on a cleansing diet next week.

If you go to the fair, have fun! Also, if you go to the fair, be safe!

Altamont Fair

Have you been to the Fair this week?  If not, you still have a few days to take in the many activities. Tonight, you can enjoy flute music and story telling outside the Fine Arts building at 6:30 p.m.; watch the pig race at 7 p.m. near Gate 3; and sit in the grandstand and watch the Brigade FMX B Bike show at 8:15 p.m.

There is something new this year.  There will be a Wine Festival on Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 8 p.m.

There is so much to see and do. So, how about heading out to the Altamont Fair.  Tickets are $17 per person. With your wrist band on you can ride on all of the rides from morning to night, you can visit all of the displays,  and you can always visit the many food concessions and enjoy their different delicacies, such as fresh made doughnuts, cider, sausage, peppers, and onions sandwiches, French fries, candy apples, and the list goes on.

And as the saying goes, it is worth repeating — See you where? See you at the Altamont Fair! 

VBS

The theme for this year's Vacation Bible School is Weird Animals Where Jesus Love is One of a Kind.  Registration forms are available at each of the three Altamont churches.

VBS will be held Monday, Aug. 18 through Friday, Aug. 22, at St. John's Lutheran Church on Maple Ave. in Altamont. Children age three (as of 12/1/13) up, and school aged students who have completed  kindergarten through grade five are welcome. Cost per child is $4. Scholarships are available. Co-directors are Craig Armstrong, Leah Kedik, and Melanie Tuxbury. Information can be obtained by going online to altamontvbs@gmal.com.

Golf tournament

St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Church's   ninth annual golf tournament, fund-raiser will be held on Monday, Sept. 15, at the Pinehaven Country Club.  Participants will enjoy the use of the course, 18 holes of golf, the driving range, golf cart, lunch, snacks, beverages and the award buffet. Men and women are invited to participate. The entry fee is  $140 if paid by Aug. 15; after that date, the fee is $150.

Registration forms are available at the church located on Grand St. in Altamont. 

Continuing ed

The Guilderland School District's Continuing Education Fall session 2014 will begin on Sept. 15. Mailed registration forms must be postmarked by Aug. 29. For more information go online to www.guilderlandschools.org

Anniversaries

Happy-anniversary wishes are extended to Donna and Harvey Vlahos and Jennifer and Corey Brooks celebrating their special day on Aug. 19.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Cindy Kaczmarek and Ben Pickering on Aug. 15;

— Betty Friebel and Pamela Frondy on Aug. 16;

— Danielle Peck and Anna Miller on Aug. 17;

— Robert Carr on Aug. 18;

— Father Jeff L'Arche, Ryan Nicholas Long, and Carole Moore on Aug. 19;

— Allison Hillary Grant, Coleen LeClair, Chris Meagley, and Kurt Stockbauer on  Aug. 20; and

— Bryan Furr and Bethany Plant on Aug. 21.