Recent weeks have been very busy. Summer is a great time for outdoor activities.

Our family was no exception to having celebrations. My granddaughter, Kassi Neal, bought a summer camp and had her closing the day before Thanksgiving of 2012. Mind you, this was a summer camp and she wanted a year round home. And so the procedure began.

She embarked on all it takes to winterize. The kitchen was like a back porch with many windows but great for summer living. That was torn off and rebuilt. Most of the charm of the summer camp remains. The roof has been replaced and a heating system installed.

The whole camp had to be insulated. The septic system wasn’t adequate but everything happened in time and Kassi is the happiest girl alive to live on the lake. She couldn’t have accomplished it all without the help of her boyfriend, Jared Martin, of Altamont and her parents, Gary and Kathy Carnevale of Beaver Dam Road.

The friends and neighbors also added to the list of donors. There are so many to list; Don Elliot, Wyatt Craig, Tim Sigond, and many friends, Brad Ableman, Ray Rhodes, Mr. Spencer, and I am sure there are more to be thanked. To those I forgot or don’t know, thank you.

Then came the day for the housewarming, Saturday, July 12, hosted by Kassi’s parents. The lawn at 6 Ridge Lane was festively set up with chairs and tables with colorful umbrellas. Barbecued chicken sizzled on the charcoal pit, and the tables were laden with anti-pasto, salads and rolls. A desert table nearby was appealing with pineapple cake, cheesecake with strawberries, and brownies.

Guests arrived at different times and were given a tour of the house by Kassi and her boyfriend. Special guests attending were Edna and Jack McCullen of Lincoln Avenue in Altamont, who formerly owned the camp and spent many memorable summers there. They were an essential ingredient in Kassi acquiring the property.

Zenie Gladieux came, she was the realtor so patiently showing Kassi houses around the hill.  Rebecca Buzon came from Albany Rural housing, and she used her expertise to aid in the formation of camp to house.

The guests were all special and important. Kassi is so proud to own a home on a lake. Brandon Clark, Jenn Smith, Marcia Pangburn, Kyra Samson, Nichole and Iain all went to the Great Escape with reduced price tickets from the Electrician’s Union. They had a blast and then returned to Kassi’s party.

Nichole looks forward all year to going to the Great Escape! Monday, July 14, was my daughter Kathy’s birthday. Marcia, Kyra and I had dinner with her to celebrate the occasion.

On Tuesday, July 15, I did visit my friend, Barbara Bonneau, and she made lunch for me. I got to see her two granddaughters, Amber and Lilly Mattison, who were spending the day with her.

My granddaughter, Kyra, spent Wednesday with me and we enjoyed playing board games all afternoon. Kyra also spent Thursday with me, and then I drove her to visit her friend, Ella David, on Quay Road.

Friday was grocery day and Brandon mowed my lawn after dinner. Saturday, July 19, I visited with family. I spent the afternoon with Kassi. Sunday, I spent a few hours with Danielle, Zoey, and Matt. My week’s spin right along.

Wheels in the Woods

Thompson’s Lake Reformed Church will provide the food booth at the Wheels in the Wood event at Thacher Park on Saturday, July 26.

Town of Berne Historical Society

On Monday, July 28, the Berne Historical Society will have their monthly meeting taking a tour of the Woodlawn Cemetery. The tour will start at 6 p.m.  Notice the change in the meeting time. Meet at the cemetery, and there will be a speaker.

Music in the Park

Enjoy dinner and a snack at the food booth at the Berne Town Park as you listen to local musicians perform at free concerts on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 p.m. until dusk. On Wednesday, July 30, the featured group will be Slim Pick’ins. Everyone is welcome.