May 21 – Congratulations to the Diehl Me In Western IEA Team for qualifying for the Interscholastic Equestrian Association (IEA) Western National Finals in Fort Worth, Texas! 

The IEA is a nationwide organization that gives students in grades 4–12 the opportunity to compete in equestrian events without owning a horse. Riders compete on unfamiliar horses, making horsemanship, adaptability, teamwork, and sportsmanship the foundation of the sport. Qualifying for Nationals is an outstanding achievement and a testament to the dedication, hard work, and talent of these young riders. 

Representing the team at Western Nationals are Mia Powell, Harper Ryder, Riley Eggleton, Lillian Bressler, Penelope Hanweck, Lux Seibert, Kylie Houghtaling, and Shae Seibert. The team will have the honor of representing our region while competing against the top western equestrian teams in the country. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of our youth athletes! If you would like to donate to their trip, they are accepting online donations www.spotfund.com/story/f9aa1ef9-24aa-402c-8f02-99e5de1780ab.

Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

The Cochecton Youth Commission is inviting local youth and families to enjoy an afternoon of baseball with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Sunday, July 19. The game begins promptly at 1:00 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to arrive early to take part in special pre-game activities. From 12:00 to 12:30 p.m., youth will have the opportunity to run the bases and play catch on the field, so participants are encouraged to bring their baseball gloves. 

As part of the stadium's Family Fun Day festivities, all children ages 12 and under will receive a free hot dog and soda voucher, with additional family-friendly activities taking place throughout the day. Please note that transportation will not be provided, and attendees are responsible for arranging their own travel to the Binghamton Rumble Ponies Stadium. The game will be held rain or shine. 

Admission is free for all Cochecton youth, and out-of-town adults and children are welcome to attend. If 20 or more tickets are sold, a discounted group rate of $11 per ticket will be available for out-of-town attendees. If fewer than 20 tickets are sold, tickets for out-of-town adults and children will be $19 each. Anyone interested in attending should contact event coordinator Krissy by text at 845-807-8003 to reserve tickets or obtain additional information.

Delaware Valley Opera is celebrating its 40th anniversary season with an exciting lineup of performances this June at the Arts Nest in Lake Huntington. On Friday, June 26 at 7:00 p.m., Jesse Terry will take the stage with his signature blend of rhythmic rock and roll and heartfelt songwriting. An award-winning musician known for performing more than 150 shows annually, Terry’s latest album, Arcadia, highlights both intimate storytelling and powerful amplified anthems. 

Then on Sunday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m., acclaimed singer-songwriter David Roth will perform a special concert featuring his unique original music filled with humor, inspiration, and spontaneity. Roth, a recording artist, speaker, and educator, has spent more than three decades performing internationally and connecting audiences through music and storytelling. Tickets for both performances are $20 presale and $25 at the door. Events take place at the Arts Nest, located at the Delaware Valley Opera Center, 6692 State Route 52, Lake Huntington. More information and tickets are available at myrivertickets.com and delawarevalleyopera.org.

If you have a local business that would like to be spotlighted in an upcoming column, please get in touch! Please email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events, and happenings. You can also find me online at rustic-road.com.