June 3 – Summer is making its presence known around Lake Huntington, with warmer days, longer evenings, and plenty of activity throughout the community. As June winds down, students and teachers are in the final stretch of the school year, eagerly counting down the days until summer vacation. Graduation is just around the corner, and families are preparing to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2026. From end-of-year concerts and award ceremonies to community events and outdoor gatherings, there’s an unmistakable sense of excitement in the air as we welcome another summer.

Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

The Town of Cochecton’s America 250 Celebration continues with the second of five summer events on Sunday, June 21, at 1 p.m. at Heinle’s Ball Field on Old County Road in Cochecton Center. This free community gathering will highlight the history and stories of the hamlet of Cochecton Center while providing an opportunity for residents and visitors to connect with friends and neighbors. Free refreshments will be served following the program. Attendees can also collect another stamp in their Cochecton Passport, bringing them one step closer to earning a collectible prize at the end of the summer. In addition, guests may enter raffles featuring gifts donated by local businesses, with more chances to win available to those who attend multiple events throughout the celebration series.

Music lovers are invited to enjoy MusicTalks: Resonance Across Centuries on July 23 at 7:30 p.m. This unique evening will feature performances, demonstrations, and discussion of historical period instruments by acclaimed WCM artists Nurit Pacht (violin), Caroline Stinson (cello), and Andrus Madsen (keyboard instruments).

Pacht has performed at prestigious venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Stinson is an internationally recognized cellist and Principal Cellist of the Stamford Symphony, while Madsen is a respected performer and educator specializing in historical keyboard instruments.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased through Rivertickets: myrivertickets.com/events/musictalks-resonance-across-centuries-7-23-2026.

Classical guitar enthusiasts won't want to miss Dan Garcia at the Arts Nest on July 25 at 7:00 p.m. A native of Madrid, Spain, Garcia is an internationally acclaimed guitarist who brings the rich musical traditions of Spain and Latin America to audiences across North America. He holds a master’s degree in Music from the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music and has performed throughout the United States, Spain, and Canada. In addition to his solo work, Garcia leads the popular Santana tribute band, Lotus “Spirit of Santana,” and has been a fixture in New York City's world music scene since the 1990s. He also serves on the faculty at Manhattan University, teaches private students in the Hudson Valley, and has developed educational apps and instructional methods for aspiring guitarists. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door.

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.