I hope everyone had a wonderful Father’s Day filled with family, laughter, and time spent with the people who matter most. Whether your celebration included a cookout, a day outdoors, a phone call to a loved one, or simply a quiet moment together, we hope it was a day of appreciation for the fathers, grandfathers, stepfathers, and father figures who help shape our lives. As we move further into summer, may the memories made this weekend be just the beginning of a season filled with family, community, and special moments.

Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

Join the parish community of Our Lady of the Lake on Saturday, June 27, as they celebrate the successful relocation of the church bell with a special Blessing of the Bell ceremony. The celebration will begin during the 4:00 p.m. Mass, marking this meaningful milestone in the church’s history. Following Mass, all are invited to gather in the church hall for a reception featuring refreshments and light fare. Parishioners, friends, and community members are warmly welcome to attend this special occasion of faith, fellowship, and celebration.

The Town of Cochecton is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a special summer-long series, Cochecton Celebrates America’s 250th: Five Events, One Community, 250 Years of History. Residents and visitors are invited to attend five free community gatherings highlighting the history, stories, and unique character of the town’s hamlets. Each event begins at 1 p.m. and features local history presentations, opportunities to meet neighbors, refreshments, and family-friendly activities.

The celebration continues on Sunday, July 12, with a program focused on the Hamlet of Fosterdale at the Cochecton Town Hall in Lake Huntington. Guests will learn about the history of Fosterdale while collecting another stamp in their Cochecton Passport and entering raffles for locally donated prizes.

The fourth event, scheduled for Sunday, August 9, will spotlight the history of Lake Huntington and feature the highly anticipated opening of the 1976 Time Capsule. This special community event offers a rare opportunity to look back at local history through items preserved nearly 50 years ago. Organizers expect the time capsule opening to be one of the highlights of the entire celebration series.

The final event will take place on Sunday, August 30, in the Hamlet of Cochecton at the Cochecton Men’s Club Community Hall and Ball Field. The program will explore the history of the hamlet and encourage attendees to bring their own stories, photographs, and memories to share. Organizers have even hinted that the legendary “Uncle Bob” may make a special appearance.

Throughout the summer, attendees can participate in the “Cochecton Passport” program by collecting a stamp at each event. Those who attend all five gatherings and submit their completed passport will be eligible for a commemorative prize. Participants can also enter raffles for gifts donated by local businesses, with additional chances to win earned by attending multiple events.

All programs are free and open to the public. Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to come together to celebrate Cochecton’s rich history, honor the nation’s 250th anniversary, and strengthen the connections that make this community special.

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.