It has been wonderful to see the lake bustling with activity this summer. From boats and jet skis cruising across the water, to backyard barbecues and family get-togethers, our community is making the most of the season. Take time to soak up the sunshine, create lasting memories, and enjoy every moment that summer has to offer. Here are some events happening in our community and beyond:

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.

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.

Mark your calendars for one of the Lake Huntington Lake Association's biggest events of the summer! The 2026 “Peace, Love & Lake Huntington” Gala will take place on Saturday, August 22, at 6 p.m. at The Club at the Villa Roma in Callicoon. This fun, 1970s-inspired evening will feature a full dinner, dessert, live entertainment, raffles, dancing with a live DJ, team trivia, a collaborative community art project, and the popular “We Asked the Lake” community game show. Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme by dressing in their grooviest tie-dye, flower power, and peace-sign attire. Tickets are $90 per person and must be purchased in advance. Best of all, proceeds from the evening will support the Lake Huntington Lake Association's ongoing lake conservation efforts. Whether you're coming for the fun, the friends, or to support the lake we all love, it's sure to be a memorable evening.

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. 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. All programs are free and open to the public.

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.