We’re into the last blast of summer, though according to the calendar there’s still a month to go. But folks are getting ready for school, football is in the air, the nights are cool, starting to smell some woodsmoke…

And Woodstock is having its Volunteer’s Day picnic and associated festivities on Saturday, August 20 at Andy Lee Field. We don’t have to tell you about the activities of those who do work for this community, for nothing…well, it’s not nothing, it’s a sense of belonging, a sense of service, of sacrifice. The work of rescuing, putting out fires, serving on various boards, of filling the shelves of the food pantries, of driving meals to those who can’t get out; the work of fixing the bluestone sidewalk by the cemetery, of building the dog park, of coaching soccer and little league; the things that make up the everyday fabric of a community, they’re done by people looking to participate in the every day life of a community, that give it a unique perspective. Last year, 1300 volunteers were so honored, and this year and equal or greater amount of certificates of appreciation will be given, along with this day to recognize them. Turn out for the festivities, that will happen all day at the Rec Field.

And, after a day in which the Guitar Festival will provide entertainment on the field; in which the Alf Evers Award will be given to the year’s most deserving volunteer, we’ll be treated to perhaps the finest fireworks show anywhere, a gift that we’re given back by the Woodstock Fire Department.

Fireworks, you say? Is it the fourth of July? Well, for Woodstockers, it sort of is. It’s our Independence Day, you might say, the day we declare that all individuals, independent of thought and action, are particular components of what we call life around here. It’s our fourth of July.

But hey, that’s nothing new. Here at Ulster Publishing we’re just getting ready to have our 2009 Christmas party…++