To the Editor:

Yesterday I happened to return to Potsdam to bring my grand-niece Hannah to the Clarkson Horizons STEAM camp. We stayed at our favorite hotel, the Clarkson Inn, beside the beautiful Raquette River, which turned out to be the epicenter of Potsdam’s 50th Summerfest.

Saturday the 15th of July was one of those truly spectacular warm, breezy summer days that only the North Country can deliver--days that are so special and precious, because we all know the weather will turn on us in a few months and deliver winter’s first cruel blows.

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the celebration and found ourselves slipping back in time to an era long gone when people could be content simply with enjoying a warm summer night and the company of family, friends, and neighbors.

What we found so wonderful about the festival was not only the good food, fun, games, and crafts, but the sheer simplicity and innocence of it. Without a lot of sophistication and technology people of all ages seemed to be enjoying themselves—eating, dancing, talking, and playing games.

It was if we had stepped into some bygone era where townsfolk used to gather together on the village green to enjoy some fair weather, music, food, and each other. We particularly liked the display put on by the Potsdam Fire Department. The pride in this organization was apparent in the roar and applause of the crowd.

The Summerfest was a little piece of Americana that captured my heart and my imagination.

In an increasingly complex and scary world, we were delighted to be part of this old-fashioned celebration and look forward to returning to my childhood home again next year for this very special celebration.

Sandra Paige Sorell

Formerly of Potsdam