HIGHMOUNT, New York — The summer of 2009 is off to a good start. The First Annual Splash into Summer Extravaganza was a huge success, giving area visitors an exciting preface to the summer months ahead. Hundreds of spectators watched the brand new Triple Crown Sporting events, including a summertime rail jam that had over 60 participants on skis and snowboards. The overall rail jam performer, Ryan Anderson of Bedminster, New Jersey, brought home the $250 Visa Check Card sponsored by Ulster Savings Bank of Phoenicia. Crowds were amped and excited to put their ski gear on in May, celebrate summer, and enjoy the mountain’s many all-season amenities. The Overlook Deck was sunny and the newly widened Belleayre Beach was sprawling and inviting.

The Belleayre Conservatory is looking forward to another successful summer concert series. Belleayre’s concert venue offers great acts this season such as, The Original Wailers, ABBA the Tour with Mama Mia and more, Michael Feinstein, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes. Humpty Dumpty, a Children’s Opera Theatre and Kevin Eubanks Band of the Jay Leno show will also perform under the Tent, making Belleayre Mountain a perfect setting for memorable, music-filled nights. Visit the Conservatory’s website for a full calendar listing and to purchase tickets at www.belleayremusic.org.

The Belleayre Beach at Pine Hill Lake is currently open on weekends until June 20th, when the beach will then move to its full-time hours. Highmount visitors will be impressed with the great variety and beautiful attractions the Belleayre summertime facility provides. The Aqua School at Belleayre Beach is currently registering for swimming lessons and specialty one and two day workshops. Be sure to check Belleayre’s summer website at www.belleayre.com for a full listing of summer aquatics programming, available for on-line purchase. The lake area also offers rentable boats, kayaks, and Adirondack chairs. BBQ areas and rentable pavilion spaces are available for reunions and parties through Labor Day. Basketball courts and horseshoes pits also outfit the summertime area. Be sure to attend the Volleyball Tournament Interest Meeting Saturday, June 6th at 11:00am at the Belleayre Beach Volleyball Grass Court.

The Department of Environmental Conservation Lecture Series is offering a Bear Lecture on June 20th at the Discovery Lodge at 7:00pm. New York State biologist Larry Bifaro will speak on the many nuances of area black bears. The night will include an informative slideshow, an open forum of questions, and tips on keeping black bears safe in their own environment, while coexisting around human habitats. This lecture is free of charge.

2009 is also the second year for Belleayre’s Eco Adventure Programming. This free weekend programming is ecologically based, providing creative and interactive experiences for children and adults. Saturday, June 13th at 12:00pm join the Eco Adventurers for “Native American Crafts and Legends.” Pre-registration is not required and all ages are welcome to participate. Other upcoming activities include a Ridgeline hike and Picnic, “Bottled Biology,” and a workshop on Solar Energy, brought by Meckes Alternative Energy Options. Eco Adventures are posted on Belleayre’s website at www.belleayre.com, on the weekly publication of “Beachly News at Belleayre Beach,” and on Belleayre’s Facebook event pages.

Belleayre Mountain is a year-round outdoor recreation area in the Catskill Mountains operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.