On Saturday, July 9 you are cordially invited to a party celebrating Otsego Lake. Twelve hours of events and activities are scheduled, beginning with The Walking Example Group's three-mile walk along the Lake.

Gather at the Cornell University Cooperative Extension, 123 Lake St., Cooperstown at 9 a.m. for registration.

Or, pre-register on line at www.walkingexample.org. The new WE GO insulated backpacks are available for sale, or included with a $20 WE GO membership, for participants bringing refreshments. The walk and tours will take up to three hours.

At 10 a.m. walkers will be shuttled to Three Mile Point to start the walk and enjoy the lake views. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather with appropriate footwear, sunscreen and protective clothing. Dasani water is available, donated by Coca Cola.

Highpoints of the Lake Walk include a tour of Brookwood Gardens. President Pat Thorpe will give her enlightened tour of the Cooperstown's own "secret garden" and relate the property's history. Pati Drumm Grady generously provides Cooperstown Cookie Company shortbread cookies.

After Brookwood, the walk continues to the beautiful grounds and breathtaking views of the Farmers' Museum and Fenimore Art Museum. These are ideal photo-ops, so think about bringing a camera (it will fit in the WE GO backpack, too.)

Participants then finish the walk at Lake Front Park where they will be greeted by the Otsego Lake Festival Committee.

The day continues with a delightful array of Lake related activities, live music (including yours truly, singing in public,) food and art. An auction and raffle will benefit the care of Otsego Lake. Go to www.otsegolakefestival.com for a complete schedule.

Too often we take for granted that which is close and seemingly everlasting. A few months ago, a dedicated clutch of people decided to celebrate our treasured Otsego Lake and extended WE GO the privilege of joining them. We thank them for the opportunity to be a part of the first Otsego Lake Festival and salute Win McIntyre, Scottie Baker, Teresa Winchester and Martha Frye for their tireless efforts.

Otsego Lake provides water, beauty, tranquility and restorative balance. It also defines us by its legacy of history, geography and ecology.

In return, we are entrusted with its care and protection. We are the stewards of our lake.

For skinny dipping on an August night, for Labradors swimming for sticks, for colorful sails billowing in a summer wind, for catching and releasing bass at sunrise, for ice fishing huts, for quiet twilights gazing at the smooth waters, and for every thirst that is quenched, Otsego Lake deserves all the respect and homage we can muster.

Brenda Berstler is the founder of the Walking Example Group (WE-GO) a non-profit organization encouraging walking and walkable communities. Visit their website at www.we-go.org.