We’re officially in the throes of summer. As everyone returned to work this week from what we hope was a safe and restful Fourth of July holiday weekend, we here at The Chronicle looked to the remaining summer ahead and contemplated which news and cultural stories we could look forward to sharing with all of you in the coming months.

Though summer in our small historic town is quieter with our population of Shepherd University students on vacation, the town still manages to play host to swells of visitors for its various parades, celebrations and festivals.

Following the successful return of Street Fest last month, the town and university are now gearing up to draw in the crowds once more for the Contemporary American Theater Festival.

The CATF, which will begin its 21st season this weekend, remains a popular cultural staple of Shepherdstown’s summer season.

As we encourage locals and visitors alike to support the celebrated annual festival of plays, we also urge you to spend some time taking advantage of the shops, eateries, pubs, history and culture our small town offers its residents everyday.

We also hope to see new and familiar faces at some of the other fun and interesting summer activities that we greatly anticipate, like the Shepherdstown Chalk and Art Festival in August and the Shepherdstown Fire Department’s Annual Carnival, as well as the regular wealth of historic and informative lectures, musical shows, film events, children’s activities and general goings-on that make our town a unique and special place to spend a long summer day.