A fun Community Day draws lots of visitors

AMENIA — By all accounts, the annual Community Day at the Indian Rock Schoolhouse on Sunday, Oct. 8, was a success for those who attended, the vendors and the nonprofit exhibitors.

Raffle tickets were popular, as were the food tables that nearly sold completely out by the end. It was a good, old-fashioned family day in the community.

The 1858 one-room schoolhouse was open for touring and proved to be an educational stop for youngsters and grown-ups as well.

“We are pleased with the turnout,” said Nancy Nowak, who was essential to the planning details, as was Ann Sartori, who worked to organize the vendors and nonprofit organizations. Nowak credited the contributions of many volunteers to the event’s success.

Traditionally held on Saturday each year, the event was moved to Sunday for the first time this year with good results, according to Nowak. Saturdays tend to conflict with soccer schedules, for one thing.

As she has been most years, Mary Thompson of Yellow Submarine was there to add to the community feel, bringing along a selection of used books, and Hope Rising Farm enticed youngsters to try out Dutchess, the horseback riding simulator. Artist Susan Hennelly of Chestnut Ridge in Dover Plains guided children in painting with watercolors.

The Crow children, Cillian, 6, and Fiona, 11, were pleased with their watercolor designs and took them home for prominent display. Their parents, Wade and Sarah, moved to Amenia a month ago from Oklahoma. Their father has joined the Maplebrook School faculty to teach music, art and theater.

An annual participant in the event, Hennelly said that It was good to see so many young families enjoying the festivities and the perfect fall day.

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Delighted by his newly created cat puppet, Konrad Nowak, 4, was happy to attend Community Day at the Indian Rock Schoolhouse on Sunday, Oct. 8, taking in most of the family-oriented activities. Photo by Leila Hawken

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