4-H serves up community spirit at BBQ

PINE PLAINS — The 4-H Club of Pine Plains held its fouth annual chicken barbecue fundraiser at the Lions Club Pavilion on Saturday, April 30. The successful event welcomed local families, 4-H supporters and barbecue-lovers alike for an evening of tempting, fresh-cooked food, door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and a silent auction. All together, more than 200 meals were served and 100 items auctioned off and more than $2,000 was raised for the 4-H Club.Patty Hall, the 4-H Club leader, oversaw the organization of the event. She was assisted by the 4-H members and their parents, as well as other supportive citizens from the surrounding towns. She said the club is thrilled with the event’s success, especially since it frees members from needing to continue fundraising throughout the year, giving them more time to participate in 4-H and agriculture functions, like the Dutchess County Fair.The chicken, which was cooked over an open charcoal grill using a special family recipe, was given glowing reviews by all in attendance. Amenia resident Lori Hale declared that it was the “best chicken in the area.” Also included in the meal were a baked potato, coleslaw, a fresh roll, brownies, ice cream and drinks. Many of the food items came from local businesses, like Adams Fairacre Farms and Boice Dairy. The Pine Plains Lions Club, Ronnybrook, Peck’s Market, William’s Lumber and Superior Sanitation also sponsored the event.The barbecue ended with a spirited silent auction, which ignited friendly bidding wars among the attendees. The auction’s big winner was Pine Plains resident Trudy Bulow, who went home with no fewer than 10 items, including numerous flowers and potted plants, gift certificates and a hand-knit sweater. “I just want to see farming furthered,” she said in an affirmation of her support for the 4-H club. “This has always been a farming community, so it’s great for the kids to get involved. Plus, it’s fun outbidding your friends.” Other auction bidders won baked goods, camper pump-outs, wine from the Millbrook winery, local maple syrup and decorations for the home.The money raised from the barbecue will go toward an overnight, agriculture-themed, educational trip for the 4-H members. Although this year’s destination is still undecided, previous trips have taken the group to an elk and moose farm, a maple sugar farm and the Cabot cheese factory in Vermont.While 4-H clubs around the country are disappearing with an alarming speed, the Pine Plains branch has seen a steady increase in interest since its inception seven years ago. Its leader, Hall, attributes this to the FFA’s presence in the Pine Plains school district and local farms’ willingness to sponsor members without animals of their own. The club currently has 26 participants between the ages of 6 and 17 who use the club to develop their leadership skills and responsibility while learning about agriculture in a hands-on, community-orientated environment. Many also use the knowledge they gain from the club to raise animals as a way of paying for college and planning for their future.