Despite rain, many come out for berries and books

AMENIA — It may have been raining cats and dogs, but many on Saturday, June 11, were instead thinking of berries and books. That’s when the Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce sponsored its first Strawberry Fair, carrying on the long tradition from the now-defunct United Presbyterian Church of Amenia. The fair coincided with the Amenia Free Library’s Book and Bake Sale.

“It’s going very well,” said Library Director Miriam Devine, “though the weather is not helping.”

Freshtown Store Manager Lesley Rohan was there to supervise the many flats of strawberries the store donated for sale, all to help raise money for the library’s building fund.

“It’s going surprisingly well with the rain,” she said. “This is our first year doing it as the Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce and to be able to do it for the library is just a great honor for us.”

Tom Ford of Amenia was there with his family, to enjoy the many offerings of the day.

“We came out for the snacks, baked goods and treats, and to get some books, and, of course, for strawberries,” he said. “We came out in spite of the rain.” 

“The rain makes everything more fun,” chimed in his son, Harrison.

“It would be nice if the weather was better, but the sundaes are very good,” proclaimed Doug Westfall, who stood under the tent where the frosty strawberry treats were being made and sold.

Ginny Eschbach was manning the bake sale table with friend Susan Anderson.

“It’s going horrible, but we’re making a lot of money for the library,” said Anderson, lamenting the raindrops pounding the tent overhead.

“I feel so bad with the weather, but hopefully people will come out and get their books,” said Amenia town Supervisor Victoria Perotti. “I’m finding a lot — I always do. People are still coming out to have their strawberries and then have lunch with the firemen, it’s a full day. The rain was supposed to hold off till later this afternoon, but I guess that didn’t happen.”

Yet the weather didn’t seem to put a damper on the day.

“Even though we’ve been having rain, we’re selling strawberries and sundaes,” said Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce Secretary Vicki Benjamin, who was making the sweet concoctions with another volunteer. “The strawberries were donated by Freshtown, the ice cream was donated by Four Brothers, the rain is from Mother Nature.”