Fundraising and community celebration

AMENIA — The Lions Clubs of Amenia, Dover, Millerton and Sharon, as well as the Harlem Valley Walkers, will host a Walk to Cure Diabetes Saturday, Sept. 20. The event will raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the world’s largest charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes research.

"This is our third annual walk-a-thon," Linda Gregory said. Gregory is the president of the Amenia Lions Club, which has previously hosted the last two walk-a-thons by itself. "I’m very happy that [this year] all of the towns in the area will be hosting, as well as the Harlem Valley Walkers. It seemed like a very natural decision to get everyone together."

The walk-a-thon is one the Lions Club’s main fundraisers. Last year between 50 to 60 walkers participated and the event rose more than $6,000. Gregory is looking to beat both those numbers this time around, now that the towns have joined forces to help the cause.

"Because of everyone involved, we're hoping for $10,000," she said, adding, "along with good weather to walk!"

In addition to the walk, several prizes will be raffled, including two $100 savings bonds from the Bank of Millbrook and Salisbury Bank. Also available for raffle are tickets for the Hudson Valley Renegades and Lime Rock Park, courtesy of local radio station Q103 FM.

People interested in walking can fill out a pledge form, which is available at Jack’s Auto Service in Wassaic and Cascade Spirit Shoppe in Amenia, among other stores that are working with the Lions Club.

"Even if you don’t plan on walking, donations are still more than welcome," Gregory said. "Just stop by the event and there will be a booth available to help you."

Finally, paper donation sneakers are floating around the area. The sneakers cost $1 and are available in a number of shops and businesses, including Freshtown, Jack’s Auto Service and Cascade Spirit Shoppe.

Webutuck High School is also pitching in with sneaker sales, hanging all sneakers purchased on the window in front of the main office. The freshman class officers are sponsoring the fundraiser and also have pledge sheets available. Sneakers will be available during the students’ lunch period.

The walk-a-thon will take place rain or shine, starting at the Harlem Valley Rail Trail head on Mechanic Street. Registration is at 10 a.m. and the walk will start at 10:30 a.m. Plenty of parking will be available.

For more information on walking, pledging or the walk-a-thon in general, call 845-789-1065.

Following the walk there will be a Community Day festival and chicken barbecue at Indian Rock Schoolhouse on Mygatt Road in Amenia (The rain date is Sunday, Sept. 21). The event is in celebration of the school’s 150th anniversary. Booths with games and fun will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"It sounds like there are lots of people coming and that will be great for the celebration," Ann Linden, president of the Schoolhouse Association, said. "We’ve also just added a pie-baking contest to the list of events. It should be exciting because we all know that everyone would like to prove they bake the best pie."

All interested bakers should bring their best homemade pie (use a throw-away pie plate or write your name on the dish) to the schoolhouse on Sept. 20 by 11 a.m., along with a $5 donation in lieu of the entrance fee. The Harlem Valley Chamber of Commerce is splitting the donations with the school.

All pies will be judged by noon and the winners will be announced, with individual slices of the winning pies available for $2 per slice. No whole pies will be sold.