Sunday in the Country already building up for a busy fall

TRI-STATE AREA — For most people, the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are just a glimmer in the distance during these summer months. But for families in need, the approaching fall and winter holiday seasons will bring a feeling of doubt and uncertainty: Will there be enough money for a holiday meal this year?

The answer is yes, if “NASCAR†Dave MacMillan has anything to say about it.

For the last decade MacMillan’s Sunday in the Country Food Drive, named for his Sunday morning radio show, has provided assistance to 13 food pantries in the Tri-state area, helping put food on the table during rough patches for hundreds of local families in need.

Last year, a total of $46,300 was raised by MacMillan’s various fundraisers, which tallied up to 550 Thanksgiving dinners and 530 Christmas dinners. These dinners don’t skimp either: turkey, potatoes, beans, corn, gravy, stuffing, pie mix, soup, pasta, cranberry sauce and juice ensure that families fallen on hard times have something to look forward to.

“We’ve never set a goal for raising money before,†MacMillan explained. However, the Sunday in the Country gang has raised the bar to $50,000 this year. It’s a lot of money, but there are plenty of events scheduled for the funds to come in, with some just around the corner.

This year’s schedule hasn’t changed too much, with one exception. You might have heard about “flocking†in the area, which you can chalk up to the Sunday in the Country squad. Rubber inflatable turkeys have been showing up on a few properties in the food drive’s coverage area, with a note attached explaining their sudden appearance.

“You’ve been flocked!†the note reads. For a $10 contribution to the food drive, Sunday in the Country will head over to your house and retrieve the turkeys; for $20, you get to pick the next victim. Of course, if you’re not interested in participating, removal is free, but where’s the fun in that?

A pig roast held on the Amenia Fish and Game Association property kicked off the season last month, but there’s plenty left to get out and support. Mark your calenders because you don’t want to miss out on these local favorites.

Memorial poker run

Sept. 12 will be the Annual David Waldron Memorial Poker Run. If you’re feeling lucky, head down to the Millerton Firehouse at 9 a.m. for check-in. For those new to the event, in a poker run, or poker derby, participants travel a predetermined route, stopping at checkpoints along the way to pick up playing cards. The player with the best hand at the end of the run wins. Travel by motorcycle, by car, by boat, by plane, etc.

Entrance is $20 per person, and will include breakfast sandwiches and lunch at the Amenia Fire Company, where the event will conclude. There will be raffles and music, and hamburgers, hotdogs, soda and water will be provided around 1 p.m.

The contact for the poker run is Mary Maillet, who can be reached at 845-373-8497.

Twelfth annual golf tournament

The Mark Washburn Memorial Golf Tournament returns for its 12th year Friday, Sept. 25, at the Copake Country Club.

Guy Washburn, Mark’s brother, explained that his brother died in 1997. The tournament was held for 10 years to raise money to send his son to college, but last year the funds went toward the Sunday in the Country Food Drive, and Washburn plans to continue that tradition.

Entry will be $100 per person, which includes lunch and dinner. Any business interested in sponsoring a hole for $25 is encouraged to do so. Guy Washburn, the event’s coordinator, can be reached at 860-425-7102.

Annual dinner dance

The big event in the Sunday in the Country’s cannon is always the Annual Dinner Dance, which has traditionally been held at the Silo Ridge Country Club. However, with the club closed for renovations, a site for this year’s dance has yet to be determined.

MacMillan said Silo Ridge is still interested in supporting the event.

Friday, Oct. 2, is the scheduled date, and MacMillan and company are currently looking for another indoor venue that can hold 250 to 275 people. The dance will start at 6 p.m., and tickets are $20. For more information, and to donate to the numerous raffles held during the evening, contact Linda Gregory at 845-373-9757.

Activities at Daisi Hill Farm

On Sunday, Oct. 11, which happens to be Columbus Day weekend, the second annual Day of Fun at Daisi Hill Farm will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Hometown Sunday Morning,†MacMillan’s latest radio show, will broadcast on location until noon. The event is free to the public, and there will be hay rides, pumpkin-chucking contests, a corn maze and lots of other fun stuff to help celebrate fall. A portion of that day’s proceeds will benefit the food drive.

Chicken cook-off

“Last but not least,†as MacMillan said, will be the seventh annual chicken cook-off, held Sunday, Nov. 1, at the American Legion Post 178, in Millerton. Generally known as the standard to which local chicken connoisseurs are held, it’s stiff competition every year as young guns try to out-cook the veterans, and everyone enjoys some fantastic food as a result.

Entering the cook-off is free, and there are still spots available. Usually around 12 teams compete for the coveted first-place trophy, and this year the Westfall Brothers will be defending their crown.

Three hundred tickets will be sold for those just interested in tasting a little bit of barbecued heaven, and they will remain at $10 a piece this year. Cooking will begin around 10 a.m., and the event is scheduled to wind down by 2 p.m. Pickup is between 1 and 3 p.m. and along with the chicken you’ll get baked beans, salads and a roll.

Unless noted, NASCAR Dave MacMillan is the contact for these events, and can be reached at 914-475-5918 or by e-mail at dmacmillan@fairpoint.net. As each of these events draws closer, The Millerton News will have plenty of coverage reminding folks to get out and support the cause.