On top of spaghetti ...

MILLERTON — If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, head for the Millerton American Legion this Saturday, March 31, at 4 p.m., when the legion will hold its first spaghetti dinner.

The dinner, which costs $10 for adults and $5 for youngsters 12 and under (it’s free for children under 3), was partially inspired by a similar event that was put on by the Sharon American Legion.

"If you go away hungry, it’s your fault," American Legion Post 178 member and event organizer Jessie Slater said. "A couple hundred people showed up at the Sharon legion and we always had a good time."

Spaghetti, a variety of beverages, meat sauce, rolls and salad will all be on hand this Saturday.

The legion has the needs of vegetarians covered with vegetarian pasta sauce.

Funds raised by the event will help out students and "everybody else, because that’s what the legions are about and it turns out great. We’re helping out people," Slater said.

Diners will be able to take out food or eat in. The latter has never happened at the legion before.

"It’s the first time we’ve done it," Slater noted.

"NASCAR" Dave MacMillan, a show host at WQQQ in Lakeville who’s supporting the event, commended Slater for spearheading the dinner, especially since he just underwent surgery on his shoulder.

"It’s awesome," the radio personality said. "They’re going to raise some funds so they can support all of the things the American Legion does."

In MacMillan’s eyes, Post 178, as well as other posts in the Harlem Valley and neighboring Connecticut, do charitable acts that often go unnoticed by the public.

The host hopes that this event, as well as others the post has planned for this year, will make people realize what a valuable asset the American Legion is to the community.

"They do a lot of stuff that the community never sees and they never get any credit," he said. "It’s great that one of the members really stepped up."

The dinner will end at 7 p.m.