I hope you were able to enjoy your long weekend this past week—and the beautiful weather surely helped when it comes to being outdoors. 

I am starting to wind down our garden and prep for (dare I say it) winter weather. I know there are still plenty of fall days left, but I like to plan ahead.  

Be sure to mark your calendars: there will be a penny social at the Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 21. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. and calling starts at 12:30 p.m. Hot dogs, sauerkraut, beverages and potato chips will be available for purchase. Cake and coffee will be served after the calling. It’s sponsored by the Lake Huntington Ladies Aid Society.

The Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps will host its annual cornhole tournament on Saturday, October 14 at 1 p.m. at the Lake Huntington Fire House, located at 70 County Rd. 116. Signups start at 1 p.m., and the bags fly at 2 p.m. Bring your appetites, as food will be available. There will be prizes for the winners.

All proceeds from the event will go toward supporting the ambulance corps. Gather your teams, family and friends and come join the corps for a day full of fun, laughter and community spirit. Let’s make this a day to remember!

Other upcoming local events and announcements:

The Small Town Country 4-H Club invites the public to its fourth annual Live, Love, Serve: 4-H 5K Race on Sunday, October 15. This unique 4-H club fundraiser will begin at 9 a.m. on a USA Track & Field (USATF) certified course (USATF NY number 1808oJG) on Main Street in Hortonville, NY. Registration on the day of the race and race packet pick-up will begin at 7 a.m. Participants can walk or run. Youth must be at least eight years old to participate. Youth under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Participants can register as individuals or as a team, and do not have to be previously enrolled in 4-H to enter. The first 100 registrants will receive a race shirt.

The cost is $25 for adults and $15 for 4-H youth members. Registration can be completed at www.runsignup.com/Race/NY/Hortonville/LiveLoveServe4H5K or by emailing the club at smalltowncountry4h@gmail.com. 

Payment can be made with credit in advance online or with cash and checks at registration time on the day of the event. Check the Live, Love, Serve 4-H 5K Facebook page @liveloveserve5k for additional details and forms.

The Catskill Claws is a youth mountain bike team, and they are looking for new members, boys and girls in grades six through 12. Pre-season activities begin on Saturday, October 21. Contact team@ccmtb.org or visit the team on the web at www.ccmtb.org.

 If you have a local business that you would like to have spotlighted in an upcoming column, get in touch. Email jenn@jennpowelldesigns.com with any news, events and happenings.