Credit: Bob Barnett
“We’ll have Bee Bee the Clown’s balloons, magic and face painting, a bounce house, a car show, pumpkin decorating, crafts, games and vendors,” said Victoria LoBrutto, supervisor’s clerk for the town of Milan. She’s previewing Milan Community Day, and she’s just getting started. “You can also enjoy a pie-eating contest, and an ice cream and cake social,” she adds. “The Milan fire department and rescue squad will have their equipment on display, and the highway department will have their equipment available for the little ones to touch,” she continued. “The Dutchess County Sheriff’s department will give a police dog demonstration as well.”
As part of the celebration each year, the Town of Milan awards a beautification award to a home or business owner who has renovated or improved their property or landscape. This year the award is going to Stephanie Fitzpatrick, owner of Cider Bros Roadhouse on Route 199. “They painted inside and outside, upgraded the landscape and expanded the kitchen,” LoBrutto noted.
This year, a special proclamation will be presented to the Rowe United Methodist Church on Route 199, “in recognition of its 185 years of serving the spiritual needs of our community,” according to LoBrutto. “Pastor Nathan Badore will be present to accept the proclamation.” The history of the building that is now the Rowe church dates back even further. According to the Milan NY History website, Johannes Rau Jr., or Rowe (English spelling), bought 911 acres from Chancellor Robert Livingston in 1760. Rowe built a home and, as was typical, had a family cemetery nearby. In the early 19th century, his son built a house and a Methodist church now known as Rowe United Methodist Church.
Another feature this year analyzes something much, much older: the natural environment. Milan’s Natural Resource Inventory (NRI) Committee will display its final report detailing the town’s natural resources. The 225-page inventory of resources was prepared by the conservation science organization Hudsonia Ltd. and the Hudson River Estuary Program, and funded by the New York State Environmental Protection Fund. According to its summary, the inventory was “created to inform the people of Milan about the natural resources of the town, and to identify the places and features that deserve special attention in planning and decision-making.”
While perusing the report, community day attendees can munch on delicious food from two local food trucks (Cider Bros Roadhouse and Sean’s Waffles) and listen to live music provided by three local musicians: Cathy Young, David Nordstrom, and Brandon Drake.
One of the most anticipated activities will be the return of Rocky Mancini, 83, as the “Candy Man.” Honored two years ago at the event as Citizen of the Year for his extensive volunteer contributions to the fire department, the zoning board of appeals, the local veterans committee and more, Mancini has been performing the role of the Candy Man in Milan since 1970.
“The Candy Man dresses as a hobo, with makeup by our very own Bee Bee the Clown, also known as Jackie Reynolds,” LoBrutto said. “He attaches candy to his jacket and pants, and the children chase him, trying to pull the candy off his clothing. He also has candy hidden in his hat.” This year, she noted, proper precautions are being taken so that Mancini is not tackled by overzealous children, which might not be advisable at his “advanced age,” adding, “We certainly don’t want our Candy Man falling!” she said. “So, instead of having the children grab him, he tosses the candy.”
Milan Community Day 2023 is on Saturday, Sept. 30, from noon to 4 p.m., at the Milan Recreation Park located a quarter-mile south of Lafayetteville on South Road. Rain date is Oct. 1.