BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

ZUNI—The 37th annual Day in the Country at Presbyterian Homes and Family Services on April 30 drew 500 to 600 people.

Although the crowd was smaller than normal, officials were pleased.

Visitors could purchase jewelry, paintings, hand-crocheted towels and dish cloths, and baked goods and candy.

The greenhouse offered a variety of plants, while the peanut shop featured several kinds of peanuts.

Food was in abundance, from pork chop sandwiches to hamburgers, hot dogs and barbecue, with chips and beverages, cooked and served by Zuni Hunt Club.

Entertainment was spread around the grounds. The Kirkwood Boys, a gospel group from Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, performed; a puppet show followed.

A highlight of the day was a live auction conducted by former Presbyterian Homes and Family Services Director Robert Bishop. Funds raised will help purchase furniture for the therapy pool, which was installed last year, according to Kuwayes President Jim Dubinsky.

Among the items sold were three Amish, full-size handmade quilts for $250 to $600, several smaller quilts, two custom fishing rods, two sets of cornhole boards and a number of other items.

The Peanut City Cloggers performed, while a moon bounce across the lawn and hay rides kept the youngsters busy.

A Day in the Country is held annually by staff and residents of the school to give families, friends and former residents a chance to visit and tour the campus. The school trains young mildly retarded adults to eventually live, with little supervision, on their own.

Supporting the school is the Kuwaye Steering Committee, a part of the facility, that under the direction of Dubinsky, promotes goodwill and educates the community about opportunities available at the Zuni facility.