BY MERLE MONAHAN/CONTRIBUTING WRITER
merlemonah@aol.com

ZUNI—The 39th Annual Day in the Country at Presbyterian Homes and Family Services in Zuni was well attended Saturday with an estimated 500 people, according to officials.

Visitors strolling the campus had an opportunity to purchase various items from nearly a dozen different vendors, including jewelry, DVDs, lotion and oils, oil paintings, painted pet rocks and baked goods.

For the kids, there were several different games, face painting, a moon bounce, bingo and hay rides.

Both the greenhouse, with a variety of plants, and the peanut shop, featuring several kinds of peanuts, were open to customers. Also scattered around campus were food booths offering hot dogs, hamburgers, pork chop sandwiches and beverages.

As in years past, on-stage entertainment was provided. Scotty Blue, a former resident of the homes, sang several tunes, followed by the presentation of a number of Christian songs by the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church Praise Team.

Again this year, the Peanut City Cloggers performed several rousing numbers. This was followed by a puppet show by the Southside Baptist Church puppeteers. Concluding the entertainment were songs by the “Harmony on the James” barbershop quartet.

A highlight of the day was a live auction by former PFS director, Robert Bishop. Some of the items sold were several Amish hand-made quilts, which were sold in the $300 range. Proceeds from the auction go towards the homes’ operating expenses.

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 mentally challenged adults to eventually live, with little supervision, on their own.

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