31st AUTUMN AFFAIR IN WINDHAM - Streets Pleasantly Crowded and Plentiful Sunshine

WINDHAM - The Windham Chamber of Commerce was again smiled upon with fine weather for opening day of their 31st Autumn Affair, last Saturday. “Maybe it’s the universe saying we’re doing everything right,” quipped Chamber president Lisa Jaeger. “Actually, this speaks to the beauty of our town. Everybody I talk to loves this fair and Windham.” Among those on hand from the Chamber were (left to right) board member Andrew Kurywczak, event planner Elisa Schieren, Jaeger and event planner Evan Schieren.

“It’s just a coincidence,” humorously claimed the six visitors (far right) who came to the Autumn Affair in matching plaid flannel shirts, stopping at the Windham-Hensonville United Methodist Church apple fritters booth, one of the cornerstone vendors of the event. Local folks on hand were (from left to right) Marilyn Carreras and fritter flippers Deb and Eric Goettsche, Sandy Schellhorn and Robin Siddall.

“This was not a decision, it was our destiny,” says Wes Laraway, co-founder, with his wife Darcy, of the New York Wildlife Rescue Center, based in Middleburgh, starting out with farm animals over 30 years ago before securing their wildlife-treating license, helping creatures such as the screech owl that was hit by a car. The Laraway family has been part of Schoharie County history since the Revolutionary War era, with Simeon Laraway establishing the first gristmill.

Autumn Affair welcomes younger, older and timeless visitors including (front) a trio of children, (middle) Windham Foundation members Jakub Mleczko, Matt Rodrigue and Phyllis Parrish and (back) Pumpkinhead (a close personal friend of Seano Fagan).