Submitted Photo Cornell Cooperative Extension Board President Shelly Wells and her husband, Travis, stepped into the photo booth at the Eighth Annual 4-H Green Tie Affair.

Special to the OBSERVER

MAYYVILLE — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program would like to thank the community for their support of the eighth Annual 4-H Green Tie Affair. Over 550 members of the community gathered at the Chautauqua Suites on Feb. 23 for a delicious dinner, basket raffle, bake sale, and the always entertaining pie auction.

The Green Tie Affair began in 2012 when Chautauqua County eliminated 4-H funding from their budget. The first event was held at 3C’s Catering Falcon’s Nest location. That space was quickly outgrown and in 2013 moved to the Gerry Rodeo Hall. In 2015 the event was moved to the Chautauqua Suites.

Between re-instated county funds and fundraising, 4-H is currently able to maintain year-round programming for 300 youth and one-time programming for 1,000 youth.

The Green Tie Affair began as a fundraiser for the Chautauqua County 4-H Endowment Fund held at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Due to partial funding restoration from the county the Green Tie Affair is a necessary fundraiser so that 4-H can survive.

This year’s event featured a 1980s theme and guests were encouraged to dress in their favorite ’80s gear. 4-H clubs and animal science projects donated themed centerpieces for the table. CCE staff Molly Brown, Molly Howell, and Heather Gregory created a photo booth for guests to enjoy. Photos of the event and of the photo booth can be found online at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s Facebook page.

Chautauqua Suites was the main sponsor of the event and donated the event space, food, and staff time. Dinner included pot roast, mashed potatoes, carrots, beans, ambrosia salad, and cupcakes and ice cream for dessert.

The basket raffle at the 8th Annual 4-H Green Tie Affair featured 70 baskets. Many baskets were donated by 4-H clubs and animal projects. Area businesses were generous in their donations as well. The bake sale contributed nearly $725 to the event.

Mike and Dakota Peterson of Peterson Auction and Realty Service volunteered their time to auction 20 pies made by 4-Hers and friends of 4-H. The Stockton Panther’s 4-H club baked the top-selling pie. H&H Enterprises purchased the Panther’s red raspberry pie for $1,350! Chautauqua Transportation bought the most pies at the event and purchased Shelley Harrington’s Bourban Pecan pie for $1,200. The average cost of a pie at this year’s event was $501.65, up significantly from last year’s average of $335 thanks to many generous pie buyers.

Area families and businesses sponsored 63 tables. Table sponsors included the CCE Board of Directors, Thunderhorse Amusements, Halocrest Holsteins, Lesch Family Busti Lime Service, Ormond Farms, Jayco Cleaning Technologies, Inc., Abers Acres, William M. Dorman, Inc., Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Jamestown Macadam, Inc., Ashville Fire Department Auxiliary, Chautauqua County Farm Bureau, Larry Romance & Son, Inc., Farm Credit East ACA, Dunkirk Animal Clinic, north Harmony Senior Citizens, Haff Acres Farm, Farm Family Insurance, R&R Property Services & Landscaping, Southern Tier A.I. Service, Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric Corporation, Harrington Excavation, O’Malia’s Liquor Store, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, Lakewood Pediatric Dentistry, Harry Austin Milling, Inc., The Legend Group, Chautauqua Children’s Gym, M Z Electric, McElwain Family, Arkwright Summit Sheep Farm, Arkwright Saddle Club, Allessi Family, Hillside Meadows Farm, EMCO Finishing Products, Gerry Rodeo, Jamestown Vietnam Veterans Association, Stillwater Garden Market, L.W. Parker Enterprises, Inc., Blodgett Girls/Canadaway Alumni, Kettlebrook Farm LLC, Growmark FS LLC, Smith Enterprises, North East Fruit Growers, Kim Kidd Blacksmithing, Ewe and Me acres, Cottage Ceramics, M.A.C. Truck Parts & Equipment Co. Inc., Chautauqua Transportation Services, Chris Keefe Builders, Tracy Mitrano for Congress, Western Division Federal Credit Union, 3 C’s Catering, Jim and Nancy Quattrone, and Cassadaga Farm Supply.

Other sponsors who made the event possible were Little Creek Photography and Stray Kat Karaoke.

The Green Tie Affair is expected to raise $25,000 which will be used to cover 2020 operating costs. Any additional funds raised over that need will be placed in the 4-H Endowment at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation. Thank you to the community for supporting 4-H!