Plumsted to host community day

New Egypt Recreation Field site of event.

By: Scott Morgan
   PLUMSTED — Sometimes a cat just needs a good snack.
   Fortunately, there’s the Cat Tweet Bark-ery, a small bakery for, as its name implies, cats, birds and dogs, owned and operated by 8-year-old Kristen Burke and her 9-year-old friend, Chelsea Horner.
   Inspiration struck Kristen and Chelsea this past summer, when the two girls discovered an article on making pet treats in American Girl Magazine, said Kristen’s mother, Elaine.
   She said the two girls were looking for a way to make some money for themselves, and decided to give pet treats a try. Within days, Kristen and Chelsea were pounding the pavement, handing out free samples of their treats to pet owners. The girls said they make the treats from "things around the house," such as bananas, corn meal and wheat germ.
   Kristen has two dogs and Chelsea has one. Their pets serve as taste-testers for the youngsters.
   Their marketing ploy worked, Ms. Burke said. And though a cool $28 profit might not seem like much to some people, this first day total delighted the girls, she said.
   The Cat Tweet Bark-ery is only one of an anticipated 75 merchants and vendors and exhibitions township residents can look forward to seeing Saturday during New Egypt Day, according to Howard Nadell, chairman of the All Boards Council of Plumsted Township. The event will be held at New Egypt Recreation Field, Brindletown Road. The rain date is Sept. 22.
   Mr. Nadell said the council originally hoped to draw 40 exhibitors, but received an overwhelming response.
   He said representatives ranging from the New Egypt High School marching band to resident craft-makers to the Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia, a 70-plus member entourage of medieval warriors doing mock battle in the park. He also expects a gathering of "some of the most delightful human beings I’ve ever met in my life."
   Other events expected to liven the day are a cookie-stacking contest (which Mr. Nadell called win-win because contestants get to keep as many cookies as they can stack), to a pie-eating contest sponsored by Emery’s Berry Patch, to a climb-in tank from the National Guard, Mr. Nadell said.
   Mr. Nadell said he hopes to see a good crowd have a great time, but added he hopes it "doesn’t get too crazy.
   "We don’t want to get overwhelmed, we’re not Giants Stadium," he said.
   But he does hope that whoever shows up has a great time.
   "We’re proud of what we’re doing. All we need is a sunny day and everyone will have a party," he said.