CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango Relay For Life committee is hoping to paint the county purple once again and dozens of local businesses, restaurants, organizations, schools and individuals are expected to pitch in tomorrow for the annual event.
Said Relay For Life Committee co-chair Marie DeSarro, “It’s a great opportunity for us to promote our local Relay For Life and to get the community involved.”
Participation, she added, is simple: fly a purple flag, decorate the office in purple, plant purple flowers or simply wear purple to work May 1. DeSarro also urged people to “get creative” if they’d like, and take pictures.
“Please take pictures,” stressed DeSarro. “We would love to have pictures of our community participating in Paint the County Purple, which we can then post on our Relay For Life website.”
Pictures can be e-mailed to Relay.Chenango@gmail.com, said DeSarro, who added those planning to participate in Paint the County Purple Day should contact a committee member so their name can be added to the website.
“If your office, store, business, school or family are planning on participating on May 1, please let us know,” she added.
A number of local restaurants are getting involved this year, said DeSarro (see sidebar), showing their support by putting out purple placemats and/or napkins and decorating in purple. Several, she added, will donate a portion of the day’s proceeds to the Chenango Relay For Life.
This year’s Paint the County Purple is being held in memory of Chenango Relay For Life Media and Promotions Chair Wendie Hutchings, who passed away unexpectedly on April 3. According to DeSarro, Hutchings was instrumental in organizing the yearly event and will be sorely missed.
The Chenango Relay For Life will be held July 20-21 at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Last year’s Relay brought in more than $155,000. For more information or to make a donation visit relayforlife.org/chenangocountyny.

SIDE BAR
A number of local restaurants will be participating in the Chenango Relay For Life committee’s annual Paint the County Purple Day on May 1. These restaurants will be putting out purple placemats and napkins, with some donating a portion of their day’s proceeds to the Chenango Relay For Life. Those taking part in Paint the County Purple are:
Greene
• Nathanael Greene’s Publick House
• Mimi’s Italian Cuisine
• The Village Cafe
Oxford
• Roma’s Pizzeria
• The Stadium
Sherburne
• D&D Diner
• Gilligan’s Island
• Lewis’ Restaurant
• Joe & Vinny’s Pizzeria
• Subway
Norwich
• Bill’s Diner
• Burger King
• The Caboose
• Cafe Connection
• Canasawacta Country Club
• Carmen’s Cafe
• Denny’s
• Dusty’s Dairy Bar & Grill
• Fred’s Inn
• Garf’s Deli
• Gus’ Steakhouse
• Karolyn’s Krossroads Cafe
• Mary’s On the Corner
• Nina’s Pizzeria and Restaurant
• The Ontario Hotel
• Park Place Restaurant & Lounge
• Sunrise Diner
• Taylor’s Country House
New Berlin
• New York Pizzeria
Earlville
• Huff Brau