Community Celebrates Clark Mills Strong

By Lorraine Kinney-Kitchen

The Clark Mills Strong Coalition hosted their Clark Mills Open House Community Day on a beautiful sunny September day as a way to celebrate and thank the Clark Mills community.

In the aftermath of the 2025 tornado, the people of the hamlet demonstrated strength, resiliency and neighborly comradery.

Each of four nonprofit organizations within the hamlet opened their doors, encouraging people to visit each site and obtain a stamp on their "Clark Mills Passport".

Fully stamped passports were entered into a drawing for $100 in gift certificates.

Each organization offered food, drink and free activities at their site. American Legion Post 26 shared the talents of the Steve and Steve Acoustic Duo, a bounce house, and face painting for free.

They sold grilled burgers and dogs donated by the Sons of the American Legion while the Auxiliary sold a variety of fresh pies.

Proceeds of sales contributed to raising funds for a standby generator for the Legion.

At the Fireman's field, the Clark Mills FD offered a free bounce house for kids, sold field day favorites, had a caricature artist and, for a single dollar, an opportunity to dunk the Fire Chief.

The Volunteer Public Workers gave free tickets for their door prizes and an opportunity to play cornhole on their lawn.

The Clark Mills Historical Society focused on children's activities.

They provided free Pick-a-Duck and Beanbag Toss games with prizes, and free Make Your Own Sundaes with ice cream donated by Bonomo's Dari Creme.

Adults enjoyed the Clark Mills Trivia game and perusing the historical display room.

Donations received were given to the Legion towards their generator fund.

Co-located with the Historical Society were Deputies Scott Eisenhart and Matthew Taylor from the Oneida County Sheriff's Department providing free Child ID cards.

Kirkland Town Library Director Laura Stoll and Programming and Event Coordinator Jennifer Stone shared samples and details about all of the items they have for loan, in addition to books.

Children had an opportunity to play with items, read books and spin the wheel for a prize.

Each of the organizations gave out free raffle tickets for the door prizes on display at their sites, and stamped passports for the final prize.

For some residents, it was the first time they visited the buildings that were open to the public.

Nearly everyone expressed surprise and gratitude for all that the Coalition had organized for the event.

Senator Joe Griffo and Town of Kirkland Supervisor Garry Colarusso participated in events of the day, trying ...