Holstein stars in cow chip raffle fundraiser

BETHLEHEM — Karina the cow, a 1,300-pound Holstein, will be the star attraction at the Bethlehem Land Trust’s First Annual Cowchip Raffle, to be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 24 at the association’s flagship property, the Bellamy-Ferriday Preserve, just off the town green, according to a statement.

To create the game of “Bossie Bingo,” land trust volunteers will rope off a field in the preserve and divide it into 2,000 squares, each 18 by 18 inches and each assigned a number corresponding to one of 2,000 raffle tickets now on sale. At the appointed time, 10:30 a.m., Karina—well-fed—will enter the field and roam until she decides to relieve herself, according to event organizers.

The holder of the ticket assigned to the square Karina chooses to deposit a cow pie will take home a first prize of $2,000 cash. There will be runner-up prizes for the four next closest to Karina’s chosen square. Winners need not be present, but ticket purchasers are invited to attend the proceedings provided they wear a face mask and practice the usual social distancing, event organizers said.

The cost is $10 per chance, with a 10 percent discount for tickets purchased in groups of five. Proceeds from the game will help the not-for-profit Land Trust acquire and maintain open space in Bethlehem, in accordance with its mission to preserve the small town’s rural character.

For information and raffle ticket purchase go to bethlehemlandtrustct.org/, facebook.com/bltct or call 203-910-3836. Tickets are also available in Bethlehem at Bethlehem Masonry Supply, Bethlehem Spirit Shop, Little Town Deli, March Farm, Nick’s Country Kitchen, and True Value Hardware of Bethlehem.

“Karina will be doing her part to help us keep our rural landscape,” said land trust president Stuart Rabinowitz. “I hope a lot of others will do theirs by taking a chance for a good cause.”

The not-for-profit Bethlehem Land Trust holds 24 properties totaling 359 acres in permanent preservation in town, 17 owned outright and seven held in conservation easement, according to members. On four of the properties, including the BellamyFerriday Preserve, the Land Trust maintains walking trails for public use.

Karina will be the star attraction at the Bethlehem Land Trust’s First Annual Cowchip Raffle, to be held at 10:30 a.m., Nov. 24 at the association’s flagship property, the Bellamy-Ferriday Preserve, just off the town green.