If it’s plaid, it ain’t bad

WINDHAM―“I’m Sicilian, dude,” says Milly Morabito, which does nothing to explain how she became the famous “Plaid Lady” or why she is heartfully hosting the third annual PlaidurDay on October 2 in Windham.

She grew up in Westchester County, affectionately remembered as a “very Italian neighborhood,” but when normal folks think of checkered stuff they think of Scotland and bagpipes. So, what’s the deal?

The passion for plaid “started when I was nine years old,” says Morabito who, before telling the tale, wants to set the tartan red record straight.

“This wasn’t my idea,” she said, noting there is a worldwide celebration of plaid on the first Friday of October, dating back to 2011.

“It’s all because everyone is connected by a common thread. With plaid, we are stitching together a better world, one seam at a time,” Morabito explained.

Whether or not she came up with the plan, Morabito is always glad when she is clad in plaid, inviting anyone and everyone to join in the merry mad-ness.

“If it’s plaid, it ain’t bad,” says the mother of three children, including twin boys, and four grandies, recalling the moment her world changed.

“I was a kid, back in olden days when you knew your neighbors. A woman across the street had a house. I was in there one day and there was a window, a porthole window, that looked out on a creek. There were two bedside tables with red tartan plaid covers that felt so warm and cozy,” olden days recounts.

“Don’t ask me why but I thought to myself, ‘This must be what Vermont is like,’ and it just came at me. I was Italian so I always had pajamas with flowers and bunnies but after that everything was plaid,” she said.

“Buffalo plaid. Lumberjack plaid. Hunter’s Plaid. Whatever plaid. Plaid sheets, plaid pens and pads, plaid sneakers, plaid socks,” Morabito laughed. “Did I ever mention I have this thing for plaid?”

PlaidurDay in Windham begins with Morabito and the Plaidettes gathering at 11 a.m. in front of Taphouse & Grille on Main Street, 5359 Route 23, for a fifteen minute parade down to the Main Street Community Center.

Throughout the afternoon, “look for buffalo-plaid heart-shaped balloons at participating Windham businesses,” Morabito says.

Participating Windham businesses will have colorful “Find the Plaid Shirt” activity pages available throughout the event.

“Think Where’s Waldo—Plaid Day style. There is no contest and no prize, it’s simply something fun to do,” Morabito added.

“Sit and work on it while you’re having lunch, dinner, coffee or a snack, or take the page home with you and find the hidden plaid shirt later,” she said.

“Stop by Windham Mountain Outfitters and take a selfie with Sasquatch, who will be dressed for the occasion in plaid,” she continued. “You can also stop by The Gashole and take a selfie with Young-hee, who will also be sporting something plaid for Plaid Day.”

PlaidurDay must eventually end but not until the totally rad devotees meet for a group photograph on the front lawn at 5370 Main Street, across the road from where the morning commenced.

To receive any participating business’s 5% discount or value gift, you must be wearing something plaid and say “Happy Plaid Day.”

“PlaidurDay is simply a fun community event. No one is making money from it,” Morabito says.

The event is sponsored by Windham KIOSK Community – Keeping It Open, Supportive & Kind. It’s a project Morabito started that is now working toward becoming a nonprofit organization. The basic idea behind KIOSK, she says, is simple: “neighbors helping neighbors and bringing the 1950s neighborhood back—one act of kindness at a time.”

“Anybody can need something at one time or another—a ride, a hand with something, information, help finding a local resource, or sometimes simply somebody willing to listen,” she noted.

“As KIOSK grows,” says Morabito, “I’ll also be putting together a team of local people who want to help make that happen.”