Easter Bunny exhausted
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
PUTNAM — For sure the Easter Bunny took a long vacation after the frenzied pace April 19. Several egg hunts moved to April 19 after the weather ruined the weekend before.
Putnam Elks
The Putnam Lodge of Elks 547 hosted about 75 kids and the lawn was divided into three age groups. Plastic eggs were scattered throughout including gold eggs which could be traded in for prizes. Recently inducted Exalted Ruler Marcel Morissette thanked all the families who came and also thanked Jim PER, Diane PER, Sharon, Charlotte, Randy, Carol Ann, Adam plus the youth volunteers Laura, Nathan, Jack, Hailee and, of course, the bunny Jacob.
This is the 18th year the lodge has done this event.
Pomfret Recreation
POMFRET — Perfect egg-hunting weather – finally — April 19. Recreation Department Director Carrie Wolfe said it took her and her husband William Wolfe one hour and 20 minutes to spread 4,000 plastic eggs around the Recreation Park. That’s double what was put out last year. And included in that count were eight silver eggs. The finders of those eggs could trade them in for a huge sports basket.
She said the egg hunt has been going on since the ‘80s. Bev Champany who was “representing” the Easter Bunny, said when she started with the Recreation Commission in 1981, there were egg hunts. At that time, she said, they were using real eggs — until they started drawing snakes. Then they went to plastic eggs.
Some 200 kids took part, divided into four age groups who each hunted in a different part of the park.
The “silver egg” winners were: Cecelia Leduc (2 1/2), Willow MacLeod (2), Luca Sposato (5), Georgianna Bussey (5), Eden Poudrette (7), Henry Howdle (7), Thomas Huff (, Savannah Fournier (9).
Wolfe thanked William Wolfe, commission members Jen Hudock, Mary Collins, Beverly Champany, and Jennie Mix and Junior Recreation Commission members, Emily Pike and Madison Lussier.
Roseland Cottage
WOODSTOCK — The annual egg hunt and Peep diorama contest went well — and quickly like a bunny.
“Like I always say: ‘It starts at 1 and it’s over at 1:03’,” said Laurie Masciando, site manager of Historic New England’s Roseland Cottage. The running children are a running joke noted each year by Masciando.
She estimated there were more than 300 kids. The eggs are scattered onto two lawns — one for the little kids and one for the older kids. In addition there are crafts and the Easter Bunny. For the last eight years, Woodstock has also held a Peeps diorama contest. There were 10 contestants this year and they each won a prize.
Masciando said the egg hunt has been a tradition for 31 years. She said the Woodstock Academy National Honor Society members helped with the scattering of eggs and more and another academy class last week stuffed the 2,000 eggs for Roseland. “They all did a tremendous job,” Masciando said.
“We love to do these community events,” she added.
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caption, page 1:
At the Putnam Elks. More photos on page 6. Expanded photo array Wed. night on our FB page. Linda Lemmon photo.
captions, page 6:
Maci McKissick, 5, of Woodstock does some crafts at Roseland.
The little one isn't too sure.
Elks Exalted Ruler Marcel Morissette awards a prize.
Fiona Cusson, 15 months, of Eastford.
Payton Pion, 2 1/2, and her sister Cora, 8 months, at Pomfret's Egg Hunt.