Happy Easter from the Morrison Kiwanis and Morrison High School Key Club! Their annual “dash-and-grab” event was held Saturday, April 19, 2014, at Kiwanis Park, Morrison, IL. Promptly on cue at 9:45 a.m., Morrison Fire Chief Dave Benters delivered Easter Bunny and Escort to the park, heralded by the engine’s siren. Three-year-old Zachary Tegeler was allowed to sit briefly in the driver’s seat.
Smiling children and adults converged for a look and a photo opportunity. A few tots were afraid of the furry, white character with giganitc eyes–as Santa Claus well understands. City Administrator Barry Dykhuizen brought his children for their first Kiwanis Egg Hunt: Gabe is 3.5; twins Anne and Wil (with one L) are 2.5. Dykhuizen managed quick problem-solving and called wife Tara to bring a container for the children to fill.
Later, novice Walter Schmitt, shown in Bunny’s paws, would prove there was nothing to fear. His mother, Betty Jo, at left, came to Kiwanis Egg Hunts as a child. She joined Key Club to make similar memories for youngsters and has been the Easter Bunny.
Today, as an adult Kiwanian, Schmitt distributed eggs which she had helped fill at Resthave Retirement and Nursing Home with Key Clubbers.
The crest of the hill was demarcated by yellow crime scene tape, behind which little ones awaited their turn to scramble for eggs. Key Clubbers carried several buckets of colorful plastic eggs and strew them onto the spring grass. Announcer counted down from three, and Bunny dropped her arms, signaling those two-and-under to begin. The heat ended when all eggs had been gathered. Some contained coupons from DQ Grill & Chill and Hardee’s and paper slips to claim a prize from Bunny. Preparation and egg gathering continued for children in these age groups: three and four; five and six; seven through nine.
A five or six year old lad told the Editor, “I got almost all the ones in the [playground climbing] dome!” Strategy is a good thing in a crowd.
Key Club participants included Easter Bunny Allie Claeys (12th); Bunny Escort Korey Zigler (10th); Announcer Ashley Taylor Hagerman (10th,)
The Egg Distribution Bridgade was Brianna McNinch (10th); Kelsey Middleton (11th); R. J. Tillman (10th); Halie Ward (9th); Allie Wiersema (12th.)
