The Eastwick Press Newspaper

Eastern Rensselaer County's Community Newspaper

Lions Club Penny Hunt Delights The Kids Again

By

by Bea Peterson

It was 34 degrees on Saturday, April 4, for the Town of Hoosick Lions Club 55th Annual Penny Hunt that was delayed a week because of bad weather the previous Saturday. At 12:30 pm in Wood Park it was raining and sleeting. Fortunately at 1 the sun came out and there was only a spitting of snow. It was still, however, 34 degrees.

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The three to six year old girls charged from the starting line to collect those pennies and, hopefully, find the lucky one that would get them an Easter basket. Photo by Bea Peterson.
The three to six year old girls charged from the starting line to collect those pennies and, hopefully, find the lucky one that would get them an Easter basket. Photo by Bea Peterson.

Much to the delight of everyone the Easter Bunny with Aubrey Mahar inside, arrived in a fire truck.

As usual Rich Allen livened everything up with his opening address and his cheerful banter that gets the youngsters worked into a joyous frenzy as they search for the lucky penny.

At the opening Allen pointed out that the Town of Hoosick Lions Club is part of the largest service organization in the world. “Started by Melvin Jones and given a mission by Helen Keller, the Lions Clubs worldwide work for sight conservation through activities and fund raisers,” he said.

“Our local Club provides such community services as eyeglasses for those in need and supporting the Northeast Association for the Blind, as well as the Lions Eye Institute at the Albany Medical Center,” said Allen. “Our motto is ‘We Serve,’ and we stand for liberty, intelligence and our nation’s safety.”

The Town of Hoosick Lions Club was formed and chartered with 26 members on October 20, 1960. “Our Club enjoys a rich tradition of sponsoring long standing activities and fund raisers that have become part of our community. The Penny Hunt was our very first activity, begun in 1961.”

Allen concluded, “The membership of the Town of Hoosick Lions Club wishes to express our sincere gratitude to the community and businesses who have supported both our Club and our program endeavors, thus helping us accomplish our goal to provide service to the community. We, as Lions, deeply appreciate your support.”

Winners of the Easter Baskets posed with the Easter Bunny after he gave them their baskets. Brynn Lackey of Bennington, winner of the Girls 4, 5, & 6 group, Jade Rigo of Buskirk, winner of the Boys and Girls 3 & under group, Eric Bounds of Hoosick Falls, winner of the Boys 7, 8 & 9 group, Grant Glover of Hoosick Falls, winner of the Boys 4, 5, and 6 group, and Ava Eastman of HoosickFalls, winner of the Girls 7, 8, & 9 group. (Bea Peterson photo)
Winners of the Easter Baskets posed with the Easter Bunny after he gave them their baskets. Brynn Lackey of Bennington, winner of the Girls 4, 5, & 6 group, Jade Rigo of Buskirk, winner of the Boys and Girls 3 & under group, Eric Bounds of Hoosick Falls, winner of the Boys 7, 8 & 9 group, Grant Glover of Hoosick Falls, winner of the Boys 4, 5, and 6 group, and Ava Eastman of HoosickFalls, winner of the Girls 7, 8, & 9 group. (Bea Peterson photo)

And with that, the event began with the under three year old group. This adorable group isn’t quite sure what is going on and often has to be directed as to what they are hunting for. However, from three and up, those boys and girls know what they are looking for and enthusiastically clamber for those pennies, hoping to get the special one that will give them an Easter Basket.

The winners of the Egg Toss this year were Sheryl Yeung of Hoosick Falls and Tracie Jones of White Creek. They received gift certificates to Pizza Bella.

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