A Rotten Egg Hunt

To the Editor,

The night before Newtown’s annual egg hunt my daughter lay in bed unable to sleep, she was so excited. First thing in the morning she started jabbering about running around collecting eggs and how she was going to get a yellow one for her baby brother, yellow being his favorite color.

Well, the newspaper article said is would be held at Watertown Hall at Fairfield Hills. There was not a single sign to indicate where it was. Dozens of cars drove around in circles until they found it off in a corner.

Upon arriving we were told to stay in the parking lot area until the start when we would move up to the fields. There was a large field, caution-taped off into three sections marked 3-4 year olds, 5-6 year olds, and 7-8-9 year olds. A woman stood on the hill leading to the field announcing that parents were not allowed in the taped off area and to use caution when coming up the hill because the grass was wet. She then asked the parents with 3-4 year olds to proceed up the hill to the field.

As if opening a starting gate, a herd of 3-4 year olds encouraged by some overzealous parents ran up the hill and straight into the field without any consideration for all the children who hadn’t made it up to the area yet. Some children had 20-30 eggs and others had none. Then instead of the children and parents returning down the hill to start over in the parking lot, they just shifted over to the next field and without anyone instructing them to start, they moved through the 5-6 year olds field while we stood down in the parking lot doing what the woman with the non-functioning loudspeaker said. By the time my daughter had gotten to the field there were hordes of children and parents pushing and grabbing for the last few eggs. My daughter was fortunate enough to find one egg under the grass after everyone had gone. Most children then ran into the area of the 7-8-9 year olds, regardless of their ages.

I have lived in this town for 34 years and my husband 35 years. We grew up remembering the Easter egg hunt as a wonderful experience. Due to poor planning, lack of qualified help, a broken megaphone, and a few parents’ disregard for others, this was a failure leaving children crying and parents upset. What values are we instilling in our children this Easter season? Those who don’t play by the rules win?

There is nothing more heartbreaking than watching your child’s excitement turn into the blank look of concern as she scrambles desperately to find one egg and can not. Then to see her tears, nothing hurts worse.

I would like to say thank you once again to the family that gave my daughter some eggs. You have taught her the importance of sharing and watching out for others. Given the opportunity, she will someday do the same. There is more than one lesson to be learned from this day and very special Easter holiday.

Anne Martin

Bridge End Farm Lane, Sandy Hook     April 17, 2000