Date: Fri 09-May-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

schools-Jolly-Green-Giant-Fair

Full Text:

Rain Didn't Dampen Giant's Fair

Pre-schooler Meredith Stone, wearing a straw hat and party dress over her rain

galoshes, enjoyed eating cotton candy.

George Stockwell, lead teacher at Sandy Hook School, serves Kelly Tenney a

snow cone.

Manning the hot dog grill were, from left, Steve Rockwell, Jack Hornak, Tony

DiVanno, George Greytak and Dan Fogliano. Not shown in photo, but also

cooking, was Bob Nute.

The quilt raffle was won by Patricia Ryan of Sandy Hook (left). She is

accompanied by her son, Sean, who is a Sandy Hook first grader and the Jolly

Green Giant himself (played by third grade teacher Sam Haber).

Photos by Erica Bray

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

It might have been raining cats and dogs - or frozen beans and peas - but bad

weather didn't stop the Jolly Green Giant and hundreds of visitors from

enjoying the annual Sandy Hook School Fair held Saturday, May 3.

All day long, the fairgoers followed the giant's green footsteps up Dickinson

Drive, parked their cars and mini-vans, ran inside and stashed their umbrellas

and slickers by the front entrance, and then settled down for a jolly good

time.

In keeping with tradition, the Green Giant (played this year by third grade

teacher Sam Haber) greeted everyone and painted a big green dot on every nose.

The cafeteria and gymnasium afforded plenty of room, as children lined up for

the Moon Bounce, the Hungry Caterpillar or the crawl-through maze.

The goldfish game was very popular and one little girl, who didn't stick

around for an interview, showed extra persistence. She kept buying game

tickets and lobbing ping pong balls at those fish bowls until she got the

Siamese fighting fish she wanted. Mission accomplished, she disappeared into

the crowd.

The boys, on the other hand, seemed mesmerized by the Nintendo game set up

near the door. They either played or watched others play, for what seemed

hours.

Everyone enjoyed the flower sale and the crafts, and many bid for the

decoupage pots and the decorated baskets in the Silent Auction - especially

for the basket that was filled with Beanie Babies.

As for food, no one went away hungry. Parents and teachers worked together

grilling hot dogs and hamburgers outside under a tarp, serving snow cones and

cotton candy. The bake sale offered brownies and frosted cupcakes - something

to take home for dinner.

It was still raining when the Jolly Green Giant waved goodbye to the last

visitor at 3 pm. But everyone agreed it had been a great day inside.