Easter Bunny Comes to Roslindale

by Marna Persechini

The Easter Bunny made his appearance in Adams Park on Saturday, April 7, right on time for the annual Easter Egg Hunt. This event is usually the first sign that spring is here, or, on its way. This year, however, Mother Nature refused to cooperate and participants arrived bundled up in heavy coats and wearing hats and mittens. One young egg hunter was overheard saying, “I can’t pick up eggs wearing gloves, but if I take them off, my fingers freeze and then I can’t pick up anything anyway.”

In spite of the low temperatures and blowing winds, the sun beamed down on the approximately 700 people who filled the park. Children and adults of all ages were ready and eager to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt and the other activities that were taking place that morning, including the very popular Egg Toss contest.

Four-year-old Isana Hampton was jumping up and down with excitement while continually asking, “When will the Bunny get here and when can we start?” She was very excited about having turned four this year and was thrilled to be able to hunt with the “big kids.” Her sentiments were shared by most of the children waiting and by many of their parents. Isana’s mother, Vallery Harper, said, “She’s hasn’t stopped talking about the Bunny and the Egg Hunt since last year when she participated for the first time.”

To add to the fun this year, several golden eggs had been hidden among the others. They entitled the lucky finders to a prize left by the Easter Bunny. Many of the other eggs were filled with candy as a special treat to the little hunters.

The Easter Egg Hunt is an annual event sponsored by Roslindale Village Main Street (“RVMS”) and is now in its 22nd year. The event is planned and organized by the RVMS Promotions Committee and is staffed by the Committee and RVMS Board members, along with community volunteers.

Tom Donahue, volunteer extraordinaire and a RVMS Board of Directors and Promotions Committee member, was at Adams Park before 7:00 a.m. to start setting up the tables and to get ready for the 9:00 a.m. start. Other Promotions Committee members, Nancy Chausse and Mary Ellen Gambon, joined him in preparing the arts and crafts and the refreshment tables. Later, they helped with serving and assisted the crafters in creating works of art for refrigerators everywhere in our area.

As usual the Rossie Reps, along with their director, Cathy Slade, ably assisted by Kim O’Connell and Terry Curran, were on hand to help with anything and everything necessary. They helped with setting up, directing the egg hunters, arts and crafts, serving donuts and juice, face painting, and breaking down and cleaning up at the end of the event. A special thank-you goes to Cassandra Curran, one of the Reps, who helped with a very important part of the day’s festivities.

The Rossie Reps are a youth group that performs community service and learns leadership abilities. They are a well-known fixture at almost every community event in Roslindale.

Janice Williams, executive director of RVMS, was on hand for the entire event and did her usual efficient job. Glenn Williams handled the master of ceremonies’ duties and acted as referee of the egg toss in his customary efficient and effective way.

Charlie McCarthy, president of the RVMS Board of Directors, welcomed everyone and introduced Mayor Thomas Menino who also welcomed the crowd and then started the countdown for the blastoff to the Hunt and a true blastoff it was. Hundreds of young egg hunters literally poured onto the grassy areas of Adams Park where the eggs had been “hidden.” Some 4,500 eggs vanished into baskets and bags in less than five minutes.

Due to the change to an earlier start time, many children missed the start. Fortunately, the Easter Bunny had hidden some extra eggs for those young folks, so that they would not leave empty-handed. After the Hunt, the children raced to the other events, lining up for the Bunny Hop Races and the Egg Toss, which is always the most popular event, aside from the Hunt itself, of course.

During the Bunny Hop contest, teams of children ages three and under and four, five, and six line up and hop, not run, to the finish line. The winners are rewarded with presents left by the Easter Bunny.

The Egg Toss consists of one parent or adult and one child facing each other at a distance and tossing uncooked eggs to each other. The objective of the contest is to be the last pair standing with an unbroken egg. Imagine the contestants’ surprise when they discovered that the eggs were raw! After each toss was completed, adult to child, child to adult, each line moved back a few steps and then continued with the next round. The last pair standing was Marcella and Sabrina Thibeau. They too were rewarded with prizes from the Easter Bunny.

Charlie McCarthy skillfully assisted with the races and the Egg Toss. Other volunteers from RVMS and the community included Sister Nancy Braceland of Casserly House; Lee Blasi of Rob Consalvo’s Office; Christine Falcione, an intern from Mount Alvernia; Jack Cooper, a community member and volunteer; Jennifer Goldson, an RVMS Board member; Mike Feloney of the RVMS Economic Committee; Judie Leon, a member of the Roslindale Board of Trade, local merchant, and community volunteer; Barbara Lottero, executive director of the Greater Roslindale Medical and Dental Center and an RVMS Board member; Luke Moran of The Cooperative Bank and an RVMS Board member; Reverend Karen Peters of Bethany United Methodist Church and a community volunteer; Jamie Poland, a community member and volunteer; and Jeff Saliba, another great community member and volunteer.

When the Egg Toss was over and the clean-up had begun, children and adults lingered to talk to each other and to the Easter Bunny and to play in the park. Parents were busy snapping pictures of their children with the Bunny.

The comments heard everywhere were all about how great the event was and included the often heard, “This gets bigger and better every year. It was the best one yet.”

Despite the less than ideal weather, a wonderful time was had by all, including volunteers, participants and onlookers