AMAZING MAY AT HOPEWELL

BY JC SULZENKO

BEACH PARTY BLAST

early 600 people turned out at the Beach Bash at the end of March in sandals and halter tops, Hawaiian shirts and straw hats. Organizers Tracy Arnett and Jane Dixon Gilmore and their energetic Committee ensured that littler folks had plenty to do in small gym, with a fishing pond, face painting and sea shell hunt.

Families tried, with limited success, to snatch a few minutes of conversation, punctuated by squeals of laughter and much running around, as well as the sounds of the popcorn machine working overtime in the Atrium and by great music from Hopewell's own Stage Band, under the direction of intrepid Allison Woyiwada in gorgeous shorts!

Food was plentiful and scrumptious, immediately vacuumed up by the hungry and appreciative hordes. The DJ gave everyone who wanted to dance the chance to strut their stuff. And there were door prizes- boy, were there door prizes!

Many thanks to the individuals and businesses who so generously donated prizes. They are, in random order: Boomerang Kids, Patty's Pub, Fahrenheit, Domus Café, Starbucks, Hortus Urbanus, Mother Tongue Books, Ottawa Folklore Centre, Barley Mow, West Coast Video, Mayfair Theatre, Mud Oven, Candlewick Gift Shop, Sassy Bead Company, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles (Bank Street), The Body Shop (Bank Street), Play Value Toys, Wal- Mart, Chapters, McNeeley's Golden Valley Farm, Buffalo Charlie's, Blacks Photo, Zeller's, Hallmark and Subway.

GOURMET RAFFLE

Not everyone can eat like an Ambassador every day, but Hopewell's year-end raffle will give the lucky winner just that opportunity. Parent Elizabeth Davids is a caterer and the Executive Chef at the U.S. Embassy. She has donated her services for a five-course dinner for four, set up and clean up included as grand prize in Hopewell's June raffle! A limited number of tickets are available at $ 5 each for the draw at the June Barbecue. Information: 730-2082 or the School office (239 2348.)

READ-A-THON

The 3rd Annual Festival of Reading at Hopewell ran April 13-27 and was received with real enthusiasm by students, families and teachers. Kids at all levels read like mad to collect on pledges they received and to contribute to raising money for School priorities.

A huge, long bookworm invaded the corridors of the school listing books the kids devoured. Students also brought in a book for Hopewell's Library, to build a 'book mountain' to enrich the collection.

Nancy Bickford and Catherine Hyde led the Read-a-thon campaign. Nancy attracted celebrity readers, including Judge Suzanne Pinel, Mayor Jim Watson, Regional Councillor, poet and author, Clive Doucet, the Humane Society's Pauline Nelson and Kathie Donovan, host of CJOH's Regional Contact.

And I pulled out the stops to preview my new book for children, Back to Back Stories for Lilli and Zach! as Read-a-thon excitement peaked. Letters for Lilli and The Dream Mixture celebrate reading and the games and strategies families invent to live and learn together happily.

The stories were a hit in readings to primary and junior students. The book costs $9.95 and for every copy sold through or at Hopewell, I will donate $3 towards the Library. It's also available currently at Mother Tongue Books, 1067 Bank Street.