The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Meadowlark Parent Teacher Organization held its annual carnival and spaghetti dinner recently in Chinook. Organizers said the event was very well attended, with a large number of families on hand for a spaghetti dinner and the games and carnival events that followed the meal. The annual event is the major fundraiser for the PTO that uses all proceeds to support special projects for the school.

Teachers and volunteers set up many of the popular games from years past. Jon Martin, Meadowlark Principal, said several new carnival games were added this year to, "appeal to some of the older children who come with elementary siblings." A new 'nerf ball throw,' in the style of the televised kids events at football games, was very popular as was the basketball free throw competition. Helpers at the free throw game were making some adjustments to help the little kids shoot their hoops.

Meadowlark teachers had another new game, like on summer midways, called Ping Pong Pinball. The object was to toss ping pong balls and make them stick in a variety of sized drinking glasses. Sounds simple but those ping pong balls sure bounce when they hit the rim of the glasses. Some of the younger players were walking away with multiple tickets they had won, suggesting they had the 'technique' to make the balls land securely. In another classroom PTO President Carla Peck, and her helpers, were busy creating elaborate face paintings, always a popular event with the younger set.

Stacey Hasler monitors the action at Ping Pong Pinball during the annual carnival at the elementary school in Chinook. The ping pong toss, a tossing game to land balls in various sized drinking glasses, was a new addition to the carnival and very popular as some youngsters seemed to quickly master the game.

Shanna Flores, a school system employee and parent volunteer, shared a few figures about the success of the annual fundraiser. She said, "We usually net about $3,000 from the event. It's a very successful fundraiser and a lot of fun for the kids to get their families to the school." Last year the PTO used some of the funds raised to purchase an outdoor public address system for Hoon Field. Former PTO President Kristi Norby said, "The public address system was needed for various sporting events, both for the Jr/Sr high and elementary schools. It's also helped with other community events at the field, like the annual American Cancer Walk held each year."

One mother was delighted to hear her youngster say of the face paint, "It's itchy." The mom added, "Maybe that will help get them want to wash their face before bedtime." No doubt many of the little guys would be hitting the bed early after all day at school, a big spaghetti meal and lots of running around at the carnival games. It was a win-win situation-lots of fun for the kids and a good fundraiser for the PTO. Congratulations on a big turnout for the event.