Despite snowy conditions, the East Andover Village Preschool held its annual Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle on February 11 at the AE/MS gym. The event was very well attended with over 100 people braving the weather to support the Preschool.

The success of this fundraiser helped the school reach its goal of $3500, which goes to support the operating budget and the scholarship fund. We would like to thank AE/MS principal, Jane Slayton for providing us the space, use of the kitchen, tables and chairs, PA system, and Mike Wiley, for his all-around helping hand.

We also want to thank the art teacher at AE/MS for sharing space on the display boards for our children’s artwork for the evening.

We have many businesses to thank that supported our fundraising efforts with gift certificates for many fun, family friendly activities, and much more. Byron’s Septic, New Horizons, Chase Hill Design, Mix 94.1, Artisans, 74 Main, Pizza Chef, Jake’s, and Hannaford all provided generous raffle items.

Our dinner and raffle was coordinated and organized by our volunteer parent board led by Jess Cloutier, Sarah Gilman, Abby Webster, Anna Kate Hattan, Jodi Nelson, Josh Watkins, and Meredith Grover. Families also contributed everything from raffle items, food, help in setting, and a clean- up crew at the end of the night.

This year, the children had a “make your own valentine” table. People, young and young at heart, enjoyed our pop up photo booth, too. Most of all, our community of families embraced our theme for this year’s dinner, “Share the Love”. They brought with them family and friends, generous pockets and hearts. It was a fun evening.

While winter can be aggravating for some, our children have plunged into the season with enthusiasm inside and outside the classroom. They have investigated icicles, painted snow, and even transported themselves to both ends of the earth to explore the arctic regions and all that live there. They have pretended to be polar bears, seals, penguins, and arctic foxes. They have kayaked, gone ice fishing, and imagined living in an igloo.

We will wind up this play celebrating friendship and Valentine’s Day. Perhaps then, it will be time for a visit to the tropics. One of the students had this on her mind when she made her winter picture for our spaghetti dinner art show. She did a drawing of her family camping on the beach!

EAVP begins its season for registration for the 2017 -18 school year on March 1. Full-day and half-day options are available for children age 3-5 years of age. We invite you to e-mail and set up a time to visit at eavp@nulltds.net.