FallFest, My Green Egg, and Big Thursday

Once again FallFest was a smash hit, surpassing all previous records for money raised, and making life fun for everyone. The weather cooperated with cool temperatures and overcast skies. I had two personal favorites that I watched. First was the smallest kids flying down the mammoth, inflatable slide. Especially Leo Perlman--Kim Perlman's two year old--who is absolutely fearless and who constantly stretches the limits of his mother's sense of caution. Leo rocks!!! Second were the middle schoolers confined in a padded, circular enclosure with a large, padded, mechanical arm that constantly swept around a central pivot, knocking down everything in its path. The participants tried to jump over the arms as it approached. As an observer, I could not decide whether it hurt worse to get bopped by the padded arm or nearly break your neck diving over it. The kids loved it. No one over twenty years old would dare to try it--you would have pulled every muscle in your body.

Did you hear that I won the Green Egg grill? I have never won any raffle in my life. Some years for FallFest, I just make a donation rather than buying raffle tickets. Why bother? I don't ever win. But this year I could not resist that gorgeous Green Egg, and I purchased five tickets for $20 and single shot them into the Green Egg basket. I told all the volunteers gathered in the lobby that I wanted to make sure that they knew if I won, I was keeping my prize.

Guess what? I WON!! I love my Green Egg and will grill on it for years to come!! I told one Gaston Day parent that I surmised that the law of averages finally caught up with me. I promise there was no honor code violation involved in my victory. I won fair and square. I am thrilled!!

Thank you, Parents Association, for bringing the entire community so much joy and for raising so much money for Gaston Day School. Michelle Kinsley, Elizabeth Blackburn, Susie Mark, Angie Acosta and all the other volunteers deserve our congratulations and praise. Thank you!!!!!

Turning away from FallFest to another topic, did you know that this coming Thursday is our Big Thursday, our annual Gaston Day Fund giving day? Our purpose is to generate enthusiasm and to establish momentum in giving to the Gaston Day Fund. Did you know that your tuition dollars only cover about 90% of the cost of a student's education? The Gaston Day School Fund is a tax-deductible, voluntary contribution that gives the school the resources it needs to provide great education. Since the majority of our budget is directed toward salaries, gifts to the Gaston Day Fund really do allow us to give fair raises and pay our teachers competitively. Please give generously, as able, to the Gaston Day Fund on Big Thursday so that Gaston Day can continue to deliver the highest quality education possible.

Have you bought your pumpkin yet? Halloween is just around the corner. As always, thanks for your commitment to Gaston Day.