Easter Bunny

It was a tragic Easter. My in-laws had gathered at our house. My brother-in-law, Justin, brought along his dog, Pearl. A city-dweller who typically spends most of her time indoors, Pearl loves to roam free in our sizeable, fenced-in back yard. Sometime during the course of our hearty holiday dinner, we heard the dog snarling out on the lawn. One of my older children, who was closest to the doorway of our crowded dining room, bolted out to see what was going on. He came running back in with news none too pleasing to my toddler and preschool-aged children.

The Easter Bunny has arrived at his spring garden in Center Court at Valley Mall. Children can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny through Saturday, April 7. Each child will receive a free gift. The first 100 customers who purchase a photo will receive a plush, cuddly bunny, while supplies last. Fundraiser planned  for cancer patient A fundraiser for Pat Simons will be held Friday, April 13, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Next Dimensions in Hagerstown.

The annual Easter egg hunt sponsored by the Williamsport Volunteer Fire and Ambulance companies and the Town of Williamsport was held last Saturday at Byron Memorial Park. More than 300 children and parents attended, and youngsters received candy and cash prizes. Two children won bicycles in a random drawing at the event.

Even though he knew a few words might have calmed some of his wide-eyed visitors, the Easter Bunny maintained his silence around the children who visited him on a recent day at Valley Mall. When the children left, the white rabbit - standing more than 6 feet tall from the tips of his floppy ears to the ends of his size 15 feet - said it's hard biting his tongue around the children, especially those who cry at the sight of him. "The Easter Bunny doesn't talk - bottom line," he said.

On March 15, the Easter Bunny visited Golden Living Center (formerly Beverly Living Center) on Dual Highway in Hagerstown. The yearly Easter egg hunt was held for children and grandchildren of the residents and staff.

Jeremy Nye waits in line for his first visit to the Easter Bunny on Tuesday at Valley Mall in Halfway, while Ashley Leight finishes her turn.

Easter Bunny hopping this way Look who's hopping down the trail, here comes ... the Easter Bunny! He will be hop-hopping his way into Halfway on Sunday, March 5. The Easter Bunny will be on hand at Valley Mall to visit with little ones through Saturday, April 15. Visit the Easter Bunny in his garden at Center Court. Please contact the customer service center for hours at 301-582-0700. Early dismissal Just a quick note: Parents of Washington County students, be sure to mark this date on your calendars: Schools will be closing two and one half hours early on Friday, March 10. Mall to host antique tractors Visit the mall beginning Tuesday, March 13, for the annual Washington County Antique Tractor Show.

The Easter Bunny made the first full pull March 17 at the Washington County Farm Bureau Pedal Tractor Pull at Valley Mall.  In the 4-7 age group, Matthew Baker took first place, followed by Darby Bittle, Kaleb Long and Madalyn Hutzell. Age group 8-11 winners were, tied for first place, Mikinzie Smallwood, Camden McCall, Nathan Baker and Raimondo Schianodicola, followed by Benjamin Rivera, Matthew Hutzell and Billy Weigle. Thanks to Theron Reed, Chris Baker and Eli Galyor for their help.  Another tractor pull will be held in July at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center.  For more information about the Washington County Farm Bureau, call David Herbst at 240-527-9622 or send an email to dlh21783@hotmail.com.

Saturday's Easter egg hunts • 10 a.m. Hagerstown Church of the Nazarene, 141 N. Edgewood Drive, Hagerstown. For ages 1 to 12. Bring Easter bags. • 10 a.m. Byron Memorial Park, off U.S. 11, Williamsport. Sponsored by Williamsport Fire and EMS. Call 301-223-9112. • 10 a.m. to noon. Municipal Stadium, 274 Memorial Blvd. East, Hagerstown. Lifehouse Church hosts event open to children 12 and younger. Children ages 1 to 4 will participate from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Those in kindergarten through third grade will participate from 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Fourth- and fifth-graders participate from 11:30 a.m. to noon.  Go to www.lifehousechurch.org . • 10:30 a.m. Pleasant Hall Volunteer Fire Co., 9722 Cumberland Highway, Pleasant Hall, Pa. The Easter Bunny will attend for parents to take photos.

1. Birthday and bunny Wonderment Puppet Theater will present "Peter Rabbit" in special shows to celebrate the theater's birthday, Saturday, March 30, and Sunday, March 31. Regular showtimes noon and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Sunday, June 2. Wonderment Puppet Theater, 412 W. King St., Martinsburg, W.Va. $4.50 ages 2 and older. Birthday party shows, $5. Reservation required for birthday shows. Call 304-258-4074. 2. On display Artwork by Donna Mason is on display and for sale through the gift shop.

The Top Five Jazz quartet The Lee Konitz New Quartet will perform. 8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Shepherd University's Frank Center, off University Drive, Shepherdstown, W.Va. $22. Call 304-876-5785, email friends@sufom.org or go to www.sufom.org . Gymnastics and circus acts The Gymkana Troupe from the University of Maryland will perform gymnastics and circus tricks. 7 p.m. Friday, March 29, at Hagerstown Community College's Athletic, Recreation and Community Center, Robinwood Drive, east of Hagerstown.

The Top Five 'Done to Death' The story alternates between imagination and reality as five mystery writers wrestle with the problem of writing a television mystery/murder series. Then real murders occur. Presented by Boonsboro High School Drama. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, and Friday, March 22. Boonsboro High School, 10 Campus Ave., Boonsboro. Call 301-766-8022 and ask for Michael J. Bair. Storms on the sun HMTV6 meteorologist Brittany Beggs will speak about the anticipated maximum in the 11-year sunspot cycle and how it affects weather on Earth.

Cold winds and occasional snow flurries might linger around Hancock and across Washington County over these last 10 days of March.  However, that will not stop an especially early Easter from arriving Sunday, March 31. As a lead-in to that Holy Day, Holy Week and Eastertime events abound on calendars in our community. Easter Bunny to visit Saturday First up this Saturday is Breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the local Hardee's Restaurant on East Main Street in Hancock.

The Winter Street Elementary PTA is holding a pizza fundraiser. Stop by CiCi's Pizza on Wesel Boulevard Thursday between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. and mention Winter Street Elementary School at the register. The restaurant will donate 10 percent of the net sales to the PTA.  The offer is good for eat in and take out orders.  Easter events at Hager's Crossing The Salem Avenue PTA, Gateway Ministries, and the Hager's Crossing Social Committee are holding Easter activities Saturday at the Hager's Crossing Community Center, behind the Walmart shopping center.

Here comes Peter Cottontail, hopping down the bunny trail ... or so the song goes. And to get the kids in the mood, we have a listing of Easter egg hunts in the Tri-State area. As always, look in TheCalendar for more additions. Friday, March 15 Easter Bunny at Valley Mall Visit the Easter Bunny for a keepsake photo. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Continues through Saturday, March 30. Valley Mall, 17301 Valley Mall Road, Halfway.

The Easter Bunny arrives Saturday at 11 a.m. at Center Court at Valley Mall. Each child visiting the Bunny will receive an Easter coloring storybook. The first 100 people who purchase a photo package will receive a cuddly, plush, angel bunny. Bunny hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Saturday, March 30. SHHS Alumni to meet Thursday, March 14 The South Hagerstown High School Alumni Association will meet Thursday, March 14, in the media center at 7 p.m. at South Hagerstown High School.

The Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Co. will present Breakfast with the Easter Bunny on Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Clear Spring Volunteer Fire Co. Special Events Building on Big Springs Road. The buffet breakfast includes eggs, cereal, pancakes, french toast, ham, sausage, chip beef gravy, sausage gravy, biscuits, fruit, potatoes, orange juice, milk and coffee. The breakfast costs $8 for adults and $3 for children. The entire building will be available for seating. Professional pictures with the Easter Bunny cost $10. There will be an egg hunt on the carnival grounds at 11:30 a.m. Some of the eggs will contain prizes.