Bright, shining faces and youthful screams greeted the grand opening of Cornerstone Family and Youth's newly re-designed Playroom.
A grand opening held in the facility, located in the Carlyle town office building, was attended by Cannington constituency representative MLA Dan D'Autremont, Carlyle mayor Don Shirley, and a throng of parents with wee-ones galore.
"Today is a very special day," said CFY program co-ordinator Jen Sedor, more to the children in the audience than the adults. "This is the grand opening for our Playroom."
The grand opening took place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20.
"I have a great job," Sedor said. "I can bring my munchkins to work where they can boss me around all day."
"When I had my first child. . ." Sedor began.
"That was me!" shouted Sedor's four-year-old daughter Lily.
"Yes, that was Lily," Sedor said in good humour. "When I had Lily, I was kind of scared and unsure, and I felt really alone."
"When I came to the program for the first time, it really made an impression on me," Sedor said. "I think it encouraged Lily and I to have a better relationship."
"I was so impressed with the program, and what it did, I'm now the program co-ordinator," Sedor said. "If that isn't a vote of confidence in what Cornerstone Family and Youth does, I don't really know what is."
"This new facility has everything we need to continue providing a quality program for parents and kids in our community and beyond," Sedor, began, until interrupted again by her daughter Lily.
"We need a helicopter!" Lily shouted, bringing about a round of laughter from the crowd.
Following Sedor's address, D'Autremont took the front of the colourful play space to speak to the crowd.
"It's a pleasure to be here today at this grand opening," D'Autremont said. "The government is pleased to provide grant support for programs like these."
"We have heard the concerns from programs like this one about the grant structures, that based on a yearly granting system, it makes it difficult for these community programs to plan for the future," D'Autremont said. "Our government is now looking at ways in which we can provide some continuity to grants for community programs, to give them a chance to plan into the future."
"Just for Lily, we'll also have a helicopter in 2012 or 2013," D'Autremont said. "As part of the STARS air ambulance program we will be developing, there will be a helicopter coming to the area."
"Maybe Lilly can even get a ride in one," D'Autremont finished.
Taking the front next was mayor Shirley.
"The town of Carlyle is proud to partner with you [Cornerstone Family and Youth] on this project," Shirley said. "CFY has done a lot of great things in the community, and we are happy to see the tradition continue."
In closing the address, Sedor again took the front to announce a dedication of the space.
"In keeping with the vision presented by Jenny Halbgewachs of a place where parents and young children could come to be together," Sedor said. "We dedicate this space to the children and families in our communities."
As part of the presentation, Sedor also showed the assembly a certificate, made for Halbgewachs, to commemorate the occasion, and Halbgewachs' continuing vision and support of CFY.
As a finale to the formal presentations, Sedor announced the winner of the 'Name the Mascot' contest CFY held.
The name chosen by popular vote for CFY's mascot is Chester the Jester, and was suggested by Kaelie Bouchard.
Bouchard won a Crayola play-kit, among some other prizes.
After the Playroom dedication and ribbon cutting was finished, the group moved to the Carlyle Public Library for a cupcake reception.
For entertainment, local folk musician Lorri Solomon was on hand to play music for the multitude of tykes who joined the reception.
Later, the group was treated to some more music, this time provided by an ensemble that included Jessie Twietmeyer on keyboard as well as Michelle Amy, Emily Klatt, Jenelle Breault and McKenna Harkness, all on fiddle.
More than 20 people attended the ceremonies, and the children, not surprisingly, were too active to count.
