Elna and Susan helped 200 attendees sign in at the front welcome table. Jennifer, Silke, and Heather registered another 100+ near the back park entrances.
The ice cream team prepared for action.
Balloon twisters “Gizmo Gary” Heyman and his daughter Tori kept busy.
Dave Erskine, Andrea and John Thomas, Henry Chase, and Tim Slattery offered safety advice, including how to turn off the gas valve and activate a fire extinguisher.MLNA President Nirvana Nwokidu was the organizer-in-chief.Robert Cox brought information from the Mountain View Historical Association.The plant exchange was organized by Jill Rakestraw and hosted by Grant Grundler, Ann McMillan, and Jill.CHAC (Community Health Awareness Council) board members Joan MacDonald and Sandy Bergan brought information about the 50-year-old local nonprofit mental health agency.Jocelyn taught us about recycling and the Zero Waste program with lively demonstrations.Canopy members Ray Morneau, Indira Selvakumaraswamy, and Evany Wang said that attendees “asked great questions” as they learned more about their trees.Monta Loma Elementary PTA members Jamie Bergen, Tanya Ngo, and Kelly Lisle Schroeder offered spirit wear and recruited members.Alan Whitaker brought Pipevine Swallowtail Butterfly chrysalises (in plastic box), information about Monarch and Pipevine butterflies, and the plants they need to thrive here.The Mountain View Educational Foundation (MVEF) was promoted by Dena Seki and Patrick Neschleba. Pamela Devenney explained how Living Classroom provides garden-based science and environmental education in our local schools.Sarah offered information about the many activities offered by the Recreation Department. Her headpiece was created by balloon-twister “Gizmo Gary” or his assistant-daughter.The ice-cream team offered a variety of packaged treats.
Marilyn Gildea and Marty Pulvers sold MLN hats and mugs, and the (almost) last of the tee shirts. In the background a child is riding in the buggy pulled by robot ponies.
The purpose of the event is to encourage neighbors to get acquainted. We start them young.With the exhibitors’ tables spread out along the row of trees on the south side of the park, it doesn’t appear that attendance was well over 300 over the course of the afternoon.A visit by a fire engine and crew is always popular with the youngsters.Neighborhood band “On the Edge” performed.Wouter Suverkropp gave rides to many children in the buggy pulled by robot ponies.Gloria Jackson’s cotton-candy machine is always popular. John Ari Stepp, Gloria’s husband, assists.This two-year-old was delighted with her first cotton candy.
