Bowler Kids Bring Grandparents To Breakfast

By MAGGIE MCMURRAY

Moapa Valley Progress

The Fine Arts building at the Logandale Fairgrounds was filled to capacity on Thursday, September 15, by both the young and the young-at-heart.

Grandparents and their grandchildren flocked to the building to celebrate Grandparent’s Day at Bowler Elementary. The Bowler PTO, with the help of the Rotary Club, provided a breakfast of pancakes, fruit, and sausage for all who came. Grandparents got to have a chance for some special time with their grandkids while their grandkids proudly showed their much-loved companions off to their friends.
Some kids were lucky enough to have two sets of grandparents with them, some kids only had one, and some kids brought a parent or family friend if their own grandparents lived too far away.But the one thing everyone had in common was a great time.

This year’s breakfast had a Pirate theme and the building was decorated accordingly. Of course, the main business of the day was breakfast, but there was also picture-taking, complete with fun props, picnics going on outside, and lots of book shopping at the Scholastic book fair that was being run in conjunction with the day.

The turnout was overwhelming. Event organizer Jana Holmes said, “I think we had a great turnout and I want to thank a great group of PTO volunteers for making it possible. I also want to thank Rotary who cooked our pancakes.”

Rotary spokesman Ken Robison agreed with the high turnout numbers. “So far we’ve cooked about 1300 pancakes. That’s just a hair more than we cooked for the 4th of July. The elementary asked us to come and because we’re a service organization, we’re here to help. We’re willing to help out wherever we are needed.”
Even Bowler principal Shawna Jessen was inspired by the turnout. “I’m overwhelmed!” she said. “It’s awesome.”

Response to the day was extremely positive even with the long lines and crowds of people.
Debbie Cooper was there with her grandsons Cooper and Rees Comeau. “It is really fun to be here with the next generation,” she said. “We are looking forward to a yummy breakfast—they never disappoint.”
Grandparent Julie Logue agreed. “I love grandparent’s day,” she said. “It’s a fun way to spend time with my grandkids and help them feel special first thing in the morning.”
Logue’s grandkids Layla and LilyMae Moncrief agreed. “I love to come here with her,” Layla said. “It’s really fun. My favorite part is finding books.”

Many grandparents said that shopping for the perfect book with their grandkids is one of their favorite parts of the day. Kids were overheard explaining all the newest and neatest books to their grandparents.
Student David Lance found a book with a Lego minifigure in it that he showed to his grandfather David Cook. Other grandparents said that they felt if they were going to treat their grandchildren to something, they felt that spending money on books was better than buying many other things.

Grandparents day has become a community tradition that will hopefully continue for years to come. Cindy Hardy, who was there for the first time with her granddaughter Jessie, who is 5, summed up the feelings of most participants. “We’re so excited to be here,” she said. “We had a great breakfast. This is so fun. We are looking forward to many many more years.”