Children scramble at Louisville egg hunt

LOUISVILLE — About 30 children gathered outside the Louisville Volunteer Fire Department station Sunday, barely able to wait before they could begin their mad dash for Easter eggs.

Whoever found the most would get a basket filled with candy, toys and gifts.

When Eric E. Converse, volunteer fire department trustee and event organizer, yelled "go," the children took off.

About five minutes later, they had found all 90 eggs hidden in the bushes around the fire hall.

The Easter egg hunt was part of a benefit event that raised about $1,000 for the Louisville Volunteer Fire Department Turtles Drill Team.

"We decided to do it about a month and a half ago," Mr. Converse said. "Turnout has been really great and we really appreciate everyone that showed up."

The money raised will pay for uniforms and upkeep of equipment and a truck used by the Turtles for drill team and racing competitions.

This was the first fundraiser for the team, which started two years ago as a means of livening up the job, Mr. Converse said.

"We're all volunteers, so this gives a little back to the guys," he said.

Nearly all drill-team members were involved in the event, which included a 50/50 raffle and a pancake breakfast. About 130 people came out for the breakfast, according to Mr. Converse. More than 600 eggs were served, along with gallons of syrup and hundreds of pancakes, he said.

"We came out to have our Easter breakfast and to see the kids collect the eggs," Viola Podgerski said.

She and her friend Mabel Woodside, a Louisville resident, also came out to support the fire department, they said.

Eight-year-old Octavia R. Viskovich also enjoyed the breakfast, but was disappointed that she collected only seven eggs at the hunt.

"I did kind of good, but some (kids) kept on pushing," she said. "It'll probably be my last time next year, so I'll be pushing them out of the way then."

Her friend Hannah J. Laneuville, 8, said she had two eggs taken from her basket when she wasn't looking and was left with only one egg.

In the holiday spirit she donated it to Octavia, so she'd have a better chance at winning the basket.