Kinley Jones, age 5, found four silver eggs at the North Webster Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt, April 20. She turned them in to Bo Thystrup of Lions Club for $2 each. At right is Kinley’s mother, April Jones. (Photo by David Hazledine)

NORTH WEBSTER — The annual North Webster Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt has been a spring fixture for over 40 years, and the morning of Sat. April 20 was no exception, despite a return to winter jacket weather. Following the hunt, held at North Webster Little League diamonds, many of the participants had their pictures taken with the Easter Bunny at the nearby North Webster Community Center.

“The rule is the Easter Egg Hunt goes on,” said a smiling Dan Thystrup, one of the Lions organizers, referring to the cold wind and gray skies.

At the 9 a.m. whistle, kids rushed out on to the field to collect their Easter Eggs. The hunt was divided into four age groups, each at a different Little League baseball field. (Photo by David Hazledine)

Dozens of children — toddlers through age 12 — and their parents were ready for the 9 a.m. whistle signaling the start of the egg hunt. They were divided into four age groups, each with a field filled with a variety of eggs. Creighton Brothers donated 40 dozen, brightly-colored, hard-boiled eggs. Cash-prize eggs rewarding finders $1, $2 and $10 were donated by Lions and Lady Lions Clubs.

Within minutes of the whistle, all of the eggs had been eagerly scooped up into baskets and bags. “It’s amazing how quickly they find them,” remarked Dan’s brother, Bo Thystrup.

At 9:30 a.m., families started streaming into the community center banquet hall to meet the Easter Bunny and enjoy donuts and refreshments, served by Kara Crousore, executive director and Kelly Horn, account manager. “Many came right from the Easter egg hunt,” Crousore observed.

Joining the Easter Bunny at North Webster Community Center, April 20, were, from left, Lisa Robinson, Aliyah Stuckman, Isaiah Robinson and Julienne Robinson. (Photo by David Hazledine)

Lisa Robinson and her family were heading to yet another event in Warsaw afterward. “We try to take them to everything,” she said, before joining her son, nephew and niece for a photo with the Easter bunny.

Colton Nabinger, 4, shows his mother Nicole Ward Nabinger a recent find. (Photo by David Hazledine)

Jivan Gooden, 8, North Webster, enjoys a donut at the Community Center after visiting the Easter Bunny. Kara Crousore, executive director, left and Kelly Horn, accountant manager, also served refreshments. (Photo by David Hazledine)