Many years ago in my early thirties, soon after I moved to town, I joined a quilting group comprised mostly of older women. One of those women was Thelma French. She was vivacious and fun loving, with a rough, gravelly voice and a mischievous sense of humor. She was kind and thoughtful, and possessing a can-do attitude, did lots of volunteer work around town, particularly with the church. Everyone loved Thelma.
One of her annual traditions was hosting an Easter egg hunt on her front lawn. She gathered older kids and friends together to dye dozens of eggs, which were then hidden under bushes and in the gentle slope of tufted grass in her yard.
Young children of the town were invited to join the hunt and prizes were awarded, but everyone went home with something, usually chocolate candy eggs, which were more popular than the hard-boiled ones! I brought my children there when they were small and recall the fun, watching the dash and search for eggs, particularly the coveted “Golden Egg,” which yielded a special prize to the finder.
The coveted Golden Egg.
Those of us who knew Thelma still miss her friendly cheer and speak of her fondly. In her honor, the church has kept up the tradition she started so many years ago. The Annual Thelma French Memorial Easter Egg Hunt no longer takes place on her lawn, but at the Town ball field, where volunteers hide hundreds of dyed eggs.
Jan ready to hide eggs.
The young children of the town gather at the appointed time and with great excitement, hunt for eggs hidden at the base of trees, in tufts of grass and even around the play structure, dugout and bleachers.
This particular year, over 300 eggs were hidden and 23 children participated, in three age categories.
The winners for the most eggs collected were: Age 0-3 years – Finn, age 3, collected 17 eggs. Age 4-6 years – Gus, age 5, collected 39 eggs. Age 7-10 years – Patrice, age 8, collected 42 eggs. The golden egg was found by Ben, age 10.
Happy Easter everyone!
Eliza Waters 
What a great memorial to Thelma!
Thank you, Peter!
Oh, fun! And how lovely to read that Thelma’s legacy continues.Your piece really illustrates how one person’s good deeds can ripple forward.
She was a joy, for sure. Thanks, Laurie.
Oh, I love this posting. Thanks for the feel-good moment!
My pleasure! 🙂
How wonderful Eliza, I loved this! Happy Easter! 🐣
Thank you, Julie. Hoppy Easter to you!
looks like splendid fun ❤ happy Easter Eliza ❤
Thank you, Kim, same to you!
You gave me goosebumps reading this post about Thelma and her lasting influence on the community. Happy Easter to you to, Eliza. 🙂
Thank you, Judy. Hope your holiday is a special one.
nice tradition
Yes it is. 🙂
How wonderful that her tradition is being kept alive.
I’ll never forget this special lady. ❤
A glorious tribute to Thelma ❤ Happy Easter!
Thank you, Christy!
Awesome post & photos, Eliza. Gus & Patrice’s family must have made a lot of egg salad! ❤❤ 🐇🐇 And who knows who will continue that tradition?! I know a family (very well!) who did the same thing for children, especially of their church community and when Memorial Services were held for this wonderful, loving couple, a few years ago, the Egg Hunt was fondly brought up. 🐇🐇❤❤ We did this in our neighborhood, 7 young children & some nieces & nephews, hunted for M&M filled plastic eggs & a large Hershey kiss, that adults were allowed to look for as well. Even moving the “Hunt” into our home, one rainy Easter. And we saw a Squirrel take off w/ an orange plastic egg w/ chocolates! Memories can be so fun!
Great memories! Kids often make holidays extra special.
Happy Easter Eliza. It sounds like a fantastic community event, and the eggs are so vibrant.
Thank you. Happy Easter to you as well!
What fun, and a lovely tradition.
Yes, it was. Thanks, Christina.
What a wonderful event! As much fun to watch as to prepare, I bet.
You’re right – watching the kids’ enthusiasm was the best fun!
Is the girl in the pinky sweater one of your neighbors & tea buddies?
No, but similar ages!
What a lovely person and tradtion! Happy Easter to you Eliza from Germany~
Thank you, Cindy. Have a great weekend!
What a lovely and cheerful event! Wonderful colorful photo’s.
Happy Easter to you Eliza!
Thank you, Noortje!
Love that you carry on Thelma’s tradition!
Only as an observer, I’m afraid. Volunteers from the church handled this event. It is a happy event!
Lovely tradition, sweet tale!
Thank you, Belinda!
Wonderful! It is so nice to hear that wholesome, traditional fun is taking place:-)
Thank you, Stephanie. Are you back from your vacation? I bet it was great!
This is fabulous! I always loved dyeing eggs–that vinegary smell, and then all the deviled eggs later. This looks like a lot of fun and Thelma is one of those people we all have in our lives at some point who supply endless good memories. Happy Easter!
Thank you, Lisa. Best wishes to you!
Sweet tribute to Thelma. Looks like a fun event for da kiddos 😉
Thank you, Bela. The kids have a great time !
What a wonderful narrative to wake up to on Easter Sunday!
Glad you enjoyed it, Anne. 🙂
Wonderful tribute to Thelma. Happy Easter Eliza 💕🌺💕
Thank you, Karen. Hope yours was enjoyable.
A wonderful tale and marvellous tribute
Thank you, Derrick 🙂
Oh my, I couldn’t help but think of this as a commentary on capitalism–two of the 23 children gathered a third of the eggs! It starts early …
😀 Competition and greed, is it nature or nurture?
What a lovely tribute to a lovely sounding lady! Happy Easter Eliza 🐣
Thank you, Val. Hope you had a great day!
Absolutely wonderful collection of egg-shot!
Thank you, Michael!
What a wonderful tradition to carry on!
I *may* have made Paul hide some eggs for me yesterday.
It is a fun game and always brings out the child within, no matter the age. 🙂
Very sweet and so nice to carry on her tradition!
She was one special lady!
What a charming post! I love seeing the little kids running–that really captured the spirit. Kudos to Thelma. What a great way to honor her.
Thank you, Micheal. The joy of children lifts the spirit. I imagine Thelma enjoyed it as well.
I miss Easter eggs hunts! When my son was too young for the city egg hunts I put together our own with all the kids in our neighborhood. We didn’t have an age limit. We just let the little ones go first. The kids may have been too old for the city but they loved the event and had a great time.
Nice memories – it makes children of all of us!