Ester Community Association ECA Events Fund Raisers The Library Lallapalooza is a fundraising event held in March for the John Trigg Ester Library, organized to pay for the library's expenses, such as rent and card pockets, and to earn money toward buying land and constructing an actual library building. The most recent lallapalooza was March 26. The Chili Feed, also known as "Do It on the Dome Day," involves ski and sledding parties, and big pots of hot chili and cornbread at Hartung Hall. The proceeds go into the Association’s general fund and help with the Burnout Fund. It is a great way to meet a few new neighbors while you fill up on several kinds of delicious secret recipe chili, fresh baked bread, and homemade pie. Taking place in mid-March, the conditions are usually good for a ski to the hall where the chili is hot all afternoon. This year's Chili Feed was held the same day as the library lallapalooza, March 26. Ester’s Fourth of July is our midsummer jewel, and justifiably famous. In 1990, a celebration was being planned for ECA’s 50th anniversary the following year. The planners became so enthused that they decided to start a year early—for practice—and the 4th of July Parade was born. During the first few years people had to trade off being “Designated Spectators” or everyone would have been in the parade! Growing larger each year, the parade has been a roaring success replete with a Grand Marshall, a drill team, a political float or two, marching bands, Smokey the Bear, fire engines, and a variety of distinctly local talent. An ingenious bribe for the judges may result in the lucky parade entrant gaining temporary possession of the coveted 1978 Women’s Bowling Trophy! The parade route flows from the Community Hall to the Park where everyone gathers for festivities, food, and fun. Besides the traditional hamburgers and hot dogs, our Potluck Picnic usually features an amazing array of contributed dishes, a very tender mammal (from the EVFD Auxiliary), and sundry additional treats. There are games, races, contests and sporting events for young and old, and the awarding of the parade trophies provides amusement for all. The popular Golden Banana award is but one example. The Bird Food Brunch (or Bird Food Ball, depending) is held irregularly to raise funds for the many bird feeders that grace our fair village. These works of art are kept filled by Jeff Rogers and his sons. Seasonal Get-Togethers Caroling Every year at Christmastime, people of Ester come together to join in harmonies of the musical kind. Sometimes we wonder if we’ll have anyone to sing to, since everyone loves to join in this gathering of neighbors. After tossing contributions into the simmering pot of “Stone Soup” at the Golden Eagle, everyone grabs one of Maggie Billington’s excellent song books (with special large print editions for babyboomers), and carols ring out to the residents of East and West Ester. Hot soup and socializing await the return of the wassailers. Christmas Cookie Exchange Imagine...Cookie bakers of all shapes and sizes bringing cookies with the same wonderful variations to gather at the community hall... It goes like this: You bring a couple dozen of your favorite holiday treats, then take turns with your neighbors choosing an equal number from among their special recipes to take back home. Parties for Children of All Ages Seasonal children’s parties are a tradition in Ester. Usually an interested parent takes the role of coordinator, getting the word out (by phone or post office notice) and other people join in to help. It is adult and teenage cooperation which has given us some of the best Halloween parties, Easter Egg Hunts, and theme parties in the Northern Hemisphere. ECA will often provide money for decorations or prizes for these events. Neighborhood Improvement Clean-Up Day comes when the snow banks disappear to reveal the appalling amount of trash left on our roadsides. In typical Ester fashion, we turn the problem into a party. Then, on the chosen day, bags are issued and volunteers get busy. It's good excercise with fun added in the form of contests for unusual finds. Later everyone dines on grilled hot dogs and soda at the Park. Thanks to Phil and Genevieve at Gold Hill for their generous comestible donations over the years! Occasionally a project requiring a few extra hands comes along so we organize a day, a weekend, or an afternoon to get it done and call it a Work Party. If you can’t make it, there are other ways to help, like picking up materials, putting together a meal for the workers, or organizing donations of either.
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