Generations of local families have come through the Elora Cooperative Pre-school under the tutelage of “Miss Debbie” (Bianchi) and many of those same families return every year for the tiny school’s spaghetti supper, its biggest fundraiser of the year.
For the 40th anniversary of the preschool, this year’s event is sure to draw a crowd.
On Feb. 22, the 17th annual spaghetti supper will be held in a new venue, with a new community connection stirring the giant pots.
Centre Wellington District High School (CWDHS) teacher and Chef Chris Jess and the Food School students will be preparing the annual dinner and hosting the festivities in the high school cafeteria.
“We are very happy to be involved in supporting this great pre-school in our own community,” said Jess, who has worked out the menu details with volunteer members of the preschool’s parent council.
“It’s amazing to have the Food School students involved,” said Bianchi, who realizes some of these high school students will in fact be former preschool students. “We know the food will be excellent and this is a perfect venue.”
As in past years the event will include a silent auction supported by local businesses and private donations as well as raffle prizes, but this year’s event will also feature a celebrity duo, as Super Mario’s Mario and Luigi are making a guest appearance.
There will be a lotto tree, a fun photo booth and a play area sponsored by Village Kid’s recycled clothing store.
“We’re excited this year to have four two-day passes to Disney World,” Bianchi said of the featured auction item.
The spaghetti supper is the largest fundraiser for the independent cooperative pre-school, located in the Elora United Church, and has become a community tradition.
“It grew from the basement of the church with just the preschool families, and it just got bigger and bigger every year,” said Bianchi. “And it’s just grown, so it’s not just our students who participate, it’s their extended families, grandparents, neighbours, local businesses and people who just want to support us.”
Bianchi has been with the pre-school as the head teacher for 40 years and sees many more spaghetti suppers in her future. She hopes the community will continue to support a pre-school that has nurtured friendships between children and parents that have lasted beyond the playground. She is excited to see many of those families on Feb. 22.
“It’s always a fun night. Everybody always has a good time,” Bianchi said.
Admission to the event is $10 for adults, $5 for children over four, and free to those under four. Tickets are available at the pre-school, Village Kid’s clothing store and at Big Monkey, Little Monkey in Fergus. Tickets are also available at the door. The supper runs from 4 to 8pm. For more information contact the Elora Co-op Pre-School at 519-846-5092 or visit elorapreschool.ca.
