new Registration form

We would like to inform everyone that we now have a new registration form available online at our webpage. We encourage everyone to sign up even if you already have.

The reason we would like you to sign up again is so that we can begin to divide volunteers up based on what activity they would like to help with on Build Day. There will be many, many different things to do on September 22 (and a few days leading up to it), so we need to know what people are good at doing.

We need people to assemble the playground equipment and prepare that area, obviously. But we also need people to look after and entertain any children who may need looking after while their parents help out. We need carpenters to put things together. Gardeners are required. People to work the registration table. People to serve coffee, snacks, and meals. Someone to paint murals. So please sign up and select an activity for Build Day because we don't want to have someone painting murals when they really wanted to be helping build shelves for classrooms. So help us out and tell us what interests you!

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In other news, due to the sudden rain shower we experienced in Norton a couple of days ago, the paving of the school driveway has been put on hold. But it will be happening soon. Maybe Friday? When the driveway is paved, we politely request that people refrain from driving on it for a few days. 

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Build Day will soon be here: September 22. Oh my! We'll be providing you with plenty of information in the upcoming weeks leading up to Build Day, so please continue to check in here for the latest news and information about the new Norton Community Playground & Park. Which reminds me, we are still accepting ideas and suggestions for a name or dedication for the new space. Any ideas, please let us know.

nortonplayground@gmail.com

New Asphalt

There will soon be new asphalt on the parking lot at the elementary school. Once it is down, we ask everyone to please stay off it till at least Thursday, please.

As for the playground field, last week a large group of volunteers from the community got together each evening and laid new sod. We want to thank everyone who came and helped! Many hands make light work. And a huge thank you to the Norton Fire Department for watering the new sod on those hot late summer evenings.

We would also like to send a big thank you to the Village of Norton for fixing a sinkhole that appeared in the new parking lot. And a special thanks to Ernest Raven for coming out on his birthday to help with this repair. Talk about stepping up for the community! Also, thank you Dave Baskin and Tony Raymond for supplying materials to fill the hole. Dave Baskin has also kindly donated the base material for a new basketball pad.

Here's a photo of what the playground used to look like. What a difference we're going to make. It already looks better! Just wait till we get the new equipment set up on September 22! 

a dirty, sloppy mess

Last week of August

Twenty-five days left till Build Day! Where did the summer go? Let's enjoy the remaining days of warm weather while we still have it. The teachers have begun arriving at the elementary school in Norton. For now, it looks like they have to park on the side of the road. But in a short while they will have a nice new parking lot!

I have some news to share with you all about this past weekend and our continuing fundraising efforts.

Last Saturday, during the day, several volunteers helped pack groceries at the Sobeys in Sussex. Their efforts helped raise $937.90! We would like to thank Sobeys for having us and all the people who donated money that day. As well, we want to give a big THANK YOU to all the volunteers:

Emily & Isaac O’Donnell

Kristen & Carly Booth

Shannon & Jill Hall

Derek Anderson

Emma & Callie Cook

Ryanna Boyd

Xander Jewer

Shealyn Jackson

Lara, Layne, & Isabella Johnston

And later on, we hosted a redneck kitchen party Saturday evening at the Norton Legion. Musical entertainment was provided by Tanya Sipkema, Jenni Sherwood & Ian Sherwood. There was redneck basketball (hopefully pictures will be available soon), a silent auction and a chinese auction. We would like to thank all the businesses who kindly donated items for our auctions. In total, on Saturday night we were able to raise $1203.40!

So, overall, as we begin the new week, we know the playground is at least another $2000 closer to the total we need in order to buy all the playground equipment.

Sod Laying tonight & Dance tomorrow!

I see the sod has been delivered to the playground this afternoon. That means we can meet at 5:30pm and lay the sod down. There is not much left to do so hopefully we can get it all down this evening.

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And don't forget about the Redneck Kitchen Party we have planned for tomorrow night. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $10 at the door. Bring your instruments and a singing voice and let's have a party. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 draw. All proceeds go towards new playground equipment. See you there!

No Sod to Lay tonight

Well, since there is no sod to lay tonight, everyone should be free to head over to the Norton Legion to play some BINGO! Doors open at 6:00pm. Bonanza game begins at 6:30pm. A portion of the proceeds go towards new equipment for the playground, so come out and have some fun while helping the community.

A big, big, BIG, thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help lay sod this week!

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And don't forget that this Saturday from 10am till 4pm, volunteers will be bagging groceries at Sobeys in Sussex to help raise money for new playground equipment.

And then beginning at 8pm on Saturday night, there will be a dance at the Norton Legion. Should be a fun weekend!