b'MAKING MEMORIES AT THE PORT PERRY EASTER BONNET CONTESTAnd the Winner is Stephanie JensenWe here at Focus on Scugog along withcalled Stephanie to let her know her essay TheChurchChicksUnited(ofThePortwas selected she was thrilled but what PerryUnitedChurch)areproudtoan- especially struck us was when she enthu-nounce the winner of our Essay Contestsiastically called us back a few hours later andwanttothankallthatentered.to let us know she will be donating half of Stephanie Jensen is a mother of two and aher $200 cash prize (split courtesy of The Port Perry native and we found her essayChurch Chicks & the gang here at Focus) to below to be the embodiment of why thethe Scugog Memorial Library - Childrens contest was started ten years ago. When we& Teen Areas!What the Port Perry Easter Bonnet Contest means to me.The Por Per Easter Bonnet Contest has become a much-beloved annual tadition in our multi-generational home. Its a geat way to get out together as a family and enjoy the (sometimes rainy and cold) star of spring, but perhaps more imporantly, its become a special exerience my children share with my father, Miles.Since 2015, the year my daughter was old enough to sit upright in her litt le car wagon, my dad has made the Easter Bonnet Contest something special for him and my daughter. If you ask him, he loves it because its fn for her, but I think its more about making special memories with his ganddaughter.Each year, they have a ball picking out their hats, coming up with ideas and making messes. I dont know many other Poppas who would volunteer to wear a man-sized tt or a giant pink oppy hat withbutt er ies and a chin ribbon to make their ganddaughter happy, and yet my dad looks forard to each crazy scheme like a child waiting for Christas.As our litt le family has gown, so has my Dads love for this special Por Per tadition. With my son now being old enough to paricipate and help more with decorating, I know that this love will only gow and foster memories for both my children.The Easter Bonnet Contest has been a wonderfl, creative outlet for my daughter, and I know that the memories she has made with my father will be cherished for years to come. In our home, the contest is less about winning and more about being together as afamily, and it is for that reason that each and ever year, come sunshine, rain, sleet or even snow, our family will be there, making memories.Top Right: Miles in 2016 with granddaughter Annika.Bottom Right: Miles in last years contest with grandson Leo.22 FOCUS - MAY 2019'