by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The noise level inside the Cobden Agricultural Hall each Tuesday from 10 to 11 a.m. can be quite loud with the sound of children laughing and talking as they play at various stations, whether it be the camping area, the toy cooking area or in the large area reserved for riding various toys.
It looks like mass pandemonium when you walk into the hall, but have no fear, there are many adults watching to ensure all the children remain safe.
On this particular day, there are about 30 children running, jumping, riding, playing, laughing and shouting as they try out the various stations.
They are at the ag hall courtesy of a free 90-minute program offered by the Toy Bus, which operates out of Killaloe. The program is for children up to six years old, said Jeannette Stoppa, who was with the Toy Bus on this particular day.
“This is the Early Learning Program of the Ontario Learning Years Centre,” she said.
Explaining, she noted the children play for the first hour and then the last 30 minutes is an educational section, where the children enjoy a healthy snack as they listen to a story.
In the ag hall, there are various stations of play set up, such as painting, a baby centre, storybook area, an area to ride various toys, camping area, toy cooking area, etc. Anything a child may want to play with is available, Ms. Stoppa said.
With funding through the Healthy Kids Community Challenge, those attending the Toy Bus event leave with a bag of fruit or vegetable, which ever is available that day.
Mom Nicole Fleurie, who has three children at the Toy Bus, has been coming to the event for five years.
“I love to have the social interaction and the children get to play with others,” she said.
The Toy Bus operates the same as the school year – September to December with a break for Christmas, and then January to June. The Toy Bus also provides a program in Eganville each Wednesday from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the basement of Grace Lutheran Church.
