By Sue Tiffin

Archie Stouffer Elementary School parent council is thrilled that a concert planned for last year but cancelled for the pandemic’s public health safety measures can take place this year.

The group used a parent engagement grant to book local musical duo Nick & Benton for an end-of-school celebration in 2021, and have been able to carry the booking over to this year, instead.

“Luckily enough we’re able to host it now live, which is fantastic,” said parent council chair Jessica Little. “To be able to plan something, and just to be able to see people face to face, it’s so exciting.”

Members of the Archie Stouffer Elementary School community are invited to bring a blanket to sit on during the June 2 concert, which will be held in the school gymnasium. Doors open at 5:15, and the concert begins at 6 p.m., running for about an hour. Classrooms will be open for students to show to parents, and snacks and refreshments will be available. The event is not open to the general public, but Little did say that Grade 9 students who graduated from ASES last year were welcome, having been part of last year’s school fundraising efforts.

Much of the fundraising effort from the parent council group comes from the sale of Little Caesars’ pizza kits, which is then used to support school needs in some way.

“We did a poll with the teachers and they were [asking] for things to play with,” said Little. “Over the years all the balls had been roofed or misplaced, so we bought an enormous amount of basketballs and footballs and baseballs and hackey sacks, just different things for kids of all ages to do.”

Little said the group purchased high-quality equipment for the older kids and smaller-sized equipment for the younger kids to be able to use.

“They’re allowed to mingle with others now so it was nice to be able to give some stuff for them to play with outdoors,” said Little. “They’re loving them. We filled them all up and put them in bins by the doors and the teachers said they just race to the bins, grab the balls and out they go.”

Little said there is much excitement around the June 2 concert and parent council is hoping for a good turnout.

“I’m really hoping it turns out to be a wonderful night,” she said. “Nick and Benton are amazing, they are fantastic, so we’re hoping for a great event.”

The committee thanks Minden Home Hardware, Dollo’s Foodland and Lisa Mercer Re/Max Professionals North for their donations for the event.