Posted on 04/04/2004 12:33:44 PM PDT by NewHampshireDuo
CONCORD (AP) - For the second year, Gov. Craig Benson has canceled a New Hampshire tradition: the Easter egg hunt at Bridges House, the governor’s official state residence.
This year, though, he’s sponsoring a substitute: a virtual Easter egg hunt. During Benson’s hunt, children will be able to log onto the New Hampshire Web site and browse pages of legislation, court rulings and Executive Council biographies to find Benson’s hidden virtual eggs.
Children who discover the special golden egg could receive a signed letter from the governor.
“The virtual egg hunt will teach our children about New Hampshire and its traditions,” Benson said in a statement. “We have made great strides to improve the State’s technology, so why not make it fun for the kids too!”
Wendell Packard, Benson’s spokesman, said the virtual egg hunt was created by Benson’s staff.
The event will run from April 9 to 11 and is open to children ages 12 and younger. Players who find the golden egg and answer a series of quiz questions correctly get the governor’s award.
Some lawmakers and Statehouse watchers don’t like the idea, saying the outdoor hunt has been a bipartisan springtime tradition for at least a couple decades.
State employees often attend with their families.
Paul Stokes, president of the State Employees Association, said many state workers feel the governor is snubbing them - and their children.
State employees received an invitation to the virtual hunt with their paychecks Friday.
Rep. Peter Burling, D-Cornish, a potential candidate for governor, said he was outraged.
“There are just some things that should be real and not virtual,” Burling said. “Christmas is one, Passover is another, an Easter egg hunt is a third. Governor, get real.”
Quick, someone call a lefty attorney!
The guy who's complaining is a Dem whose constituency would probably endorse legislation to keep any and all mention of Christ and Easter entirely separate and unrelated.
Ah, well, the traditions of Easter have their origins in pagan fertility rites. Good to know we're returning to our roots....
I detected a certain irony in that myself ...
Actually worshippers of Woden have no problem with celebration of the Spring Fertility Festival.
True, it's just the Christ stuff they'd object to.
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