BY STEVE STEINER
Managing Editor
editor@elkintribune.com

It may have been dreary outside as the wind blew and rain occasionally fell, but it did little to dampen the enthusiasm of school officials, parents and -- most important of all -- students on Friday morning when Mountain Park Elementary School dedicated its newly-refurbished playground.

Several of the school's PTO members braved the inclement weather, greeting visitors and honored guests, among them five employees from the Elkin Lowe's Home Improvement store.

They were there as representatives of the organization, which had awarded the school with a $10,000 grant from the Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation.

"We're just happy to represent Lowe's," said store manager Bucky Keener.

The gymnasium quieted when Mountain Park Elementary School Principal David Welch addressed the students, parents, school staff and guests.

"This day is about you," Welch said.

The day was also about those who had made it possible.

"You have one of the best parks and playground, thanks to these people," said Surry County School Superintendent Ashley Hinson.

He cited a number of them, beginning with Ralph and Peggy Williams. Ralph Williams and the Ruritan civic group to which he belongs had played a major role in helping the playground get constructed. For more than five years he and the organization had been active in fundraising.

The significance of the transformation of the playground was voiced by Jeff Hall with the Surry County Board of Education. Until the old equipment was replaced with modern playground equipment that meets current safety standards, it gave one pause.

"You thought about it, but you weren't sure you wanted to bring your kids there," he said.

It was a day that had long been awaited, according to PTO member Rachel Hinson (no relation to the superintendent).

"When Lowe's gave us that grant, it made our dream become a reality much sooner," she said. "Our hope is our children and community will enjoy this playground for many years to come."

With the speeches completed, everyone left the gymnasium and walked to the new playground. Several students from each grade level -- who had been selected in advance by a drawing -- were the first to officially use the playground equipment.

They also participated in a ribbon cutting. Attached to the ribbon were the outline of hands students had traced onto multi-colored construction paper. Applause followed the ribbon cutting.

Elijah Myers, 5, a kindergarten student in Ms. Wilmot's class, was one of the students whose name had been drawn.

"I was on the swings," he said. "I had fun."

It was also fun for parents, especially those who used to go to the playground when they were children themselves.

"I went to school here, too," said Sally Davis, whose two sons, Chandler Daughenbaugh, 9, and Ronald Hartzog, 4, now attended.

She was impressed by the transformation.

"It (the old playground) was nice, but it made you leery. For example, there used to be a playhouse that was bee infested," she said. "We can come here now instead of going to Elkin."