First couple to hand out Easter eggs Sunday

After the chaotic frenzy of the annual Kiwanis Easter Egg Hunt at Governor's Field on Sunday has subsided, Governor and Mrs. Gibbons will hand out commemorative Easter eggs at the Governor's Mansion from 2-4 p.m.

The Easter Bunny will make a special appearance, and face painting will be offered.

The pastel wooden eggs were designed by Catzeye Graphics of Minden - www.catzeye.com - with the cost of the eggs donated by Gary Goett and Larry Canarelli, both of Las Vegas.

The Gibbonses contacted special products vendor JJM Advertising Specialties of Mound House, who called Cathy Gillespie of Catzeye Graphics.

"Laurel Stadler, of JJM Advertising Specialties, gave me the Gibbonses thoughts of what they were looking for and the artwork of the Capitol," Gillespie said.

"I came up with the options on how to present it and they (Gibbonses) chose the one they liked best."

The "actual-size" wooden eggs have the Capitol dome on one side with the words "Nevada Easter Celebration 2008," and the outline of the state of Nevada and the Gibbons' signatures underneath on the other.

Bob Williams, production manager of JJM, said the order for 3,500 eggs was called in by Mansion Coordinator Helen Wiemer.

Williams said the artwork and design was put together in their business, with the wooden eggs actually being made in Maine.

"We try to keep all business in Nevada if we can," Williams said. "But unfortunately, we don't make wooden eggs in Nevada."

The cost of the eggs including shipping is about $8,000.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

local Easter events

Virginia City

What: Mad Hatter's Easter Parade

When: Noon on Saturday

Where: C street, begins at VC Jerky Co., 204 S. C. Street

Call: 847-4FUN

What: Great Virginia City Easter Egg Hunt

When: 1 p.m. Saturday

Where: Miner's Park, E and Carson streets

Call: 847-4FUN

Carson City

What: Carson City Easter Egg Hunt

When: 11 a.m. for special needs children, 1 p.m. for general public Sunday

Where: Governor's Field, 850 Evalyn Drive, off Roop Street

Call: 885-9542

WHAT: Commemorative Easter Egg giveaway for children

WHEN: 2-4 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Governor's Mansion, 606 N. Mountain St.

COST: Free, one per child until gone

Indian Hills

What: Indian Hills GID Easter Egg Hunt

When: 11 a.m. Saturday

Where: James Lee Park, 3394 James Lee Park Road, off Vista Grande in Indian Hills

Age groups: 0-5 and 6-12 are scheduled; Easter Bunny will be present, with prizes and goodies.

Call: 267-2805, ext. 28.

Dayton

What: Dayton Easter Egg Hunt

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Minor Ranch, on Old Dayton Valley

AGES: 0-3, 4-7 and 8-older

Call: 246-7775

COST: To take part bring one dozen dyed eggs to the park on Saturday.