Dino Day: Yabba Dabba Do ~ We Had a Grand Old Time!

Approaching the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum (GPDM) last Saturday, one was greeted by the creativity of the young-at-heart amateur paleontologists' artwork that welcomed guests and visitors for a fun day for all ages. The sidewalk served as a chalkboard, or palette, and was graciously decorated with the likeness of dinosaurs created by many age groups.

The Kiwanis set up their hamburger grill and served 100 hungry enthusiasts and ran out of burgers. Malta Kiwanis President Mardy Demarais said, "We had a great day! Thanks to Gina (Lamb) for putting the sizzling hamburgers on Facebook. Thanks for your support of Kiwanis, which sponsors the Key Club and Builders Club at the school."

Strolling around the parking lot there was plenty of activities to make a junior archaeologist radiate with enthusiasm. The museum provided kits with paint brushes where the young could eagerly learn to "dig" and search for bones. Troughs were set up for duck races, and bags were for sale with treats and a coupon for attending the movie at the theater that afternoon, where "Jurassic Park" was showing. Bright and shiny faces displayed the artwork of Ashland Morser and volunteers at the GPDM.

Damien Austin spoke of the event, "It was great! This is the biggest turnout we have ever had. We had a few staff, but it is primarily volunteers and board members. Today is our biggest fundraiser."

Off to the side, a youth was displaying his skills and offering others the chance to rope.

Currently serving as the President of the GPDM, Austin said this is the best year that he has seen, "...they keep adding ideas and fun things to get the turnout and this year has been a good year."

The Wine and Dino event held that evening offered music that gently and softly soothed away the evening. Music was provided by Nate Salsbery. Nate is a Malta native that returned for the weekend to provide the music while people enjoyed the pleasant and peaceful setting in the hush of the evening.

At the event, there were opportunities to bid on silent auction items, Chinese auction items, chances to win wine and tickets for the 50/50 drawing. Three major items were also being raffled off, including a youth .22 rifle, a grill, and a health spa basket worth over $800. This brought the weekend at the dinosaur camp to a quiet ending.