George Groh took a moment to read. St. Joseph School had a dedication ceremony for a new state-of-the-art playground on September 30th. School administrators, pre-school teachers, students and parents gathered at 9:30 a.m. for the ceremony led by Pastor Father Joseph Schlafer. Special guests included the family of Stephen K. Tompsett, in whose memory the playground was dedicated. Stephen Tompsett was a parent and school board member who lost his life on September 11th. The Tompsett family made a generous donation toward the building of the playground. Family members came from Australia to join the school and Stephen’s parents, Jack and Rae Tompsett, who cut the ribbon. School board member Cathy McGuire, who spearheaded the playground project, and Principal Patricia Devine then presented Stephen’s wife Dorry Tompsett with two framed certificates of thanks from the school. After the ceremony, everyone enjoyed refreshments as the children tried the new equipment.

Father Joe Schlafer led the audience in prayer.

From left: Miss Devine, Father Joe, Dorry Tompsett, Rae Tompsett, Jack Tompsett and Geoff Tompsett after the ribbon cutting. After the ceremony the pre-school children tried the new equipment. Pre-K teacher Mrs. Leoneko taught her students the ropes. The Tompsett family, from left in front, Stephen Tompsett’s mother Rae, nephew Jared Szuba, Stephen’s father Jack, Stephen’s daughter Emily, niece Sarah and nephew Lachlan. From left in back, Stephen’s wife Dorry, Dorry’s father George Groh, Stephen’s brother Geoff and his wife Sue. Jack Tompsett cuts the ribbon to the new playground while Rae and Geoff Tompsett and Miss Devine watched. Tompsett cousins at the top of the play set, from left: Jared Szuba, Sarah Tompsett, Emily Tompsett and Lachlan Tompsett. Jared and Emily are students at the school; Sarah and Lachlan traveled with their parents Sue and Geoff from Australia. Cathy McGuire and Miss Devine read the certificates of thanks. Much loved former nursery teacher Maria Clark (left) returned to the school for the ceremony and to help Assistant Principal Murphy with the refreshments.