Forget Bullwinkle, Whitwell children will get a new playground, thanks to Moose much closer to home.

The Ironton Moose Lodge Tuesday donated $3,000 needed to pay for the first phase of a playground construction project.

Earlier this year, parents and staff at the school began a campaign to raise $17,500 dollars to replace the swings and install a play center on the playground. Right now, Whitwell's playground is outdated and broken. Moose members donated $1,700 at that time. When members learned the campaign was short $3,000, they opted to chip in again. The new equipment should be in place by the first of May.

Principal John Maynard said he received word of the Moose donation earlier this week. Since then, it's been hard to keep his little secret until the official announcement was made at Tuesday evening's school board meeting.

Judging from his face, it might be difficult for people to determine who is happier about the project, him or the kids.

"I've been walking around all day looking at the faces of the children and thinking 'I know something you don't know yet,'" Maynard said.

"This is totally awesome," school board member Tim Johnson said as the check was passed from Moose to Maynard.

"This is just a drop in the bucket of what the Moose does for the school system," Superintendent Dean Nance said. "They've helped the high school singers, the year book staff, just a number of different projects. I can't thank them enough for all they've done to help our school system."

Moose member

Ted Murphy said knowing the kids will enjoy the new equipment is thanks enough.

"I look forward to driving down the street and seeing the kids playing on the new equipment," Moose member Ted Murphy said. "That will be nice."

Other equipment may be added later as funds allow. The equipment can be moved in the event a new elementary school is built.