Latest district Best Start Hub opened in Stratton over the weekend

By Jack Elliott
Correspondent

Giggle, painted faces, hotdogs and cake were the order of the day at the Best Start Hub in Stratton on Saturday morning May 3. About two-dozen area residents, young and old were on hand to celebrate with coordinator Marni McDonald and her assistance Laurie Anderson. Leanne Mineault, Director of Early Years of Kenora was also on hand.
The Best Start Hub, located in the former separate school, a building also housing the Seniors’ Centre, was a beehive of activity all day. The Best Start Hub brings together the former Stratton Family Resource Centre and Early Years Education programs. “We service all area families and some days we will have up to 25 kids here,” stated McDonald, outlining the Hub’s ambitious program. McDonald and Anderson do most of the staffing at the Hub, but are backed up by a group of casual assistants as well.
The May Calendar lists activities at the Hub for 21 separate days, including activities from Handwriting without Tears, Sneakers and Strollers, and Respite Care. They are even taking in the Stratton Family Fish Derby.
The Stratton Best Start Hub is one of fourteen such centres, now open, or planned for the Kenora and Rainy River Districts.