Barbara Lawlor, Nederland.

On Monday night, The Deli hosted a benefit for the Aspen Grove Community Preschool. A large group of three-year-old boys screeched to their heart’s content while their parents enjoyed tomato basil soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. It was one of four annual fundraisers that Aspen Grove puts on to make sure they can offer the best educational experience possible for their students.

It was not a time for speeches or standing on soap boxes, it was a time for eating and getting to know the parents of the children’s friends. For some, it was a time to visit with kids who have grown up and alumni teachers who have gone away.

Aspen Grove teacher Jenny Ousley has been with the school for five years and says she is proud to work there. She grew up in Jamestown and then moved to Nederland and attended Ned schools, graduating in 2007. She became a teacher at Little Bear School and then moved on to Aspen Grove.

Jenny says she loves teaching this age group and encourages the kids to be creative and be themselves, that they have the ability to learn by themselves with the guidance of teachers, parents and peers.

Dan Flood came to the event to see old workmates and have a bowl of soup. He was a teacher at Aspen Grove from 2010 until 2017 and says, “It is a cool, family-oriented atmosphere, a tight-knit family.”

Maxine Toorenburg, 9, is not a student at Aspen Grove but was happy to help clear the table. She said she likes to help her mom Fanny, who is on the board of directors and assists Rachel Schaub in organizing the events. Rachel is the director of Aspen Grove. She earned a degree in vocal music and ended up living in Nederland in 2004. She graduated from the University of Colorado in Denver with an MA in Educational Psychology and an Early Childhood Education license.

Rachel believes that the family and community are an integral part of children’s education and Monday night’s party at the Deli was proof that families are engaged in the success of the preschool as their children enjoyed the night out.

“But I don’t like the color of the soup,” said Avery Elertson, 3, an Aspen Grove student who was used to Campbell’s red tomato soup. Her parents Julie and Rick, along with her two sisters Sophia and Hadley, enjoyed a social night on the town.

Deli owner Ross Alper has been feeding locals for years, offering soup and bread on Monday nights for donations only.

This week’s donations went to the Aspen Grove Community Preschool so that the kids can have the opportunity to learn through experience.