Spring’s egg-standing ovation returns Friday. Tonight’s Spirit Night at Dwarf House to help East Central student, family

Standing Ovation celebrates 30 years of upright eggs on the Spring Equinox Friday. In 1985, a small group of Rome artists decided to make an experiment: would eggs balance on end on the first day of spring? The first event was successful and the Egg Balance has become a Rome tradition. Gather at noon on Friday on the steps of the Clocktower at the corner of East Fifth Avenue and East Second Street. Please bring your own eggs. (Spring officially starts at 6:46 that evening).

The East Central Elementary family is coming together to help one of their own. On Feb. 25, East Central fifth-grader Collier Gray suffered a severe stroke. The students, teachers and staff have done many activities to help support Collier and his family. Tonight, we will have an EC Spirit night at Chick-fil-A Dwarf House on Shorter Avenue between 5 and 8 p.m. Tell the cashier that you are supporting Collier and a portion of the proceeds from tonight’s sales will be donated to help his family. On Friday, March 20, we will engage in our biggest fundraiser yet. On that day we will have “Popcorn for Collier.” Students, teachers and staff can purchase a bag of popcorn for a dollar. Members of Collier’s class will help to make and deliver the popcorn. All of the proceeds will benefit Collier and his family. We have also set up a “Coins for Collier” donation canister into which students will be able donate money. If you would like to help Collier and his family there are three ways you can help. You can donate to the Collier Bradley Gray Benefit Association account at any Wells Fargo Bank location. Donations can also be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/nc307c or at http://welovecollier.com.