East Hampton - Despite the rain and chilly weather, the Easter Bunny made his annual visit to East Hampton on Saturday, April 11. The Ladies Village Improvement Society (LVIS) Easter Egg Hunt marked his arrival as excited children waited for the opportunity to meet him.

The Easter Bunny keeps dry, and is all smiles.

The hunt began at 11 a.m., and there was certainly enough candy and hidden eggs to make everyone happy. Escorted to his waiting audience by one of his "Spring Helpers" and under an umbrella, perhaps to keep his soft ears dry, the Easter Bunny was all smiles, naturally.

Many of those anticipating his arrival to launch the hunt were sporting raingear rather than bonnets, nonetheless - there was some serious egg hunting afoot. Utilizing strategic maneuvers and swift decision-making skills children were rewarded with bright colored eggs containing treats and candy.

Children were also encouraged to find a "golden egg" to win a prize from the LVIS Bargain Books Store.

LVIS was founded in 1895 by 21 East Hampton women at the Clinton Academy Annex, who began raising funds to improve the visual appeal of the village of East Hampton. The organization has also been instrumental in the establishment of the Village Planning Board, and the listing of areas of the village on the National Register of Historic Places.

The organization rescued and rehabilitated the Gardiner "Brown" House (circa 1740) at 95 Main Street which is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and houses the LVIS offices, its Thrift Shop and its Book Shop.