Having no small children about, I had never attended KiDiMu until this past weekend. They celebrated their one-year anniversary and what a bash it was!

I arrived at 11 a.m., but the party was well on its way with parents and children streaming in the door, marveling at the facility then out the back door into the parking lot where tents protected events too numerous to recount.

Grins were in order, as was concentrated faces as children immediately found what needed to be found.

For example, inside a serious child had selected a potato from the “market” and solemnly pushed her cart to the “sandbox” where the potato was to find a home.

Growing up is a serious business, too, but with the help of KiDiMu, a wonderful adventure.

I ended my visit discussing the one-year success of KiDiMu, with Susan Stivitz, the director. She said that KiDiMu had over 30,000 visitors last year, “Half of those were from off island,” she continued.

Calculating how many of those tykes brought their parents who would eventually be hungry if not in need of a memo of their trip, I knew KiDiMu was an economic gift.

I left feeling hopeful of Bainbridge’s ability to reward visionary ideas. The roundabout sprang to mind. Residents had to be convinced that going in a circle was a good idea, and yet people have confessed to me that they frequently drive around twice.

The new art museum will soon take shape and I am assured that it, as KiDiMu has, will draw another audience as hungry and eager for inspiration. They will most likely want to use our roundabout, too.

Sally Robison

Bainbridge Island