MOSES LAKE — It isn’t often that a real congressman visit the Boys and Girls Club.

So when the kids learned that a real congressman – in this case Fourth District Representative Dan Newhouse – was stopping by on Wednesday morning, the kids made a welcome poster. And they made beach globes – like a snow globe but with colored water and sand – to show off. They had other stuff planned too.

All the kids in the morning program gathered out front, and when Newhouse drove up they got in two lines, so they could shake hands. And get hugs. A lot of kids thought a hug from a very important visitor would be fun. It was so much fun that in the end almost everybody gathered around for a group hug.

Boys and Girls Club director Brant Mayo gave Newhouse a tour of the facility, saying it’s a public-private partnership, built with a state grant and local fundraising efforts. “Awesome, generous people.” Mayo said.

The club works with the Moses Lake School District, sharing space and facilities. The club is located next to Park Orchard Elementary, and Park Orchard students use the club’s computer lab, Mayo said. After school, the kids at the club can use the gym and cafeteria.

The club’s meeting room is available free of charge to community groups, Mayo said, and is used by the school district as well.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.