In a town called Bilberry Square, which isn't very far from here, there's a rather large tree surrounded by flowers and a white picket fence.
It's been said that should a child only imagine it so, fantastical characters from another land will appear with stories and games to share.
This is the curious tale brought to life daily by sisters Theresa Lambert and Lorna Medina who, with the aid of brothers Alex and Jon Callahan, created Bilberry Square and gave it a home in a small space nestled beside Rincon Market.
From the street, a rather unassuming cream and maroon awning announces to passersby the existence of a shop called simply, Party in a Pinch.
Venture inside and you'll discover a small town complete with bakery, gazebo, crafts workshop and hardware store that, according to a small wooden sign hanging from its green screen door, is closed. In fact, it is the sisters' shared office.
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This is Bilberry Square — home to brothers Walter and Peter who found the giant Tree of Wonder, the doorway through which those fantastical beings enter our world.
Their purpose, once here, is "to save wonder in all its definitions," Medina said.
For the children who visit Bilberry, she added, "we want to challenge and encourage them to use their imaginations ... to know that it can empower you."
In July 2004, Medina, a former speech therapist, and Lambert, a cultural anthropologist, started Party in a Pinch — a mobile birthday party service.
But after two years running the traveling party show, the sisters decided to expand into a bricks and mortar location. The idea for Bilberry Square came later during a family dinner, and the location opened last June.
"Our purpose now is not to be just a host for parties," Medina emphasized. "We want to speak to large numbers of children and teach them to respect life, the earth and people, all under the guise of entertainment."
Themed birthday parties for both boys and girls are still offered starting from $199 for a basic package. Beginning in June, Party in a Pinch will also host morning camps at Bilberry for kids ages 3-10. Each is designed around a certain theme, such as their "Glam" and "Mommy and Me" camps.
At the heart of any event Medina and Lambert organize is imagination.
Both mothers of children under the age of 7, the sisters had grown concerned by what they described as the growing prevalence of children's activities that stymied rather than encouraged active imaginations.
Party in a Pinch and Bilberry Square resulted from the "fear of our kids growing up and getting gobbled up by all that," Medina said. "We really felt compelled to do this. We see it as an extension of ourselves as mommies."
To create the make-believe town, brothers Jon and Alex wrote and illustrated a backstory along with an accompanying cast of approximately 20 characters, including Fancy the Fairy, Coral the Mermaid, Captain Crook and Dr. Dino.
Lambert has become the face of Bilberry, playing the part of the various female citizens. The women's husbands frequently cameo as the male characters.
Whether for a party, summer camp or weekly story time, Medina is the activities director who guides the children through the town's many locations and games.
"We come from a family of teachers, so this is my comfort zone," she said.
On a recent Friday afternoon, 4-year-old Célida Sneva celebrated her birthday at Bilberry where none other than Crysa- lissa the Butterfly Princess was scheduled to appear.
When she finally did, it was with a flurry of glittery yellow wings, much to the stunned delight of the 10 little girls in attendance.
"I knew I wanted to have it (her party) here," said Sneva's mom, also named Célida. As for why, it was "the whole fantasy thing. It kind of reminds me of Peter Pan."
Later as Medina, friend and aide Rebecca Langseth, and Crysalissa painted pink butterflies and flowers on the girls' arms, 4-year-old Fifi Lewis couldn't help exclaiming to the princess, "I like you. And you're here!"
"I've been friends with them since I was 4," Langseth said of the sisters during a momentary pause. "They've always been very creative. That they could do this doesn't surprise me."
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Names: Theresa Lambert and Lorna Medina
Ages: 28 and 30, respectively
Jobs: Owners of Party in a Pinch Inc., 2527 E. Sixth St., 881-0016
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