College students treat younger generation to Fit and Fun Day

Students hold Fit and Fun Day
    PRESQUE ISLE – Local kids will be throwing around rubber chickens and playing with parachutes when the University of Maine at Presque Isle holds its sixth semi-annual Fit and Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27, in Gentile Hall.     Students in the Physical Education Majors Club have organized the play day for area children to teach them about health and fitness in a fun environment.
    UMPI Fit and Fun Day, which is free of charge, is geared for students in grades 1-5. Activities will include cup stacking, rhythm activities, parachute games, juggling and ball handling games, and improving motor skill techniques through activities such as throwing with rubber chickens, frogs and turtles.
    The multipurpose court in Gentile Hall will be set up for the various activities. Children will spend about 20 to 30 minutes at one of five stations before moving on to another activity. UMPI physical education and athletic training students will facilitate the activities and help children throughout the day.
    Organizers will provide juice but suggest that kids bring their own healthy snacks.
    The event has grown significantly since it was first held in 2005. Last spring, organizers hosted about 125 kids. Dr. Chris Standefer, professor of physical education, said this is the second time her students have hosted the event in the fall. They are hoping good weather will allow them to do outdoor activities with kids.
    Standefer said the event provides wonderful benefits both to college and elementary students.
    “The biggest benefit is that kids can do some fun types of activities and realize that fitness isn’t just about exercise. It’s about playing with chickens, running, jumping and just being a kid,” she said. “For university students, it gives them the opportunity to work with school-age children. Anytime I can get my students working with kids, it makes their teaching skills stronger.”
    For more information about the event, call Standefer at 768-9457.
Veterans Day Salute Nov. 10
    PRESQUE ISLE – The Young Marines/County Patriots will host a special Veterans Day Salute at the University of Maine at Presque Isle when they present the Army Rock Band, “Avalanche.”
    The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, at Wieden Auditorium. The band, from Fort Drum, N.Y., will play songs from the 1950s to the 1970s.
    The five-member ensemble, a 10th Mountain Division Band, brings Army bands to the forefront of today’s music, according to its Web site. Performing Top 40 rock hits, as well as hard-hitting classics, the group has performed all over New York and New England. “Avalanche” also has deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The band’s highly energetic performances have made it a very popular group.
    Before the band actually takes the stage, about 25 members of the Young Marines/County Patriots will hold a 15-minute ceremony, including a Color Guard presentation, a Pledge of Allegiance and a patriotic salute. The Young Marines/County Patriots works to provide quality youth development programs for boys and girls that help them become responsible citizens who enjoy and promote a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.
    Craig Fay, commanding officer of the County Patriots group, said the event is being held just before Veterans Day in honor of all veterans.
    “The Young Marines/County Patriots would like to honor all veterans, especially those who have sacrificed everything and put their lives in harm’s way for our freedom,” Fay said.
    He said the group also wanted to honor those veterans who are attending the University in order to further serve their fellow citizens and their country. The group is issuing a special invitation to all veterans and soldiers who have served their country.
    The concert is free, though donations will be taken at the door to support local veterans residing in the Maine Veterans Home in Caribou and utilizing the Caribou Vet Center.
    For more information, contact Fay at craigfay@cpyoungmarines.net.