Rec Department plans busy winter

    What’s going on at the Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department this winter? Aren’t they only busy during the summertime with their activities? Why are we paying to keep an old building like that up and running through the cold winter months? Hopefully after this you’ll have a better understanding of all that we do during the long, frigid winter here in northern Maine.     We start our winter with grades 3-4 basketball. Registration usually begins in the middle of October, and it runs from the first of November through the second week in December. Grades 5-6 basketball usually starts sign-ups the third week in November, and the leagues start either the third week of December or the first week of January, depending on the number of kids in the league. Basketball wraps up with grades 1-2. Sign-ups begin in the middle of January and the league runs between the February and April school breaks.
    In addition to practices and games, the UMPI men’s and women’s teams and the PIHS varsity teams hold mini clinics for the grades 3-4 and 5-6 leagues. The first two groups have games four days a week, and the last group plays on Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Over the last 12 years, an average of 241 children take part in the basketball programs annually. The program is held after school. There is a $15 program fee for each league.
    Along with our grades 5-6 basketball program, we also offer a cheerleading program for students grades 4-6. The squad has scheduled practices and cheer at the local games.
    We also offer an open gym period on the weekends for all students grades 1-12. The hours are from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for elementary students, then from 3-5 p.m. for junior and senior high school students. During open gym, students may play gym games, ping pong, pool, foosball, or any of the board games available. In addition to the Saturday and Sunday times, a junior high school only open gym will be held Friday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m., starting in January. There is no cost for open gym.
    The center is also used for adult programs in the evening during the week. Monday nights are reserved for co-ed volleyball. On Tuesday and Thursday nights, there is drop-in men’s basketball. Wednesday night sees the gym filled with co-ed dodgeball players. All programs have started; they run from 7-9 p.m., and carry a $1 fee for each night. Proper footwear is also required, and all participants must be age 18 or older.
    Another fun and exciting activity the whole family can enjoy together is archery. Archery will be held on Sunday nights starting later in the year. Please continue checking the Recreation News section of the Star-Herald for more information, which will be posted as it becomes available.
    There are lots of activities going on during the day, too. On Tuesday mornings we host a playgroup for children and their parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles. All children not quite school aged are welcome to attend. We have a variety of toys and balls for kids to play with, and also have books to read to children to calm them before leaving. Children are also allowed to bring their own toys as long as the toys are safe.
    The Seniors’ Bridge Club meets every Tuesday from noon-4 p.m. for an afternoon of card playing. The best part of the day is when they share their homemade goodies with the hard workers in the offices.
    The seniors also take over on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for aerobics in the gym. The group meets from 1:30-2:30 p.m., taking part in light impact aerobics. This group is set up through the Adult Ed office for SAD 1.
    In addition to cards and aerobics, the center plays host to a Matter of Balance course for senior citizens. The Aroostook Agency on Aging is running this class. This class shows some simple exercises seniors can do to improve their balance and strength, helping them overcome the fears of falling and independent living. It also helps them be more confident and mobile during everyday activities. The group meets on Monday and Wednesday mornings from 9-11 a.m.
    Work Opportunity Center utilizes the gymnasium at noon time each Wednesday. They play basketball, pool, or other gym games during their time. Other similar agencies also bring clients in throughout the day to work on physical activities. Children with special needs also utilize the gym on Tuesday afternoons for a little basketball.
    Thursday mornings are also a busy time at the Community Center. The Cornerstone Christian Academy comes down with two groups to hold their physical education classes. The younger students partake in the first 45 minutes session, then the older students come in for the second 45 minutes. They participate in a variety of games, both organized sports and team building activities. They don’t meet on the fourth Thursday of each month, though. Healthy Families of Aroostook comes in during that time with a fun and creative activity for kids ages birth to 5 years. Most activities are centered around an upcoming holiday or seasonal change.
    For you outdoor enthusiasts, we run a cross country skiing program for children grades 1-8. This is done in conjunction with the Maine Winter Sports Center and the Nordic Heritage Center. Registration begins in the middle of November and starts after the New Year, depending on snow amounts. Skis can be rented through Mojo, and the forms to do so are available at the Community Center. If you’d like to purchase ski equipment or other related items, come check out the annual Quoggy Jo Ski Sale, usually held the first Sunday in November. You can purchase entire packages or just what you need.
    There are many special events hosted at the Community Center throughout the year, especially around school vacations. There are extended open gym hours during school vacations and contest days during these breaks. One of the biggest draws is the Peanut Carnival in April. Children pay a small fee for a bag of plastic coins (due to peanut allergies) and a ticket for a chance to win a bike. They can play a variety of games, and can win more coins, candy, or small prizes. At the end of the day they redeem their coins for little goodie bags. We have a “fowl” shooting contest before Thanksgiving. Parents and children shoot free throws in hopes of winning a turkey graciously donated by Friends Market. A Kids’ Christmas Party is held on a Friday before Christmas. This is a great time for parents to finish up any last-minute Christmas shopping. Or, if they plan like I do, start your Christmas shopping. The kids will be entertained with gym games, bingo, and a Red Sox Swap (we don’t say that ‘Y’ word around here). Then there’s the annual New Year’s Eve sleepover for kids grades 1-5. Not really sure why the word sleep is in there though. The kids don’t do much of it. We hold a Father/Daughter dance, usually on the Friday before Valentine’s Day.
    Early March brings on the nationally recognized Hot Shot program. Children are timed as they shoot from different spots on the floor, with each spot having a different point value designated to it. Finally, we run two sessions of Little All-Stars, one in the spring and one in the fall. This is an introductory course for children ages 4-5, and the basics of football, floor hockey, baseball, soccer, and basketball are covered.
    As you can see, there are a plethora of activities each and every day of the week for people of all ages. All people, young and old alike, can find something to do at least once a week at the Community Center, and we haven’t even mentioned all of our activities and programs at the Indoor Pool (that’s another article). All activities are advertised in the Recreation News section of the Star-Herald a few weeks prior to the programs starting.
    Adam Murchison is recreation programmer for the Presque Isle Recreation and Parks Department. He can be reached at 764-2545 or online at adampirec@maine.rr.com.