Brewer Recreation plans many winter programs

BREWER – The Brewer Parks and Recreation department, creating community through people, parks and programs, has released its winter schedule. Programs ranging from preschool fun time through senior exercise classes offer activities for all age groups and encourage healthy lifestyles for the entire community.

Adult activities include the winter walkers program, affording individuals the opportunity to walk 6:30-9:45 a.m. weekdays in the warmth and comfort of Brewer Auditorium. A challenge program also is offered for those who desire to walk a total of 2,500 minutes or more during the winter.

Senior exercise classes are scheduled for 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; these offer an hourlong workout regime for older adults.

Beginning in December, adult open gym basketball will take place 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday evenings in the auditorium gymnasium. The cost is $2 per session, with Brewer resident passes offered at a discount.

Other adult programs offered this winter include coed pickup volleyball 7-9 p.m. Wednesday evenings, $2 a session.

Noontime adult pickup basketball will take place noon-2 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Nov. 18. Indoor golf lessons will be offered at noon Thursdays beginning in late February, and featuring instruction for beginners as well as those desiring to tune up their game for spring. Lessons run four weeks at a cost of $25 for residents, $35 for others. Other adult program offerings include family photo album classes, karate, wake-up volleyball and senior citizens club.

Youth activities range from karate lessons to after-school programs. Instructional basketball for boys and girls in grades one and two will begin the first of December with a noncompetitive program emphasizing basic skills.

The middle school basketball league begins in mid-November and features coed teams playing weeknights with Saturday practice time.

The auditorium is open 2:30-4 p.m. Mondays for high school and middle school students who wish to drop in for pickup basketball games. Free preschool fun time will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesdays beginning the second week of November.

Baton twirling with Dianne Higgins is offered Tuesday afternoons for beginner through more accomplished baton enthusiasts in five-week sessions.

Penny Johnson leads youth karate classes for grades one through eight Saturdays in Brewer Auditorium.

The department is taking names for a waiting list for its after-school program in kindergarten through grade seven.

The Sunday open gym program will run Dec. 5-Feb. 27, with family time noon-1:30 p.m. Grades five and under will have gym time 1:30-3 p.m., and grades six through 12 use the gym from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Skin Care and Color for girls in grades nine-12, with Kelley Reece, will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Dec. 8 and 15, and Jan. 12 and 19.

The third annual “fowl” shooting contest will be held at noon Saturday, Nov. 20, giving participants 10 free throws and three “bonus chicken basketballs,” and the opportunity to win a turkey.

North Pole Calling will give children in kindergarten through grade two the opportunity to speak with Santa Claus via the hotline.

Candy gingerbread houses will be offered the week before Christmas, with participants getting all the supplies they need to make their own houses.

The Brewer Hometown Band will offer its annual Christmas concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12.

New this year will be a dance to the music of the swing band the Skyliners, 8-11 p.m. Dec. 11. Tickets are on sale at $5 each.

The Parks and Recreation department will offer skating on Doyle Field, in addition to rinks located at Pendleton Street and Washington Street. Sliding and cross-country skiing on Doyle Field also will be offered.

A community skating and sliding party with hot chocolate and music will be held 6-8:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, at Brewer Auditorium.

One of the most highly anticipated events will be the annual Father-Daughter Valentine Dance, scheduled for Friday, Feb. 11. Tickets will go on sale in late January, and will be limited to the first 450 registered.

The winter activity brochure describes all programs and associated fees, and is available at the Parks and Recreation Office at Brewer Auditorium.