Events and Activities : Out on a Limb

“Out on a Limb”
With the
Parks & Recreation Department

It is hard to believe that not only are we gearing up for Thanksgiving events and programs but we are talking about programs that start in December. I hate to say it but I think the year 2011 is slipping away. I personally am not ready for winter but the one thing I have learned over the years is that I can’t control the weather.
With Thanksgiving just a few weeks away it really makes me appreciate and are thankful for all the people who came to our aid at the time of crisis back in July. We are trying to finish up the final cleanup of debris, trees and branches throughout the parks. Once that is done it will be time to move forward with the planting of trees over the next few years.

Speaking of trees, hopefully you saw the picture of the Mt. Auburn Youth group in the media this past week donating $50 toward a new tree in our parks. The one thing you didn’t see in the picture was me. I owe a big apology to the group because I got busy last Sunday and totally spaced off going to Mt. Auburn for the picture. I really appreciate their thoughtfulness to help us here in Vinton and especially in our parks. Thank you to all of you involved with this group and your help to our community. The one good thing is it is a lot better looking group shot without me in it.

We are looking for names of anyone that came out and helped clean up the parks during the few weeks following the storm. We need to turn in a list of names and hours worked to FEMA to help with our storm relief. So if you helped if you could e-mail our office at : vprdoffice@vintoniowa.com or call at 472-4164 and let us know your name, date you worked and what time you worked it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Don’t forget, you can always find out more information at our website at vprdzone.com or for more information on these programs or any of our programs, stop by the VPRD office located at the Vinton Recreation Center.
Upcoming Programs & Activities:
Tot Lot/ This program is designed for all youth in pre-school or younger. Tot Lot is held at the Vinton Skate & Activity Center on Mondays & Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. This not only gives kids a chance to burn off some energy and interact with other kids but it is also a great place for parents, grandparents and babysitters to have a few hours each week socializing and having fun with other adults. Participants may pay each day or purchase a season pass for the entire program. There are reduced rates for multiple kids from the same family or babysitter. Begins November 2 and runs through February 29.
Fall Craft & Bake Sale/This Saturday, November 5th, we will be hosting our annual Craft & Bake Sale at the Skate & Activity Center from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We already have a great pre-registration of vendors with a huge variety of items. There is no charge for admission, just show up and check out all of the great things they have to offer.
Jack – O – Lantern Jump/Once again we will be hauling your pumpkins up to the top of the pool waterslide and launching them at targets forty foot lower on the ground. This is always lots of fun and is an activity for the whole family. We are once again very lucky to have lots of pizza certificates thanks to Ryan at our Vinton Pizza Hut. So, you not only get to see your pumpkin explode all over the ground, you could even win a pizza if you’re accurate. The fun begins at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 6th at the Recreation Center parking lot.
Parent/Child Free Throw Shooting Contest/The Vinton Recreation Center will be the site for the annual Free Throw Turkey Shoot on Sunday, November 13th. The action gets underway at 2:00 p.m. with age categories based on the combined ages of the parent & child. Cost is only $1.00 to participate and kids can enter once with each parent. Special thanks to Fareway for their sponsorship of this event.

On Going Programs:
Tae Kwon Do/Held at the Vinton Recreation Center on Tuesdays & Thursday evenings. Stop by the Recreation Center to watch the class or for more information.
Circuit Training/Get a total workout with this circuit program of 17 different machines in under an hour. This program is held at the middle school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Register at the VPRD office. This will run September through May.
Lap Swim/There is still time to sign up for our lap swim program being held at the IBSSS swimming pool through mid January. The program takes place from 6:10 -7:15 a.m. All participants need to pre-register at the VPRD office prior to starting up the program.
Don’t forget you can always go to the Recreation Center during open hours to work out on the exercise equipment. Walking can be done in the gym, treadmill or our elliptical fitness piece. The Recreation Center is open the following hours:

Monday – Friday7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturdays10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sundays1:00 pm. – 5:00 p.m.
Listed below are the hours for open skating. We are taking reservations for groups. If you are interested in renting the skate center for a birthday party, youth group gathering, or any get together, give us a call at the recreation center and we will set up a date for you. Stop out and have some fun.
Weekly Schedule for the Skate & Activity Center: (Sept. the hours will expand)
Open Skating
Friday 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Saturday7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Sunday 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.(except Nov 6 & 20-IROAR)
Walking:
Monday - Friday 8:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Calendar of Upcoming Events: (Clip & Save)
November 2Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November 5Fall Craft & Bake Sale at Skate & Activity Center/8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
November 5Coed Volleyball Invitational
November 6Jack – O – Lantern Jump at Recreation Center/ 2:00 p.m.
November 6IROAR Racing at Skate & Activity Center/All day
November 7Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November 9Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November10VPRD Board meeting at 6:00 a.m.
November13Parent /Child Free Throw Shooting Contest/Recreation Center at 2:00
November16Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November 6IROAR Racing at Skate & Activity Center/All day
November21Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November24Recreation Center Closed for Thanksgiving
November25Recreation Center Opens at Noon
November28Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
November30Tot Lot at the Skate & Activity Center/9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
December 3Breakfast with Santa
December 3Youth Christmas Craft Day
Don’t forget, we will take all your bottles and cans that are redeemable for five cents at the parks & recreation department. If you have cans or bottles and want to get rid of them, bring them to the park shop located just north of the swimming pool, bring them to the recreation center or give us a call and we will come out and get them. All proceeds go to a fund to help our youth programs. This program has already made a big impact.
In closing, if you have any questions concerning our programs, activities, or facilities, gives us a call, stop by or send us an e-mail.
VPRD Office472-4164
Skate & Activity Center472-5168
Director’s E-mailvprdrandall@vintoniowa.net
Assistant Directorvprdbarker@vintoniowa.net
Administrative Assistantvprdoffice@vintoniowa.net
Website: vprdzone.com