Bartlett Recreation offers wide variety of activities

The Bartlett Recreation Department has been very busy with its efforts to increase what is being offered to all age groups from the very young to the adults of our communities. Plans over the months of February and March include a trip Boston Flower Show, February vacation activities and an Easter egg hunt, as well as ongoing after-school programs.On March 22, board a coach bus at 7 a.m. and spend an exciting but relaxing day at the Boston Flower Show. Participants will board the bus at Story Land in Glen, then pick up the remaining passengers in Madison. Games and fun will be had along the way, with a brief stop for coffee and to stretch. After a full day at the show, board the bus and make the trip back, with a stop in Newington for some dinner. Meals for the trip are not included in the package price. The cost of the trip is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents, which includes a ticket to the all-day show and the luxurious coach ride to and from Boston.February Vacation week is Feb. 19 to 23. Beginning on Friday, Feb. 16, the recreation department will be hosting a snow sculpture contest at Bartlett Town Square. To register a group, family or individual name, contact the Bartlett Recreation Department, and receive a small list of guidelines for the contest. On Sunday, Feb. 25, the sculptures will be judged and prizes awarded. How about making a sculpture as a family or group activity for Boy Scouts, Girls Scouts, ski team, and so on?On Feb. 22, a skating party will be hosted at the Town of Bartlett ice rink (located behind the Josiah Bartlett Elementary School) beginning at 3 p.m. A fire ring will be available for skaters to warm up. Games are planned for some friendly competition. The recreation department will be selling hot chocolate with marshmallows and sweet treats. Come on down and join in the fun. Bingo! All the fun will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at 1 p.m., when a candy bar serves as admission for all the fun and prizes that will be given away. All ages, young and old, are encouraged to participate. The jackpot game prize will be the entire loot of candy bars collected. On Saturday, March 31, beginning at 9 a.m., Bartlett Rec will host an Easter egg hunt at the Bartlett School, in the vicinity of the ballfield. Two thousand eggs have been ordered and will be distributed among three age groups: preschool to kindergarten, grades one and two, and grades three and four. The same three age groups will also be eligible to enter a contest for the best decorated Easter basket. Bring your basket entry to the hunt to be judged. A prize for each age group will be awarded. Everyone who comes, adults and children, may wish to take a guess at the candy jar. The one who comes closest to the number of candies in the jar will win the jar and all the candy.The recreation department continues to offer after-school programming with Kids Kaleidoscope, an after-school structured program offered currently on Mondays and Tuesdays from 3:15 to 5 p.m. A late bus is offered at 4:45 p.m. to children who need transportation. Story time, a group game, homework help, snack and a craft project are offered at each session. The cost of each session is $8. Bartlett Rec is currently looking at expanding the number of days the program is offered to five.Aikido is also offered for adults and kids. Childrens classes currently are held on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, while the adult classes are on Wednesday evenings. Anyone interested in building self-esteem can call Bartlett Rec, and the staff there can help with a registration form and times.If you are interested in teaching some adult education classes, Bartlett Rec is interested in hearing from you. Annette Libby, director of Bartlett Recreation Department, would like to start offering more in this area, short- or long-term classes. For more information or questions on any of the events and programs, feel free to call Annette at 374-1952.