Recently in Recreation Category

Walden Pond is a wonderful place to visit if you don't follow the masses. For those of you who do not know, Walden Pond was the residence of Henry David Thoreau from 1845 to 1847. Conservationists regularly quote his book Walden which is inspiring. It is a treatise on simple living in nature. As a kid we were taught how difficult it must have been for him to live in a one room house (replica shown here). Now as an adult sometimes I wish for such an existence. This quote from Walden is particularly inspiring:

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, to discover that I had not lived.

The worst time to visit Walden, because it will be least inspiring, is on hot summer days. People from all over flock here to swim. You will have many babies in diapers, tons of noise, and full parking lots. If you want to experience the tranquility of this place like Thoreau did, come here during the off season. Fall is the best time to visit. Bring a canoe or hike along the perimeter of the pond. Winter is another good season to visit and you should make sure to bring your snowshoes.

Thoreau grew up in Concord, attended Harvard, and became friends with Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson introduced him to other famous Concord authors, Alcott, Fuller, and Hawthorne being the most prominent, and he followed their Trascendental Movement. This movement subscribed to the philosophy that personal intuition rather than religion allowed one to achieve insight. Thoreau was a principled man. He refused to pay taxes for several years over his opposition to slavery and the Mexican-American War. Try to do that now!

If you make a trip to Walden, be sure to visit downtown Concord and the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Thoreau is buried at Author's Ridge, along with many other famous authors. If you have time, visit the Concord Museum which is just outside downtown Concord.

The park has many activities scheduled for August. These include guided hikes, nature crafts, and kayaking. To view the schedule, click on the Events and Programs link on the Walden Pond homepage below.

Links: Walden Pond Reservation

Many of you have probably heard of the famed Arnold Arboretum in Boston. When we were living in town, we frequently made trips there and the highlight was the annual lilac festival, the one time of the year you were allowed to bring in food. Probably less famous, even to those who live around here, and certainly smaller, is the Acton Arboretum. Situated on 64 acres near Acton Center off Taylor Road and Route 27 (Main Street), it's an oasis even for an area that has lots of conservation land. It's also inspiring. The gardens have given me ideas for what is possible on my own property and it may do the same for you. For those of you looking for prime portrait locations for your family, this place cannot easily be beat. There are a fair number of apple trees which is a first hint of the history of the land. There are daylily, hosta, herb, wildflower, and rhododendron gardens as well as a newly planted lilac garden. Specimen trees dot the landscape, though they aren't as rare or numerous as their cousin in Boston. There are small ponds, climbable trees, stone benches, and more.

The upper gardens are most active and visible. The paths that wind into the woods and transport you to other beautiful gardens are somewhat hidden and add to the mystery of the place. There's also a relatively new footbridge that winds over streams and through wooded wildflower garden that is currently being worked on. This trail connects to the Highland Loop which leads to a secluded bog (another piece of history). Further hints of its rich history are the stone walls and the old foundation surrounding the herb garden.

I have heard some comment on dogs running loose. They should come to Stow's Delaney Project where you cannot help but step into dog poop and the trails are rundown and dusty. This is absolutely not the case here. The people are friendly and the dogs are friendly and mostly they are on leashes and if not they are responsive to their owners. People pick up after themselves as there is no litter anywhere even though picnics are allowed and there are several picnic tables available for use. It's completely free to the public.

The arboretum has a rich history which you can find on the member application on the site linked below. In short, during the American Revolution it was owned by Joseph Reed who fought at the North Bridge and the Battle of Bunker Hill and came home to a heroes welcome: most of his land was sold for nonpayment of taxes! It seems like we are doomed to repeating history as our heros of today frequently come home from war with similar tales. What was left of the land was later sold to the Tuttle family who grew and sold cranberries and apples for over 100 years. The Town of Acton bought the property in the year our country celebrated is bicentennial (1976) and in 1986 at Town Meeting it was designated as an arboretum. It turns out the two arboretums, Boston and Acton, are somewhat related. I am told by Joan Yatteau of the Friend of the Acton Arboretum that the former director of the Arnold Arboretum, Dick Howard, retired to Acton and helped in the early stages of development. In addition, two students at the then Landscape Design seminar at Radcliffe College helped to develop the master plan as part of their degree program. What a wonderful story of a wonderful project!

Image: Allium is a member of the onion family and is particularly attractive to shoot. Here, I was giving my friend Larry some pointers on how to use his new Nikon D200 with my Tamron 90mm/2.8 Macro lens.

Link: Acton Arboretum Official Site

Ten month old Robert Emken strikes the cutest pose  at the Stow Area Parents Network's annual Birthday Party at Randall Library for newborns to 1 year olds. The program included short sessions that introduced the children and parents to services and activities available. These included: WeeHands (a baby sign language program), infant massage, Music Together, a lactation consultant, and the Safe Start program (child safety). The group boasts over 100 members and offers its members more than just the playgroups we are all familiar with. Over the past few years, they have added a book club, scrapbooking club, Dad’s poker night, Mom’s night out, and an online message group for parents to share ideas and resources. The three big events are the Halloween Party, Valentine’s Party, and Spring Fling. This year’s Spring Fling will be held at Pine Bluffs on June 14 and will include activities and a barbeque.

The Stow PTO is a wonderful organization. It funds all the "extra" things that are done at the elementary schools that the school budgets themselves don't fund. Just this month they sponsored ragtime virtuoso Jeff Barnhart's performance at the schools which was a huge hit. The Lions Club sponsored his performance that evening at Town Hall. Last month they sponsored children's author and illustrator Lita Judge who told the kids about how her books are made. If you get involved with a town, you begin to realize that every other day there is a fundraiser for this group or that group. Well, Stow PTO decided to just have a dance and cover their costs as a way of giving back to everyone who has supported the organization. This year's dance was at Wedgewood Pines Country Club and was a real blast. Image caption: Sandy Taft and Russ Estey were the most festively dress Friday night at Wedgewood Pines for the Stow PTO-sponsored “Tropical Paradise Dance”.

Eric Harmon was one of dozens of children who attended Kids Bingo night at St. Isidore's. It was a smash hit last year and we were not let down this year. Girl Scout Troop 2521 sponsored the event (the girls called out the letters and numbers, hosted games, and manned the concession stand). Eric, you may have seen, brought the Pompo Kindergarten mascot with him. Icicles makes the rounds with each child throughout the school year.

Full of New Year’s Resolutions? If any of them include getting in shape or trying something new, let our local recreation departments help you get started.

Not only are there great community education classes offered in our own town but by simply looking to adjacent towns you can multiply your options tenfold.

Don’t hesitate to sign up for fear of being a non-resident. These towns want us to utilize their offerings. This is evidenced by the fact that there are no additional fees for residents of other towns. In many instances classes will not run if there are less than five students; full classes mean a greater number of viable offerings.

The Winter 2008 Program offered through the Stow Recreation Department shows classes such as Music Together for children from birth through age five. Classes are offered Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays at the Town Hall. Men’s Basketball is a great choice for those who aren’t fond of outdoor, cold-weather exercise. This class is held on Tuesdays at the Hale School Gym from 6:30-8:30 pm.

The Town of Sudbury Park & Recreation Department offers a huge and varied selection of programs. Most of their programs are held at the Fairbank Rec Center at 40 Fairbank Road. This facility also houses a gorgeous six-lane pool and diving well.

Class offerings for adults include, for example, Jazzercise and Introduction to Snowshoeing. Children might enjoy a ten-week Musical Theater class that culminates with a performance for parents during its last week. Sudbury uniquely offers weekly Kindergarten workshops that run 1.5 hours and focus on a specific topic. “Hawaiin Luau,” “Medieval Castle Fun,” and “Jungle Safari,” are just a few. These are great for half-day Kindergarteners because they are offered in the morning and afternoon. You can sign up for one or all fourteen.

The Town of Acton offers two separate recreation program guides. The larger of the two is a listing called The Interaction and is assembled by Acton Boxborough Community Education. “How to Buy & Sell on Ebay” is a popluar class as well as “Photoshop for the Absolute Beginner.” You might not think you could find “Beginner Fencing for Children” outside of Boston but The Interaction has it. For the more intellectual child perhaps “Mad Science” would be an option. The Interaction also lists options for swimming lessons and open swim utilizing Acton-Boxborough High School’s pool.

The Town of Acton Recreation Department offers Landscaping Workshops and bus trips such as The New England Patriots vs. The Buffalo Bills. For children interested in cooking there’s “Edible Fun Stop” and “Valentine Candy Class.”

In general, programs offered through recreation departments have a more relaxed, non-committal feel than those offered through commercial vendors. The children’s programs, in particular, have a less-competitive, fun atmosphere.

From a financial standpoint, you can’t beat the price of town offerings. One of the reasons being that those who teach classes don’t need to cover large overhead for rent and utilities. In addition, you, the consumer, don’t need to commit to a one-year gym membership if you’re simply curious about a Pilates class.

By taking advantage of the offerings of neighboring recreation departments, adults and children alike can entertain themselves through the long Winter months.

Area Recreation Departments:

• Stow Recreation Department: 380 Great Road, Stow, MA.
  
• Town of Sudbury Park & Recreation/Atkinson Pool: Fairbank Community Center, 40 Fairbank Road, Sudbury, MA.
  
• Acton Boxborough Community Education (The Interaction): Administration Building, 15 Charter Road, Acton, MA. Phone (978) 266-2525 to obtain a catalog.
  
• Town of Acton Recreation Department: Acton Town Hall, 472 Main St., Acton, MA.
  
• Concord Recreation Department: Hunt Recreation Center, 90 Stow Street, Concord, MA. Includes the new Beede Swim & Fitness Center.
• Hudson Division of Recreation: 78 Main Street, Hudson, MA.
  
• Marlborough Recreation Department: 239 Concord Road, Marlborough, MA.
• Minuteman Regional High School: 758 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA.