Recreation: April 2008 Archives

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.

External Link: Stow Area Parent's Network

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.

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.