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FUN NIGHT OUT

Imagine a place where men and women could get Valentine’s Day gifts, Superbowl attire and a fun night out. The Walpole Recreation Department is rolling out a new program where that is a reality: “Not In My Living Room.” The purpose is to support all kinds of local, small businesses by filling a local restaurant with patrons at the same time there will be local, vendors selling their goods. The first one is Thursday, Feb. 2, at Jalapeno's on Main Street downtown from 7 to 9.

The vendors are Cheryl Gaba, offering Stella & Dot jewelry (stelladot.com/cherylgaba) and Tamara Freedman Lord, showing beautifully designed handbags (tamarahandbags.com) The sports memorabilia are from Boston Sports Town, which is setting up to sell Patriots attire and items, sports pictures and autographs.

Just about everyone has heard about all the latest findings regarding concussions and the effects they have on a person. To help your child’s health and well-being, we are offering a one-day concussion screening with Jeannine Donato, RN, from “A Head of the Game.” Donato will be in Walpole on Saturday, Feb. 4. 9-5 at the East Walpole Civic Center on 5 Wolcott Ave. A Head of the Game is able to help protect your student athlete's most important asset - the brain. With the simple and fun screening, the children answer questions on the computer for about 45 minutes to test recall, reaction time and pattern recognition.

There are limited seats so everyone is urged to register as soon as possible by going to walpolerec.com and registering under “Impact Concussion Screening.” The cost of the screening is $40 and anyone with any questions may contact Aicha Kelley @ 508-660-6371 or at akelley@walpole-ma.gov .

The Walpole Recreation Department is now accepting program ideas for anyone interested in running one, two, three week programs working with children 3 years old to 8th grade from July 9 - July 26. Summer Academy is great fun where the instructors are their own bosses as they run the program the way they think is best. At the same time, they make money over the summer. The link to the application is http://bit.ly/xWP9pc .

The Walpole Coalition for Alcohol Awareness in conjunction with the Walpole Recreation Department is looking for groups or individual high school students to create a Public Service Announcement with a positive message about the actual statistics of drug, alcohol and risky behavior in Walpole. The goal, said Coalition Member Aicha Kelley, “We want to have the students help students by learning the true facts that not “Everyone” is doing it. Kids listen to kids. This contest will have peers teaching peers.

The Walpole Recreation Department wants all older active adults to join long-time volunteer, Ora McGuire, for her Creative Corner Program which are always held on Wednesdays from 1 - 2PM at Blackburn Hall. One of the projects that McGuire, the Recreation Department and all those that participate are working on a cook book titled, “What A Life!” They are asking anyone to be involved by submitting recipes that mean a lot to themselves and/or their families. Once there are enough submissions to make a substantial and yummy book, they will be printed.

The information needed is name, telephone number, how many years they have lived in Walpole, the recipe and what the recipe means to the person. Anyone can drop off recipes at Blackburn Hall or mail them to “Attn. Recipes, Recreation Dept, 135 School St., Walpole, MA 02081.

February 8 is “Creative Calendars with Joan Keating and Mock Birthday Party!” where the active older adults will make their own calendars, submit their birthdays to be put on the Walpole Recreation Birthday Club list and then have cake, ice cream and sing “Happy Birthday” to each other.

February 15 is “Stories of the Heart with Shenachie Alan O’Hare” where the participants will hear O’Hare tell inspiring stories from the Irish heritage. There will be Irish tea and cookies served. February 22 is “Sampling Recipes and Whimsical Sketches with Hal Cooper” will have the illustrator creating sketches for the cookbook (name TBD). Aicha Kelley will be preparing some samples of the recipes that were submitted. All are invited to come with empty bellies and watch art being created.

February 29 is “Dorothy O’Shaughnessy Shares the Butterfly Garden” where the Recreation Department will bring the Active Older Adults a taste of spring. We will also have a florist on hand that can explain how to prepare for the upcoming garden. There will be seeds handed out for the Active Older Adults to take home and plant themselves.

The Walpole Recreation Department will be hosting dances this month all from 7:30 to 10 p.m.;dance cards are required for all. The 7th & 8th Grade Dance is on Friday, Feb. 3, plus a special Valentine’s Day Dance for those grades on February 11. The 6th Grade Dance is Feb 10.

The dances will include DJ cranking the top hits, larger-than-life karaoke, drinks and snacks that will be for purchase, foosball, and more surprises.

The Recreation Department is asking any middle schooler to sign up for the dance membership cards. They may do so by coming to Blackburn Hall with an adult, filling out the contract and getting their picture taken. The IDs will make them members in the system and ensure safer dances. There is a $25 membership fee to purchase your ID card and will last for the school year. If a parent chaperones two dances - they will be reimbursed $20. The cost of entry to each dance is $5. There will be plenty of trained recreation staffers, but parents are urged to volunteer and may do so simply by calling Aicha Kelley at 508-660-6371.

The Walpole Recreation Department is hosting the 9th Annual Taste of Walpole at Raffael’s on Thursday, Feb. 9 from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

The owners of Raffael’s are, again, graciously opening their doors for the annual event which has evolved into one of Walpole’s favorites. The Recreation Department is working with local restaurants, florists, liquor vendors and rental companies to showcase their specialties. The purpose of the event, coordinator Aicha Kelley said, is to promote local businesses. “There are so many great businesses that are involved in the community. We created this event for them to have the best form of advertising....the things they do best!.” Some of the participants are The Red Wing Diner, Jalapeno’s Grille, Leo’s Pizzeria, Peking Garden, Village Art & Floral, and Dalton’s Package Store.

Riccardo Dorronsoro, owner of Jalapeno’s Grille, said, “The Taste is a great event for the town and the businesses. It puts names to faces and tastes to menus. Every year it grows and we couldn’t be happier to participate.”

As always, The Taste of Walpole will include raffles, door prizes, and games to make the night complete. Anyone wishing to volunteer, participate, or have any questions, please contact Aicha Kelley @ 508-660-6371 or at akelley@walpole-ma.gov