Wilton Family YMCA Gives Rowing 101 Demo and Activity Day on Saturday, 9/12
Looking for an excuse to stay out on the water after summer ends? Head out to the Wilton Family YMCA as the gym opens its doors to the public and offers an introduction to the sport of rowing on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 1-3 p.m.. Rowing 101 is an ideal opportunity for someone who’s curious about the sport to give a try.
The afternoon will be filled with hands-on educational and athletic opportunities to learn the fundamentals of rowing. Using demos, races and basic drills, learn how to coordinate movement and strokes while receiving instruction on an erg and participate in yoga and stretching specifically designed for rowing. The Norwalk River Rowing Association will be leading all activities and will be on hand to answer any questions. The Norwalk River Rowing Association promotes a lifelong passion for the sport of rowing among its adult and youth members who love competition, teamwork, excellence, and fun. Participants will have an opportunity to register for Norwalk River Rowing “Learn to Row” morning sessions and a 15-percent discount will be applied for those who register on site at event.
Getting in shape, trying something new, enjoying the outdoors or meeting new people in the community – whatever the reason, learning about the sport of rowing can be an unforgettable experience and have potential to be a life-long endeavor.
Circle of Care 5K Saturday 9/12 in Merwin Meadows Supports Families Facing Pediatric Cancer
This Saturday, Sept. 12 join hundreds of other people to support children with cancer and their families in the inaugural Circle of Care 5K: Care to Run. Like Circle of Care, which was started and is based in Wilton but serves the entire state of CT, the 5K will be a community-wide event held here in town, with teams from all over Fairfield County organizing to run and raise funds for children with cancer and to show them how much the community cares.
Circle of Care provides direct emotional and financial support to families facing pediatric cancer in Connecticut. Organizers say the 5K will rally community support for children with cancer in a positive way that breaks with stereotypes, enable Circle of Care to build awareness of what they do and how they support families.
GOOD Morning Wilton is honored to be the media sponsor for the event. The lead corporate sponsors who are making the event possible are Northwestern Mutual, Gault and Winged Monkey. Blue Buffalo is sponsoring the Kids’ Fun Run.
The race will start in Merwin Meadows (Lover’s Ln.). Check-in/registration begins at 7:30 a.m.; a Kids’ Fun Run begins at 8:10 a.m. and the Race to Care 5K will start at 8:30 a.m.
Online registration has begun at the race website. Registration is just $25 per person or $10 for a child doing the Fun Run, with all funds going to Circle of Care’s programs that directly impact children with cancer in our community. Runners that raise $250 or more will have their registration fee refunded on race day.
Modest cash prizes will be awarded for the race, which will be timed and USATF Certified. There will be prizes for Best Team Spirit and Best Fundraiser as well as cash prizes of $100 for first, $75 for second and $50 for the third place runner.
“Enjoy the Ride” Weekend at JoyRide Wilton Cycle Studio 9/12 & 9/13
JoyRide Wilton is hosting a weekend “Enjoy the Ride” event on Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13. The weekend will feature theme rides, glow rides and “team teach” rides. Local partners The Well – The Natural Market (Wilton) will be onsite offering smoothie samples to riders and Jade Active Lifestyle (New Canaan) will also join in the fun offering two $75 gift certificates to two lucky riders over the course of the weekend!
To find out scheduling and to book a bike for any of the rides, visit the JoyRide Wilton website.
Wilton Library Competes in Ancona’s Charity Bocce Tournament
The battle for the title of “Branchville Champion Bocce Team” will be waged on Saturday, Sept. 12, on the Ancona bocce court. Nine teams representing various local charities will play in the First Annual Branchville Charity Bocce Tournament in the name of fun and fundraising.
“We’re excited to host a tournament that will benefit such important organizations in the community,” said Mitch Ancona, bocce enthusiast, tournament referee and proprietor of the bocce court. “This is a great opportunity to enjoy the fun game of bocce, show off your skills – or lack thereof – and share the camaraderie of a team sport, all while supporting local charities.”
The Wilton Library is one of the nine, 4-person teams competing for the title and monetary prizes. The others include: The Ridgefield Library, Redding’s Mark Twain Library, the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department, the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department, Branchville Civic Association, Danbury Women’s Center, A Better Chance and Ann’s Place.
Four teams will play a “round robin” in the morning, and the others will play in the afternoon. The top two teams from each set will play in the Championship Rounds.
The Wilton Library’s team, the Wilton Library Bocce Brawlers, is represented by two library spouses–Michael Crystal and Jon Waxberg–and two Ancona employees–Justin Bartholomew and Jeff Hancock. The library team takes to the bocce court at 11:45 a.m. Saturday morning against the Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, the Ridgefield Volunteer Fire Department and Mark Twain Library.
In addition to the trophy and bragging rights, prizes include donations made to the charities for the top four teams: First place: $1,000; 2nd place: $500; 3rd place: $250; 4th place: $100. The team that has the best cheerleaders has the opportunity to win an additional $300 for a Team Spirit Award.
The public is invited to attend the free event to cheer on their favorite teams and players. Tusk & Cup will have breakfast sandwiches, pastries and beverages available in the morning, and the Tivoli Mobile Pizza Truck will be in the parking lot for the duration of the afternoon festivities, offering pizza, calzones and more.
Bocce is played by throwing a small ball, called a pallino, onto the court. Players then bowl larger balls toward the pallino to see who can get the closest. It can be played in teams, as in the tournament, or one-on-one. The game requires strategy and accuracy, but can be enjoyed by players of all ages and athletic abilities.
The bocce court, which was professionally rebuilt by the Nazzaro Brothers three years ago, is located at the front of the Ancona’s Wines and Liquor Store parking lot, on Route 102, in Ridgefield. As is customary of bocce courts, it measures 10’ x 60’.
“The bocce tournament is a culmination of the traditional Ancona business objective,” said Ancona. “Focus on family, community, and charity – with a good dose of fun. “