ABOUT TOWN: A Busy Weekend Ahead in Stoughton

Don't say there's nothing to do this weekend in Stoughton! Here is a preview of just some of the events taking place this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

There's on Friday evening; the and on Saturday; a Benefit Concert for the YMCA's annual campaign Saturday evening; on Sunday; and Legion and Babe Ruth Baseball  tryouts this weekend.

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SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS! It's the Second Annual "It's Elementary 5 School 5K Fun Run!"  It takes place on Saturday, April 28, starting at 9 a.m.  The 1 Mile Fun Run is at 9, and the 5K run starts at 10. 

The starting line for the 5K is at the on Central Street.  You can pre-register by visiting www.Active.com, and search for the race by location and name. Be sure to check which Stoughton elementary school you wish to run for. On site registration will also be available Saturday, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. Entry fees are $10 per runner for the 1 mile Fun Run, and $25 per runner for the 5K.  

The event is sponsored by the five elementary schools in Stoughton, partnered with the Old Colony YMCA-Stoughton.  Sponsors include and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.  All runners will receive a FREE t-shirt, while supplies last.  

The one mile run is a trail run that will loop around the YMCA grounds. The 5k will start and finish at the Y.  The route will be Central Street to Pleasant Street to Turnpike Street and back to Central.  Prizes for top finishers in the different age groups in the 5k.  

After the races, join other participants for fun, music, food and special activities in celebration of the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day. I'm happy to be hosting the event again this year.  This event was founded by Carolyn Curtis-Mahoney and Rosanna Kelleher.    

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HEALTHY KIDS DAY: The Old Colony YMCA Stoughton Striar Branch presents a healthy initiative for kids on Saturday, April 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  

Bring the entire family to this FREE event, and learn how to make the most of your life!  There will be a myriad of free family fun!  Take the kids to Touch A Truck. Enjoy Storytime and meet and greet Curious George (10:30 and 11:30 a.m.). Sit, hold and interact with Barn Babies ($1 per person from 10-11 a.m.).  Kids love little animals!  

There will be Outdoor Fun and Games, including an inflatable obstacle course, mini bounce house, and more!  Face Painting and Arts and Crafts will be there for the kids as well.  

There will be an Open Playground, where kids, 5 and under, can uncover the hidden treasure.  A family picnic area will be open, where you can purchase from Peppercorns or bring your own. 

There will be giveaways, snacks and raffles, provided by local businesses, partners and vendors. 

Park & Ride (or walk) is available from the Jones Elementary School Parking Lot on Walnut St.!

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YMCA BENEFIT CONCERT: The Old Colony YMCA will be hosting a concert to benefit their Annual Campaign on April 28th at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.) The Y’s Annual Campaign helps families get access to YMCA facilities and programming. The concert will be held at the Y’s Stoughton Branch, 445 Central Street in Stoughton.

Frank McDonald, Senior Executive Director at the Old Colony YMCA, is a member of the show’s first band, Flamingo Road. His son, Ry McDonald, plays in the headlining band Suncooked. 

Suncooked is a band from Lyndon State College in Vermont. Their music is the perfect mix of rock and roll and folk music, blending both acoustic and electric guitars, and even a banjo! Opening for Suncooked is Flamingo Road, who feature a fusion of blues, rock, and pop music. Flamingo Road once played the same venues as The Police, the Talking Heads, and Blondie.  

Suncooked and Flamingo Road recently played to a sold out crowd at the Little Theatre in Queens, New York. Suncooked also played recently at the House of Blues in Boston.

“We’re looking forward to a great show, some great music, and a great cause. My son and I really enjoyed playing together a few weeks ago, and we’re looking forward to doing it again,” said the most senior McDonald. Tickets are on sale now at any Old Colony YMCA branch (Brockton, Easton, East Bridgewater, Middleboro, Stoughton, Taunton). In addition to the great music, concessions will be available and a silent auction will be held. 

Tickets are $15 for college students and youth, and $25 for adults. 

For more information, please contact Frank McDonald at 508-947-1390 or at fmcdonald@oldcolonyymca.org, or contact your local branch. For more information about Suncooked, visit https://www.facebook.com/Suncooked, and to learn more about Flamingo Road, visit http://flamingoroadband.com/homepage.html.

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PRIDE OF STOUGHTON DAY: Proud of where you live? SHOW IT!  The Youth Commission's Youth Advisory Council presents Pride of Stoughton Day on Sunday, April 29, from noon-4 p.m.  

Get your hands dirty! This will be a day of community revitalization, and celebrating our pride in Stoughton. The project will focus on cleaning and improving the areas around the Children's Adventure Playspace Project Playground (C.A.P.P.) and Halloran Field on Pierce Street; the O'Donnell Middle School Skate Park, The Stoughton Commuter Rail Station, and the new Community Garden at the Youth Commission and Council on Aging Building at 110 Rockland Street. 

There will be a lunch from noon-1 p.m. at the Senior Center. Cleanup will take place from 1-4 p.m. For more information, or if you'd like to sponsor an event, contact Melissa Barbosa at 781-341-2252 x9454.

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AMERICAN LEGION AND BABE RUTH BASEBALL TRYOUTS: Stoughton Post 89 American Legion Baseball & Stoughton Sr. Babe Ruth Baseball will hold joint tryouts for any eligible players, aged 15-19: Saturday, April 28th at 5 p.m. at Stoughton High School; Sunday April 29th at 10 a.m. at Dirt Dawgs Training in Canton; Saturday May 5th at noon at Stoughton High School (if raining, location will move to Dirt Dawgs Training in Canton.)   

The tryouts will help determine the rosters for both the Stoughton Post 89 Legion team and the Stoughton Sr. Babe Ruth teams for the upcoming 2012 Summer seasons. Scheduled games begin in June and end in July.  

Players must participate in at least one of the sessions to be eligible for the American Legion or Sr. Babe Ruth Teams, but participation in all is encouraged.  For more information, please contact: Jim Derochea (jimderochea@yahoo.com) or Rich Jasmin (richjasmin@yahoo.com).

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HELPING STOUGHTON'S FOOD PANTRIES FRIDAY NIGHT: The 7th Annual Doin' It for Diane Fundraiser for the Stoughton Food Pantries will take place on Friday, April 27 at the Portuguese National Club in Stoughton.  The fun event will be held from 7-9:30 p.m., at the Club across from the Railroad Station at Wyman Street in downtown Stoughton.

Entertainment will be provided by Joe "Kidd" Fernandes and Nicole Caramanica of "Double Impact", and by The Echoes, an A Capella Group.  There will be an elaborate dessert buffet and a cash bar.  The night will feature a TON of raffles, a cash bar, and some great live auction items, including a week on Martha's Vineyard, Celtics, Red Sox and Patriots Tickets, and a Night Out on the Town. 

Tickets are $20 in advance, and include two raffle tickets.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.doinitfordiane.org, Randolph Savings Bank's Stoughton locations, Copy Inks, Island Street Auto, Stoughton YMCA, and Windsor Tire.  Don't miss this fun time!  

I'm happy to be hosting the event for the seventh year.  Come down and say, "Hello!".   

Doin It for Diane was created by Dr. David Fisher, retired South School principal, in honor of his late wife, Diane Murray.  The original committee that formed the event seven years ago included Denis Donaghue, Terry Schneider, Dini Goldman, and myself.  It has come a long way!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Stoughton Firefighter/EMT Scott Mellyn.  And to Eddie Murray, Stoughton resident, and cab driver for Canton Taxi.

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