Greenville Recreation has a lot going on this summer

GREENVILLE — Summer is finally here and the Greenville Recreation Department, under the able leadership of Director Sally Tornquist, has many offerings to make this special time of year adventurous and fun.

“The most exciting thing is we are going to be offering sailing classes this summer,” said Tornquist. “We’ve been able to secure some Optis boats for people to learn on. Only thing is, we had to travel to Sturgis Boat Works in Yarmouth, Massachusetts to pick them up,” she grinned. “But best of all, we got a great deal on the four new training boats.”

These training boats are specifically designed for young people to learn the essentials of sailing. They are nice and beamy, with self-bailing features and built-in flotation. The sailing classes will commence on Monday, July 16 and run three times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays) for five weeks. Classes for 7 to 10 year olds will be held from 9 a.m. to noon and classes for those 11 and up will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Adults who are interested in learning about sailing may call Tornquist at 280-0990 for an appointment.

There will be a required swim test for all students prior to taking this course, overseen by local lifeguards at Red Cross Beach just off Pritham Ave. in Greenville. Youngsters and others taking the course will have an opportunity to sail on a 19-foot O’Day with a large cockpit. They can get to feel how the wind interacts with the sails, discover what “coming about” means, learn about handling steering with the tiller and important knot-tying techniques.

“If this program gets off the ground, one day we may be able to compete in sailing regattas around the state,” Tornquist said. “We even imagine a regatta for kids right here on Moosehead Lake someday!” The course costs only $25 a week and can been taken for the whole five weeks or only one week or two, according to preference. Alex Agnew from Tall Ships of Maine, Betsy Rockwell, Kay Johnson and Paul Ducey, a familiar sailing sight on Moosehead every summer, will all be part of the teaching staff.

To kick off this exciting new addition to Greenville Rec’s program, there will be a Sail Moosehead Fundraiser on Saturday, July 14 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the SS Katahdin in downtown Greenville. It’s a BYOB affair, but snacks and soft drinks will be available by donation. Annie Rich will provide musical entertainment and there will be a silent auction. All donations will help to benefit the Sail Moosehead Program.

This is by no means the only program happening with the Greenville Recreation Department this summer. Dustin’s Third Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta with a space adventure theme is happening on Wednesday July 4, with a rain date to occur the following day. Registration at the Red Cross Beach is at noon with a start time of 1:30 p.m. There are three groups encouraged to participate: ages 5 to 12, ages 13 to 18 and an open division for adults and children to enter together.
A number of seven-week will be starting July 2. These include age-specific arts and crafts held at the Greenville High School (GHS), basketball at the GHS gym, golf at the Squaw Mountain Village golf course, swim lessons at Red Cross Beach, and tennis lessons with instructor Sam Lane at the town courts. There’s also a 4-week soccer program with Katie Worcester and Sam Lane for grades 2-4 starting July 24 at the GHS field.

Join your friends at a Moosehead Beach Party on Friday, August 17 from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. Games and party favors provided and pizza too! During the week of July 30 through August 2, learn to Paddleboard. That also will happen at Red Cross Beach from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., weather permitting.

You can even learn about fishing with a Maine Guide for Northwoods Outfitters in downtown Greenville. The course, to be held July 11, starting at 8 a.m. at Northwoods Outfitters, is for ages 7 and up and requires that you call Tornquist at 280-0990 to reserve a space.

There’s a Moosehead Rafting Day coming on July 31. Get ready for a wild raft ride on the Kennebec River and then relax at a barbeque, all offered by Northeast Whitewater. Give them a call to reserve your spot. You must be 8 years or older. Their phone is 207-695-0151.

And, that’s not all. “In the fall we offer an adult yoga class,” Tornquist said. “We are lucky to have Jody Ludwig, who teaches every Wednesday and Friday morning from 9 to 10 a.m. from September ‘til May. She’s been donating the money from her classes to the Rec Center at Leisure Life Resort on Lily Bay Road.” Tornquist paused and smiled. “We’re even planning to build a little baseball field up at Leisure Life as well.”

So guess what?…. There’s no excuse for being bored on Moosehead Lake this summer! All you have to do is pick your favorite activities and have a great time. The Greenville Recreation Committee along with Greenville Rec is committed to providing a diverse offering of recreational and leisure opportunities in a fun and safe environment, enhancing the quality of life for Moosehead area residents and visitors. For further information, call Director Sally Tornquist at 280-0990. Greenville Recreation brochures are available at the Greenville Town Office on Minden St. in downtown Greenville.

Observer photo/Shelagh Talbot
GETTING TO SAIL MOOSEHEAD — From left, Greenville Town Manager, Jesse Crandall, Greenville Recreation Director, Sally Tornquist and sailing instructor Paul Ducey pose with one of the new sailing prams purchased for the Sail Moosehead Program.