In this Issue
December 2005

RECREATION CORNER
No rain on this Halloween parade
By Denise Senosk

CHEETAHS UNDEFEATED The Brookfield Cheetahs, part of the T.R.Y. Soccer program, celebrated an undefeated record for the eight-game season that ended November 5. The Freshmen Division Cheetahs are coached by Tyler Kelsch and assistants Patty Gould and Paul Provost. Players are Isobel Couture, Danny Gould, Becca Kelsch, Jacob Nichols, Zane Provost, Liam Seguin, Olivia Sinko, Matt Taylor and Hunter Zackaricz.

Halloween festivities were scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 29, but, due to the weather that was predicted, were moved to Sunday, the 30th. Thanks to all who helped spread the word. The evening began with trick-or-treating from 6 to 7 p.m. The Fire and Police departments then escorted the annual parade of horribles to Lewis Field. We held costume judging, a jack-o’-lantern contest, and a bonfire there. Anyone in costume was given a ticket for a hot dog, chips and a drink.

We had three categories and age groups for costume judging. Thanks to our judges, Mrs. Hosterman, Barbara Wilson and Craig Swanson. Although all of the costumes were great and very creative, we could only pick nine winners. The winners in the age 1–6 group were: Dawson Major, Devon Santiago and Ethan May. For ages 7–13, Sara Brenner, Cody Leboeuf and Leeann Wentzell were the winners. Brandon Bozyk, Kassandra Mateiko, and Erin Young topped the 7–13 year olds.

We would like to thank several people for helping to make this event come together:

• The PTO for the large amounts of candy they were able to hand out after the candy drive. All of the people uptown greatly appreciated it.
• Custom Pallets for once again donating the wood.
• The Highway Department for getting the wood to the field, and for the cleanup.
• The Police and Fire departments for securing the safety of our children with the parade.
• Bill Simpson and Cheryl Robinson for lighting.
• Amanda Rudzinski for organizing the Jack O’Lantern contest.
• Paul Provost and Dave Proulx for setting up the sound system.
• Mike and Lydia Lucas and Barbara Wilson, our Snack Shack workers.
• The Fire Department, Doug, Dave, Kerry, and Mike for tending the fire.

Again, thank you, all of you, for your help!

Pavilion
The ground work for the pavilion has been completed. Thanks to Bo Lee for doing such a wonderful job and to Doug Brown for organizing the ground work. We are still working on getting the electrical work done. Stop by when you can before the snow flies and check it out.

Playground
We have recently been able to purchase another set of double bay swings with toddler seats. This was made possible by the generosity of Craig Swanson and the Brookfield Police Association. Thanks to Brenda McElroy and Herb Chaffee for assisting in the delivery. It will be stored in the Pavilion storage area until the spring, when it will be put up.

Basketball
Starting the 2005–2006 season, we had many people step up early as coaches. It was our best turnout yet. New faces are what we are always looking for. We have 150 Brookfield youth involved in 14 Brookfield teams. TRYBIL (Tantasqua Regional Youth Basketball Instructional League) serves eight towns with a total of 95 teams. This includes approximately 450 games over a 10-week period. We have been fortunate in the past that the majority of the season runs smoothly, and we look forward to the same again this year. As director of the TRYBIL League, I would like to thank Mike Lamb (town director) and Mike Lucas (my savior and respected troubleshooter) for their help in getting this season up and running smoothly.

Note to parents: Please do not drop your children off any earlier than 10 minutes before their practice time. Please be sure their coach is present in the gym before leaving your children. No siblings of any age are allowed in the gym during practice time. The coaches can only be responsible for their players and are not babysitters. The custodial staff at the school should not have to deal with anything or anyone being disrespectful. Your cooperation with this would be greatly appreciated. Please remember that for after-school hours, your children are guests in the school, and should be reminded that the same school rules apply even after hours. No food or drinks are allowed in the gym.

Foxwoods
With a trip planned for Saturday, Dec. 3, the bus will be leaving Brookfield Elementary School at 4:30 p.m., and will leave Foxwoods for the return at 11:30. A fee of $25 per person covers the bus ride, free buffet or $10 meal ticket, and $10 match play or a $10 Keno. Please cal Denise Senosk at 508-344-0540 to reserve your seat.

With cold weather and snow upon us, please remember to lend a helping hand to your elderly neighbors. Sometimes, removing a shovelful of snow or even just a check and saying hello means more than words can say.

From all of us on the Recreation Committee to all of you, may you be blessed with healthy and happy holidays.

Read previous columns from the Recreation Corner.