Millersburg Recreation Program keeping youth of the area busy

There’s no reason to be bored this summer in Millersburg, with establishment of the grant funded recreation program.

Area youth have been invited to participate since school shut down for three months, but were asked to not bring electronic or video games to the village office on Main Street.

The program is geared for more traditional games. Village clerk Melody Beswick said the children play checkers, cards, marbles, baseball, volleyball, and badminton.

There’s a different game for each day. “EVERY MONDAY we play volleyball,” said worker Morgan McDowell, an OHS student who will be a senior in the fall. “Tuesdays we do basketball. Wednesday we try and get into the gym and play dodge ball. Thursdays we do baseball.”

Another popular activity is the arts and crafts projects that have been prepared, and lunch, which is served each afternoon.

The Millersburg Summer Recreation Program is sponsored by the village of Millersburg with a grant from the Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative, Communities First Program. Essentially, the funds pay for supplies and the salaries of the staff.

THE PROGRAM IS open to all children ages seven to 12 from the Millersburg community, and will continue through August 12.

Mary Toth, who serves as the school success worker for the Onaway Area Community Schools, is the program director, but has an energetic staff of McDowell, Chelsea Grieve, and Amanda Hoffmeyer.

“We have hired three teens to work for the summer at the program, and they are doing a fantastic job!” said Beswick. “We are very happy with their work with the children.”

While the numbers of participants dropped off a bit earlier this week, with nine takin

g part Wednesday, the average number of children participating in the program has been between 16 to 22.

“It’s a unique experience,” said McDowell, “To be dealing with so many kids at one time (with) a bunch of different personalities.”

HOFFMEYER SAID they’ve been averaging about 20 children a day. “If it’s hotter out we’ll have fewer kids because they’ll be out swimming,” she said.

Hoffmeyer and Grieve were busy cleaning up from another busy day Wednesday, while McDowell helped Morgan Wixon of Hillman complete a craft.

The program is primarily for the youth of the Millersburg area. Wixon was visiting relatives in Millersburg, therefore was eligible to take part. Beswick said “The Village Council is very happy about how it is going.”

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