Free lunches offered during summer
Kids in Elk can get free lunches this summer, according to Peggy Rieper, director of Child Nutrition Services for the Deer Park and Riverside school districts.
The Elk Community Park Association will host the Simplified Summer Food Program, with lunches served at Elk Park from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Playground Picnic area. The program begins on Monday, June 16 and will continue until Friday, August 22. (No lunch on the 4th of July.)
The food program will also be offered at Chattaroy Elementary School from 11:30 a.m. to noon at the south end play yard and at the Deer Park Pool from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Free lunches will be served at various locations in Deer Park during their summer school and sport programs. For more information about the Summer Lunch Program, call Rieper at 464-5540.
The Summer Food Program, sponsored by the Deer Park School District and the USDA, offers lunches to all children through age 18 at no charge. Two rules which are strictly enforced with this program are that the food must be eaten onsite in front of the Food Service Representative and that no one else other than the child through age 18 may eat the food.
The Elk Community Park Association, Miss Elk Royalty Committee and Elk Musicians Association (EMA) will all sponsor other activities following the free lunches at Elk Park, including arts and crafts projects, softball and basketball competitions, introduction to musical instruments and carnival games with prizes. Watch the Family Calendar for schedules.
Starry, starry night
Another first for Elk will be “Star Jam” on the ball field at Elk Community Park on Saturday, June 21. The star-gazing experience will be sponsored by the Elk Musicians Association and will start at 8 p.m. and continue until 8 a.m.
Because June 21 is summer solstice and a new moon night, it will be a perfect time for checking out the solar system.
Everyone should bring telescopes and lawn chairs. Seasoned stargazers will be on hand to guide you through the constellations.
There will be light rock and acoustic music played from 8 p.m. until 11 p.m.
The EMA will offer a barbecue with all the trimmings during the evening and a pancake feed for breakfast.
See the Elk Park Web site at www.elkcommunitypark.com for more information or call Wade Thames of College Road Records at 465-9146.
Pioneer Days
Elk Community’s biggest festival of the year, Elk Pioneer Days, will take place on Father’s Day weekend, June 13-15. The event is sponsored by the Elk Community Park Association and co-sponsored by the Elk VFW Post, the Elk Volunteer Fire Station and the Elk Community Church.
This year’s 32nd annual festival will be loaded with fun and entertainment for the whole family throughout the weekend.
Watch for a full schedule and some historic information in the June 5 edition of the North Side Voice.