Time Flies...and We're Having Fun

It's here! 2012 came and went at the blink of an eye, and we're already into our first week of 2013. Where has the time gone? A lot certainly happened in 2012, but it still seems like a small blip in my almost 42 years. In my mind, I'm still a recent college graduate, and I reached that milestone 20 years ago. Yes, time does fly when you're having fun - and with all the fun set to happen this year, 2014 will be here before we even know it.

I can't even begin to list the many activities happening on the East End for our youth and youth-at-heart alike, but as always want to mention an upcoming few that I'm pretty excited about.

Montauk Youth, Inc. kicks off its winter programming this week with Rollerskating for those in grades Kindergarten through 3rd and Cartooning for those in 4th through 6th, and we've already begun holding our FREE Family Open Gym at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center on Sundays from 1 to 4pm. The gymnasium offers a huge amount of space for indoor fun for all ages: there is always a game or 2 of basketball, those 8 years and older can test their skills in the batting cage, and there is a multitude of balls for those wishing to make up their own games (and believe me, they do!). We will be heading in to New York City on January 13 for our annual bus trip - this year we'll be seeing STOMP - and our Funk Squad program will be starting in the coming weeks. We've even started planning our St. Patrick's Day Parade float. As always, none of this could happen without our team of parent volunteers. The organization is completely volunteer driven and I can't thank everyone enough for all that they do to keep our kids active and having fun.

Speaking of people keeping our kids having fun, the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton has been a huge supporter of many youth programs in our community. Their Winter Dance, which helps fund their many programs, is coming up on January 19 at Gurney's. Tickets cost $85 and include food, open bar, and live music by the Lawrence Cooley Band from 8pm to midnight. This looks to be a lot of fun, and it's a great way to give back to a local organization that gives us so much. Look for Kiwanis Winter Dance on Facebook for more information.

The Montauk Library recently hired a Children's Programmer - Julianne Korpi has been busy putting together a fairly comprehensive youth calendar, and coming up on January 7 is a Noon-Year's party for preschoolers. A Floor Hockey program for those in 3rd and 4th grades starts this Friday (January 4) at the Montauk Playhouse Community Center. This program is brought to you by the Town of East Hampton Department of Parks and Recreation.

While we are in the throes of winter, some groups are hoping we look toward the Spring sooner rather than later. East Hampton Little League registration for  Spring baseball and softball is now open online at www.easthamptonlittleleague.com. Register before January 31 and save $10 per player. The league is offering FREE players clinics on select Sundays in January. Visit their website above for more information.

Information on all of the youth programs listed above can be found on the Youth Calendar at www.montaukyouth.org. With so much going on, the cold winter months should go by pretty quickly - at least a girl can hope.

Wishing you peace, health and happiness this year!