Barrington Looking for LEGOs

The recreation department is seeking donations of LEGOs for the out-of-school vacation week programs -- used or new, it doesn't matter.

LEGOs wanted. Yes, Barrington's recreation department wants your LEGO building blocks. It has plenty of balls. But no LEGOs. The lack of LEGOs proved to be a real show-stopper for Michele Geremia, recreation director, during February's school-vacation week. "I announced that we would have another LEGO competition," she said. "Fifty kids showed up. They didn't bring their own like in the past. We had no LEGOs. So we had to do something else." Geremia does not want that situation to happen again. She is seeking donations of LEGOs specifically for the out-of-school programs. "Maybe you have some that are hidden away in a basement or a closet," she said. "Your kids or your grandkids have outgrown them. We'll take them." Geremia is setting up a…

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Drop In on Vacation Week Sessions

The Barrington Recreation Department offers three days of school vacation week programs for kids ages 6-12 starting today.

It's school vacation week. Do you have plans for your kids, ages 6-12? The Barrington Recreation Department offers some drop-in options over the next three days -- Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 26-28. There are programs in six sessions at the middle school.  "You can just drop in. No need to register in advance," said Michele Geremia, director of recreation and leisure services in Barrington. There will be board games every morning from 9:30 to noon. You can bring your own favorite game to play. Every afternoon there will be sports activities in the gym.  On Thursday morning, there will be a themed Lego building contest. You have to bring your own Legos.  On Friday morning, you will be entertained by a Circus Show and Workshop with …

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Vacation-Week Recreation for Kids

The Barrington Recreation Department has scheduled three days of programs at the middle school next week, Dec. 26-28, for children ages 6-12.

Looking for something for your children, ages 6 to 12, to do next week in Barrington during school vacation week? The Barrington Recreation Department has planned three days of programs in six sessions at the middle school from Wednesday through Friday, Dec. 26-28.  "And you can just drop in," said Michele Geremia, director of recreation and leisure services in Barrington. "No need to register in advance." There will be board games every morning from 9:30 to noon. You can bring your own favorite game to play. Every afternoon there will be sports activities in the gym.  On Thursday morning, there will be themed Lego building contest. You have to bring your own Legos.  On Friday morning, you will be entertained by a Circus Show and Workshop …

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Letter to the Editor

Take Survey on Recreation, Leisure

Barrington's new director of recreation and leisure services wants your feedback on the future direction of the department.

  To the people of Barrington: I would like to take a few minutes to introduce myself.  I have been on the job as your new Director of Recreation and Leisure Services for five weeks.  It has been a very exciting time for me.  Barrington is a wonderfully vibrant community.  It has a long tradition of providing successful recreation programs and leisure activities.  I am honored to be given the opportunity to work with parents, the schools, the businesses and organizations to build on the popular sports and recreation programs currently in place that have enriched the lives of the residents of Barrington.  My focus as Director of Recreation and Leisure Services is to build greater community in Barrington.  I am working closely with Peter …

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'Leisure Services' Candidates Sit at Four

Interviews for the new "director of leisure services" in Barrington are finished, but the town manager is not ready to appoint someone yet; 3 of the 4 finalists are from Barrington.

The search goes on for Barrington’s first “director of leisure services.” “I would like to have had someone on board by now,” said Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr. on Thursday afternoon. “But vacations and other things got in the way. I’m not ready to appoint someone yet.” DeAngelis and Barrington’s human resources manager, MariAnn Oliveira, have finished interviewing candidates for the person who will replace John Taylor, who retired as recreation director on Aug. 31. There were almost 30 applicants, the 4 finalists got personal interviews, 8 others got phone interviews -- three of the finalists are from Barrington. “Our intent was to draw from a variety of fields,” said DeAngelis, not just the traditional pool of candidates for …

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Time to Sign Up for Golf Tournament

The Barrington Recreation Department is sponsoring another golf tournament on Oct. 15 at Rhode Island Country Club for 100 golfers.

The annual golf tournament of the Barrington Recreation Department is coming up. Time to register for one of the 100 spots. The annual golf tournament will be held on Monday, Oct. 15, at the Rhode Island Country Club overlooking Narragansett Bay off of Nayatt Road. There is a 100-golfer limit. Proceeds benefit recreation programs, especially the summer camps. The cost is $100 per player, which includes a cart, greens fees and “heavy appetizers” after play. Foursomes are encouraged to sign up although individual golfers will be placed in a foursome. The tourney has a shotgun start. The team with the lowest gross score will win a prize to be determined. There will be other prizes as well. Last year, 96 golfers played so you are urged to …

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Recreation Director Calls It Quits

John Taylor retires as Barrington's part-time recreation director on Friday after five years on the job.

Barrington’s recreation director retires Friday, Aug. 31, with many fond memories but with some frustration and disappointment as well. John Taylor, 73, ends five years as the town’s part-time recreation chief – a time of some significant accomplishments, such as the new bathhouse at Barrington Beach, more programs, the annual summer camps, and more playing fields.  But Taylor also leaves with a feeling that a lot has been left undone, such as an expansion of the summer concert series, and a community tennis program. Taylor actually could be Barrington’s last recreation director in title – a situation he disdains. Town Manager Peter DeAngelis Jr. is searching for a part-time director of leisure services to take his place. “I think I …

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[VIDEO] Summer Concert Series Ends

Several hundred music lovers danced and sang and had a good time at Barrington Beach with 'The Driftwoods', a Beach Boys tribute band.

Barrington's Summer Concert Series danced to a close Saturday evening, Aug. 25, at Barrington Beach. Several hundred people enjoyed the Beach Boys tribute band, "The Driftwoods," perform oldies on a glorious August evening by the edge of Narragansett Bay. With lawn chairs, blankets, pizza, cold drinks and plenty of enthusiasm, they said goodbye to summer with school starting today. The Recreation Department couldn't have asked for better weather after the concert was postponed a week by rain. See the video and photos above.

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Driftwoods' Concert Ends 'Beach Day'

The Beach Boys tribute band to perform Saturday at 6 pm at Barrington Beach to end a free 'Beach Day' for everyone.

The East Coast’s original Beach Boys tribute band, The Driftwoods, return to Barrington to perform Saturday, Aug. 18, at Barrington Beach. The concert starts at 6 pm. But that’s not all. Saturday is another Barrington Beach Day. The beach is open for free to residents and visitors alike all day. No restrictions. Anybody can enjoy the beach. There will be games for the kids, said John Taylor, Barrington recreation director. You can try your hand at beach volleyball as well. Bring a picnic lunch and eat it on a blanket in the sand. The band will set up on risers in the parking lot near the new beach house. The concert is the final one of the 2012 summer series sponsored by BankNewport. The Driftwoods formed in the mid 1960s, according to …

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Star-Gazing at Beach Cancelled

A forecast of thunder showers forces the Recreation Department to call off the event at Barrington Beach with the Astronomical Society of Southern New England.

The weather is not cooperating. Tonight’s star-gazing event at Barrington Beach has been cancelled. John Taylor, recreation director, said an attempt will be made to reschedule the event with the Astronomical Society of Southern New England. But it will require finding the right date and night sky to make it successful. Tonight’s sky was supposed to be moonless until about 10 pm. That situation made it perfect for identifying constellations and other objects in the sky over southern New England from about 7:30 to 10 pm.

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