Woolwich’s newly formed Recreation Committee announced its first event, a Community Barbecue set for Friday, August 5 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The event happens the evening before the annual Woowich Day celebration.

The barbecue will be at Woolwich Central School and feature live music by Robbie Simpson. Dinner includes barbecued pulled chicken, cornbread, coleslaw, baked beans, lemonade and a Whoopie pie for dessert. Tickets are $10 each, two for $18 or $25 for a family. They can be purchased in advance at the Woolwich Town Office during regular business hours. Profits from the dinner will help fund Recreation Department programs during the coming year.

At this year’s annual town meeting, voters approved formation of the Recreation Committee to replace the town’s Junior Athletic program. The new committee is made up of five directors appointed by the select board. Beth Harrington is the administrator. Harrington, a Woolwich native, is Woolwich Central School’s phys. ed. instructor.

Harrington was previously part of the community’s Special Events Committee that will continue planning Woolwich Day, the Veteran’s Day Ceremony at Nequasset Meetinghouse, and the annual Holiday Sing Along and Tree Lighting.

“I became part of the Events Committee when there was an interest in expanding Woolwich’s recreation opportunities,” she told the Wiscasset Newspaper.

“We piloted a youth developmental soccer program last fall for grades kindergarten through grade five to see what kind of numbers we’d get and had over 80 participants,” Harrington continued. The program’s success led to offering spring t-ball for kindergarteners and first graders, and co-ed baseball for the kids in grades two to five.

“Our numbers were a bit lower (for the spring programs) but it still was a fun opportunity for kids who might not have done it otherwise,” she added.

The Recreation Committee is now working on an ambitious 2016-17 schedule that will include year-round youth activities including soccer, basketball, tee-ball/baseball and track. There’ll also be two weeks of 2017 summer camps that will take place at the school.

“Our emphasis for all sports programs are fundamentals, fun and team work,” Harrington said. “Our Rec. Committee is committed to keeping the cost minimal — all coaches are volunteers and we’ve set up a scholarship program for any family that needs financial assistance for their children to participate.”

The committee is planning programs and enrichment opportunities for adults as well. “Currently, we’re forming a schedule of workshops, lectures and hands-on offerings in the evenings at the school,” Harrington said. Participation in some of the programs is free, others may include a small fee to cover the cost of materials. The programs include beekeeping, candle-making, a series of cooking classes, yoga and organic gardening.

Family events in the planning stages include Sunday hikes and bike rides and fun runs.

“We’re setting up a "Zombie Walk" the last week in October to collect donated, non-perishable items for the Woolwich Backpack Program,” added Harrington. The items collected will be distributed to needy families.

Harrington recently completed her 25th year teaching phys. ed. at WCS. The Rec. Committee members include: Dena Bachman, Leslie Gallant, WCS Principal Jason Libby, Steve McKay and Greg Smith.

“This new Rec Committee is wonderful. It's been well-planned, full of committed people, and they've showed us there's a real need in the community,” Selectboard member Allison Hepler commented. “It's great to have people identify the need for something like this and then come forward and make it happen.”