Youth activities

[Changed Oct. 30] A water conservation fair will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Rancho Murieta Association Building to provide the community with information about ways to conserve water by using indigenous trees and plant in landscapes and water-saving irrigation systems. The fair is being put on by Steve Voss, a member of Boy Scout Troop 633, as his Eagle Scout project.

Families turned out for an afternoon of old-fashioned fun Sunday at the annual Cosumnes River Elementary School Harvest Festival. Children competed in three-legged and sack races, custume, pumpkin carving and pie-eating contests, and, in the end, everyone came out a winner. Jacob Pedego, 3 1/2, came up with the idea for his washing machine costume and took the prize for most original in the (pre)kindergarten through 3rd grade competition, while Ethan Liff's Elvis was judged funniest.  Read more »

Boy Scout Troop 633 began its annual pumpkin sale Saturday, offering pumpkins of all sizes and in several colors. (Hint: The white ones are great for making pumpkin pie.) The sale is the troop's main fundraiser. It supports activities throughout the year and pays for the merit badges the scouts earn. The sale takes place on a lot across the street from the Plaza. It continues Sunday and Oct. 18-19 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Read more »

Boy Scout Troop 633 will hold its annual pumpkin sale on Saturday and Sunday and Oct. 18 and 19 from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm across the street from the Fire Station.   Pumpkin sales provide the troop with funds to attend scout-sponsored events and purchase camping equipment.  For more information, contact scoutmaster Kent Johnson at 354-2960.

First couple: Al Dolata is the new president of the Kiwanis Club, and Judy Dolata heads the Rancho Murieta Women’s Club in 2009. (Photo: Louise Gumbinger)

This week, the Kiwanis Club welcomed a new president and honored members for their service to the community, and a Boy Scout offered residents information about fire safety. Read more about your neighbors here.  Read more »

Sometimes kids have the fun on a Sunday afternoon, like when Music Mike entertains at Lake Clementia Amphitheater. More than 100 children provided animal noises and bunny hops for "Old McDonald," danced super-fast and super-slow with their parents, and outdid the Village People with a spirited performance of "YMCA." The Kiwanis Club sponsored the free concert.

... And sometimes kids have to watch Mom and Dad having fun, like Sunday afternoons when they're playing adult softball at Stonehouse Park. Games start at 11:15 every Sunday and run all day. If you're interested in joining the fun, e-mail jenbailey823@sbcglobal.net .

Families headed for Stonehouse Park Sunday afternoon for the annual Cosumnes River Elementary School PTA Back-to-School Picnic. The event featured burgers and hot dogs from the grill, games, and a chance for families to visit and catch up. Face painting was a big hit, and Ben Gignilliat, 3, waited in line with his mother, Lanie Gignilliat, until Anne Spencer could paint the little yellow snake he wanted.

The 32 members of Boy Scout Troop 633 have earned a total of 147 merit badges recently in everything from oceanography to ice skating. The badges and 14 rank advancements were awarded Monday night at the Rancho Murieta Association Building during the Fall 2008 Court of Honor. “You’ve outdone yourselves,” Scoutmaster Morri Graf told the scouts as their parents looked on.  Read more »

[Updated with car contest winners] Day Two of Summerfest added high-flying skateboard and BMX exhibitions and the classic car show. All three were free. Two performances of the BMX show were offered Saturday afternoon on the Stonehouse Park basketball courts. Stunt riders delighted the crowd with feats of cycling skill on the ground and in the air.  Read more »

It was goodbye to soccer fields and hello to magic as the rides, midway and bright lights of Summerfest brought out another side of Rancho Murieta Friday night. Once again Stonehouse Park was tranformed into an annual celebration of the best of small-town carnivals. Under a neon-lit sky, rides went up and down and sideways to the delight of the kids, and the tantalizing aromas of funnel cakes and corn dogs scented the air. The ninth Summerfest had begun.  Read more »