Holiday Greetings

The MRA staff and board of director's wish you a very Merry Christmas! We hope you enjoy family and friends throughout the holiday season.

We're looking forward to a bit of snow as our Ski Nights begin Friday, January 6th at Crystal Mt. There is still room on the bus and ski packages available. Stop in to see us after Jan. 2nd.

The Men's Basketball League will start up on Sunday, January 8th with games being held at Portage Lake Bible Camp gymnasium.

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, January 9th, 6:30 PM at our office located in the Briny Building.

Deep Water Aerobics will resume Wednesday, January 11th, 7:00 to 7:45 PM at the Paine Aquatic Center.

Our office will be closed December 22nd through January 2nd.

Thanks - Giving

Thank you to all who attended our Family Swim Night at the Paine Aquatic Center. Three boxes of food were collected and distributed to our local Salvation Army food pantry. MRA and PLCBC appreciate your thoughtfulness during this holiday season.

Giving and Swimming

The Manistee Recreation Association and Portage Lake Bible Camp are sponsoring a Family Swim Night at the Paine Aquatic Center this coming Tuesday, November 22 from 7:00 to 8:00 PM. Each person wishing to participate should bring a canned good or a non-perishable food item. All items will be donated to a local food pantry.

Before you get stuck in the kitchen or on the couch for the weekend, bring the kids and have some good old family fun! Giving and Swimming - what a great way to start the Thanksgiving season.

Winter Fun

Whether you enjoy being indoor or outdoor, the MRA has a winter activity for you.

For the outdoor winter enthusiast we begin our ski/snowboard program January 6. The "best rate" deadline however is December 1st, so sign up soon. Learn to ski or hone your current skills! Registration packets available at the MRA office.

If you would rather stay warm, work up a sweat and hang with the guys, then indoor Men's Basketball may be just the thing for you. Form a team and sign up by December 9th to be considered for the bracket. Games begin in early January.

Plan early so as not to miss a deadline! Gift certificates are also available and make great gifts.

Crystal Mountain Ski Swap

Prepare for snow season! Check out the great bargains on new and used ski and snowboard equipment, clothing and gear this Saturday, October 29 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the Crystal Center at Crystal Mountain.

Lifeguard Certification

The MRA is offering a Lifeguard Certification Course taught by American Red Cross staff. The class will be offered November 1 through November 10 at the Paine Aquatic Center. Interested participants should contact the Manistee Recreation Association to register or gather more information.

Ski/Snowboard

I know you don't want to hear the word snow....but it will fly, sooner or later. And it's time to prepare yourself for winter fun. The MRA will again be traveling to Crystal Mt. on Friday evenings to enjoy the slopes. Package prices will be available for equipment rental, weekly lessons and lift access. Best rates are available prior to December 1st. Whether you ski or snowboard, are a beginner or an expert....you're guaranteed fun throughout the winter with this program.

Swim, Swim, Swim

Sign up soon for MRA Swim lessons. Lessons are available for infants 6 months of age right up through adults. We have something for everyone. Whether you're just learning to swim or choosing to fine tune your strokes, we'll design a swim program for you. Lessons for children 4 and under begin this Saturday at the Paine Aquatic Center. Register at the MRA office by 1:00 on Friday to be involved in this age group. All other lessons begin October 17th. Pre-registration required.

Swim Lessons

There's no need to tuck that swim suit away. The Paine Aquatic Center is there for your pleasure. Swim lessons for all ages will be offered by the MRA beginning in October.

Our Tot classes for little kids, age 6 month through age 4 begin October 8th. Lessons for kids age 5 and up, including adults, will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning October 17th. Pre-register at the MRA office located in the Briny Building.

MRA Soccer

We are still in need of a couple of soccer coaches, one for 1/2 grade and one or two for 3/4/5 grades. Call the MRA office if you are interested. Kindergarten and 3/4/5 teams are pretty much maxed out but we still have room for 1/2 graders to fill the rosters. Let us know by the end of this week if you have an interest in playing or coaching soccer.

Soccer Deadline

This Thursday is the deadline to register for MRA soccer. Please stop by the office to complete forms and make payment. Registration forms are also available online at our new website:
manisteemra.org Check it out. Our fall brochure will be available in early September.

Hunter Safety

The Muzzle Loaders of Manistee will be offering a second session of Hunter Safety/Rifle & Bow. The dates of the course are August 29, 30, 31 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM and September 1 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Pre-register at the MRA office. Hunters 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Tennis and Soccer openings

There are still a few openings on Manistee Soccer Club travel teams: Boys U12 and Boys U15. Call the MRA office within the week to register.

Kiwanis Tennis Academy will be held Monday, August 1 through Friday, August 5th beginning at 9:00 AM. The camp is for tennis enthusiasts Kindergarten through 8th grade. The camp is free but we would like you to call the office to register.

MRA offers summer programs

Pee Wee Play - exploratory play focusing on balance, coordination, spatial relations, sports readiness and bilateral movement - class begins June 16 at 10:00 and runs for 4 weeks, age 3 & 4, cost $20.00.

Safe Babysitter Course - July 17 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, age 11 through 16, cost $50.00.

Summer swim lessons - Session 1 June 20 through June 30, Session 2 July 18 through July 28, age 5 through adult, cost $50.00.

Summer FUN

Just a reminder to register yourself or your child for MRA Summer Programs. We have something for everyone! Also if you register for the British Soccer Camp by June 3rd you will receive a FREE Jersey!

5K Run/Walk - HAM Week

Healthy Active Manistee week kicks off with a 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 14 at 9:00 AM from Manistee High School. The morning begins with Jazzercise at 8:45 to loosen your muscles and warm you up. Pre-registration will be accepted at the MRA office between now and race day. Packet pick up will be Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13 at the MRA office between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Morning of the race registration is also an option for those fair weather runners! Grab a friend and start your spring with a fun morning of fitness.

Tee Ball and Machine Pitch

The MRA is registering for summer baseball programs. Tee Ball for Tots will take place on Tuesday and Thursdays and is open to kids going into Kindergarten. Kids going into 1st and 2nd grade will play tee ball on Monday and Wednesday evenings. And machine pitch is offered to 3rd through 5th grade students and is played on Tuesday and Thursday nights. Register at the MRA office Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM or Friday 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Coaching positions available

The MRA is looking for volunteer coaches for youth soccer this spring. The season will kick off soon with games beginning on April 16th. Call the MRA office at 723-9274 if you are interested.

Soccer Coaches Meetings

The MRA coaches for soccer will be meeting this week: 3/4/5 grade - 5:30 Monday, April 4 1/2 grade - 6:30 Monday, April 4 Kindergarten - 5:30 Tuesday, April 5 All meetings will take place at the MRA office located in the Briny Building

Swim Lessons

There is still time to sign up for Swim Lessons this spring. The MRA is offering lessons this spring for all ages. Kid and Adult swim lessons will begin Wednesday, April 6th. And tot swim for kids 6 months of age up to age 5 will be offered on Saturdays beginning April 9th. Both groups still have room available. Stop by our office in the Briny Building to register by Monday, April 4th.

MRA Spring Soccer

This Friday, March 18th is the registration deadline for MRA Spring Soccer. Please get your registration forms in this week to avoid the late fee.

MEN"S Basketball League

Congratulations to Marquette Rail on taking home the championship trophy for the MRA Men's Basketball League 2011.

Spring Soccer

14 days left to sign up for MRA Spring Soccer. Open to kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Kindergarten kids play on Saturdays at noon. 1st and 2nd grade kids play Mondays and Saturdays, 3rd/4th/5th grade kids play Thursdays and Saturdays. Grab your friends, call your neighbors and stop by the MRA office to register.

Ski/Snowboard Crystal Mt.

The MRA has two weeks left of their Friday Night ski/snowboard program. Busses depart from area schools, arriving at Crystal Mt. by 4:30 for an evening on the slopes. We do have room on our bus for single trip riders...call the MRA for reservations. Enjoy the last two Friday nights of skiing!

Soft Soccer Clinic

Do you have a kindergartner or five year old who is interested in playing soccer? The MRA Soft Soccer Clinic may be just the thing for you. The clinic will run Saturday March 5th and Saturday March 12th from 9:30am - 10:30am. Please call the MRA for more information and to register.

Swimming Lessons

Due to the holiday weekend.....swim lessons will not be held on Monday, Feb. 21. All classes will resume on Wed. Feb. 23.

Tot Swim

Just a reminder that there will be no Tot Swim Saturday 2/19, due to the Holiday Weekend. Classes will resume 2/26/11.

Thank You!!

Manistee Soccer Club

The MRA is still accepting registrations for Boys U14, U16 and U19 teams interested in playing in the Great Lakes Coed Soccer League - Manistee Soccer Club. Call by 4:00 PM Tuesday, Feb. 15 if you are interested - 723-9274.

MRA takes to the slopes this evening. 70 of us heading to Crystal Mt. to enjoy the winter weather.

Swim lessons for tots begin tomorrow morning and kid lessons begin on Monday evening!

Mark your calendars for Family Night at Portage Lake Bible Camp on Tuesday, February 8 from 6:00 to 8:00. Broomball, games and activities on ice for those with balance and cocoa by the bonfire for the rest! Bring the family - No charge.

We're still accepting registrations for Manistee Soccer Club.

Manistee Soccer Club Spring Soccer Season

The MRA is now taking registration for the 2011 Manistee Soccer Club Spring Soccer Season. Deadline for registration is February 15th.

Registration Packets are available in our office. Please give us a call or stop by with any questions.

Paine Aquatic Center Family Night

Please join the MRA and the PLCBC for a Family Night at the Paine Aquatic Center, this Monday January 17th from 600pm - 7:00pm. This is free of charge to everyone. We will have open swim, water games and fun for everyone!! Snacks will be provided.

This is FREE so join your friends and family for an evening at the pool!! :-)

MRA Ski/Snowboard Night

If you're joining us on the slopes this Friday, please contact our office to confirm. We do have a waiting list for the bus so your confirmation is important. Call or e-mail the MRA office. Anyone not riding the bus should meet in the lodge to pick up your pass from MRA staff.