From meat sauce to yoga, Carrboro offers recreation for fall

RECREATION & LEISURE

Learn pickleball. Throw horseshoes. Make Bolognese meat sauce. Hike. Kayak. Play Dungeons and Dragons. Learn QiGong. Whatever you’re into, Carrboro’s got a fall activity to match.

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Department recently released its fall brochure of activities, events and classes. Depending on the type of event you can participate in, learn the basics from an old hand, or simply watch. Some events are age-limited; some require a fee.

Performing Arts

A Poet’s Open Mic Zoom meeting takes place on the first Tuesday of every month. The free gathering gives everyone involved the chance to share their poetry and engage with each other.

The Jam Session series includes a Bollywood Dance class, Latin Dance class, a Zumba fitness/dance class and a performance by the Find Your Own Voice singers.

On Sept. 18, there’s a trip to Sanford’s Temple Theatre to catch a matinee production of the musical “Grease.” There will be a stop for lunch along the way.

Cooking and Eating

Carrboro offers three different classes on Italian cooking: making meat sauce in October, risotto in November and homemade pasta in December. A two-week course in cooking Indian food began this week, but there’s still time to register for the October class.

The Fall Lunch Restaurant Exploration visits Merritt’s Grill on Sept. 22, Pizzeria Mercato Nov. 7 and Town Hall Burger Dec. 10. The $5 registration fee for each event covers transportation but not meals.

The Dec. 5 Holiday Tea, described as an “elegant afternoon” with entertainment and light hors d’oeuvres, takes place at Century Center.

Nov. 19, the department is organizing a trip to Southern Supreme Fruitcake, a mail-order gourmet food company based in Bear Creek. The trip will include samples, a tour of the facilities, and lunch.

Stretching, exercise and the outdoors

Carrboro is offering four different yoga programs, each running six weeks: yoga, morning yoga, Vinyasa style yoga and slow flow yoga. Sept. 16 kicks off a class teaching the “slow meditative movements” and breath work of QiGong. There are also four late-morning sessions of Joyful Gentle Movement, “a unique circle class blending relaxing breath work with fun simple movements from dance, sports, martial arts, yoga and classes in Nia dance and strength conditioning.

The Golden Trails series of outdoor hikes gives you a chance to enjoy local areas in the company of others. The first hike is Sept. 17, exploring the three miles of Shallow Ford Basin Creek Trail and the Homestead Trail. Oct. 9 brings a birding hike at Mason Farm; Oct. 28 has a hike scheduled along the Haw River. On November 20 there’s the Thankful Hike up Occoneechee Mountain, the highest point in Orange County.

If you prefer being on the water to being on your feet, Sept. 24 offers a kayak trip upriver from the dam in Saxapahaw. On Oct. 6, there’s a night paddle on Saxapahaw Lake.

If sports are your thing, Carrboro has you covered. There are classes in softball, pickleball, tennis and hockey, plus events such as a horseshoes tournament. The age range stretches from senior classes to those for under-fives.

Play the game

Friday, Sept. 19, there’s an outdoor games session at Covenant Place, including a bean bag toss and a ladder toss. Sept. 25 will be the first of four monthly game days at Covenant Place, offering the chance to socialize while playing or learning Bunco, Dominos, Quiddler and Yahtzee.

On Wednesday, Nov. 5, there’s a two-hour session for family fun games at the Drakeford Library Complex. The options for play include Charades, Pictionary, Apples to Apples, 20 Questions, Telephone and some classic board games. For anyone aged 11-15 interested in learning or playing Dungeons and Dragons, Carrboro is offering two six-week classes at the Drakeford: one from Sept. 9 to Oct. 21 and another from Nov. 4 to Dec. 16.

If there’s a class or program not in the brochure that you wish Carrboro offered, or one you’d love to teach, the department would love to hear your ideas. Contact them at (919) 918-7364 or email them at RecParks@carrboronc.gov.

Fraser Sherman has worked for newspapers, including the Destin Log, the Pensacola News-Journal and the Raleigh Public Record. Born in England, he’d still live in Florida if he hadn’t met the perfect woman and moved to Durham to marry her. He’s the author of several film reference books and has published one novel and several short story collections. This reporter can be reached at: Information@TheLocalReporter.press