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School Is Out!

Winter Break Fun!

Outdoor Ice Skating Rinks:
Wetmore Park 555 North St.
Renstone Park 1695 Steven St.
Oakridge Park 2131 Michigan Ave.
Carriage Hills Park 901 Woodview Dr.

• Rent Ice Skates from Sun City of Sun Prairie 235 East Main Street (608) 837-2453

ICE SKATING LESSONS

Last Call for those interested in participating in Ice Skating Lessons. Lessons will be offered to those ages 4 - adult this winter.
Five lessons are held at Wetmore Park outdoor rinks on Sundays, January 9 - February 6.
Participants must furnish their own skates.
Registrations are accepted until January 6 (unless classes are full).
Call 837-3449 for registration.

Swimming
Sun Prairie High School Pool
888 Grove Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
December 27th-30th
12pm - 3pm
Resident Youth: $2.00 Resident Adult: $3.00
Non Resident Youth: $3.00 Non Resident Adult: $4.00
Toddlers (0-3years old) Free


Sun Prairie Youth Center
160 South Street Sun Prairie, WI 53590
Monday-Friday 3 pm - 6 pm
Grades 6 and up
Call (608) 825-4303 for winter break hours

Teen Crafts
Tye Dyeing T-Shirts

Drawstring Bandanna Bag
CD Curtain
Follow this link for instructions:
http://sunprairieyouthconnection.blogspot.com/p/middle-school-activities.html

Free Museums!

UW Madison Geology Museum
1215 West Dayton Street Madison, WI 53706-1600
Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
Closed Christmas Eve/Day, December 30, 31st and January 1st

• Touch rocks from a time when there were volcanoes in Wisconsin
• See corals, jellyfish and other sea creatures that used to live and swim where we now walk
• Stand under the tusks of a mastodon while imagining yourself in the Ice Age
• View rocks and minerals that glow
• View a model of a Wisconsin cave
• View dinosaurs and meteorites

• Follow this link for more info: http://www.geology.wisc.edu/~museum/

The Wisconsin Historical Museum
30 N. Carroll St, Madison, WI 53703
Tuesday–Saturday 9 am - 4 pm
Closed Sunday and Monday
Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Exhibits:

• Odd Wisconsin
• Bandolier Bags of the Western Great Lakes 
• People of the Woodlands: Wisconsin Indian Ways
• On Common Ground: Two Hundred Years of Wisconsin History
• and more!

Follow this link for more info: http://www.wisconsinhistory.org/museum/
 
Wisconsin Veterans Museum

30 West Mifflin Street on the Capitol Square, Madison WI
Closed December 24, 25 and 31, 2010 and January 1, 2011
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Year-Round)
The museum features dioramas, consisting of life-size figures and painted murals that realistically and vividly portray events in which Wisconsin veterans participated. The dioramas duplicate a variety of environments, from a snow-covered forest to a tropical jungle.
Follow this link for more info: http://museum.dva.state.wi.us/Mdefault.asp
 
Holiday Fantasy in Lights
Now- January 2nd
Olin-Turville Park, Madison
Features dozens of lighted displays to view while driving through the park.
Hours: Dusk 'til Dawn
Supported by Donations

Do the Zoo!

Henry Vilas Zoo is still open during the winter and the polar bears are more active too!
Visit the indoor facilities: Primate House, Avairy, herpetarium, and Discovery Center.
Zoo open: 9:30am - 5pm
Indoor Facilities open: 10am - 4pm
Zoo closed during the afternoons on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and New Years Eve and New Years Day

Madison's Children's Museum
100 N. Hamilton St.
Dec.27th - 31st is Winter Wonder Week
Hours: 9:30am - 5pm (Thursdays until 8pm)
Closed Christmas Eve/Day and New Years Day
$6.95 per person (kids under 1 are Free)
Any family recieving public assistance pays only $1.00 per person!

Olbrich Gardens
The Atruim has been transformed for the Holiday Express Model Trains.
Admission: $3.00 adults, $2.00 Children 3-12, children under 2 are free.
Hours: 10am - 4pm daily
Closed at 2pm Christmas Eve, closed all day Christmas Day and New Years Day

UW Madison Women's Basketball
January 2nd at 1pm
Badgers vs. Penn State
Advance purchase tickets for ages 2-17 are free when an adult general admission ticket is purchased for $7.00!
Buy tickets under "Promotions" on the UW Athletics website http://www.uwbadgers.com/ .

New Years Eve Events:
Admission:
U.S. Bank Eve tickets can be purchased in advance from any of the 10 U.S. Bank Madison locations. Tickets are good at all U.S. Bank Eve Madison locations, and admission to any location is on a space-available basis.
Adults: In Advance: $5.00          At The Door: $7.00
Children under 5: FREE at all times
Children ages 5-15: In Advance: $3.00          At The Door: $5.00
Family Pass: In Advance: $12.00       At The Door: $15.00
Family pass includes 2 adult tickets and a ticket for up to three children who are 5 and older in the family.

U.S. Bank Event:
Prairie Athletic Club and Sun Prairie Ice Arena - New Site!
1010 N. Bird St/655 Athletic Way
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Ice Skating - Bring your own skates, rent for just $2, or rent for free with a donation of two non-perishable food items for the food pantry.
• Swimming
• Gym Games
• Temporary Tattoos
• Bouncy Castle
• Cakewalk
• Design your New Year's Savings Goal
• Snakes Alive! in Studio 2 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Concessions and raffle to benefit Sun Prairie Youth Ice Hockey Association's Capital Campaign to build a new ice rink

U.S. Bank Event:

Keva Sports Center
8312 Forsythia Street, Middleton
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Open play sports including soccer, football, yard games, tumbling, parachute, basketball and more!
• Concessions
• Hats and Horns
• Temporary Tattoos
• Raffle
• Inflatables for tots and pre-teens from Fun Play
• Design a cookie or your New Year's savings goal (while supplies last)

• Coat Check and Cubbies Available  

U.S. Bank Event:
Olbrich Botanical Gardens
3330 Atwood Avenue
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

• Holiday Train
• Flower Show
• Bolz Conservatory
• Temporary Tattoos
• Henry Vilas Zoo Animals in the Conservatory
• Wii and Xbox Game Station
• Strolling magician Tom Krzystof
• Games and prizes
• Color your Savings Goal and decorate your new piggy bank, while supplies last!

U.S. Bank Event:

Madison Children's Museum
100 North Hamilton
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

• Join a sing-a-long led by Ken Lonnquist at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. in the 2nd Floor Celebrations Room.
• Make a masterpiece on MCM's new paint wall.
• Play in the shadow room.
• Be part of creative crafting in MCM's permanent, collaborative collage.
• Get your face painted, walk through the rooftop garden or enjoy refreshments at Bean Sprouts Café.
• Countdown to our early New Year's in the main hall at 8:30 p.m.

U.S. Bank Event:
Monona Terrace
1 John Nolen Drive
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Concessions Available
Grand Terrace

• Truly Remarkable Loon 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Hall of Ideas
• Learn how to Tango, Conga, Salsa and Merengue from 6:05 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

 Madison Ballroom

• Rick Wilcox's Magic Show at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.

 Mid Level

• UW Space Place Photo Show
• Fly a US Bank Plane

Olin Terrace

• View wonders of the night sky on the Olin Terrace through telescopes operated by UW Space Place volunteers.

 Exhibit Hall

• Gomeroke: Kid's karaoke with the Gomers Band from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.
• Big Inflatables
• Obstacle Course
• Little Bounces
• Take a ride on the Circus Train
• Enjoy fun and games in Madison Parks hands-on village
• Take part in our 9:30 p.m. Balloon Drop Countdown!

U.S. Bank Event:
U.S. Bank Plaza – Downtown Madison

1 South Pinckney
6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

• Concessions provided by Sunprint
• Main Street Wisdom 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
• Kiddie countdown with hats, horns and confetti 7:30 p.m.
• Complimentary 20th U.S. Bank Eve birthday brownie and cup of hot chocolate in the Sunprint Café at our Madtown Party. 6:00 until supplies last!
• Get a temporary airbrush tattoo or balloon hat creation, then step into our photobooth to record your New Year's look 6:00 - 9:30 p.m.
• Design your New Year's savings goal visor and START to save with a new piggy bank 6:00 until supplies last!
• See the Spec-can-ular, eco-friendly holiday tree
• Take a tour back in time on the Holiday Trolley, which leaves every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. at our Webster Street entrance. Last one boards at 9:30 p.m.  

Please note the Sun Prairie Public Library will be closed Dec. 23rd, 24th, 25th, 30th, 31st and January 1st.

Skateboard Lessons!

The Sun Prairie Park and Rec Department will be offering Skateboard Lessons this Spring!

This is the first time this course has been offered to residents!

BEGINNING SKATEBOARD:

• Introductory lessons focusing on proper gear, balance, movement on the board, basic tricks and safety. Skateboards and helmets are not supplied, but are required for attendance.
• Knee and elbow pads are highly encouraged.
• First hour of lesson will be instruction followed by an hour of supervised practice.

• Proceeds go to help raise money for the expansion of the Sun Prairie Skatepark.

Registration Starts January 3rd 2011!
Ages 8-12
Saturdays, 5/7-5/28
10:00 am - Noon
Sun Prairie Skatepark, 600 S. Bird St.
Min 6 / Max 14
$25 per participant
2250.100

Click here to register online!

Winter Fun!

Sun Prairie

Sledding
Sheehan Park, 1115 Linnerud Dr.
McCarthy Youth and Conservation Park, 4841 County Road-TT **Call for hours 608-224-3601

 

Ice Skating
Indoors: Sun Prairie Ice Arena, 655 Athletic Way (608) 837-4434

Outdoors: Renstone Park, 1651 Steven St.

 

Skiing
Sheehan Park (Corner of S Bird St & Linnerud Drive. Trailhead parking lot across from Aquatic Center)
Cross Country 
Flat / Hilly / Open
Free Skiing
Trail Length (miles): 3

McCarthy Youth and Conservation Park, 4841 County Road-TT **Call for hours 608-224-3601

Christmas Lights Displays:

• Take a drive down Windsor St. east towards Bristol St.
• Historical Museum Annual Holiday Tree (115 E. Main Street)

Email me street names with great displays and I'll publish them! spyouthconnect@yahoo.com

 

Madison Area

 

Sledding Hills

• Elver Park (Located on McKenna right before it turns into Gammon)
• Hiestand Park (Take Hwy 51 to Milwaukee St. to Radar Hill)
• Huegel Hill (at Huegel Elementary School, 2601 Prairie Rd)
• Sanitarium Hill (Located on Madison’s north side on Northport Road just west of Sherman Avenue)

 

Sleigh Rides

Rocking L Acres Sleighrides

2964 Hwy. AB, McFarland
608-838-8178
Sleighrides daily in season, evening and weekends. Their sleighs accommodate up to 12 people. Enjoy the warming facilities and refreshments. Extended holiday hours

Notara Farms
7732 Riverside Rd, Verona
608-845-7490
Carriage rides and sleighrides offered year round in season. They can accommodate up to 10 people. Hot chocolate and cookies

Outdoor Ice Skating
Elver Park
Garner Park
Goodman Park
Olbrich Park
Tenney Park
Vilas Park
Warner Park
Westmorland Park
Follow this link for more information: http://www.cityofmadison.com/residents/Winter/activities/iceSkating.cfm

What to do Dec 2nd - Dec 12th

December 3rd
Holiday Family Night
YMCA Northeast
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Help feed the community. Bring a non-parishable food item to donate to the YMCA Food Drive. Then join others for a family activity and have fun at Family Prime Time afterwards. Free to all. (Non-Members Free with donation)

December 4th
Santa at the Crosse House
1133 W. Main Street, Sun Prairie, WI 5359010am - 4pm
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for the holidays. Bring the kids for a memorable
photo opportunity and a chance to see the house in its holiday splendor!

December 4th
Event: Christmas Cookie Sale and Holiday Gift Boutique
Times: 8am to 2pm
Come see the beautiful selection of homemade cookies, treats and affordable holiday gifts in our gift boutique. Cookies are sold by the pound or individually, and they make a great gift for your family, coworkers, friends and you! Donations of cookies are also accepted. Please contact Diana Konkle at 837- 5877 for more information.
 

December 4th
Downtown Cookie Walk
10am-2pm
Purchase a "cookie container" and visit participating businesses to collect frre holiday cookies! Proceeds from the purchase of "cookie containers" will go to the Crosse House for restoration purposes. Get your "cookie container" at Prairie Flowers & Gifts or the Market Street Diner. Children must be accompanied by adults.

December 5th
Public Skate
1:00pm - 2:15pm
Sun Prairie Ice Arena
655 Athletic Way Sun Prairie, WI 53590
$4.00 per person
$2.00 skate rental

December 6th
Sun Prairie Public Library
Drop-In Holiday Craft Workshop
3:30-5 p.m.
Free
No Registration
Kids ages 3-11 are invited to make winter/holiday crafts.
Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.

December 7th
Sun Prairie Public Library
Drop-In Holiday Craft Workshop
9:30am-11:30am  &  3:30 pm-5 p.m.
Free
No Registration
Kids ages 3-11 are invited to make winter/holiday crafts.
Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.

December 8th
Sun Prairie Public Library
Drop-In Holiday Craft Workshop
9:30am-11:30am
Free
No Registration
Kids ages 3-11 are invited to make winter/holiday crafts.
Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.

December 9th
Sun Prairie Public Library
Drop-In Holiday Craft Workshop
3:30-5 p.m.
Free
No Registration
Kids ages 3-11 are invited to make winter/holiday crafts.
Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult.

December 12th
Public Skate
2:00pm-3:15pm
Sun Prairie Ice Arena
655 Athletic Way Sun Prairie, WI 53590
$4.00 per person
$2.00 skate rental

Holiday Fantasy in Lights

November 12 thru January 2nd - Olin Turville Park just off John Nolen Drive

Enjoy a few dozen lighted holiday displays. No need to get out of the car, stay warm as you cruise on through the park and gaze at the lights.

Tune into a special frequency station and enjoy HFIL radio (our own christmas music and event info)

Lights are on from dusk till dawn, and candy canes and Christmas cards handed out from the booths each evening from

4:30 to 10:00 p.m.

http://www.fantasyinlights.com/

Wisconsin Covenant Pledge

Wisconsin Covenant is currently enrolling 8th graders to pledge to further their education beyond high school.

In January of 2006, Governor Jim Doyle introduced the Wisconsin Covenant, a program created to inspire young people to plan early for a successful high-school career that will lead to higher education. Eighth and Ninth graders in Wisconsin are invited to sign the Wisconsin Covenant Pledge, a promise that they will:

• Earn a high-school diploma.
• Maintain at least a “B” average in high school.
• Complete the classes they need to prepare them for higher education.
• Demonstrate good citizenship and participate in their community.
• Apply for state and federal financial aid in a timely manner.
• Take the necessary steps to gain admission to a University of Wisconsin System institution, a Wisconsin Technical College, and/or a Wisconsin private college or university.

In return for meeting these goals and keeping the pledge, a Wisconsin Covenant Student will be recognized as a Wisconsin Covenant Scholar, earn a place within their partnered systems of higher education, and receive a financial aid package, based on their family’s financial need, to help make college affordable.

The unique partnership represents the support of the State, our K-12 schools, public and private university and technical college systems, and the community all working together to help students do their best.

Follow this link for further informations and to print off forms: http://www.wisconsincovenant.wi.gov/index.asp?locid=124

What to do November 13th - 18th

National Gaming Day At the Sun Prairie Public Library

Try your hand at Wii games, Guitar Hero and lots of board games!
Saturday, November 13

10:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
For all ages.
Library Community Room

Holiday Fantasy in Lights

November 12 thru January 2nd - Olin Turville Park just off John Nolen Drive

Enjoy a few dozen lighted holiday displays. No need to get out of the car, stay warm as you cruise on through the park and gaze at the lights.
Tune into a special frequency station and enjoy HFIL radio (our own christmas music and event info)
Lights are on from dusk till dawn, and candy canes and Christmas cards handed out from the booths each evening from
4:30 to 10:00 p.m.
http://www.fantasyinlights.com/

Public Skate at Sun Prairie Ice Arena

November 14th

1pm -2:15pm

655 Athletic Way Sun Prairie, WI 53590

$4.00 per person

$2.00 skate rental

http://spyha.pucksystems.com/page/show/47584-public-and-family-skating

Sun Prairie Skate Park ReDesign Meeting

When: November 15th
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Where: Westside Community Service Building
Community Room #146
2598 W. Main St. Sun Prairie
Anyone who has ideas about future design elements should attend this meeting. This is your chance to get involved in your community!
Open to all ages! Bring your sketches and ideas!

   

Teen Talks

Sun Prairie Public Library
November 17th
4 p.m.
Talk about books, teen programs and materials, crafts, eat munchies, chill and have fun.
 
 

Little Caesars Customer Appreciation Day!!

November 18, 2010 ONLY!
1326 W Main Street
Sun Prairie, WI 53590

HOT-N-READY LARGE PIZZA ONLY $3.99 each plus tax

Open Swim at Sun Prairie High School

Open Swim on Monday, November 15th!

Looking for something to do when your kids are out of school on Monday?

Come to the Sun Prairie High School pool for an open swim from Noon-3:00 pm! 
The cost is:
$2.00 Resident Youth
$3.00 Non-Resident Youth
$3.00 Resident Adult
$4.00 Non-Resident Adult
If you have any questions, please contact Pool Manager Eric Breidel at elbreid@spasd.k12.wi.us  or call 834-6850.

College Scholarship Competition

Post 333 of The American Legion Scholarship Competition

Sun Prairie High school students are invited by Elmer Peterson Post 333 of The American Legion to compete in the annual American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. The invitation to enter the competition was extended by Post Commander and Oratorical Chair, Dennis Norton.

The contest for Sun Prairie students has been arranged with the full cooperation of local school officials and the Sun Prairie High School.

The subject in the Prepared Oration portion of the contest must be about some phase of the United States’ Constitution, emphasizing the duties and obligations of a citizen to the United States government. The Prepared Oration must be an original effort of each contestant and must be delivered in 8 to 10 minutes.

Awards for participation at the local, county and district levels range from $50 to $300. In the State and Regional contest, each participant receives a $600 scholarship.

The three Regional winners will receive a $1000 scholarship. State finalists receive $2000 for first, $1500 for second and $1000 for third.

Ripon College will award a $4000 scholarship to each of the three State finalists if they enroll at the Ripon College.

State winners in first round get $1,500

In addition to the awards in these various elimination rounds, scholarships of $18,000, $16,000, and $14,000 will be awarded to the first, second, and third place winners at the National Oratorical Finals.

Each State winner who competes in the first round of the National Contest will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Participants in the second round who do not advance to the National Final round will receive an additional $1,500 scholarship, Norton said.

The top three youth orators who have won all previous elimination rounds of the contest will vie for top honors in the National Contest in April at the TUPUI Conference Center and Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana. The American Legion will pay the expenses of the State winners to the National Contest.

High school students in Sun Prairie who are interested in entering the competition should pick up information in the main office or see their social studies teacher for more information.

Sun Prairie High School students can request complete rules and contest quidelines from Commander Dennis Norton at 834-4167.

Competition at the local level will be held in early December 2010.

Send Your Halloween Pics!

Send your Halloween Pics to be posted in the Photo Album!
Email them to: spyouthconnect@aol.com

Halloween 2010

To view more Halloween pics visit the photo album!

*Names will not be published with photos.

What to do October 26th -31st

October 27th

Teen Scream Halloween Party

Sun Prairie Public Library

4:30-6pm

October 28th -31st

Sun Prairie's Most Haunted House 2010!
1120 West Main Street (Old Heckels Marina building)
Sun Prairie, WI 53590
6:30 - 11:00 pm

Ticket Prices:

$8.00 at the door (night of the event)
Save $1.00 if you bring a can good donation!
For more information visit: http://www.sunprairiesmosthaunted.com/

October 29th

THE SPOOKTACULAR

(sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce)

Downtown Sun Prairie

1-5pm

Historical Museum will be decorated and candy treats will be handed out for all kids and adults!

October 31st

TRICK OR TREAT

5pm-7pm

Skate Park Event!

October 23rd, 2010

Wendy's parkinglot

12pm-4pm

Follow this link for more information: http://www.sunprairieskatepark.com/