Community Briefs

Free Healthy Kids Day at Shelton YMCA

The South Sound YMCA is hosting its annual Healthy Kids Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Shelton YMCA.

The free event offers activities that encourage good health. Events include face painting, yard games, swimming, a demonstration in synchronized swimming, slime making and photo opportunities. Information: Claudia Suastegui at 360-918-0304 or [email protected].

Help plant a garden at Shelton Veterans Village

Everyone is invited to celebrate Earth Day by joining members of the Mason Conservation District and other volunteers to create a community garden at the new Shelton Veterans Village from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 2471 N. 13th St. in Shelton.

Volunteers will plant more than 1,000 native pollinator-friendly shrubs, trees, flowers and vegetable starts, and assemble and construct garden plots and beds. The Shelton Rotary Club, the City of Shelton and Shelton Youth Connection sponsor the event. Information: http://www.masoncd.org.

Author discusses rejoining Army after 9/11

Author Bob Shano talks about his new book “Never Too Old for War” and signs copies from 1 to 4 p.m. April 27 at the Shelton Timberland Library, 710 W. Alder St.

Shano — a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran and native of the Bronx — felt compelled by the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks to return to the ranks as an infantry soldier.

Shano had been in the Army as an infantryman, left the service in 1986 and been out of the Army for 16 years. When he re-enlisted, he was alongside a new generation of infantry, some of them 30 years younger than him. For information on the event, call Sean Lotz at 360-426-1362.

Shano said that all the profits generated from the sales of his books that day will be donated to the nonprofit Friends of the Shelton Library, the group of volunteers that help to raise donations that support the library’s programs.

Candyland Youth Festival Saturday

The Candyland Youth Festival features a local youth talent show, young vendors selling their crafts and artwork and a candy dash with kids grouped by age from 12:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the South Mason Youth Soccer compound, 2102 E. Johns Prairie Road, Shelton.

The Armstrong Foundation presents the event. All proceeds help local youths participate in sports and outdoor activities.

The event offers an auction and raffles. Concession items include hot dogs, chips, pop, cotton candy. The Candy Dash for candy, toys and prizes will be divided into eight age groups: ages 1-3, 4-5,6-7, 8-10, 10-12, 13-18, 18-45 and 45 and older.

A family pass is $25. Adults older than 18 are admitted for $10, youths 18 and younger $5. For tickets, go to http://www.armstring-foundation.org.

Actors wanted for Harstine murder mystery

The Harstine Island Theatre Club hosts auditions for the murder mystery “You Have the Right to Remain Dead” at 2 p.m. Sunday and 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Harstine Island Community Hall, 3371 E. Harstine Island Road N.

Roles are available for 10 men and women, ages 18 to 60-plus. The play includes participation from the audience. You don’t have to be the age of the character, just be able to play them. For more information, call the director, P.J. Hopkins, at 360-490-3476.

Learn to produce an oral history

Oral historian Edward Echtle presents “Capturing our Stories: Oral History Methods and Procedures” at 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Squaxin Island Museum and Research Center, 150 SE Kwuh-Deegs-Altxw, Kamilche.

Echtle, who works for Legacy Washington with the state Office of the Secretary of State, will teach the basics of conducting meaningful oral histories, the equipment needed, and the best practices for preserving memories for research and to share with others.

For more information, call 360-432-3839.

Wear your pajamas to YMCA kids movie

The Shelton YMCA hosts Kids Night Out Movie Night from 6 to 8:30 p.m. April 26.

The event features popcorn and swimming. Registration is required. For information, call 360-753-6576.

Spell-E-Bration fundraiser date changed

The Shelton-based nonprofit Sound Learning hosts its 28th annual Spell-E-Bration fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. June 29 at The Pavilion at Sentry Park — also known as the Mason County Senior Activity Center — at 190 W. Sentry Drive, Shelton.

The date was changed from May 4.

The event features the community spelling bee pitting teams of three, appetizer and dessert buffets, a silent auction and live music.

Recovery gathering

Gateway Christian Fellowship in Shelton hosts Celebrate Recovery Open House from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 27 at 405 S. 7th Street in Shelton.

The event’s stated goal is to bring the Shelton/Mason County recovery community together to collaborate, communicate and cooperate to better serve the recovery and healing needs of our community.

There are a dozen Recovery connected organizations that will have a table set up with their information. Many of them will speak to the gathering about their organization and the recovery role they play. They will have treatment centers, courts, mental health, counselors and more. All are welcome.

Contact Tom Anderson at [email protected] or 253-927-9456 for more information.