Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department celebrates Legos

Hunter Jackson, Jacob Jackson and Rudy Hagen enjoy a game of Lego soccer at a Brickmania event last year. Several upcoming events will give kids the chance to enjoy fun building a playing with the building bricks.

GREENCASTLE -- When the plastic Lego building block was invented back on Jan. 28, 1958, the Danish toymaker could not imagine the impact its new block would have.

Today, a company that started in a simple carpenter's workshop in 1932 is the world's fifth-largest toy manufacturer in terms of sales, all because of a simple yet versatile plastic bricks.

In honor of the block's upcoming birthday, the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department has a number of Brickmania events coming up in January and February.

The events begin with "It's a Lego Winter" today from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Deer Meadow Primary School. Participants will learn how to build a snowman, evergreen tree and friends. They will then have the chance to create with the department's collection of Legos piled on the floor.

The program costs $10, and the first 12 enrolled receive a Lego Santa and Sleigh. Everyone can also enjoy free hot chocolate.

The fun continues with a pair of Brickmania Building Workshops at Greencastle City Hall on Jan. 23 and Feb. 13. These Sunday afternoon workshops run from 1 to 4 p.m.

There's no official agenda for these afternoons, just a chance to fight cabin fever as kids have the chance to spend the afternoon building, playing games and learning new techniques from Brick Masters. The Parks and Recreation Department's thousands of building blocks will be poured on the floor awaiting creative hands and minds.

The only cost is a handful of Legos or similar blocks or a financial contribution to help the department purchase more.

Finally, enthusiasts will have a chance to celebrate the Lego with a birthday bash at the Putnam County Museum from 3 to 5 p.m. Jan. 28. A maximum of 25 may register for this free event.

The birthday party will feature even more building as well as cake and ice cream for the celebration.

To learn more about the Brickmania programs or any of the Parks and Recreation Departments other upcoming events, contact assistant director Troy Scott at 653-3395 or tscott@cityofgreencastle.com

Other upcoming Parks and Recreation events:

* Snow Sculpture Contest: Have fun with family, friends and snow from now through early March. The top two entrants will be named for best snowman, best snow creature and best snow sculpture, which is anything that doesn't qualify as the first two categories.

Simply take a picture of your snow creation to submit a printed or digital version to the parks department prior to the March 2 Park Board meeting. Entrants within the city limits may also contact the Parks Department to come take a picture of their creations.

The Park Board will judge the entries on March 2.

* Mommy & Me Winter Edition 2011: A chance for preschoolers and their caregivers to make friends and play together, do crafts, listen to stories, learn new skills, and to relax with others.

The program will run from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays from Jan. 26 to March 2. The first and last sessions will be at the Putnam County Public Library, with all February sessions at the Putnam County Museum.

Cost is $25 per session with a maximum enrollment of 15 and a minimum of five. Pre-registration is requested.

* Greencastle Walk & Talk Program: The Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department has teamed up with DePauw University's Indoor Tennis and Track Center to offer a unique opportunity for active adults. This winter when it is too cold to walk outside, join us for healthy walking and socialization. The Walk & Talk Program will offer opportunities to meet and walk with other local walkers. The program will host a healthy snack once a week in the Round Room of the center, as well as hosting a speaker series once a month to talk about how to live a healthy lifestyle.

The program runs Tuesdays and Thursdays from Feb. 1 through March 31 (not March 22 and 24) from 8 to 10 a.m. All active seniors and adults are invited.

Cost is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt, a walking journal, water bottle, snack once a week and a speaker once a month

* Chinese New Year celebration: The DePauw A.S.I.A. Club and the parks and recreation department present a Chinese New Year Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Putnam County Public Library Kiwanis Room.

The free event will feature crafts, stories and snacks to celebrate the Year of the Rabbit. Participants may come and go as they like, but pre-registration is preferred.