Free skate helps families unplug and play

Shelley Berg, left, made sure her two-year-old daughter Jillian’s helmet strap was attached correctly before heading out onto the ice for the free public skating at East Elgin Community Complex in Aylmer on Sunday afternoon, April 24. The free skate kicked off this year’s Unplug and Play week in Aylmer and East Elgin. Formerly known as Turn Off the Screens or Pause to Play, Unplug and Play encourages families to leave their electronic devices like computers, smart phones, video game and televisions for a while and get active in a series of fun sporting and recreational activities meant to exercise the mind, imagination and body. Other free events planned that week included: court sports and games at Springfield Public School on Monday, April 25 from 3:30-6 p.m.; basketball free throw and soccer penalty kick contests at East Elgin Secondary School on the same day from 6-8 p.m.; “games galore” at Straffordville Public School on Tuesday, April 26 from 5-6 p.m.; a Family Fitness Challenge at McGregor Public School in Aylmer on Tuesday from 6-7 p.m.; Zumba fitness at Davenport Public School in Aylmer on Wednesday, April 27 from 6-6:45 p.m.; volleyball the same day from 5-6 p.m. at Summers Corners Public School; bowling at Cy’s Bowling Lanes and Lounge from 5-8 p.m. the same day; and horseshoes behind the Complex the same day from 7 p.m. to dusk.