The fall semester of MOPS -- Mothers of Preschoolers, a program designed to encourage mothers with children from infant to kindergarten-age -- begins Friday, Sept. 14. The group will meet at 9 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in Boxford in the Family Life Center, 4 Georgetown Road, Boxford.
Fall meetings are planned for Sept. 28, Oct. 12 and 26, Nov. 9 and Dec. 14.
Join MOPS for only $20. Free child care is provided. For more information contact Erin at 978-352-2023 or visit www.mops.org.
Champion Factory open house
On Sunday, Sept. 9 from noon to 4 p.m., the Champion Factory in North Andover will host an open house. Free, supervised fitness activities for kids with parents in attendance plus face painting, nutritional tips and more.
Meet the instructors as well as review and register for fall programs. Now entering its seventh year, the Champion Factory, located in Chickering Plaza, just behind the Mango Grille on Route 125 in North Andover, teaches gymnastics and circus arts to children from toddler to teen.
Call owners Teena or Brian Veth at 978-683-8493 or visit www.ChampionFactory.com for more information.
Treble Chorus auditions
Auditions for children and young adults ages 6 to 18 will be held on Sunday, Sept. 16.
While prior musical training is not necessary to participate in Treble Chorus of New England, an audition is required. Singers will be placed in the appropriate program based on their skills, maturity and readiness.
You do not need to bring a prepared audition piece. The audition process is quick and simple. A conductor will listen for the singer's ability to match pitches, to learn a simple tune, and to hold one's voice part against others.
To request a scheduled audition, or to get more information, e-mail anovello@treblechorus.com or call 978-837-5461.
ABC Benefit Horse Trials
On Sunday Sept. 16, the annual ABC Benefit Horse Trials will take place at Lockwood-Moore Field on Lockwood Lane in Boxford. This three-phase event tests the skills of horse and rider in dressage, stadium jumping and cross country.
Four levels of competition are offered, with pre-elementary jumping 18-inch courses and beginner novice riders competing over 2-foot, 7-inch fences. Entries are now being accepted for all divisions.
If you are interested in being involved, but don’t want to ride, consider volunteering. Many volunteers are needed to run this event, which benefits the ABC “A Better Chance” Masconomet House in Topsfield. Volunteers may contact Lisa White at 978-561-3004 or e-mail lisaandthayer@earthlink.net. Visit www.btabolt.org for more information.
Community Giving Tree locations
Back-to-school can be difficult for a child living in poverty. You can help children be prepared for school by donating new school supplies during August and September. Collection boxes will be located at East and West Boxford libraries. Backpacks, pens, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, calculators, rulers, glue, tape, notebooks and folders will be distributed to social workers and teachers who work directly with struggling families. Consider adding a couple extra school items to your shopping cart and making a difference in a child's education! Visit www.communitygivingtree.org, or e-mail communitygivingtree@gmail.com.
Wellness presentation
The Champion Factory Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center presents "Back to School, Back to Health" on Thursday, Sept. 27 from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Physical therapist and exercise physiologist Heather Rozen’s lecture is the next in a series of free health and wellness talks for parents sponsored by the Champion Factory, located in Chickering Plaza, just behind the Mango Grille on Route 125 in North Andover. A fun, supervised fitness activity for children will be offered during the lecture. Call 978-683-8493 or visit www.ChampionFactory.com for more information.
