This month Warrenton residents received the first issue of the Warrenton Recreation Department’s new recreation guide in their mailbox. REC CONNECT is a guide to recreation programs and services in the community, said Dottie Phillips, recreation director.The guide will be distributed two times per year and each issue will have upcoming programs for people of all ages."The intent of the REC CONNECT is to establish a means of communication to the citizens, allowing for everyone to have access to all the services provided by the department, “ said Phillips.Citizens and people from neighboring areas are aware of the staple programs offered historically by the department, such as youth baseball and softball, youth soccer and special events, said Phillips. However, the department’s goal is to get the message out about other programs and services available through the city’s recreation department.The guide contains new programs and some old programs that residents may be unaware of. In particular, the recreation department is seeking to spread the word to adults.“Adults need recreation opportunities as much as youth,” said Phillips.“Adults need an opportunity to relieve stress, to socialize with their peers and to take time to do something fun for themselves. Oftentimes, parents are so busy transporting their children from one place or another for their extracurricular activities, they forget to schedule time for themselves. We want to make them aware that there are opportunities in the community for them.”This spring the Warrenton Recreation Department will offer co-rec softball and men’s softball leagues. The leagues are double-header leagues played on Sundays at the Warrenton Athletic Complex for five weeks beginning April 27. Each team will play a minimum of 10 games. The fee for each league is $375 and the registration deadline is April 4.Flag football is one new program being offered to adults.“Warrenton is a football town, we expect to see big participation numbers for this league,” Phillips said. The league will be played on Sundays at the Warrenton Athletic Complex beginning March 9.Teams of 12 can register for the six week season for $275. All supplies required to play will be provided to the teams.Also new in 2014, is the Snowball Tournament, a co-rec adult softball tournament held on Feb. 1, at the Warrenton Athletic Complex. The fee is $125 with a minimum of 2 games guaranteed per team. Participants should dress warm, Phillips said, since the tournament takes place regardless of weather conditions, unless an unsafe environment is created. Phillips said snowball tournaments are common in communities east of Warrenton; they become an annual ritual that gives social groups a chance to get out in the middle of the winter and get their softball fix. Typically the tournaments are offered to men’s teams only, making the Warrenton tournament a little bit unique.Programs for SeniorsThe recreation department has also been working to establish programs for seniors. Club 55 has been created to assist residents ages 55 and older with improving their social, physical, and emotional health through recreation activities. Club 55 is free and participants will provide ideas and suggestions for future programming needs for this age group.“It is essential that we establish contact with the residents of the community and ask them what type of leisure activities they want,” she said. “We must have an in depth understanding of the needs and desires of residents. Without their input we will be unable to create a recreation program that is effective in meeting their expectations.”The recreation department is currently taking registrations for the Wine and Roses Dinner and Dance targeted for the 50+ age group.“Participants are invited to enjoy an elegant evening with dancing, dinner and desserts,” said Phillips. “Recreation department staff will treat them to a wonderful meal with sparking (non-alcoholic) wine and scrumptious desserts. When dinner is over participants can dance the night away with live musical entertainment provided by a professional musician.”The date of the dance is Feb. 7, from 6 to 9 p.m. at First State Community Bank.“This type of program is great for this age group,” Phillips said. “It’s a program where a group of people can come together, a couple can come or someone can come alone. Participants will be waited on by staff and will have the opportunity to dance to the type of music they like at an affordable price and without driving far from home.”The recreation department plans to expand programs offered to all ages over the next year with particular focus being on the senior citizens and adult ages. Phillips said more programs will be added as the city is able to identify locations to hold them.City to push adult, senior recreation programs