Bike the Blue Hills

They're not just for hiking, so why not try biking? Trail sections on Great Blue Hill, Little Blue Hill, and around Houghton's Pond and in Fowl Meadow are open for mountain biking. Free map and information at 695 Hillside Street.

Preschool Information Night

Think of it as a college fair for three-year-olds. The Milton Early Childhood Alliance presents the "Milton Early Care and Education Program Information Night" one week from today, on Tuesday, October 26, from 7:00 – 8:30 at Cunningham Hall. This is a can't-miss event for anyone considering an educational program for their preschoolers next fall. Questions? Call the MECA office at 617-696-2262 or visit www.miltonearlychildhoodalliance.org.

You've got a Friend

You probably have some books lying around, too. Why not donate them to the Friends Book Shop at the Milton Public Library? The shop is open today and every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., as well as Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. While you're there, browse the collection of titles for sale, priced from $.25 to $1.25.

Blood drive a success

On Thursday afternoon, members of the Milton Junior Woman's Club hosted a blood drive in memory of a member's mother who passed away from leukemia in February. The group set the date, secured the venue at the Milton Woman's Club and publicized the event, and the American Red Cross handled the rest. The drive collected 15 units of blood, including two from first-time donors. Hats off to all who donated a pint of life. 

Shop and Support Area Schools

Several Milton schools are registered with the Stop & Shop "A+ School Rewards" program. Shoppers can register their Stop & Shop card at http://www.stopandshop.com/aplus and select the school they'd like to support. Points then accrue with each purchase to determine the school's cash total, which is credited to the school each month.

Participating Milton schools include Collicot, Cunningham, Glover, Milton High, Pierce Middle, St. Agatha, St. Mary of the Hills and Thacher Montessori. Sign up and support your school today.

National day on writing tomorrow

Milton boasts novelists, screenwriters, reporters and columnists, all well-represented at home and in wider circles. Besides the contingent of professional writers, the majority of folks write every day, whether it's writing an article, jotting a note or sending a text.

For everyone who has ever put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, tomorrow has been designated as the second annual National Day on Writing by the National Council of Teachers of English. Share your writing with the world at the National Gallery of Writing; the extra-ambitious may even be interested in starting a Milton gallery. Go to http://galleryofwriting.org/ to learn more or contribute your work. Happy writing!

St. Mary of the Hills Golf Tournament

St. Mary of the Hills hosted its 18th annual Reverend Thomas C. Foley "FORE The Children" golf tournament on October 12th. Eighty-six golfers enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon at the Wollaston Golf Club, and raised more than $13,000 to benefit the students of St. Mary of the Hills School.   

One highlight was the first-ever Helicopter Ball Drop, during which nearly 700 golf balls were released from a helicopter hovering 20 feet above the driving range. St. Mary's parishioners Francis and Rose Livingstone won the $1,000 prize when their ball fell into the hole.

The Reverend Foley, longtime pastor of St. Mary's, was among those golfing for the cause last week. He is in residence at St. Ann's Parish in Quincy.