Have you ever planned a grand vacation get-away to discover that so much fun and excitement was happening in your hometown – so why get away?

I always like it when people give me plenty of heads-up time advising me to “save this date.” It makes planning so much easier. That is, of course, assuming that you plan!

When it comes to vacations, sometimes I plan, and sometimes I don’t. If there’s something big happening, it makes it on the calendar, and I plan around it. This upcoming winter break is a perfect example of poor planning on my part. The kids are asking me what we’ll be doing for vacation, and I’m scrambling to come up with an answer. The problem for me is it doesn’t feel like winter.

For Scarborough Community Services, this will be the third attempt at kicking off the annual winter carnival. Winter doesn’t seem to want to come. But, here it is – winter break, so I guess there’s no time like the present to push the issue. After all, we did just get a winter dusting of snow to spark some winter spirit – so maybe it’s time to make some phone calls, check the papers, and plan a vacation.

As luck will have it, there will be plenty of fun happening right here in Scarborough. For starters, the Scarborough 350th Anniversary Committee will kick off the break with a pancake breakfast on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Wentworth School. For a donation of $5 per person, this breakfast will be a perfect place to gather with friends to plan the rest of the day and week activities.

A host of winter activities planned by Community Services will continue throughout the day on Saturday, offering snow volleyball, many skating activities, broom hockey, a hay ride, Belly Busters sponsored by Police Explorers 863, and Turkey Bowling sponsored by Scarborough Rotary. Free hot chocolate will be available, and hot dogs and hamburgers will be sold.

Later in the week, the Russian American Kids Circus On Stage will be performing at Scarborough’s Winslow Homer Auditorium. This act has been wooing audiences the world over. Featuring a wholesome event performed by children age 6 to 16, they offer a spectacular production with exciting audience participation. A mixture of comedy and high-energy circus acts these artists fill the stage with a blur of spangles, synchronized unicycling, juggling, daring aerial feats, tightrope walking and more.

These young performers are trained by veterans of the world famous Moscow Circus. “Performed by kids, for kids, not just for kids – this troupe of young performers make spirits soar and crowds roar,” said the New York Times. Outrageous costumes combined with magical lighting make this a performance enticing people to keep coming back for more. But even better yet, this group will be offering a workshop to all aspiring performance-level Gym Dandies.

If you don’t have plans for winter break already, mark your calendar and buy your tickets: Feb. 22 performances are 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Feb. 23 performance is 1:30 p.m.

Tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and may be purchased at the Current, or ordered online at www.Scarborough350.com. Proceeds from this event will support Mainely Character and Scarborough’s 350th Anniversary committee.

The weather may not suggest that it’s time for winter break, but the calendar date sure does. The thought of skiing hasn’t crossed my mind, which I’m sure saddens ski areas. But why pay top dollar for skiing when the conditions are doubtful? Besides, if low-cost, fun activities are happening in your home town, why not do that instead?

I might not have planned this vacation too well, but it seems to be taking shape anyway. There is one vacation worthy of saving the dates, July 4 through 13, 2008. You won’t want to miss the fun! Scarborough will celebrate its 350th Anniversary.

Like a vacation of a lifetime – the 350th Anniversary will be a celebration of a lifetime. These major events require extensive planning, and years of saving. And this is why activities such as the pancake breakfast and Russian American Kids Circus On Stage are happening. Not only are they a great way to bring the community together, they’re also a great way to raise money and awareness to a great celebration being planned for all.

Enjoy the winter break!