WILMINGTON, MA — Below are 5 things to do in Wilmington on Saturday, September 14, 2019:
#1) Town Shredding Day At Town Common
The Wilmington Community Fund is hosting its Annual Shredding Day on Saturday, September 14, 2019, from 9am to noon, in the Wilmington Town Common parking lot. The event is free of charge to residents.
Two shredding trucks will be available. The Community Fund reserves the right to limit the amount of shredding due to wait time or truck space. Paper clips, rubber bands and staples do not need to be removed. Please remove binder clips or other metal fasteners.
The Wilmington Community Fund, which runs the Wilmington Food Pantry, is encouraging participants to bring nonperishable food items or monetary donations to the event. All donations will benefit the Food Pantry.
#2) Flag Pole Dedication Ceremony
The Wilmington Department of Veterans Services has invited all residents to honor those who passed on September 11, 2001 — and those who have served in the military since — at a short flagpole dedication ceremony at 10am at Silver Lake.
The new flag pole has been installed on the Route 38 side of the lake where there’s currently three memorial stones, near the Silver Lake sign.
The flag pole is a donation from Rapiscan Systems, a company that specializes in walk-through metal detectors and x-ray machines at airports. Rapiscan Systems, formerly located at 205 Lowell Street in Wilmington, outgrew its space and is now headquartered in Andover.
“Rapiscan of Andover has a long history of supporting Wilmington’s active duty military and our veterans,” explains Director of Wilmington Veterans Services Lou Cimaglia. “They donated and erected a flag pole for a Wilmington family while their father was deployed overseas and now they are donating and installing a flag pole in honor of all who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice since the 9/11 attacks.”
“I’m a longtime fan of the Veterans Services Department in Wilmington,” said Marcy Morse, Head of Rapiscan System’s Event Committee and a Wilmington resident. “We’ve done many programs for [Veterans Director] Lou Cimaglia and the veterans… In 2011, we installed a flag pole at Ellen Coleman’s residence in town… She has a severely handicapped child whose dream was to raise a flag to honor his father serving in Iraq.”
Cimaglia hopes for a good turnout on Saturday morning. Folks will assemble at the flagpole beginning at 9:50am, with a short dedication ceremony expected to begin promptly at 10am.
“Please come out this Saturday and show our appreciation for Rapiscan’s generosity and continued support for Wilmington’s military community,” said Cimaglia.
#3) 8th Annual Tim Ryan Wiffle Ball Extravaganza
The 8th Annual Tim Ryan Wiffle Ball Extravaganza will begin 10am at the Tewksbury/Wilmington Elks Lodge (777 South Street, Tewksbury).
This popular 3-on-3 wiffle ball tournament is organized annually by the friends of late Lance Corporal Timothy F. Ryan III.
Ryan, a lifelong Wilmington resident, graduated from Wilmington High School in 2005 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps soon thereafter. He served two tours of duty in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Ryan was honorably discharged in December 2010. He passed away in May 2011 at the age of 23 after a battle with PTSD.
Last year, a memorial bench for Ryan was installed in the Veterans Lot of the Wildwood Cemetery. The bench is located next to the flag pole, allowing visitors the ability to sit and reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
“It’s a beautiful memorial to Tim and all veterans we’ve lost to PTSD,” said Veterans Director Lou Cimaglia at the time. “I knew Tim. I coached him in Pop Warner. He was a fine young man and a stand-up Marine.”
In addition to honoring Tim and keeping his memory alive, the wiffleball tournament also serves as a fundraiser, with all proceeds donated to the Local Heroes organization to support local veterans in needs.
Registration is open to the general public and begins at 10am. Entry fee (with t-shirt) costs $25 per person. Kids 12 and under are free. The winning team will receive $300. The second place will receive $150.
The event will also feature a cash bar, games and activities for all ages, and lots of great raffles and silent auction items, including Red Sox tickets, Bruins tickets, sports memorabilia, golf outing, gift baskets, and more.
Contact organizer George Dighton at 617-595-0869 with any questions.
#4) Ballroom Dress Sale
Ballroom On A Budget is holding its annual Fall Trunk Sale from 10am to 4pm at its Wilmington location within RE/Max (314 Main Street) inside Presidential Park.
This fall trunk sale allows customers to “grab a great dress at a great price.” Come early for the best selection. Choose a dress and make an offer! No reasonable offer on any dress will be refused. All dresses will be on sale. Come see all the new inventory that has come in over the summer months.
To register, contact Linda Covino at 978-808-3440, Charlotte Browne at 617-733-4056, or info@ballroomonabudget.com.
#5) Wilmington Yard Sales
There are yard sales today at 272 Lowell Street (7am-3pm) and 56 Fiorenza Drive (8am-1pm). Learn more HERE.
Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.
Wilmington Apple 