Learn something new: 4 things to do this weekend in Springfield

Looking for an interesting way to spend this holiday weekend? Here are four events in the region that may strike your fancy.

1. The Wittenberg University Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation

Wittenberg University will host alumna Bernadette Evans, class of 1989, as the keynote speaker during its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation on Monday, Jan. 15.

» READ MORE: MLK legacy to be celebrated through Springfield area events

Evans’ speech, “Assignment of Fire,” will be given at 11:15 a.m. in Weaver Chapel. A Q&A session featuring Evans will also take place at 3:30 p.m. at the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center for Lifelong Learning, located at 737 N. Fountain Ave. The event is free and open to the public.

Evans, the co-founder of The Math King LLC, an in-home tutoring service, and the Above the Rim Basketball League in Wilmington, Del., writes articles on criminal justice reform and has also worked as a speechwriter for Wilmington Mayor Kevin Kelley.

2. The Fitness Challenge Fundraiser

Get a head start on your weight loss resolutions by joining in the Springfield Peace Center’s third annual Fitness Challenge Fundraiser. The official weigh-in will take place at the HPER Center at Wittenberg University on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 to 10 a.m.

Participants who sign up for the challenge will have until April 28 to lose the highest percentage of body weight among all entrants. The person who loses the most will win a cash prize. The entry fee for the challenge is $50. Advance tickets are available for purchase via Eventbrite.

3. The Mostly True Story of Simon Girty

Join the George Rogers Clark Heritage Association as they host historian Earl Nicodemus during their event, “The Mostly True Story of Simon Girty” at the Ohio Masonic Home, located at 2655 W. National Rd. in Springfield, on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m.

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The event will recount the history of Girty, an American colonial who acted as a liaison between the British and the Native Americans during the American Revolution. Nicodemus will elaborate on the outlaw’s life and try to shed light on whether or not he was a villain during the time period. The event is free and open to the public.

4. The Springfield Youth Orchestra Play-a-Thon

Young musicians from the area will be playing their fingers to the bone during the annual Play-a-Thon hosted by Springfield Youth Orchestra and Children’s Chorus.

» READ MORE: Springfield youths to play for pledges during Play-a-Thon

The event will take place Friday, Jan. 12, at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, located at 201 N. Limestone St. in Springfield. Youths from around the area will be playing in order to raise money from pledges in order to offset costs for tuition for participation in orchestra events. The youths will be lead by Springfield Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor Peter Stafford Wilson, as well as other members of the music community.

Those interested in making a pledge for the Play-a-Thon can do so through the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's website. Residents interested in attending the event can contact the orchestra at (937) 325-8100 to make arrangements.

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