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Selectmen are looking for nominations for the second annual Town of Wrentham Volunteer of the Year awards. The awards honor residents who have gone above and beyond to volunteer their time to the town or done something especially noteworthy.

Selectman Ed Goddard, who proposed the awards, says it not only recognizes those who contribute to the community, but encourages others to volunteer. Nominations may be submitted to the selectmen's office until Oct. 29 in two age groups, under 18 and 18 and over.

And for the first time, also at Goddard's suggestion, the town will honor an employee of the year. "I thought it would be good to recognize an exceptional town employee on an annual basis," Goddard said.

The winners will be acknowledged at the Nov. 9 special town meeting. If you would like to nominate someone for the awards you may click on the nomination form link on the town's Web site, www.wrentham.ma.us. Nominations may be anonymous.

Catch Halloween duathlon The Wrentham Lions Club is sponsoring its annual Halloween Duathlon on Sunday, Oct. 25 at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds at the Wrentham Development Center off Shears Street. The race will start at 8:30 a.m. Registration in advance (preferred) via www.firm-racing.com or onsite starting at 7:30 a.m.

Competitors will start by running 3 miles around the perimeter of the WDC property, then bike 11 miles on streets in Wrentham, Franklin and Norfolk, and finish by running another 2 miles bisecting the middle of the WDC property.

For further information about this event, visit Fiske Independent Race Management's Web site at www.firm-racing.com, or contact Jeff Hall, chairman Wrentham Lions Duathlon Committee, at 508-384-2773, or e-mail duathlon@wrentham-lions.org

Money raised will support Wrentham Lions charities and funding research in the hopes that one day, a cure will be found for blindness. For more information about the Wrentham Lions Club, visit www.wrentham-lions.org.

Orient yourself Sunday

The public is invited to join the New England Orienteering Club at its meet in Wrentham State Forest on Sunday.

Orienteering combines hiking, cross-country running, map reading, and creative route choice. Orienteers use a detailed map to navigate to a series of flags, or "controls," as quickly as possible. The meet will offer several courses of increasing difficulty. The beginner's course, suitable for families and children, is about 1 mile long, entirely on trails. The most advanced course is about 4 miles through the deep woods, requiring superior map-reading and navigation skills.

Registration and staggered starts will be available from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Training for first-timers, and "loaner" compasses will be available. Park in the open field on Madison Street in Wrentham, about 1/2 mile south of East Street (Route 140). Look for the Orienteering signs on the east side of Madison Street. More information can be found on the Schedule page at www.newenglandorienteering.org.

Landscape design

The Sohoanno Garden Club of Wrentham will be hosting a presentation on landscape design Monday entitled, "New Ways to Think about your Site." The free event, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the senior center at 400 Taunton St., will feature local landscape architect Karen Krider, who has specialized in the field of landscape design for over 15 years. Krider will address considerations for the "do-it-yourselfer," as well as questions commonly asked when considering a landscape project such as budgets and project stages. The garden club has a core commitment to the Wrentham community of both beautification as well as horticultural education. In addition to maintaining town gardens, the group decorates the town common for the winter season, holds an annual plant sale, hosts educational workshops, and participates in local horticultural events. New members are welcome with no skill required. Interested individuals can obtain more information at the presentation on the 19th or by e-mailing the club at sohoannogardenclub@yahoo.com.

Cultural council applications are due by Thursday

Wrentham Cultural Council is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2009 grant cycle. Applications are available at the Fiske Public Library, post office and town hall, or may be downloaded from the Massachusetts Cultural Council Web site at massculturalcouncil.org.

Applications must be postmarked no later than this Thursday. They must be sent to the Wrentham Cultural Council, 79 South St., Wrentham, MA 02093.

Library activities

Activities at Fiske Public Library include:

A program titled "Having Fun With Fossils and Dinosaurs" is being held Thursday, Oct. 29 at 3:30 p.m. for ages 4 to 12. Fossil hunter Paulette Morin introduces children to the wonders of our prehistoric past and dinosaurs. Learn how to find fossils and view more than 100 fossil specimens. Tickets available at the circulation desk. Program is free but canned-good donations will be gratefully accepted for the Wrentham Food Pantry.

Yoga class with Chris Primavera will be held Thursday from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. The next group of classes will begin on Oct. 22 with subsequent classes held on Oct. 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19 and Dec. 3. A prepayment of $65 required. A minimum of six students is needed to hold the class and it is limited to 15.

This column is compiled by staff writer Stephen Peterson. Peterson can be reached at 508-236-0377 or via e-mail at speterson@thesunchronicle.com.