Town Events, March 23 - March 30 - The Reminder

Town Events, March 23 - March 30

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
MEETING
The East Longmeadow Local Emergency Planning Committee will be meeting on March 25 at 7 p.m. at the East Longmeadow Fire Department. Agenda: review minutes from December meeting, Tier II report status, medical reserve corp update "liability, training.

FOXWOODS CASINO
St. Michael's Young at Heart presents a trip to Foxwoods on April 21. Bonus: $10 food and $10 keno (subject to change without notice). Price includes driver gratuity. Contact Louis Scarnici at 525-6868 or Anita Black at 525-3614. Depart St. Michael s Church at 8:30 a.m. and return approx. 5:30 p.m.

E.L. SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
The E.L. Scholarship Foundation will be conducting their door to door campaign March 28 - April 12. ELHS students will be knocking on neighborhood doors requesting donations to fund college scholarships. They will be wearing ID tags and will identify themselves as scholarship applicants. All donations are tax deductible and students will provide receipts. If you prefer to mail your donation, checks can be sent to EL Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 66, East Longmeadow, MA 01028. The foundation has provided over $533,000 in scholarships since 1961! Please give generously to this important campaign.

FREE REIKI SHARES
Free reiki shares are coming to Quantum Life Management Center, 30 Westwood Ave. on the last Thursday of every month from 7 - 9 p.m. Whether you are familiar with reiki or would like to experience for the first time, these shares will give everyone an opportunity to learn, grow and heal in an atmosphere of divine love and light. For more info, call 526-9840.

FASTING LIPID PROFILE
Life Lab will be at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St., on March 30 beginning at 8 a.m. for a fasting lipid profile. Cost is $12, fasting glucose is an additional $5. Have nothing to eat or drink 12 hours before blood work. Call 525-5436 to sign up.

GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The March 26 meeting of the East Longmeadow Garden Club will feature ornothologist Sam Fried, wildlife and birding expert. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall of the Congo Church on the rotary. Single tickets are $3 and may be purchased at the door.

BOOK CLUB
The Book Club will meet at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. on March 31 at 10:30 a.m. to discuss The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. The Book Club meets the last Tuesday of each month and is free and open to all.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The E.L. Rec. Dept. is looking for volunteers to help with the Spring Sport Swap on March 29 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Pleasant View. Help is also needed March 26 - 28 for sorting items and day of event. This is a great opportunity for H.S. youth to amass hours towards their community service obligation towards graduation. Volunteers age 15+ are welcomed. Call Rec. Dept. at 525-5437 or Maureen Wilson at 636-9726 or e-mail pdwilson@charter.net.

FREE CHILD ID PROGRAM
A free child identification program (www.mychip.org) will be offered on March 28 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the E.L. Masonic Temple, 43 Chestnut St. Falcons hockey mascot Screech will visit, along with Shriners clowns! Men interested in joining the Freemasons fraternity are welcome to our open house that day. For more info, call Ken White at 537-1572.

BOTTLE DRIVE
The E.L. Boys Volleyball team will be hosting a bottle drive at the East Longmeadow High School from 9 - 11 a.m. on April 4.

HAMPDEN
TAX WORKSHOP
What s new for 2008 and 2009? Francie Richardson, a 21-year veteran of H&R Block, will be at the Hampden Free Public Library, 625 Main St., on March 26 at 6:30 p.m. to explain what s new for 2008 and 2009 and to answer your questions. This program is free and open to the public.

STORIES & CRAFTS
Stories and crafts at Hampden Free Public Library, 625 Main St., Tuesdays, 3:45 p.m., beginning March 31. For ages four and older. Free. Enjoy stories from our collection and make a craft to take home. Adult supervision requested. No sign-up necessary. Drop-ins welcome. For more info, call 566-3047.

INFANT & TODDLER STORYTIME
Infant and toddler storytime at Hampden Free Public Library, 625 Main St., Wednesdays, 11 a.m., ongoing. For ages newborn - three. Free. Children, parents, grandparents and other caregivers are invited to the library for games, movement, songs and basic books in a supportive environment. Coffee and tea available. Sign-up not necessary. Drop-ins welcome. For more info, call 566-3047.

LONGMEADOW
DEMOCRATS OF THE YEAR
The Longmeadow Democrats of the Year Award Brunch will honor State Rep. Brian Ashe and White House Adviser Eric Lesser, and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray will be keynote speaker, on March 29 at 10 a.m. at Twin Hills Country Club, 700 Wolf Swamp Rd. Reservations must be made by March 26; $25 per person. Checks to LDTC, 68 Knollwood Circle, Longmeadow, MA 01106. For more info, contact LongmeadowDemocrats@gmail.com or 567-9303.

LEEF PHON-A-THON
The annual LEEF phon-a-thon will be taking place March 30, 31 and April 1 from 6 - 9 p.m. Volunteers will be calling to raise funds for the Longmeadow Educational Excellence Foundation. For more info or to volunteer to help, contact Patrick at 567-8869 or patricksullivan@hotmail.com.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETING
There will be a meeting of the School Committee on March 23 at 6 p.m. and immediately adjourn into executive session. The committee will convene into open session beginning at 7 p.m. The meeting will be in the School Dept. s Central Office, School Committee Room, 127 Grassy Gutter Rd.

BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING
There will be a meeting of the Board of Health on March 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Training Room at the Longmeadow Fire Station.

BOARD OF ASSESSORS MEETING
The Board of Assessors will meet on March 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the Police Station Community Room

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
The Longmeadow Select Board is accepting nominations for its annual Citizen of the Year award. The recipient will be announced at the Annual Town Meeting on April 28. Letters of nomination should be sent to the Select Board, 20 Williams St., by April 2.

BUILDING BUDDIES
On April 2 from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. kids in kindergarten - second grade are invited to Building Buddies, a different kind of book group that explores creativity, at the Storrs Library. The program consists of a story and discussion, a snack and a Lego activity. Children will design, build, and display a Lego structure relating to the book that is read. You may register by visiting the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room or by calling 565-4182.

LONGMEADOW IDOL
Auditions will take place for the 2009 Longmeadow Idol at Glenbrook Middle School on March 25 at 3 p.m. Longmeadow middle school aged singers are welcome to audition and must come with a karaoke version CD of any song and a copy of the lyrics. Longmeadow Idol is the major fundraising event of the Longmeadow High School Interact Club and all proceeds will be donated to Shriner s Hospital in Springfield. Finalists will compete to be the next Longmeadow Idol on April 15 at 7p.m. in the LHS Auditorium. For more info, contact Ariel Miller at 636-3615.

BOOK CRITICS
Join us for snacks as our new Pageturner Critics, a book group for students in grades four and above, meets at the Storrs Library. Our critics will read and discuss at least one new book each month, design their own critic s page and have their findings published. Pageturners will rate each of their selections for future readers. The group will meet on March 26 from 3:15 - 4 p.m. in the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room. Register or receive more info by calling 565-4182.

SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION
Summer camp registration is about to begin! Remember to have your child s health and immunization records updated by your pediatrician. Licensed camp registrations require these forms be current within the last 24 months prior to your camp date. If you have handed in health forms in the past, they may already have been disposed of if they were not current enough for this year s camp season. Call 565-4160 if you are not sure. Camp registrations will not be accepted without these forms " no exceptions.

DOG LICENSES
A reminder to Longmeadow residents the 2009 dog licenses are due March 31. A current proof of rabies vaccination is required to license. Licenses are available at the Town Clerk s office during normal business hours or via the mail. Call the Town Clerk at 565-4103 with questions.

SPRING SPORTS SWAP
A spring sports swap will take place at the Rec. Dept. on March 29 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. This is a opportunity to clean out unwanted, spring sports equipment that s in good condition. Drop off is March 26 - 27 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. You will receive a ticket for each reusable item allowing you to pick out another for this season. For more info, contact Maureen Wilson at 636-9726 or pdwilson@charter.net.

SPRINGFIELD
BUS TRIP
Gina Daniele presents a two-day bus trip to Niagara Falls including hotel, breakfast and tour on May 16 and 17. Bus leaves Mom & Rico s, 899 Main St., at 6:30 a.m. No passport required. For more info, call 732-8941.

LENTEN LUNCHES
Lenten lunches at St. Catherine s social center, 1023 Parker St., every Friday through April 3 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Lunch includes sandwich, soup, beverage and dessert for $5. Please bring a non-perishable food item for Survival Center.

LUNCHEON AND CRUISE
St. Peter s Episcopal Church, 45 Buckingham St. will sponsor a luncheon and cruise from Narragansett Bay to Newport on Mother s Day, May 10. There will be live entertainment and two hours to tour Newport. Tickets are $65 (price includes driver gratuity). The bus will leave Big Y on Boston Road at 8 a.m. and will arrive back between 6-7 p.m. For more info call 348-7282 or 788-0044.

ROAST PORK DINNER
The Ladies Glee Club and the Mens Singing Section of the Springfield Turnverein located at 176 Garden St. in Feeding Hills invites everyone to join them on March 27 for their roast pork dinner. The dinner will be served from 6-7:30 p.m. Menu: roast pork, potatoes, vegetable, dessert, and coffee or tea. Tickets are $8. Reservations may be made by calling the club at 786-0924 or Wilma Gillan at 786-4671. Reservation deadline is March 25. Music will be provided by Christl with her accordion.

BLUE MAN GROUP
St. Mary s Church, 840 Page Blvd., is sponsoring a trip to Boston to see the Blue Man Group on June 14, at 4 p.m. There will be some free time to shop at Quincy Market until 3:15 p.m. The bus leaves St. Mary s at 10 a.m. and returns at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $65/person (includes the bus, driver's gratuity, ticket to the show). Call Sylvia at 594-2757 to make your reservation ASAP as tickets for this trip sell fast!

BLOOD MOBILE
A Showcase Cinemas movie ticket will be given to all presenting donors at the Red Cross blood mobile at Raymour and Flanigan, 665 Boston Rd. on March 25 from in Springfield, from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments will have priority. For an appointment, call
1-800-448-3543 or visit www.givelife.org. A positive ID is required, and all blood types are needed.

PAC MEET AND GREET
Members of the Springfield Public Schools Special Education Dept. will be joining the Parent Advisory Council (PAC) for a special meet and greet on April 1. This will be a great opportunity for families to come learn about the programs and services that are available to their children with special education needs. Attendance will help you to put a face to a name, allow you to ask questions and have your voices heard. PAC meetings are open to the public and free of charge and meet in the small cafeteria at Central High, 1840 Roosevelt Ave. For more info about the PAC, call facilitator Diane Purchase at 787-7194 or visit sps.springfield.ma.us/pac/.

SUNDAY NIGHT YOUTH MASS
Holy Cross Church, Plumtree Road, will offer a Sunday night Youth Mass at 6 p.m. every Sunday through the Lenten season. This Mass will feature contemporary music and a service geared to teens and young adults. All are welcome.

WILBRAHAM
GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The Wilbraham Garden Club will meet April 2 at the Wilbraham Library. A light lunch will be served at 12:15 p.m. and the meeting begins at 12:45 p.m. The Challenging Garden will be the topic of the guest speaker Doreen Kochanowski. Kochanowski is the owner of a garden design business, landscape designer and consultant with the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. She will discuss some of the real issues of home gardening and answer questions. There will be a drawing for the chocolate Easter eggs Jeanne Boyer makes for us every spring.

EGG HUNT
The Wilbraham Park & Rec Dept. will be hosting its sixth annual egg hunt at the Spec Pond Recreation Facility on April 11. Children up to age 10, will hunt for plastic candy/toy filled eggs an have the opportunity to participate in games, crafts, win prizes and get a Polaroid picture with the Easter bunny. Space is limited. Register before March 27. Cost is $5/child. For more info, visit wilbraham-ma.gov/rec.