Town Events, Dec. 8 - Dec. 15 - The Reminder

Town Events, Dec. 8 - Dec. 15

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
PUBLIC MEETING NOTICE
The East Longmeadow Local Emergency Planning Committee will be meeting on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at the East Longmeadow Fire Dept. to review the minutes from the June meeting, hear an update by Kathleen Norbut on the Medical Reserve Corp Program, and other business.

GARDEN CLUB LUNCHEON
The Garden Club will host its holiday luncheon on Dec.18 at noon in Fellowship Hall of the Congo Church on the rotary. Guest performers will be the second grade chorus from Meadow Brook School. The club will also be filling bags of paper goods and personal care items for the E.L. Council on Aging to distribute to needy East Longmeadow seniors. Visit www.elgardenclub.org.

SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CLUB
The East Longmeadow Senior Friendship Club will start the holiday season with a Hanukkah program on Dec. 11 at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. Luncheon will be baked ham w/raisin sauce, scalloped potatoes and glazed carrots. Call 525-5436 at least one day in advance for lunch reservations.

HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
Make your reservations now for our Holiday Luncheon, scheduled for Dec. 10 at noon at the Pleasant View Senior Center. Luncheon will be pot roast with gravy, mashed potato, butternut squash and a special dessert. Join us for fun entertainment and special holiday surprises! Call 525-5436; cost is $3.

MEDICARE PRESENTATION OFFERED
On Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., the Pleasant View Senior Center will host a presentation called "Health Plan Options for People with Medicare." Offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield, the presentation includes an explanation of Medicare, including the new Medicare drug benefit, and will also show how Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans work with Medicare. A question and answer session will follow. All are welcome regardless of insurance coverage.

HOLIDAY CLOSINGS
In observance of Christmas and New Year's Day, the Pleasant View Senior Center will be closed and no Meals on Wheels delivered on the following dates: Dec. 25, Dec. 26, Jan. 1, Jan. 2.

WINTER CHEERLEADING
The E.L. Rec. Dept. has room in its winter cheerleading program for residents, which begins Jan. 6. Those presently in grades 2 - 7 are eligible. Winter cheer is open to our cheerleaders from the fall squads as well, who wish to brush up on techniques. New participants will be introduced to skills tumbling, stunting, jumping and dance, and conditioning exercises required for cheerleading. Come into the Office weekdays to register. Space is limited!

BALLROOM DANCING
The E.L. Rec. Dept. will sponsor a ballroom dance class on Mondays, beginning Jan. 5 for eight weeks four of waltz followed by four of cha-cha. Come into the Office weekdays to register.

WRESTLING
There is still limited room in the youth wrestling program sponsored by the E.L. Rec. Dept., in particular for those youths in grades 5 - 8. This program introduces youth to the basic wrestling skills and conditioning exercises. T-shirts and headgear are provided. Program has begun and meets on Tues. and Thurs. from 6 - 7:30 p.m. in the small gym at ELHS. Come into the Office weekdays to register.

BARNES & NOBLE/ELPS BOOKFAIR
The East Longmeadow Public School libraries will have a fundraiser in conjunction with Barnes & Noble on Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble stores in Enfield and Holyoke. All proceeds are to benefit the five East Longmeadow school libraries.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MOHEGAN SUN
Sixth annual New Year's Eve trip to Mohegan Sun Casino departs St. Patrick's parking lot on Allen Street in Springfield on Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. Will depart casino at 12:30 a.m. Price includes $10 free bet, $10 food voucher, hats and favors; does not include driver gratuity. For more info call Carla Pierce at 783-6111. Book now and enjoy New Year's Eve with friends and free entertainment.

KOREAN WAR VETERANS
Any person who served in the armed forces of the United States from June 6, 1950 to July 27, 1953, is invited to join the Korean War Veterans of Western Massachusetts. Also eligible to join are those members of the armed forces who served in Korea anytime after July 27, 1953 until the present date. Meetings are held monthly in South Hadley. For for info, call Al Natario at 583-5167.

CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
Sponsored by Boy Scout Troop #110 at the Florence Congregational Church, 130 Pine St., Florence. Dec. 13, 9 a.m. until sold out. Cost: $20 - $30 per tree.

TOBACCO VALLEY ARTIST ASSOC.
The December meeting of the Tobacco Valley Artist Association will be Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave., S. Windsor, Conn. The Fall Member Show will feature members' artwork judged by Woodstock, Conn., artist Sean Farrell and will include a $5 gift swap, a short meeting, reception and awards. Members are welcome to bring in a painting for a positive critique by Farrell. Paintings will be on display under Dec. 30. Public is welcome to attend.

HAMPDEN
KIDS' HOLIDAY PARTY
On Dec. 13, there will be a holiday party from 9:30 a.m. - noon at the Hampden Town House Auditorium, 625 Main St. Sponsored by Hampden Free Public Library, Friends of Hampden Library and Stop & Shop Supermarkets. Children of all ages are invited for a morning of crafts, music and light refreshments, along with a special visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Free. For more info, call the Hampden Public Library at 566-3047.

LONGMEADOW
NEGOTIATING TEAM MEETING
There will be a meeting of the Longmeadow School Committee Negotiating Team Sub-Committee on Dec. 9 at 4:30 p.m. in the School Committee Room, 127 Grassy Gutter Rd.

MEETING CANCELED
The December 2008 Historic District Commission meeting has been cancelled due to lack of applications.

FOOD DRIVE
During the month of December, the Longmeadow Adult Center will be collecting non-perishable snacks for Rachel's Table. Drop your items off next time you visit between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

LINE DANCING WITH LYNN
A really fun way to get all the benefits of low impact cardiovascular exercise. It also helps with your balance and coordination. All that for $4 lessons pay as you go. Lynn's new class runs Jan. 12 - Feb. 16 at 9 a.m. at the Adult Center. It's a lot of fun. Register at 565-4150.

TAI CHI CLASSES
Tai Chi is still the fastest growing fitness and health maintenance activity in the U.S. Doctors increasingly recommend it for its positive effects on balance, cardiovascular and respiratory functions, preventing falls and lowering blood pressure, etc. Offered Fridays, Jan. 9 - March 13 at 8:40 a.m. at the Longmeadow Adult Center. Call 565-4150 to register.

CLUB 6 - 9 - 3
The Storrs Library will offer a book discussion group for kids in grades 2 and 3 on Dec. 17 at 3:15 p.m. We will be reading "The Case of the Christmas Snowman," a Jigsaw Jones Mystery by James Preller. This is a cool mystery with a few snowy suspects! Get ready for an exciting discussion as Club 6-9-3 gathers for activities, snacks and conversation. Call 565-4182, the Youth Service Dept. in the Philip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at the Storrs Library to register or receive more info about Club 6-9-3.

BOOKWORM BUNCH
The Bookworm Bunch for young readers in kindergarten and first grade will meet at the Storrs Library on Dec. 18 from 3:15 - 4:15 p.m. to read and discuss "Luba and the Wren" by Patricia Polacco. Find out what happens in this variation of "The Fisherman and His Wife." The book group will include several different activities related to the story. For more info or to register, call the Phillip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at 565-4182 or visit the Library.

RECYCLING CALENDAR
The Longmeadow 2009 Recycling Calendar will be distributed to all homeowners as an insert in the Reminder the week of Dec. 15. Watch for this calendar so that you have the correct recycling schedule for the New Year.

HOLIDAY STROLL
The annual Holiday Stroll on the Longmeadow Green sponsored by the Longmeadow Historical Society will take place Dec. 14 beginning at 4 p.m. at the steps of the First Church of Christ. Michael Gelinas, retired LHS history teacher, will lead the stroll which will focus on the distinctive architectural styles of houses on the Green. Many of the homes are decorated for the holiday season adding to their appeal. Refreshments will be served at one of the homes following the tour. There is no charge for the tour but donations will be accepted.

CAPITAL PLANNING MEETING
The Capital Planning Committee will meet on Dec. 10 in the Fire Dept. Community Room at 8:15 p.m. for consideration of the FY10 capital project proposals for the town of Longmeadow.

SPRINGFIELD
CHRISTMAS CAROLING
Anyone interested in joining Christmas carolers to sing to shut-ins on Dec. 14 may meet at Foster Memorial Church, 1234 Parker St., at 4 p.m.

BOAR'S HEAD FESTIVAL
The Boar's Head Festival, a medieval celebration of the Epiphany, will be presented at Trinity United Methodist Church, 361 Sumner Ave., on Jan. 9 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 10 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Jan. 11 at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Seats are still available for several of the evening performances, so call the Boar's Head Festival ticket office at 733-4759 for info. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $13 for children ages 4 - 11.

SPRINGFIELD STORYTELLERS
Tell a story, or just listen to the stories told by the Springfield Storytellers at our next meeting on Dec. 19 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse, 245 Porter Lake Dr. Our sessions are open to all. Storytelling takes place every third Friday of the month. For info or directions call Doug at 733-9815.

BLUE CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SERVICE
Foster Memorial Church located on Parker Street will be offering a Blue Christmas Worship Service on Dec. 21 at 4 p.m. The focus for this worship service is to acknowledge and support those in our midst and those in the world who are experiencing a tough time during the Advent/Christmas holy seasons. Included will be time for quiet reflection, singing, prayer and the lighting of candles for special concerns. Everyone is invited. For more info, call Rev. Barbara Schenk at 782-2112.

SPRINGFIELD WOMEN'S CLUB CHRISTMAS PARTY
The Springfield Women's Club is having its annual Christmas Party on Dec. 17 at Reeds Landing. Mezzo-soprano Eileen Ruby and Jerry Noble will entertain us for the holiday season. The joyous sounds of these two talented people will begin at 11 a.m. in the Longfellow Room at Reeds Landing, 807 Wilbraham Rd. The event is open to the public, and we will be happy to welcome new members. Join us for a most delightful morning.

WILBRAHAM
HOLIDAY CONCERTS
The Wilbraham Women's Club Choral Group will present holiday music at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 915 Plumtree Rd., Springfield, on Dec. 18 at 12:45 p.m. The group will also perform for the residents at Wingate at East Longmeadow, 32 Chestnut St., on Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

DANCE REGISTRATION
The Wilbraham Parks & Rec. Dept. will be accepting registration for the Mary Ann Dance Program Dec. 9 - 26 online or at the office. Mary Ann Dance Studio has partnered with the WPRD over the past 21 years to bring an excellent yet affordable dance program to Wilbraham. This Monday program is open to children ages 1.5 through teens and meets at the Wilbraham Middle School. Visit wilbraham-ma.gov/rec for details.

SHREK ON BROADWAY
Join us for an exciting encounter with the most beloved swamp-dwelling ogre of all time in his Broadway sensation, "Shrek the Musical." The Wilbraham Parks & Rec. Dept. has tickets on sale now for the Jan. 17 matinee performance. Cost includes great seats for the show and coach transportation. There will be time for lunch on your own before the 2 p.m. matinee. This bus trip would make a wonderful holiday gift. Visit wilbraham-ma.gov/rec or call 596-2816 for details. Tickets are limited; register now.

CHORAL SOCIETY CONCERT
The Wilbraham Choral Society presents the Wilbraham Mixed Chorus 25th annual Winter Concert on Dec. 13 at Faith United Church, 52 Sumner Ave., Springfield, at 7 p.m. Seasonal music will be presented for your listening pleasure. The concert is free and open to the public. Join us for a wonderful concert! CDs will be available to purchase.