Town Events, Jan. 12 - Jan. 19 - The Reminder

Town Events, Jan. 12 - Jan. 19

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
OPEN BURNING
Permits for open burning will be available from Jan. 15 - May 1. They may be purchased at the Fire Station, 150 Somers Rd., Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and on Saturday starting March 14 from 9 a.m. - noon. Cost is still $5.

VALENTINE CHOCOLATE AND JEWELRY FAIR
There will be a Valentine Chocolate and Jewelry Fair at the First Congregational Church, 7 Somers Rd., on Feb. 7 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. There will be a raffle of items donated by crafters. Free admission and parking.

ELDER LAW ATTORNEY
Jennifer L. Snyder, an Elder Law Attorney, will present a program at the Pleasant View Senior Center on Jan. 14 from 9 - 11 a.m. Keep your golden years golden by protecting your assets should you become incapacitated.

VETERANS COFFEE HOUR
On Jan. 20, Veterans Representative George Herrick will be at the Pleasant View Senior Center for their monthly meeting and coffee hour beginning at 9 a.m. Guest speaker TBD.

2009 BASEBALL BUS TRIPS
The E.L. Rec. Dept., in conjunction with the E.L. Men's Softball League, has scheduled four Major League Baseball bus trips for 2009 55 tickets for each trip. To order, come into the Rec. Dept. weekdays. For further info, call Frank at 531-6954. July 19 Kansas City at Boston (RF box seats); July 29 Oakland at Boston (3B Grandstand); Aug. 24 Chicago at Boston (3B Grandstand); July 4 Toronto at N.Y. (Loge box seats at New Yankee Stadium tentative date).

BOWLING AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM
The E.L. Rec. Dept., in conjunction with Shaker Bowl, will be offering a 10-week afterschool program running Jan. 26 - April 13 no bowling on Feb. 16. For more info, call 525-5437.

CHEERLEADING MERCHANDISE
The E.L. Rec. Dept. has available for sale grey "Cheerleading" hoodies at $10 and shorts at $5 sizes: Adult - S, M, L, XL; Youth some youth sizes are available. Come into Rec. Dept. weekdays to purchase.

ATTENTION PARENTS
The E.L. Rec. Dept. began registrations for spring sports 2009 the week of Jan. 5. Fees will remain the same as 2008. For more info, call 525-5437. Come into the Rec. Dept. weekdays to register. P.V. soccer $60 ($80 for new players); intown soccer $45; boys lacross range from $75 - $80; girls lacrosse range from $60 - $70; baseball range from $45 - $100; girls softball range from $40 - $70.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
TRIP TO ITALY
Eleven day trip to Italy: Rome, Sorrento, Amalfi Coast, Ischia and Calabria. Leave Springfield April 18; return on April 29. Cost is all inclusive. For info and brochure call Donna at 567-3900, ext. 4.

PIONEER VALLEY STAMP CLUB
The Pioneer Valley Stamp Club will meet Jan. 13 and 27 at the First United Church of Christ on Route 5 (corner of Longmeadow and Williams Streets). Activities for the evening include a mini-auction and a short meeting. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a shop and swap. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. Visitors, collectors and other interested parties are welcome to attend. Visit us at www.pioneervalleystampclub.org. Call Bev at (860) 623-6975 or Dave at 783-2809 for further info.

TOBACCO VALLEY ARTISTS MEETING
The January meeting of the Tobacco Valley Artists Association will be on Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. at Somers Senior Center, 19 Battle St., Somers, Conn. Demonstrator for the evening is Holyoke artist Debra Barboza, a self-taught artist painting over 15 years. Her specialty is portraits and she teachers a the Canal Gallery Artists Studio in Holyoke. She is active in the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round Restoration Project painting several murals of Holyoke landmarks. The public is welcome.

CALL FOR CLOTHING PICK-UP
Big Brothers Big Sisters will be sending trucks throughout Hampden County for a free pick-up of donated used clothing and shoes in good condition. Items will be resold to Savers thrift stores or recycled as a fundraiser to support mentoring programs in the community. To find out when trucks will be in neighborhoods for pick-ups, call 732-7111.

COWBOY CORRAL DANCE
The Swingles Square Dance Club will host a mainstream dance on Jan. 16. This will be their Cowboy Corral Dance. Dancing from 8 - 10:30 p.m. with early rounds from 7:30 - 8 p.m. Dances take place at the Knights of Columbus in West Springfield on Park Street. Cost is $6 per person. We welcome singles, couples and spectators are free. For more info call Fran McKinnon at 736-2187 or Dick Walker at 525-3324. For winter cancellations call after 3 p.m.

HAMPDEN
DRAWING CLASS
The Hampden Senior Center is offering an eight week drawing class, "Face and Figure," open to all levels beginning Jan. 27 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Clare Doyle is the instructor. The class costs $70 and pre-registration is required. Call the Center at 566-5588.

LONGMEADOW
PAJAMA STORYTIME AT STORRS
Cuddle up with a favorite blanket, a Teddy and a good book on Jan. 20 at the Storrs Library. A special evening Pajama Storytime for children three - seven years and their parents will take place from 7 - 7:30 p.m. This relaxing program will consist of wonderful stories, restful songs and a pleasant time for all. Children are encouraged to come in their pajamas. Registration for this program is not necessary. Parents or caregivers may call 567-3633 or visit the Philip Michael Lauro II, Discovery Room for more info.

P.L.A.C.E. PRESENTATION
P.L.A.C.E. presents "Understanding Socially Challenged Children Strategies for Parents & Teachers" by Robin Lurie-Meyerkopf of the Aspergers Association of New England on Jan. 14 at 6:30 p.m., School Committee Room in School Dept. Central Office, 127 Grassy Gutter Rd.

INAUGURATION CELEBRATION
Join us for coffee and refreshments while watching the televising of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, on Jan. 20. Enjoy lunch with us at the Adult Center, 231 Maple Rd., and watch the proceedings after, or just stop in for a cup of coffee and we can share the excitement of the day. Plan on coming from noon on. See you then.

SPRINGFIELD
FOXWOODS TRIP
LeStelle d'Italia Senior Group is sponsoring a trip to Foxwoods Casino on Jan. 27. Trip fee is $18, payable to LeStelle d'Italia c/o I.C.C., 56 Margaret St., Springfield, MA 01105. All members of the Italian Cultural Center and the general public are welcome to participate. Call Betty at 821-8797 or Ann at 739-3536. Reservation deadline for payment is Jan. 15. Depart at 8:30 a.m. from 56 Margaret St. and arrive home at 6 p.m.

SPRINGFIELD STORYTELLERS
Tell a story or just listen to the stories told by the Springfield Storytellers at their next meeting on Jan. 16 from 7 - 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse at 245 Porter Lake Dr. Sessions are open to all. Storytelling takes place every third Friday of the month. For info or directions call Doug at 733-9815.

SWEETHEARTS DINNER DANCE
Enjoy a night out at St. Catharine of Siena Parish Hall, 1023 Parker St., on Feb. 14 from 6 - 7 p.m. for a lasagna and meatball dinner, including dessert and light drinks. There will be a DJ for dancing to the oldies, '80s music until 11 p.m. (along with raffles). Tickets are $15/$30 couple. For tickets or questions call Mike at 782-4811 or Rich at 739-4502. All clergy are free. Sponsored by the K of C council #63.

"LIFE HAS GIVEN & TAKEN" READING
On Jan. 15, Reeds Landing Retirement Community, 807 Wilbraham Rd., will host a book discussion with Peter Kober, husband of the late Nadia Kober, author and researcher of "Life Has Given and Taken." Nadia spent time at Reeds Landing researching the "life journeys" of some of our residents. Her husband has completed her work and will be here to discuss the new book. The event will take place at 7 p.m. Call to make reservations at 782-1800.

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE GALA
The Ronald McDonald House of Springfield along with honorary chair Stephen Davis announces their 2009 "There's No Place Like Home" Gala which will take place at the Log Cabin Banquet and Meeting House, 500 Easthampton Rd., Holyoke, on Feb. 7 at 7 p.m. Sponsorhisps and individual tickets are available by calling 794-5683. Dancing, food, auction and tons of fun. Join us at this fun filled event and help support our "home away from home."

"THE PRODUCERS"
St. Mary's Church, 840 Page Blvd., East Springfield, is sponsoring a bus trip to the Thomaston Opera House for the performance of "The Producers" on March 15. The bus leaves St. Mary's parking lot at 10:30 a.m. and returns approx. 6 p.m. A pre-show luncheon at the Black Rock Tavern is included in the price. (Choice of sliced sirloin with gravy or stuffed sole). Cost includes bus, driver's gratuity and admission to the performance. For reservations, call Sylvia at 594-2757.

WILBRAHAM
SHREK THE OGRE
The most beloved swamp-dwelling ogre of all time makes his sensational Broadway debut in "Shrek the Musical" and the Wilbraham Rec. Dept. was able to secure tickets for the Jan. 17 matinee. "Shrek the Musical" follows the adventures of Shrek, a lovable swamp-dwelling ogre; his wisecracking sidekick, Donkey; the lovely Princess Fiona; Lord Farquaad and a chorus of everybody's favorite fractured fairytale creatures. Tickets are on sale now at the WPRD. Visit wilbraham-ma.gov/rec or call 596-2816 for details. Tickets are limited; register now.

SENIOR LUNCHES AT STONY HILL
Stony Hill School offers lunches for senior citizens on the first and third Thursday of every month for $3.50. Reservations are required and seating is limited. For more info or to make reservations, call Julie Dougal at 596-9011 ext. 286.

CLASS OF 2012
On Jan. 30, the Class of 2010 of Minnechaug Regional High School will host the annual Battle of the Bands Competition, which has talented MRHS student bands competing for cash prizes. The event begins at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 6:40 p.m. Admission is $5.

MALE ACTORS NEEDED
The Wilbraham United Players are in need of three male actors for the cast of the upcoming "Much Ado About Nothing." Show dates are March 20 - 22. Rehearsals begin immediately. Contact director Deb Trimble at 330-8576 or debtrimble@aol.com. For more info about the players visit www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.com.