Town Events, March 21 - March 28 - The Reminder

Town Events, March 21 - March 28

Please e-mail your community listings to katelyn@thereminder.com, fax them to 525-5882 or mail them to 280 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028. Items are printed on a space available basis.

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
BELLY DANCE FITNESS CLASSES
Eight-week sessions starting this week on Wednesday nights in East Longmeadow. Experience is not required. This is a fun low impact exercise that can increase flexibility, improve posture and muscle tone, and is a great stress reducer. To inquire about classes, call 636-2318, visit www.RafiahDance.com or e-mail Michele1291@yahoo.com.

"LAUGHS FOR LAX"
The fourth annual "Laughs for Lax" to benefit high school's boys lacrosse will take place April 9 at the Lodge of Elks, 440 Tiffany St., Springfield, at 6:30 p.m. Cost: $25, and includes pot luck dinner, hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. Entertainment: Laughs on US. Advanced payment in full must be received by March 28. For tickets, contact Sharon Dumais at 525-7252 or buy at the door.

SPAGHETTI SUPPER
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 1 Porter Road, will host a spaghetti supper on April 2, from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds will go toward the church's J2A youth group trip to Grand Teton National Park. Menu: homemade meatballs and sauce, bread, salad, beverages and dessert. Cost: $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and $5 for kids. For more info or to purchase tickets, call the church at 525-6341.

CALL FIREFIGHTERS
The East Longmeadow Fire Department is accepting applications for call firefighters. Deadline: April 15. Applications can be picked up Monday to Friday at the Fire Department, 150 Somers Road, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Applicants must be at least 19 years old, reside in town, or within one mile of the town line. For more info, call 525-5430.

FREE DEMO CLASS
St. Mark's Episcopal Church will host a Kindermusik free demo class for ages zero to 3 years on April 2, from 9 to 10 a.m., and April 7, from 9 to 10 a.m. For more info or to reserve a spot, contact Katie Barry at Kindermusikwithkatie@Live.com or 525-4570.

GARDEN CLUB MEETING
East Longmeadow Garden Club will present "Wildflowers and Native Plants" on April 21 at noon at the First Congregational Church. The featured speaker will be Dr. Deborah Lee, co-owner of the Woodland Trails Wildflower Nursery in Connecticut. For more info, call Nancy Heath at 525-6206 or Bev Gray at 525-4694.

BOOK DONATIONS
The Friends of East Longmeadow Public Library's is accepting book donations of hard cover, paperback, and children's books for its upcoming book and bake sale. No textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines, condensed books or books that are moldy or musty. For more info, call the library at 525-5400 ext. 1503.

SENIOR DINNER
The Council on Aging's next Senior Dinner will take place at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St., on April 15 at 5 p.m. Menu: baked ham or baked scrod, served with scalloped potatoes and baked carrots. Cost: $5. Sign-up early with payment in the center's office. Special dessert will again be provided by Congressman Richard Neal.

ARTIST'S WORKSHOP
On April 5, well known local artist Susan Tilton Pecora will conduct an entertaining and informative painting demonstration at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St., at 2 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Call 525-5436 to register, as seating is limited.

EQUIPMENT SWAP
The East Longmeadow Rec. Department will conduct a "Spring Sports Equipment Swap" on April 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Drop off clean, reusable items from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and receive a ticket to the event. For more info, call the department at 525-5437.

BAGPIPE SCHOOL
The Parks and Rec. Department is offering "Celtic Thunder Bagpipe School" for those ages 7 to 18 and adults 19 and older. To register for free classes, e-mail Celticthunder@charter.net or call Band Director Billy Dart at 599-1904. For more info, www.celticthunder1.com.

MUSIC CREATION CLASS
The Parks and Rec. Department has a new program, "Music Creation Class" for those in grades 6 to 8. Fee: $120 for six classes (limited to six students). Classes meet at Birchland School from, 3 to 5 p.m., on Mondays from April 25 to June 6. For more info or to register, call the department at 525-5437.

SPARTAN BASEBALL CLINIC
The Parks and Rec. Department will conduct a Spring Spartan Baseball Clinic for players in grades 2 to 8, April 19 to 21, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the East Longmeadow High School's (ELHS) baseball fields. Fee: $75. Clinic will benefit ELHS Baseball Boosters and the Youth Baseball Association. To register, visit www.eastlongmeadowma.gov or stop by the department.

COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM
The Parks and Rec. Department will offer a competitive swim team for boys and girls ages 6 to 18. Participants must be able to swim a minimum of 25 yards without stopping and have knowledge of the four competitive swim strokes. Practices are Monday to Friday. Season starts with practices on May 2. Parents are required to volunteer during swim meets.

ELHS 50TH B-DAY PARTY MEETING
East Longmeadow High School's 50th Birthday Party Committee will meet March 28 in the high school cafeteria at 6 p.m. All invited. For tickets to the party July 1 to 4 or for info about purchasing engraved bricks for the Spartan Walkway, visit www.elhs50thbirthdayparty.info or by calling 374-9919.

FIFTH GRADE ART EXHIBIT
The fifth graders from Mapleshade and Mountain View schools will have their 11th annual art exhibit at Birchland Park Middle School on March 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. There will be more than 200 works of art on display and small ensembles from the fifth grade band will provide music. Refreshments will be served. The event is free and open to the public.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
"MAKING OF A MEDIUM"
The Theosophical Society will present a lecture titled, "The Making of a Medium," by noted medium Elaine Kuzmeskus at the Bellamy House, 93 Church St., Chicopee, on March 27 at 2 p.m. There will be a book signing. Refreshments served.

CRAFTERS WANTED
The 26th annual St. Francis of Assisi Craft Fair will take place on Sept. 24 on the church grounds in South Windsor, Conn. Spaces are available for $35 up to Aug. 31, afterwards $45. To receive an application, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: St. Francis of Assisi Craft Fair, c/o Ersilia Brandoli, 50 Cody Circle, S. Windsor, CT 06074. For more info, call Brandoli at 860-528-5209.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOPS
On April 18 at noon, Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke will present a genealogy workshop for kids. At 2 p.m., Jeanne Nudd Elliot, a specialist in genealogy and administrator for the National Archives and Records, will lead a workshop for adults. Reservations necessary. Cost: $5 for children's workshop/$6 for adults.

HAMPDEN
BLOOD PRESSURE CLINICS
Hampden Council on Aging, 104 Allen St., will offer blood pressure clinics on March 23 and 29, from 10 to 11 a.m. No appointment necessary.

VETERAN'S MEMORIAL FUND-RAISER
Tickets now on sale for the upcoming show "Showtime!" This variety show is scheduled for April 1, 2 and 3. Showtimes are: April 1 at 7:30 p.m.; April 2 at 7:30 p.m. and April 3 at 2 p.m. This show is a fund-raiser to raise dollars to purchase a marimba for Minnechaug's band and restoration supplies for the Hampden Veteran's Memorial. Call Donna Benoit for tickets or for more info at 478-0958.

COA WEEKLY EVENTS
The following events will take place at the Hampden Council on Aging, 104 Allen St. Mondays: Bridge Club or knitting and crocheting at 10 a.m. Tuesdays: Scrabble at noon. Wednesdays: Trivial Pursuit at 10 a.m. Thursdays: Bingo or Cribbage at noon. Fridays: quilting at 10 a.m.; Mahjongg at 11:30 a.m.

DRAWING CLASSES
The Hampden Council on Aging will present a new eight-week class, "General Drawing with Clare Doyle," beginning April 7 at 10 a.m. Classes will take place each Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon through May 26. Cost: $75. Call 566-5588 to sign up.

LONGMEADOW
CULTURAL EXTRAVAGANZA
Bay Path College (BPC), 588 Longmeadow St., will host a Cultural Extravaganza on March 25 at 7 p.m. in the dining hall of Blake Student Commons. Tickets: adults and non-BPC students, $10; BPC students, $5; kids younger than 12, $5. Pre-registration encouraged by contacting the Student Info Desk at 565-1307.

COMEDY NIGHT
On April 2 at 6 p.m., the Wolf Swamp School PTO will be hosting its third Annual Comedy Night at Twin Hills Country Club. Event includes a three-course dinner, silent auction, raffle and a comedy show featuring Michael McCarthy and Charlie Richmond. Visit www.wolfswamp.org for tickets or more info.

SPRING CONCERT RESCHEDULED
The Longmeadow Chamber Music Society announces that the spring concert originally scheduled for March 25 has been rescheduled to May 20 at 8 p.m. at First Church of Christ. The concert will feature Kevin Rhodes, maestro of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, on piano. Donations of $15 will be accepted at the door. For more info, call 567-8213 or visit www.longmeadowcms.org.

YARN GROUPS
Storrs Library will offer two different weekly series for students to meet, learn and create with yarn. Groups are open to students in grade 3 and above. To register, call 565-4182. Looming group meets Saturdays, March 26 to April 9, from 11 a.m. to noon. Cost: $24. Spring Basket Crocket Project meets Tuesdays, March 22 to April 19, from 3:30 to 4:45 p.m. Cost: $20.

ONLINE PROGRAM REGISTRATION
Online registration for the Longmeadow Park's & Rec. Department's spring and summer programs has begun. Visit www.LPRD.net to register. Residents should look for their copy of the program guide, "Experiences" in the mail.

SPRING BOARD DIVING CLINIC
The Longmeadow High School Girls and Boys Diving Team will be hosting a Springboard Diving Clinic at the high school March 26, from 9 to 11 a.m. Clinic is for all ages. The fee is $5 to help the team purchase training equipment. To register, call 567-6708.

TEEN CENTER
Youths in grades 6 to 8 are welcome to come and enjoy a "supervised evening out" on Fridays, April 1 to June 3, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Greenwood Center. Admission: $7. Enjoy dancing and games with DJ Jon O'Neill. Students must sign in prior to entry. School dress codes are strictly followed. Call Cristina Judd at 565-4163 with any questions.

"SOUNDTRACKS FOR LIFE"
Lois Finn McGovern, author of "Soundtracks of a Life," will talk about the singers and songwriters from the Great American Songbook, along with the jazz standards they recorded during a program at the Adult Center, 231 Maple Road, on March 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Come, listen and share some of the memories brought forth from the music.

BIRTHDAY BASH!
This special luncheon will take place at the Adult Center, 231 Maple Road, on March 30 at 11:30 a.m. to celebrate the birthdays of anyone born in March. Come and enjoy and bring a friend. Lunch is free for those with March birthdays and $3 for all others. Call 565-4150 to register.

POLISH FESTIVAL
Polish Festival, celebrating the Polish Constitution Day, will take place May 11 at the Adult Center, 231 Maple Road. The celebration will feature exhibits, food, music and dancing.

SPRINGFIELD
INFORMATION SESSIONS
Public info sessions for volunteers, athletes and host families for the Jewish Community Center (JCC) Maccabi Games will take place March 27 at 10 a.m. and March 30 at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the JCC, 1160 Dickinson St. Host families and athletes must be Jewish. Athletes must be between the ages of 12 and 16 by July 31. For more info, contact Jeff Rembrandt at 739-4715 or jrembrandt@jcca.org.

TRIP TO SICILY AND MALTA
Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church is sponsoring a trip to Taormina, Sicily (four days) and Malta (five days), Sept. 19 to 29. Cost: $2,700. Airport transportation from and to Springfield included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included daily. Deadline: April 15. For more info, contact Mary Mastroianni at 734-5433 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., or at 789-7318 before 9 p.m.

TRIP TO BOTANICAL GARDENS
Mary Mother of Hope Parish, 840 Page Blvd., is sponsoring a trip to the Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, N.Y., on Sept. 17. Cost: $54 for adults and $52 for seniors. Bus leaves the church parking lot at 7:30 a.m. and returns at 6 p.m. Call Sylvia at 594-2757 to make a reservation.

PAC MEETING
The Springfield Parent Advisory Council (PAC) will meet on April 5, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St. The PBS Video presentation, "It's So Much Work to Be Your Friend," will be viewed. Meetings are open to the public and free of charge. For more info, contact Diane Purchase, PAC facilitator, at 787-7194 or purchased@sps.springfield.ma.us.

LENTEN LUNCHEONS
Join us on April 15, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at St. Catherine Parish Center, 1023 Parker St. Lunch includes sandwich, homemade soup, dessert and beverages. Cost: $6 or you can purchase items a la carte. Any non-perishable food donation will be collected for the Survival Center.

RUGBY SIGN-UPS
Springfield Rugby Football Club is accepting online sign-ups for women's and men's rugby teams, high school (under 19) girls and boys teams. Walk-ons welcome. Registration forms, practice and match schedules are available at www.springfieldrugbyclub.com.

TAG SALE
Concerned Citizens for Animals is having its large annual tag sale on March 25, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and March 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 961 St. James Ave., near corner of Page Boulevard. Please help the animals. Donations of cat and dog food are appreciated.

BADGES FOR BASEBALL
Badges for Baseball, an instructional baseball league for inner-city youth, boys and girls, ages 8 through 13, is welcoming participants for the 2011 season. There is no fee for participation and uniforms and equipment are provided without cost. To sign-up, visit the Springfield Boys Club, 481 Carew St., or call 732-7201 from 10 a.m. to noon on March 26 or April 2.

"AFTERNOON OF FLAMENCO"
CityMusic of Springfield presents "An Afternoon of Flamenco and Guitar with Gabriela Granados and Aaron Larget-Caplan" on April 10 at 3 p.m. at Kimball Towers Condominiums. Call Larry Picard at 732-0117 ext. 28 or e-mail lpicard@sococh.org for a reservation. Suggested donation: $20.

WINE TASTING
On March 22, from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be a Kosher for Passover wine tasting at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St. This program is free and open to the public. More than 150 wines can be ordered for Passover. Wine orders due by March 31 and will be available for pickup April 11 to 13. Wine order forms can be downloaded at www.springfieldjcc.org.

ADDY AWARDS
The Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts will celebrate 2011 ADDY competition entrants and winners at its awards gala March 24 at Robyn Newhouse Hall Community Music School, 127 State St. Cocktails, buffet and entry exhibition: 5 p.m. Awards presentation: 7 p.m. Dessert/finale: 9 p.m. For more info, visit adclubwm.org.

WILBRAHAM
ITALIAN DINNER, MOVIE NIGHT
Grace Union Church, 10 Chapel St., will be hosting an Italian Dinner and Movie Night on April 9 at 5 p.m. Menu: spaghetti, meatballs, sausage, Italian bread, tossed salad, beverage and dessert. Tickets: $10 for adults and $3 for children 12 and younger. For reservations, call Gayle at 596-3936.

GARDEN CLUB MEETING
Larry Lirot will be the featured speaker at the April 7 meeting of the Wilbraham Garden Club. Meeting will take place at noon at The Gardens of Wilbraham. Lirot will show members and guests the "ins and outs" of container gardening just in time for summer planting. There will be a luncheon tea followed by a member's meeting and Lirot's talk.

COMPETITIVE BASEBALL
The Parks & Rec. Department will offer competitive baseball for boys ages 14 to 19 residing in Wilbraham, Hampden and/or boys attending Wilbraham & Monson Academy. Registration: March 29 to April 8, either online or at the Parks & Rec. office. Tryouts: mid-April and players must be pre-registered. Payment is due only if player makes a team. For more info, visit http://wilbraham-ma.gov/rec.

CENSUS CALLS
Town Clerk Beverly J. Litchfield wants Wilbraham residents to know that her office and the Board of Registrars will be calling non-responsive households concerning their 2011 census. Those who misplaced the one sent can call the office at 596-2800 ext. 200.