Town Events, Sept. 15 - Sept. 22 - The Reminder

Town Events, Sept. 15 - Sept. 22

From The Reminder

EAST LONGMEADOW
GARDEN CLUB MEETING
The East Longmeadow Garden Club will host its first meeting of the year on Sept. 25 in Fellowship Hall of the First Congregational Church on the rotary at noon. Our guest speaker will be George Kingston, chair of the Conservation Commission, whose topic will be East Longmeadow open spaces. A pot luck lunch will be served. Guest fee is $2. Come join us for a year of interesting activities and speakers on the fourth Thursday of every month. Visit www.elgardenclub.org for the year's entire program.

BASEBALL FALL EVALUATIONS
The E.L. Baseball Assoc. will be conducting fall baseball evaluations for the spring 2009 season at Blackman & Memorial Fields for those presently in the following grades: Grades 3 and 4: Sept. 29 (Second graders who want to "play up" should attend); grades 3 and 4 (travel): Oct. 2 (no second graders): 5 - 6:30 p.m.; grades 5 and 6: Sept. 27; and grades 5 and 6: Oct. 4, 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Bring glove, water bottle and cleats; bats optional.

COMPETITIVE SWIM REGISTRATIONS
The E.L. Rec. Dept's. Marlins swim team registrations for the winter team will take place at ELHS on Sept. 15 and 16 from 6:30 - 8 p.m. in the cafeteria. Those aged 6 - 18 are eligible to swim, but must be able to complete 25 yards. Practices begin Oct. 6.

REC. DEPT. REGISTRATIONS
The E.L. Rec. Dept. is in the process of registering for the following programs: Youth wrestling, grades 1 - 8, begins in November. Aerobics, ages 18 and up, currently taking place. Afterschool bowling, for students at Mapleshade, Mt. View and Birchland, begins Sept. 15 and 16. Ballroom dance class, age 18 and up, Mondays beginning Oct. 6, for the waltz and cha-cha. For more info call 525-5437 and to register come into the office weekdays.

MERCY LIFE LINE PRESENTATION
Don't miss this informative presentation by Mercy Life Line, taking place at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. on Sept. 17 at 12:30 p.m. Lunch will be turkey tetrazzini, peas and carrots and pineapple. Call to reserve your lunch at least 24 hours in advance at 525-5436.

FREE BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING
Nurses from Wingate will be available to take blood pressures at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St., on the third Thursday of each month from 11 a.m. - noon, beginning Sept. 18. This is a walk-in clinic, no appointment necessary.

FRIENDSHIP CLUB SEASON OPENER
The Friendship Club will kick off their 2008-09 season in grand style with singer Jimmy Mazz on Sept. 18 at 12:30 p.m., following noon luncheon at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. This program is made possible by a generous donation from the East Longmeadow Rotary Club. A special $3 luncheon begins with vegetables appetizers, followed by chicken cordon bleu, Prince Edward vegetables, mashed potatoes, rolls and pudding. Call 525-5436 at least 24 hours in advance to reserve your luncheon.

LINE DANCING
Our ever popular line dancing class resumes Sept. 19 at 4 p.m. at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. The instructor has just returned from New York with a lot of new dances to share. Join us for an all-around dance experience, country to Broadway with a little Salsa for spice. Cost is $3 per class, all ages welcome.

CREATIVE WRITING COURSE
For all with an unfulfilled interest in writing as well as those who have been writing "forever," Adventures in Writing offers a relaxed, writer-friendly opportunity to experiment. The six-week session begins Sept. 25 and meets Thursdays from 1:30 - 3 p.m. at the Pleasant View Senior Center, 328 North Main St. There is a fee. This is not an academic course, but a non-stressful way to develop, enliven, and sharpen your own style. Enrollment limited, early sign-up is recommended.

GREATER SPRINGFIELD
MOROCCO TRIP
Cross-Culture's new "Discover Morocco: A Cultural Journey," a 14 day/12 night small-group tour visits the cities, deserts and kasbahs of North Africa's exotic country with stops in Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat. Tour highlights include guided tours of Rabat's kasbah, masoleum and Andalucian gardens; the spiritual capital of Fez; a desert camel ride in the Erg Chebbi sand dunes; the gardens and palaces of Marrakech, the coastal town of Essaouira, a stop at a Berber village and more. Departures begin in February 2009. For a sample itinerary visit www.ccjourneys.com/trip+details/0_304/discover+morocco+a+cultural+journey.aspx.

FINE ART SHOW
The Tobacco Valley Artists Association is sponsoring its sixth Annual Fine Art Show and Sale on Sept. 20 from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on the grounds of the King House Museum, 232 South Main St. (Rt. 57), Suffield, CT. (Rain date is Oct. 4.) Members of the association and other area artists will be exhibiting their artwork for display and/or sale. Various artists will be demonstrating throughout the day.

JCC LOOKING FOR ARTISTS
The Senior Adult Department of the Jewish Community Center is proud to announce the opening of its annual Sadie and Eli Gurvitch Memorial Senior Adult Art Exhibit, Nov. 9 - Nov. 14 at the Springfield Jewish Community Center, 1160 Dickinson St. This show highlights the creative efforts of all non-professional senior artists (50 years of age and above) in the Greater Springfield area who wish to enter and exhibit their work. Cash prizes will be awarded. Applications and info for artists can be obtained by calling Barbara Schiffman at the JCC, 739-4715. Deadline for return of applications is Oct. 24, with art work to be delivered to the JCC on Nov. 3.

HAMPDEN
STORYTIMES
On Sept. 17 and 24, Infant and Toddler Storytime will take place at Hampden Public Library, 625 Main St. at 11 a.m. Ages newborn to 36 months welcome. Join us for songs, movement activities and baby-friendly board books in a gentle, supportive environment. Approximate duration is 20 minutes, followed by optional playtime and socializing in our newly renovated Children's Room. This program is ongoing, no registration is required. Free. For more info, call 566-3047.

TURKEY SHOOTS
The Hampden VFW Post 9397 located at 190 Main St. will be running their annual Turkey Shoots through Nov. 23. The shoots begin at 1 p.m. For directions or questions call 566-8797.

WATERCOLOR CLASS
Joyce Emerle will be hosting a watercolor painting class the Hampden Senior Center from Oct. 1 -- Dec. 3 from 12:30 -- 3 p.m. Anyone interested may call the center at 566-5588.

LONGMEADOW
SCHOOL COMMITTEE FINANCIAL SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING
There will be a meeting of the Longmeadow School Committee Financial Sub-Committee on Sept. 19. The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. in the school's Central Office School Committee Room, 127 Grassy Gutter Rd.

JOINT BUDGET MEETING
A Finance Committee/Select Board/School Committee meeting on the FY10 budget will be taking place Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Storrs Library Community Meeting Room.

LONGMEADOW VOLUNTEERS WORK
The Longmeadow Volunteers will be at Blueberry School from 9 - 11 a.m. on Sept. 17 for raking and clean up behind the school at the baseball backstop. Anyone interested in helping out should contact Bill Morey at 567-9151 or billmorey@comcast.net.

CLUB 6 - 9 - 3
The Storrs Library will offer a book discussion group for kids in grades 2 and 3 on Sept. 24 at 3:15 p.m. We will be reading "Horrible Harry and the Drop of Doom" by Suzy Kline. Call 565-4182, the Youth Service Department 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 Sept. 25 from 3:15 - 4 p.m. to read and discuss "How Many Seeds In A Pumpkin" by Margaret McNamara. The book group will include several different activities related to the story and is planned especially for young readers. For more info or to register, call the Phillip Michael Lauro II Discovery Room at 565-4182 or visit the library.

FALL TENNIS FOR ADULTS
Continue this summertime favorite while the cool weather blows in. Participants will be grouped based on talent level. Instruction will focus on skill development, drills and match play. Classes meet on Mondays, Sept. 15 - Oct. 13 at the Blinn Tennis Courts from 6 - 7:30 p.m. Visit www.LPRD.net for registration and additional info.

GREENWOOD CHILDREN'S CENTER PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION
Greenwood Children's Center has limited availability in the preschool 3's classroom. Space is filling up quickly for our full and part time programs! Call Audra for details 565-4163.

SPRINGFIELD
PARENTING -- WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
Session I: Parenting We're All in This Together on Sept. 20 from 24 p.m. at St. Michael's Cathedral, Bishop Marshall Center, 254 State St. All are invited to the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Michael's Cathedral to receive a special blessing for parents. General insights and discussion for Christian parents to find, and accept, their parenting styles in a driving world of video games, violence and material obsession. Guest speak is Peggy Weber, television journalist and author.

UNDIE SUNDAY/MONDAY 2008
Undie Sunday/Monday 2008 at the Springfield Rescue Mission, 19 Bliss St., in September and October have all donations to the mission by Nov. 8. New T-shirts, underwear and socks for men, women, and children all sizes are needed, especially medium, large and extra large.

OKTOBERFEST
Sacred Heart Church on Chestnut Street in Springfield will be hosting its annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 28 from 11 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the church. This year's festival will again feature German music with the Black Sheep German Band performing. There will be children's games, teenage activities, the popular apple pie baking contest, bingo, Chinese and grocery wheel raffles as well as a grand raffle. In addition to the grand raffle there will be the always popular cash raffle with the grand prize of $20,000. American and German food and drinks will also be available. For more info or to purchase raffle tickets, call the rectory at 732-3721.

ITALIAN LANGUAGE CLASSES
The Italian Cultural Center is sponsoring Italian Language Classes for Beginners 1, 2 and Intermediate levels starting Sept. 23 at 56 Margaret St. Parking in Mt. Carmel Church and School parking lot. Classes are eight weeks, 6 -- 8 p.m. Registration fee includes textbook, with discount for returning students. For more info, call the ICC at 732-6569 and leave a message.

LARRY LIROT PRESENTATION
On Sept. 18, Reeds Landing Retirement Community, 807 Wilbraham Rd., will host a presentation by Larry Lirot, "Winterizing Your Gardens." Lirot, expert landscape consultant, continues his lecture series with instruction on putting your gardens to bed for the winter! The event will take place at 3 p.m. Call to make reservations at 782-1800.

MOTHERS OF MIRACLES BRUNCH
Mothers of Miracles (MOMs) will be having its opening day brunch on Sept. 16 from 9:30 - 11 a.m. at the Evangelical Covenant Church, 915 Plumtree Rd. MOMs is an informal support and book group for mothers of children 0 - 5 years old. The fall book is "My Heart's At Home" by Jill Savage. Childcare is provided for a nominal fee. The group meets every Tuesday morning during the school year all are welcome. Call 592-9401 for more info.

WILBRAHAM
ANNUAL TAG SALE
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, 20 Highland St. (off Springfield St.), will be hosting their annual tag sale on Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. -- 2 p.m. There will be items for everyone's interest and all proceeds from this tag sale will be earmarked to a Community Fuel Fund established at the church to be able to help those in our community who may be struggling to pay for fuel this winter. Put this date on your tag sale calendar -- we look forward to seeing you.

THE ALPHA COURSE
Evangel Assembly will be offering "The Alpha Course," an 11-week session. It meets on Sunday evenings beginning Sept. 21 from 6 - 8:30 p.m. at 348 Stony Hill Rd. The evening consists of a meal, a short talk and a small group discussion. There is no charge for this course. Call 599-1729 to register.

SHREK THE MUSICAL
The beloved ogre comes to Broadway. The Wilbraham Parks & Rec. Dept. has secured tickets for a Saturday matinee on Jan. 17. Tickets on sale now, and cost includes transportation and show. Makes a great holiday gift. Limited seats. Register at the WPRD or call 596-2816 for more info.

WOMENS' EVENING FELLOWSHIP TO HOST FIRST MEETING
The Women's Evening Fellowship of the Wilbraham United Church will have their first meeting on Sept. 23 in the Friendship Room of the church. The program will begin at 7:30 p.m. at which time Springfield Republican columinist Tom Shea will be our guest speaker. Anyone interested in attending should call the church office at 596-2500 ext. 100.