LFR Program Newsletter
(Nov 7- Nov 21)
With the holiday season right around the corner, there is no shortage of programs and special events across the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation. Check out the below program listings for a sampling of the many fall programs and special events available over the coming weeks.
Registration can be completed online or by calling (860) 647-3084.
For the complete slate of fall programs, please visit the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation Fall 2022 Program & Event Guide.
Town of Manchester Bicentennial Celebration
Manchester Bicentennial Grant Giving Program
As part of the Bicentennial Celebration, the Town of Manchester is excited to announce its Bicentennial Grant Giving Program, facilitated by the Manchester Youth Commission. The Commission is requesting applications from local Manchester non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations and/or government/education organizations, neighborhood groups, religious organizations, or other appropriate organizations who are interested in partnering and contributing to the year-long celebration.
Applications can be found online and are due by November 14, no later than 11:59 PM.
Please visit the Town of Manchester’s Bicentennial website for further details on how to qualify, how funds can be utilized, and the post-approval process. Additional questions regarding your grant application or eligibility should be directed to Heather Wlochowski or Nurun Nahar.
Recreation Division
Introduction to Jukido
Jukido is an art that fuses many principles, techniques, and training methods found in Judo, Karate, combatives, and authentic forms of traditional & modern jujitsu into a dynamic & powerful system of practical self-defense.
- Instructor: Ryan Werner
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (Movement Lab, B 21)
- Session 2: 11/10, 11/16, 12/1, 12/8
- Ages: 8-15 years old
- Fee: $24/$30(nr)
All Love Candles
ALL Love Candles is more than just creating your very own customized candle. It’s about the experience you get to share with your friends and family. We’ll take you on a step-by-step journey on creating a candle from start to finish.
- Instructor: Ajia Loomis
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (Art Lab, F 28)
- Meets: Wednesdays, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Dates: 10/26/22, 11/16/22, 11/30/22, 12/14/22
- Ages: 16+
- Fee: $30/$35(nr)
Living in Space
Children will explore the various demands and challenges facing astronauts, and the scientists who send them into space. Students then investigate astronaut training, mobility, and life support, and experience astronaut life for themselves as they participate in a construction chamber mission.
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (Tech Lab, C 24)
- Meets: 11/17/22, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
- Ages: 8-12
- Fee: $25/$32(nr)
Anime Club
Anime Club is a place where enthusiasts may comfortably share their love and knowledge about Japanese animation (known as anime). Members will participate in live or asynchronous viewing of anime series and engage in active discussions regarding the artistic, educational, and academic value of the genre.
- Instructor: Jose Morales
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center (Tech Lab, C 24)
- Meets: Every 1st Wednesday of the Month, 10/5, 11/9, 12/7, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM
- Ages: 13+
- Fee: FREE
Save the Date: Swim with Santa
Come and enjoy free time with Santa! Santa will visit the pool for a fun morning of splashing and swimming with your children. Parents must accompany young children or non-swimmers in the water. Bring your cameras! Participants must have a valid pool pass to be presented when entering to swim.
- Location: Manchester High School IOH Pool
- Meets: Sat, 12/10/22, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: Please bring a non-perishable food donation to support the MACC Food Pantry
Save the Date: Holiday in the Park
Our annual Holiday in the Park is back and we cannot wait to see all the smiling faces again! This drive through event will be filled with music, characters, treats and a surprise! Make sure to follow our social media accounts so you are up to date about this event!
- Location: Northwest Park
- Meets: Sat, 12/17/22, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost
Youth Service Bureau
Sensory Play & Learn
A parent-child class where we explore sensory play together with free play, read-alouds, circle time, themed activities, some crafts and vocabulary rich conversations. We will be learning through simple and engaging activities that are interactive and developmentally appropriate. Caregivers should be prepared to participate with their little learner. Themes include water play, music & movement, textures and more!
- Instructor: Caitlin Barclay
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 12-23 months
- Meets: M, 11/7/22-12/12/22, 9:30 am – 11:00 am
- Fee: TBD
Play & Learn About Emotions
A parent-child class where we learn about our emotions together with free play, read-alouds, circle time, themed activities, some crafts and vocabulary rich conversations. We will be learning through simple and engaging activities that are interactive and developmentally appropriate. Caregivers should be prepared to participate with their little learner!
- Instructor: Caitlin Barclay
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 24 months-35 months
- Meets: Tu, 11/1/22-12/13/22, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM (no group 11/8/22)
- Fee: TBD
My Baby & Me
This program is for new caretakers and their children (approximately newborn to 18 months). This group is to establish a community of parents of young children and provide early socialization opportunities for their infants.
- Instructor: Dee Dee Huang and Alison Luong
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 0- 18 months
- Meets: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9/21/22-12/16/22, 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM
- Fee: No Cost
Mommy & Me Playgroup
This program is for moms and their infants to early walking age (approximately newborn to age 2). The group is for parents of young babies and toddlers to socialize in an unstructured playgroup atmosphere. This is a laid back social group with no judgment; come when you can! A private changing and feeding room is available. Registration is not required to attend. Contact Caitlin for questions or to be put on the list for group updates and cancellations at [email protected]
- Instructor: Caitlin McNamara
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 0-1 years
- Meets: Tuesdays, 3 PM – 4:30 PM
- Fee: No Cost
Journey
Journey is a service-learning program with an emphasis on environmental education, leadership, and woodworking training. Projects focus on giving back to the community, while building relationships and learning important life skills.
- Location: Youth Service Bureau and Off-Site
- Grades: 4th-5th
- Meets: Wednesdays, 10/5/22 – 12/21/22 (no group on 11/09/2022)
- Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Neighborhoods & Families Division
The Spruce Street Farmers Market will host its second annual Shop Small Saturday Indoor Market on Saturday, November 26 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Nathan Hale Activity Center, 160 Spruce Street
Vendor selections are thoughtfully curated to include diverse Connecticut business owners and products, including: meats, maple syrup, baked goods, coffee, vegan offerings, guacamole, jewelry, clothing and more. Enjoy love music by Finn Rowan. See our exciting vendor line up at the Spruce Street Farmers Market Facebook page.
In addition to serving as a source for local foods, the market accepts SNAP/EBT and WIC payments, and will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $20.00 (spend $20.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $20 to spend on SNAP eligible items). This program is sponsored by End Hunger CT! and CT Fresh Match.
Questions? Contact Market Coordinator Cynde Acanto at [email protected] or (860) 647-3089.
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About Author
James Costa is the Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator for the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation. He began working with the division during his sophomore year at Manchester High School, and he is now a UConn graduate with degrees in Journalism & Film Studies.
Fun Fact #1: I won my car in a raffle during Manchester High School’s Project Graduation.
Fun Fact #2: My all-time favorite movies are All That Heaven Allows, Punch-Drunk Love & Twin Peaks: The Return.