LFR Program Newsletter
Jan. 16 - Jan. 29
Recreation Division
Friday Night Special: Hot Chocolate Social
Join us Friday night for a cup of delicious hot chocolate with customizable toppings! We will be streaming the movie Frozen and will have cookies to go with the hot cocoa!
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center
- Meets: F, 01/20/23, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Fee: No cost
Winter, Fire & Ice
Join us for a FREE fun community event intended to provide a safe and fun space for people to take a break from the winter blues and take a breath of fresh air, smile and be able to enjoy this time of year. What better way to stay safe, happy, and connected than a walk in the park and discover something unexpected.
- Location: Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike
- Meets: Sat, 01/21/23, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost
Neighborhoods & Families Division
Spruce Street Farmers Market: Love Your Local Market
The Neighborhoods & Families Division will host the Spruce Street Farmers Markets: Love Your Local Market on Saturday, February 11 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 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.
Save the Date – Family Fun Night: Family Game Show
Join Carlos of CBT Entertainment for a free family game show! Come test your trivia knowledge at this educational & friendly competition.
Questions? Contact Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator James Costa at [email protected] or (860)647-3089.
- Location: Nathan Hale Activity Center
- Meets: F, 03/10/23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Ages: All ages
- Fee: No cost
Youth Service Bureau Division
Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
The Town of Manchester’s 38th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration will honor students who embody the principles of Dr. King by promoting positive change in their school & community. Please join us for this special evening to celebrate the life of Dr. King and recognize the amazing contributions of youth in our community!
- Location: MHS Bailey Auditorium
- Meets: Tu, 01/17/23, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost
Family Wellness Day
Join us for Family Wellness Day! Kids can explore a police cruiser, learn about fire safety with the Manchester Fire Department & draw pictures for the annual Elks contest! Adults can access mental health resources, learn more about poison control & drug storage safety. Lunch is provided. Kids AND adults also get a goodie bag to take home!
- Meets: Sat, 1/21/23, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Location: 30 Bissell Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
Cradle to Crayons
Cradle to Crayons is a preschool playgroup that supports the development of skills that will promote success in and out of preschool and kindergarten. Activities include circle time, art, fine motor, gross motor, pre-math and pre-writing skill building. Children will have the opportunity to both engage in socialization and free play with other children as well as structured activities at their own pace.
- Instructor: Caitlin McNamara
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 2-5 years old
- Meets: Th, 01/12/23- 04/20/23, 3:00-4:15 PM
- 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, please just show up. 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, 3pm-4:30pm, 01/03/23-04/25/23
- Fee: No Cost
Winter Wednesdays
Winter Wednesdays is a playgroup for toddlers who are ready for a little more structure than just free play time. There will be stories and songs, a simple craft or art offering, and other activities that support reaching developmental milestones of this age group.
- Instructor: Caitlin McNamara
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 5-2 years
- Meets: Wednesdays, 3pm-4:15pm, 01/11/23-03/29/23
- Fee: No Cost
Play & Learn Nursery Rhymes
A parent-child class where we learn common nursery rhymes with songs, pretend play, sensory play and crafts! This class will also include free play, circle time, 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: 12 months-23 months
- Meets: Mondays, 9:30am-11:00am, 1/9/23-3/13/23, no class 1/16 and 2/20
Play & Learn to Count & Craft with Arctic Animals
A parent-child class where we practice counting while learning about arctic animals through read aloud and crafts! This class will also include circle time, songs, some free play 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: Tuesdays, 9:30am-11:00am
- Session 1: 1/10/23-2/14/23
- Session 2: 2/28/23-4/4/23
- Fee: $36/ $44 (nr)
Play & Learn about the Five Senses
A parent-child class where we explore our five senses together with free play, read aloud, 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 learners!
- Instructor: Caitlin Barclay
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 3- and 4-year-olds
- Meets: Thursdays, 9:30am-11:00am
- Session 1: 1/12/23-2/16/23
- Session 2: 3/2/23-4/6/23
- Fee: $36/ $44 (nr)
My Baby & Me
This program is for new caretakers and their children (approximately newborn to 12 months). Our goal is to establish a community of new parents of young children and provide early socialization opportunities for their infants. This program is geared towards non-walkers.
- Instructor: Dee Dee Huang and Alison Luong
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 0- 12 months
- Meets: Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:15am-10:45am, 1/4/23-4/28/23, no class 4/7
- Fee: No Cost
Robin’s Mothering Group
This program is for new caretakers to receive lactation and parenting support. Contact Robin to register (860)742-6231 or [email protected].
- Instructor: Robin DeGemmis
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Age: 0- 6 months
- Meets: Thursdays, 11:30am-1:30pm, 1/5/23-4/27/23
- Fee: No Cost
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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.