LFR Program Newsletter
(April 10-23)
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Town of Manchester Bicentennial Celebration
23 Walks: Porter Street Walk
The public is invited to a free history walk on Saturday, April 8 at 1:00 PM, starting at the parking lot of Highland Park School, 395 Porter Street. We’ll visit the area of a former textile mill, an example of the many small mills along Manchester’s streams in the early 19th century.
- Location: Highland Park School, 395 Porter Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Meets: Sat, 04/08/23, 1:00 PM
- Fee: No cost
300 Years of Manchester: The Present
Artists attending a Manchester Public Elementary School will have their work collected at their home school for display. The exhibit runs from April 18-May 28, featuring a different school each week.
- Location: Lutz Children’s Museum, 247 S. Main Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Meets: T-F, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM / Sat-Sun, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Fee: No cost
Recreation Division
Lifeguard Training
Looking for a great summer job? Through video, group discussion, and hands-on practice, learn patron rescue and surveillance skills, first aid, and CPR/AED. Successful candidates will receive a two year CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuers and a two year lifeguard certification. Due to this being a blended learning course, registration will close on 4/10 for the April vacation session. Must be at least 15 years of age and pass certain swimming requirements. Attendance at each class is mandatory.
- Facilitator: Josh Charette
- Location: Manchester High School Main Pool
- Ages: 15+
- Meets: M-F, 04/17/23-04/21/23, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM
- Fee: $50/$250 (NR)
OAKC Together We Tee
OAKC Together We Tee is an introductory golf program for children and their parent/guardian. This program is offered to local Black and Brown youth of all genders and their parent/guardian. Children must be ages 9-12 and live or attend school in Manchester. The Manchester Country Club will be providing all participants with lessons by golf professionals, fee waivers & equipment. Enrolling up to ten Black/Brown youth.
Questions? Call Senior Recreation Supervisor Calvin Harris at (860)647-3088 and Recreation Supervisor Taylor McBride at (860)647-6039.
- Program Dates: W, 07/12, 07/19, 07/26, 08/02, 08/09, 08/16
- Program Times: 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (Golf Instruction) / 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Family-Style Dinner)
- Location: Manchester Country Club – 305 S. Main Street, Manchester, CT 06040
- Registration: Begins March 1, 2023.
Ballers of the Court: 3-v-3 Basketball Tournament
Click here for event details & to register your team. Questions? Contact Shakir Leocock at [email protected].
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center
- Ages: 14-18
- Meets: W, 04/19/23, 10:30 AM
- Fee: No cost
Youth Service Bureau Division
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DEA National Take Back Day
Turn in unneeded medication for safe disposal. Keep them safe. Clean them out. Take them back. Questions? Please contact Samantha Bell at (860)647-5260 or [email protected].
- Location: CVS @ 1221 Main Street
- Meets: Sat, 04/22/23, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Manchester’s Early Childhood Fair
Manchester’s Early Childhood Fair is free, open to the public, and provides a wealth of information on preschools, programs, services, recreation, and local resources available for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children up to age 8. Please join us for play activities & playground time!
- Location: Northwest Park Pavilion, 448 Tolland Turnpike
- Meets: Sat, 04/22/23, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Rain Date: 05/06/23)
Neighborhoods and Families Division
Pokemon Pack Battles
Join Competitive Pokemon TCG player Vaughn O’Brien for a brief introduction to the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Each participant will be given one free Scarlet & Violet Booster Pack. After that, all trainers (attendees) will be paired & will participate in pack battles.
- Location: Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce Street
- Meets: Tu, 05/02/23-05/16/23, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Ages: 5-17
- Fee: $10/$12 (per class)
Save the Date: Spruce Street Farmers Market
The Spruce Street Farmers Market will run on Wednesdays, June 7 through August 30, 2023, from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Market Field, 163 Spruce Street. Vendor selections are thoughtfully curated to include diverse food and business owners, with products including: fresh fruits & vegetables, meats & eggs, honey & maple syrup, gluten-free baked goods, vegan offerings, CT trucks & artisans.
The market also accepts EBT/WIC payments & will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $20.00 (spend $20.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $20.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible items).
- Location: Market Field, 153 & 163 Spruce Street
- Meets: W, 06/07/23-08/30/23, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost to attend. Free parking available across street at 160 Spruce Street.
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About Author
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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.