HOMECOMING is a big deal at Manchester High and it's extra exciting this year because last year everything was canceled. Tomorrow's parade steps off at 3:30 p.m. and the route is much shorter -- but that's OK because the real fun is at the end anyway, as a spirited crowd will gather on the Brookfield Street side of MHS to watch dances and performances. We have more below as well as a highlights from last weekend's festivities at Northwest Park and Downtown. Enjoy OneManchester? You can get it by email each week if you just click here.

• The route is shorter this year -- with marchers gathering at the tennis courts on East Center Street and then heading down Brookfield.
• There's also a Fan Fest from 5-6 p.m. behind the football field concession stand and then the Hoco game at 6 against Middleton High. There's also a diaper drive from 5:30-7 p.m.
• Latasha Easterling-Turnquest, the district's Chief of Family Partnership & Student Engagement, made another Let's Talk video with her thoughts on how the parade is a great way for younger students/families to get an up-close look at MHS pride. Click here to see it.

At left, Mickiyah displays her cell research board in Mr. Reisine's sixth grade science class at Bennet; students in Mr. Jones' Law and Order class investigate a mock crime scene with School Resource Officer Moan.

Also

• COVID cases are tracked on the district website, which also has the latest on what's being done to keep students and staff safe.
  

Downtown sidewalks were packed last Saturday with kids of all ages happily clammering for candy. There are more photos on Facebook.

The Manchester Adults and Continuing Education Department sponsored Bark in the Park and lots of costumed canines congregated at Center Memorial Park.

This Ben Keller mural in-progress on the north side of the Park St. bridge is part of the Cheney Rail Trail development plan. The columns will be reflective of vintage Cheney silk patterns.

Thursday, Oct. 28

5 p.m. -- Conservation Conversation at 330 Bush Hill Rd.

Friday, Oct. 29
3 p.m. -- MHS Homecoming festivities on Brookfield St., followed by a 6 p.m. MHS football game vs. Middletown at Memorial Field.

5:30 - 7 p.m. -- MHS National Honor Society Diaper Drive at the Homecoming football game.
5:30 - 8:30 p.m. -- Boy Scout Troop 123 pasta dinner at Community Baptist Church, 585 East Center St.

6:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Yoga for Food at the Community Y.

Saturday, Oct. 30

8 a.m. - noon -- MACC Manchester Farmers Market at Forest St. parking lot - season finale.

8 a.m. - 1 p.m. -- Hazardous Waste Collection at the Town Landfill, 231 Olcott St.

8 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- Security guard training class at 555 Main St.

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Friends of Manchester Public Library book sale at Mary Cheney Library.

10 a.m. -- 3 p.m. -- Hayride Tours of Land Trust Farm, 330 Bush Hill Rd.

2:30 p.m. -- Haunted House Votive Craft for adults at Mary Cheney Library.

Sunday, Oct. 31

9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. -- The Wickender - Bare Bones Disc Golf Tournament at Wickham Park.

10 a.m. -- 3 p.m. -- Hayride Tours of Land Trust Farm, 330 Bush Hill Rd.

Monday Nov. 1

7 - 8 p.m. -- World-Wide Lighthouse Missions bottle and can drive at 723 Main St.
7 p.m. -- Author Florence Reiss Kraut at Mary Cheney Library.
7 p.m. -- Kick-off for National Novel Writing Month at Mary Cheney Library.

Tuesday, Nov. 2

6 a.m - 8 p.m. -- Election Day.
9 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Hartford Hospital Mobile Mammography Van at Community Y, 71 North Main St.
6:30 p.m. -- Grief Share at Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Tpke.

Wednesday, Nov. 3

6 - 8 p.m. -- Middle School Night at Mary Cheney Library.

Also:

• CREC has an ESL Medical Office Assistant training program. Click here for more info.

• Free adult basketball drop-in sessions at Waddell from 6 - 9 p.m. started Oct. 18

• Wickham Park Official Close of Season is Sunday, Oct. 31

• LEAF COLLECTION: Barring an early snowstorm Area 1 vacuum collection begins Nov. 8 and Area 2 Nov. 22. Click here for everything you need to know about the Leaf Collection Program.
  
• MANCHESTER ROAD RACE: About 3800 runners had registered as of Tuesday. Click for their website.
• SCHOOL DISTRICT PJ DAY: It's Friday, Dec. 10 and raises awareness of and money for the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. There's more info here.

You have until tomorrow to check out a pop-up art exhibit at WORK_SPACE introducing the town’s new Parks and Facilities Master Plan. It's a two dimensional tour of local parks that also includes a preview of planned trail enhancements. For more click here.

ALSO

• Positivity Project signs can be ordered at www.manchesterwomensclub.org
• For the latest about Scarecrows on Main St. check the Downtown Manchester Special Services District FB page.
  

OTHER NEWSLETTERS

• Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce: Includes photo contest winners
• Manchester Matters: COVID vaccination info. Blood drives too.
• Manchester Historical Society: Previews clock-making program, etc.
• Manchester Adult and Continuing Education: First trimester is halfway over

Longtime Manchester High soccer coach and teacher Bill McCarthy (middle in light blue jacket) was honored during halftime of Tuesday's boys soccer Senior Night game. McCarthy played for MHS in the 1961 and 1962 state championship games and had 258 wins over 21 seasons as its head coach from 1980-2001, including 13 conference championships.

Last Friday's night's Fall Festival at Northwest Park was a big hit with hundreds turning out for fun that included music, food, pumpkin decorating, bounce houses and a parade of the Living Dead, who walked into the woods to spook those daring enough to traverse the Zombie Trail.

OneManchester is compiled by Jim Farrell of the school district's communications office; he can be reached at b11jfarr@mpspride.org or 860-268-6377. OneManchester has been published since August 2017 and features the photography of Paul Ofria. Want to subscribe? Just click here.