OneManchester
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023
FOR 10 YEARS NOW Joe Battaglia has been producing a series of concerts billed as ‘Hip Hop For The Homeless” that have raised more than $35,000 for that very worthy cause. And for 8 years Kate (Kantrow) Dietch has been the driving force behind the school district’s annual PJ Day, raising almost $40,000 to support kids fighting cancer. Joe and Kate are both teachers in the district and tomorrow is a big day for both. We have details below.
In The Spotlight
BoE Meets On Monday
Also:
- The Manchester Preschool Center is still enrolling students from families that meet federal income guidelines into its Head Start program. Click here to see a Spanish-English flier for more information.
- If you haven't taken the district's fall family survey, here's the link.
MHS, MCC and MACC Collaborate
News and Notes
The latest episode of 'The Pulse' has stories on the Turkey Bowl, the National Honor Society, school lunches and more. Click to watch.
And you can view Manchester High's first quarter honor roll by clicking here.
Also: Researchers at UConn are seeking the parents of high school and middle school students to be part of a 90-minute focus group discussion on the impact of social media on their children's mental health. You’ll get a $25 gift card just for taking part and there’s more information here. (And even more here.)
Fundraisers
- The Class of 2024 is running a cookie fundraiser for their senior prom and other senior events that can be purchased online with delivery by clicking here. This offer ends on Dec. 15.
- The MHS cheerleaders are doing a 'double good' popcorn fundraiser and the info is here.
MHS Project Graduation will hold a fundraiser at Urban Lodge on Dec. 8 from 3 -6 p.m.
A Busy Friday
- Tomorrow is PJ Day in the school district with students and staff encouraged to dress down and comfy to raise awareness and money that will go to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. This flier has more including a link for people who want to make a contribution online.
- The Hip Hop tour stops at Main Pub tomorrow night and will feature a reunion of Joey Batts & Them,. The Pub is the fifth stop in a three-week, 10-performance series and there's more info here and here and here.
The Week Ahead
Thursday, Dec. 7
10 - 11:15 a.m. -- Preschool Picassos at Mary Cheney Library.
4 - 4:45 p.m. -- Gingerbread House Creations for grades K-5 at Mary Cheney Library.
6:30 p.m -- Glitter Seashell Ornament Craft at Whiton Library.
Friday, Dec. 8
PJ Day for the Kids
3 - 6 p.m. -- MHS Class of 2024 fundraiser at Urban Lodge.
5:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- ‘Perspectives in Time’ exhibit opening at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.
8 p.m. -- Hip Hop for the Homeless to benefit MACC Charities at Main Pub, 306 Main St.
Saturday, Dec. 9
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Holiday Pop-up Vendor Fair at WORK_SPACE, 903 Main St.
12 - 5 p.m. -- The Nutcracker at Cheney Hall. (and Sunday 12 - 5 p.m.)
1 - 4 p.m. -- Kids Day Out at New River Church, 314 Woodbridge St. (click here for reg. form).
4:45 p.m. -- Tree lighting Ceremony at Center Congregational Church. Caroling starts at Silk City Coffee at 4:15 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10
1 - 4 p.m. -- Cheney Homestead open house, 106 Hartford Rd.
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. -- Pizza with Santa at St. James Hall, 896 Main St.
Monday, Dec. 11
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. -- Dino Time @ Whiton at Whiton Library.
1 - 6 p.m. -- Red Cross Blood Drive at Manchester Church of Christ, 595 Tolland Tpke.
7 p.m. -- BOE meeting at Lincoln Center.
7 - 8 p.m. -- Can and bottle drive at World-Wide Lighthouse Missions, 16 Brainard Place.
Tuesday, Dec. 12
10 - 10:20 a.m. -- Baby Rhyme Time at Mary Cheney Library.
7 - 8 p.m. -- WWLM bottle and can collection, 16 Brainard Place.
3 - 6 p.m. -- Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park opens and runs through Dec. 23. Click the link for the schedule.
7 p.m. -- Evenings@7: Every Christmas Story Ever Told at Cheney Hall
Wednesday, Dec. 13
9:30 - 10:15 a.m. -- Toddling Tots at Mary Cheney Library.
10 a.m. - noon -- Genealogy Group meeting with guest speaker Noreen Palladino at The History Center, 175 Pine St.
3:30 - 4:45 p.m. -- R.E.A.D. to a Dog Children’s Program at Mary Cheney Library.
6 - 7:30 p.m. -- Anime / Manga Club at Mary Cheney Library
Also:
The Tree lighting Ceremony at Center Congregational Church on on Saturday starts with caroling in front of Silk City Coffee at 4:15 p.m.
The Nutcracker will be at Manchester High's Bailey Auditorium on Saturday and Sunday. Click here for more information.
New River Church will host Kids Day Out on Saturday. Click here for online registration.
CAST Children’s Theatre final performance of ‘Madagascar Jr.’ will be on on Dec. 13. Click here for dates and times.
Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park opens on Wednesday and runs through Dec. 23. Click the link for the schedule.
The overnight parking ban between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. will be in effect until April 1.
The Manchester Fire Support Group’s 1st Annual Christmas Tree Lot Christmas tree sale at 18 Main St. (former 8th Utilities District) is under way and continues till they run out. Click here for hours and more details.
Manchester Police Department’s toy drive runs through Dec.15. Click the link for times and locations.
Borgida & Company’s 18th annual food drive to benefit MACC Charities is ongoing through Dec. 13. Click here for details.
Down the Road:
Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale's 64th season is underway and you can catch its next show on Dec. 16 at St. Bartholomew's Church. Click here for more info.
Little Theatre of Manchester has ‘5 Festive Events That Will Fill Your Heart’ starting with ‘The Nutcracker’ this weekend. Click this link to learn more.
Also:
The town’s leaf collection program: Zone I is complete, Zone 2 is in progress and everything you need to know about the program is here (including a map that is updated periodically showing which streets are done).
This and That
As part of a branding initiative, the town is seeking community input through a survey you'll find here. (For a flier in Spanish, click here.)
Also:
- The town is asking residents to share their ideas about and vision for a new 21st Century public library via a survey you'll find here.
- The Youth Service Bureau is offering mini-grants to local groups and organizations and the info is here.
Pop Warner Update
The Pop Warner Red Hawks 11U and 13U teams spent a week in Florida competing on the national level. The U13s lost both games but gained valuable experince that they will take with them to high school next year.
The 11U team beat the Fleming Island Dreadnaughts (Fleming Island, Florida) 18-14 after losing its first game 6-0, and became the first New England team to beat a Florida team in the history of the Pop Warner National Championships. Visit their facebook page for more info about the program.
ALSO:
Winter Sports Opportunities
The Manchester Knights instructional basketball program for k - fourth graders runs on Wednesdays at Verplanck School through Feb. 14. Click here for details.
The town is offering co-ed basketball for high school students at the Mahoney Rec on Saturdays starting in December. Click here for sign-up information.
The Hartford Shockers are sponsoring a winter travel basketball program starting in December for players in grades 3 - 8. Click here for more info.
Iling takes its turn on the Bailey Auditorium stage next week; all performances are at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 12 -- Illing Chorus Concert
Thursday, Dec. 14 -- Illing Band Concert
Tuesday, Dec. 19 -- MHS Holiday Concert
Tuesday, Jan. 9 -- MHS Modern Band Concert
Wednesday, Jan. 17 -- MHS Mid-Winter Concert
Monday, Jan. 22 -- MHS presents the United States Coast Guard Band
- NOTE: OneManchester is compiled by the school district's communications office but is dependent on contributions from people and institutions throughout the town and school district. So if you have something that you think people would want to know about, please let us know. Photos, fliers, links, tips, whatever -- please share with Paul Ofria at pofria@mpspride.org.
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