MANCHESTER'S LITTLE LEAGUE ALL-STARS remain the big story, as they play today on ESPN (game time 1 p.m.) in Williamsport, PA, against a team from Hawaii in the Little League World Series. Our coverage explains how their coach has been able to keep up with his day job and we have a timeline of their remarkable August. We also take stock of summer school (which ends tomorrow) and the academic year ahead (it starts in three weeks). If you like OneManchester and want to subscribe, please click here.

If Manchester wins: Next game is Sunday at 11 a.m vs. New Jersey/Nebraska winner on ESPN

If Manchester loses: Next game is Saturday at 3 p.m. vs. New Jersey/Nebraska loser on ABC

Every game now is watched by hundreds of thousands and their names and faces will be remembered for a long, long time back here in Manchester but it hasn't been all glamour for our All-Stars, as they've been away from home (and without even a hug from mom) for 12 days now. A look back ... and ahead:

Monica Oquendo (left) is teaching a class called Battle Kites; Mikhaila Entsiwah is an MHS student working as a squad leader. They are among hundreds of staffers supporting about 1,800 students and we have their stories in the 'Humans of Manchester' gallery, which is on both Facebook and Instagram.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL IS WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 8:

• That's when grades K-5, 7 and 9 return

• Students in grades 6, 8 and 10-12 join in on Thursday, Sept. 9.

• Pre-school starts Sept. 8 and HEAD START (full day) begins Sept. 13.

• Manchester Adult and Continuing Education classes also begin Sept. 8.

• Click here for the full-year calendar.

THE BIG NEWS

• Remote Learning: The state has decreed that instruction must be in-person except in cases involving quarantine.
• Masks: The state also is requiring that masks be worn in schools by all students, staff and visitors through Sept. 30.
• Visitors: Will be allowed again with masks required and names, dates and locations recorded in the event contact tracing becomes necessary.
• Sports: Fall sports are back as usual except masks must be worn indoors.

Thursday, Aug. 19 (Today)

6:30 p.m. -- Eleanor Roosevelt: An Appreciation at Mary Cheney Library

Friday, Aug. 20

2-4 p.m. -- Puzzle Piece Tree on canvas craft at Mary Cheney Library

6-8 p.m. -- Charter Oak Park Event Series

6-7 p.m. -- Moon Lit Yoga at Charter Oak Park.

Saturday, Aug. 21

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. -- Vaccine Clinic at Manchester Community College
8 a.m. - noon) -- MACC Manchester Farmers Market at Forest St. parking lot.

Sunday, Aug. 22

8 a.m. -- CHIP Test at Manchester High School.
9 a.m. -- Basic Life Support Class at the Firehouse, 75 Center St.

Noon-2 p.m. -- Woodbridge Farmstead Open House 495 East Middle Tpke.

Monday, Aug. 23

6:30 p.m. -- Elizabeth Keckly: Successful Author & Seamstress at Whiton Library

Tuesday, Aug. 24

6:30 p.m. -- Charter Oak Summer Concert Series featuring the MSOC Winds Ensemble at Charter Oak Park Pavilion.

6:30 p.m. -- Children’s Summer Reading Grand Finale featuring Dancin’ with Hoops at Mary Cheney Library.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

11:30 a.m. -- Rotary Club’s Holes for Hope golf outing at Manchester Country Club.

4:30 - 7:30 p.m. -- Farmer’s Market at Northwest Park

Also:

• On Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 21 and 22 the Jon Scribner Memorial Baseball Tournament is at Northwest Park.

• The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) continues at Cheney Hall with shows on Friday, Saturday and Sunday shows through Aug 22.

Northwest Park was hoppin' last night as the Farmer Market debuted at a new site.

• Better Manchester: Has a story about the importance of buying local.

• Manchester Matters: Click here for a collection of news and links.

• Manchester Historical Society: The latest newsletter includes info about ‘Growing Up Around Highland Park” broadcast.

More Sports:

• Road Race registration begins Sept. 1. The website has all the info.

• The Red Hawks and Knights youth football and cheerleading programs are under way.

• Have an item to share? Email Pofria@mpspride.org

Carnivals are capping off Summer Camp at Verplanck and elsewhere this week.

We have more summer camp photos on the district Facebook page.