Community News For The South Windsor Edition

Adopt-A-Road Program

SOUTH WINDSOR — On Saturday, April 20, members of the

South Windsor
Walk and Wheels Way and members of the South Windsor High School Interact Club participated in the town’s Adopt-A-Road Program. These members joined in cleaning Chapel Road in South Windsor. Visit www.swwww.org for more information on South Windsor Walk and Wheels. Shown from left to right are John Hathorn, Ryan Dunia, Skip Bourke, Gianna Cardinale, Kim Nowell, Victoria DelRosso, John Pelkey, Christine Kiely, and Steve Wagner. Not pictured is Ken Sek, who took the photograph.

Blood Drive

SOUTH WINDSOR — Temple Beth Hillel, 20 Baker Lane, has teamed up with the American Red Cross to sponsor a blood drive. The blood drive will take place on Tuesday, May 15, from 1:15 pm to 6:15 pm. To make appointments, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Faith & Finances

SOUTH WINDSOR — Faith & Finances, a faith-based approach to managing money, will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, beginning June 5. The 12-week course will take place at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 239 Graham Road.

Learn how to overcome obstacles, get free from debt, and save for the future. For more information or to register, contact The Bridge at TheBridgeSouthWindsor@gmail.com or 860-372-4141 or call Our Savior Lutheran Church at 860-644-3350. Register by May 20.

Historical Society Event

SOUTH WINDSOR — The usual questions arose when the body of Victoria Williams was found by the rail tracks near Prospect Street in East

Hartford
on May 28, 1896. Was it an accident, murder, or suicide? Connecticut author Beth Lapin, who based her novel “Caravan of Dreams” on the life of Williams and her family, will discuss the mystery and its background at the May 10 program of the South Windsor Historical Society.

The program will be at Wood Memorial Library & Museum, 783 Main St., at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 10. The recommended donation is $5 or $3 for historical society and library members). Refreshments will be served. Visit www.southwindsorhistory.org, www.BethLapin.com, or www.woodlibrary.org for more information.

Down To Earth Garden Club

SOUTH WINDSOR — The South Windsor Down to Earth Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 9, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Avery Street Christian Reformed Church, 661 Avery St.

The guest speaker will be John Himmelman, author, photographer and co-founder of CT Butterfly Association. His topic will be ‘Butterflies, Moths, Plants and Creating Habitats.’ Learn about butterflies and moths and how to attract them to your garden. The public is invited to attend and light refreshments will be served. For more information, visit www.swgardenclub.org or call 860-644-8165.

The Last Jedi

SOUTH WINDSOR — At 1 p.m. Saturday, May 19, the South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave., will be showing “The Last Jedi” in the Friends Room. After the movie, guests will vote on the best costumes and the top three will win a small prize. Costumes can be from any of the Star Wars movies. There will be a photo opportunity as well. No registration is necessary for this free program, but you must be age 18 or older to attend. Snacks will be provided.

Mental Health Awareness Walk

SOUTH WINDSOR — Hockanum Valley Community Council’s first ever Mental Health Awareness Walk will take place on Saturday, May 5, at The Promenade Shops at Evergreen Walk, 501 Evergreen Way #503.

Registration will take place at 7:30 a.m. and the walk will take place from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Cost to participate is $15 pre-registration or $20 the day of the event. For more information and to register visit www.hvcchelps.org or call 860-872-7727.

Scholarship Tag Sale

SOUTH WINDSOR — The United Church Women’s group of the First Congregational Church of South Windsor will be holding its annual tag sale on Saturday, May 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 993 Main St. The tag sale is rain or shine and will benefit the scholarship fund for students that will be or are attending an accredited undergraduate institution of higher learning. Furniture and other large items will be for sale outdoors, with household items for sale indoors.

Evening In The Park

SOUTH WINDSOR — The South Windsor Patriotic Commission is looking for civic groups and organizations that wish to participate at Evening in the Park, a celebration of Armed Forces Day. It will be held on Saturday, May 19, at Nevers Road Park.

All veteran and community groups are invited to participate in this celebration. Vendors with military related items are also invited. The event starts at 5 p.m. with displays and a concert and ends with fireworks. For information, contact Kent Carlson at 960-803-2385.

Cancer Survival Social

MANCHESTER — Cancer Survival Social, Relay for Life cancer survivor social, will be held at Silk City Coffee, 763 Main St., on Saturday, April 28, from 3 to 5 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet other cancer survivors, share their stories, and learn about the local Relay for Life event. The 2018 local Relay takes place in June at Rockville High School with participants from Manchester, South Windsor, Vernon and other surrounding towns.

South Windsor Senior Center Events

SOUTH WINDSOR — The following activities will take place at the South Windsor Senior Center, 150 Nevers Road. To register for any free program, call Human Services at 860-648-6361, ext. 335. Register in the office for any program requiring payment.

Free Hand Strength Program: Improve hand strength and prevent wrist and lower arm injuries through specific exercises. Join this class on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m. Call to register.

Attention Walkers: Spring has sprung and it’s that time of the year to kick-off the walking season. If you want to walk outside but don’t want to walk alone, join this group of friendly walkers as they walk the trails located behind the Community Center. The group meets at the Nevers Road Pavilion every Tuesday and Thursday at 8:30 a.m. to begin their walk. Call to register.

Advanced Directives: Attorney Marilyn Denny from Greater Hartford Legal Aid will be at the Center on Monday, May 7, at 10 a.m. for a talk on Advanced Directives. She will review and explain Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives. Individuals 60 and over are given an opportunity to have one or both of these documents prepared for them with a packet that is returned to Legal Aid. Once the packet is returned, the forms are prepared and the Attorney returns to the center to execute the documents. Call to register. Free.

Friends’ Announcements

SOUTH WINDSOR — The Friends of the South Windsor Library welcomes newborns. Come in with your baby to receive a free library welcoming package exclusively for you and your new baby, or call the children’s library at 860-644-5404.

Seeking new members: For $5 a year or $10 for a family membership, you get access to all programs, a monthly newsletter, plus you will be supporting library arts and events, and more.

Annual membership drive: Renewal memberships are good through May 2019. Stop in to the library and renew your membership today. Cost: $5 per year or $10 for a family. Biggest bargain in town.

Trip to Tanglewood: Sunday, June 24, for a performance of the Boston Pops featuring guest soloist Audra McDonald. For more information and to reserve a spot, call 860-644-1659.

All-inclusive day trip to the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, the Hillstead Museum in Farmington, and lunch at the First and Last Tavern in Plainville. Date: Tuesday May 15. Bus leaves Geissler’s Plaza at 8:30 a.m. and you will be home by 5:30 p.m. Cost: $75 includes lunch, bus, admission, tours and tip. Call Cathy at 860-436-4948.8

Senior Activities

SOUTH WINDSOR — The following activities for seniors will take place at the Charles N. Enes Community Center, 150 Nevers Road. To register for any free program, call Human Services at 860-648-6361, ext. 335. Register in the office for any program requiring payment.

Ballroom Dance Lessons: Lessons are Monday from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. To join, contact instructors Laura and Jason Gardiner at 860-875-7150. Couples only. Free.

Men’s Morning Group: The men’s group will meet the second Thursday of every month at 9 a.m.

Wii Bowling: Second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. Call 860-648-6361, ext. 335, to register. Free.

Substance Abuse Support Group

WEST HARTFORD — A free open support group for parents concerned about substance abuse will host weekly meetings every Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at the offices of The Next Right Thing. LLC, 345 North Main St., Suite 306. Any parent concerned about their late teens’ marijuana or other substance use may join and participate in one or more sessions. The group’s leader is Julian N. Hartt Jr., MSW, LCSW

Friendly Shopper Volunteers Available

SOUTH WINDSOR — South Windsor’s Adult and Senior Services has volunteers available to help South Windsor residents with grocery shopping. If you have trouble navigating the grocery store on your own, let one of our screened volunteers assist. Volunteers are able to help you or can get groceries for you. Call Lindsey for more information to see if you are eligible. This is not a service based on financial need; rather based on physical need. Call 860-648-6361, ext. 319.

Nutmeg Senior Rides

AREA — Nutmeg Senior Rides provides door through door transportation for seniors and the visually impaired in North Central Connecticut, and now has the online capability for volunteers to pick the rides that fit their schedule.

Volunteer drivers help riders shop and pick out their items, go to doctor appointments, bingo, lunch with friends and more. Mileage for drivers is reimbursed at 40-cents per mile.

Volunteer drivers are needed for expanded service in Bloomfield, East Granby, East Windsor, Enfield, Granby, Somers, South Windsor, Suffield, Windsor, and Windsor Locks.

Applications to become a driver are available at www.NutmegSeniorRides.org or by sending an email to ctseniorrides@gmail.com. For additional information, call Executive Director Margaret Smith Hale at 860-758-7833.

Meals On Wheels Volunteers Needed

SOUTH WINDSOR — Meals On Wheels is seeking volunteers to deliver to homes in South Windsor. Commitment can be as little as once a month. Training available. Call South Windsor Human Services at 860-648-6361 for details.