November-December 2023 News
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MESSAGE FROM P&R DIRECTOR
First and most importantly: join us in congratulating our very own Recreation Supervisor, Lexi Polasek for receiving the 2023 Connecticut Parks and Recreation Association’s “R. Peter Ledger” Young Professional Award! A selection committee, assembled by CRPA, chose Lexi’s nomination from many submissions. This award recognizes “achievements and accomplishments in the parks and recreation profession.” Please join me in congratulating Lexi the next time you see her!
Secondly, you probably have noticed the recent influx of New Programs among our correspondence. We work tirelessly researching and developing new recreation programs while simultaneously improving our returning programs. We look forward to your participation and are particularly excited about the DIY Clubhouse for ages 2 and up, and Website Creation for adults. Please see below for more information about these and our popular returning programs, such as: vacation camp, toddler sports, and various affiliated regional sport programs.
We look forward to seeing you at our Winter Celebration on December 2nd and we are currently planning enhancements to include: cookie decorating, indoor activities, and much more!
Lastly, I want to take a moment to thank our staff, the Southbury Team, and YOU! Together we are growing.
Michael Ganem, Director
Southbury Parks and Recreation
parkrec1@southbury-ct.gov
Events - Thank You for Participating!
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SOUTHBURY CELEBRATION
The 25th Southbury Celebration took place at Lake Stibbs at the Southbury Training School on September 9, 2023. Despite the initial rain, it was a terrific evening of fun and celebration! More photos on Facebook.
24th ANNUAL WINTER CELEBRATION - December 2, 2023
We look forward to seeing you at the 24th Annual Winter Celebration! The location will be between the Fire House and the Town Hall Green. Enjoy live music, hot cocoa, and more. Join your neighbors, sing along, and see Santa and his helpers arrive in a firetruck to join in the fun. We may even get a surprise visit from the Grinch - keep your eyes peeled! New activities from Middlebury and Southbury Equity and Inclusion Council - more details to come, visit this information page for updates.
LETTERS TO SANTA - November 27 to December 7, 2023
If your child writes to Santa Claus, Santa will return a letter to your child! Please drop off the letter at our building (561 Main Street South) in the drop box located to the right of the Parks & Recreation front door. Please include your child’s first and last name and a mailing address. NEW THIS YEAR: Santa wrote a letter to the children of Southbury and, at his request, we’ve created a template return letter for children to use - check the website for details.
Southbury Parks and Recreation's team will help collect letters starting on Monday, November 27 to send to Santa. Letters will stop being collected by Thursday, December 7 (after all, Santa needs time for the letters to arrive, read them all, and deliver his letters back)!
3rd ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOUSE LIGHTS CONTEST - by December 11, 2023
Southbury Parks and Recreation is proud to announce the 3rd Annual Holiday House Lights Contest. Southbury families and businesses are invited to decorate their house or business to spread holiday cheer for all to see. Once your house or business is decorated, please fill out our entry form at southbury-ct.org/holidaylights. Entries must be submitted by Monday, December 11, 2023.
Contest categories include:
- Merry & Bright (best use of lights)
- The North Pole (best north pole design)
- Misfit Toys (best use of inflatables)
- Santa’s Workshop (best use of holiday décor - local business category only)
- Winter Wonderland (best winter themed decor)
- Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (best use of music and technology award).
For details go to southbury-ct.org/holidaylights.
PUMPKIN DÉCOR CONTEST - by November 2, 2023
Last chance to enter! Have some fun and paint or carve your funniest, scariest or most creative pumpkin. Take a picture of your pumpkin and submit to this online form by November 2, 2023. Winners will be announced at the end of November. Submission photos will be on display at our building through November.
GUESS THE LEAVES IN THE JAR - by November 13, 2023
Stop by the Parks & Recreation Building and guess the total number of leaves in the jar. The jar is located in the P&R large window to the right of the door. On a slip of paper, put your contact information and your guess. All ages are welcome to participate and there is no fee to guess.
Whoever guesses closest to the count will win one of our pre-assembled floral decor arrangements, or the option to take one of our D.I.Y. Clubhouse programs (valid for one person and one class only), an option for a photo to be taken and posted on the Town of Southbury's social media and bragging rights!
The winner will be notified by Wednesday, November 16th, and able to claim their prize. Click here for more information.
As an early chill fills the air, we are still thinking aquatics at Parks & Rec. This winter, Open Swim will return to Pomperaug High School for those looking to swim laps, or simply looking to simply splash around on a cold winter day.
Programs will begin in January and continue through mid-March. Registration is open until December 19th. You may have noticed our swim season is shorter than last year: PHS pool renovations will take place as our season ends creating a better facility for our community!
WINTER OPEN SWIM
Family and Adult/Lap Swimming will be held on Saturdays and Sundays at the Pomperaug High School Pool beginning January 6, 2024 and continuing until March 17, 2024, just prior to Region 15 beginning pool renovations at PHS. Hours will be from 1:30pm to 3:30pm.
Passes are available for family, individual and senior members of the Region 15 community.
SWIM LESSONS
We will offer an array of swim lessons geared to the youngest water babies up to younger, independent teen swimmers looking to improve their in-water skills.
NEW: WEBSITE CREATION
Improve your profitability and create an online presence that shines! Learn how to set up and manage your own website to post a resume or portfolio, or promote your small business. Digital marketing and web development expert, Lynn Ciecierski, will walk you through the website creation process step-by-step to help you share your big idea with the world. Bring your own laptop to develop your site during this course, or take notes and ask questions to learn a new skill from a seasoned professional.
- Website Creation | Ages 18 & up | Tuesdays, 11/14-12/19 | 5:30pm-7:00pm - Register by 11/7
CODE WIZ RETURNS!
Code Wiz students develop programming skills along with invaluable approaches to critical thinking and problem solving. Best of all, anyone can learn to code—no matter their age, tech proficiency or personal interests. We’ve designed fun, flexible programs to ensure every child becomes a wiz!
classes will be attended via zoom from the comfort of your own home. Program features Minecraft and Roblox and runs November 15th – December 20th at multiple time slots - Register by 11/8.
REGION 15 HALF DAY ACTIVITIES & PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
Region 15 Half Day Activities
Students from Pomperaug Elementary and Gainfield Elementary are welcome to join us for an afternoon of winter themed crafts and activities! Transportation will be provided from each school to the Parks and Recreation building. Upon registration, parents will sign digitally giving permission for Parks and Rec staff to pick up at dismissal and walk or bus participants to our building.
- Region 15 Half Day Activities| PES & GES Grades K-5 | Friday, 12/1 | 1:00pm-4:00pm - Register by 11/16
Parent’s Night Out
The holiday season doesn't have to be stressful, and Southbury Parks and Recreation has you covered to get tasks done! Whether it's cleaning/decorating your home, getting shopping (and wrapping) done without little eyes and ears around, or just taking a breather to yourself for the holiday season- we are here to help!
- Parent’s Night Out| Grades K-9 | Friday, 12/1 - Register by 11/16
- Standard Event | 5:00pm-9:30pm
- Extended Time | 4:00pm-9:30pm
SPECIAL OFFFER: For those elementary students participating in the Region 15 Half Day Program, an additional hour of Parent’s night out can be added! Parks and Recreation Staff will pick up from the Region 15 Program at 4:00pm and bring children to the Parent’s night out activity.
DECEMBER VACATION CAMP
Back by popular demand: Winter Break Adventure Day Camp for grades K-8! Children will have the experience of camp by participating in a variety of games, activities, and crafts. Standard and extended Day Camp hours are offered.
- December Vacation Camp| Grades K-8 | Wednesday-Friday, 12/27-12/29 | - Register by 12/13
- Standard Day | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Extended Day | 7:30am-5:00pm
Toddler/Preschool Programs
- Mini Stars | up to 2 years old | Tuesdays, 11/14-12/5 | 3:45-4:15pm - Register by 11/7
- Kicking tars | Ages 3-5 | Wednesday, 11/22-12/13 | 4:45-5:30pm - Register by 11/15
- Shooting Stars | Ages 3-5 | Tuesdays, 11/14-12/5 | 4:30-5:15pm - Register by 11/7
Youth Programs
- Renew Kid’s Yoga | Ages 5-11 | Mondays, 11/6-1/8 (no class 12/25 or 1/1) | 5:30pm-6:15pm - Register by 10/30
- Chess: Checkmate! | Ages 6-14 | 5:00pm-6:00pm - Register by 11/9
- Thursdays, 11/16-1/25 (no class 11/23 or 12/28)
- Fridays, 11/17-1/26 (no class 11/24 or 12/15)
All Ages
- D.I.Y. Clubhouse- Holiday Lights | Ages 2+ | Tuesday, 11/28| 5:30pm-6pm - Register by 11/22
- Winter Floral Arrangement | Ages 6+ | Tuesday, 11/28 | 5:30-8:00pm - Register by 11/22
- Horseback Riding: Private Lessons | Ages 3+ | Times Determined with Instructors - Rolling Registration
- Painting Classes - Fall Gnome | Ages 6+ | Sunday, 11/5 | 12:30pm-2:30pm - Register by 10/30
Teen Programs
- D.I.Y. Clubhouse Programs | Ages 12 & up | Tuesday 11/28 | 6:30-7:30pm
Adult Programs
- Chess: Game of Kings | Ages 15+ | 6:15pm-7:15pm - Register by 11/9
- Thursdays, 11/16-1/25 (no class 11/23 or 12/28)
- Fridays, 11/17-1/26 (no class 11/24 or 12/15)
- Flow to Fit Yoga | Ages 18+ - Register by 10/30
- Pilates Fusion | Saturdays, 11/4-1/6 (no class 12/23 or 12/30) | 8:30am-10:00am
- Pilates Fusion | Mondays, 11/6-1/8 (no class 12/25 or 1/1) | 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Pilates Fusion | Wednesdays, 11/8-1/3 (no class 12/27) | 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Gentle Yoga & Meditation | Wednesdays, 11/8-1/3 (no class 12/27) | 4:45pm-5:45pm
- Yoga for All | Sundays, 11/5-1/7 (no class 12/24 or 12/31) | 9:00am-10:00am
- Yoga for All | Thursdays, 11/9-1/11 (no class 11/23 or 12/28) | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Level 1 Core | Tuesdays, 11/7-1/2 (no class 12/26) | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Level 2 Core | Mondays, 11/6-1/8 (no class 12/25 or 1/1) | 9:30am-10:45am
- Level 2 Core | Wednesdays, 11/8-1/3 (no class 12/27) | 9:30am-10:45am
Free Registration
- COSMIC Community Chorus | Ages 12 & up | Wednesdays | 6:30pm-8:00pm - Free Registration
REGISTER NOW FOR PROGRAMS BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!
To serve you better, all schedules of Southbury Parks & Recreation are subject to change. All Parks and Recreation programs are covered by the Universal Disclaimer.
Programs returning in the New Year: Enchanted Ballet, TaekwonDo, and FUN and Healthy Cooking. NEW programs: Winter Volleyball, DIY Clubhouse, and Code Wiz. Check our Programs Page regularly for more information.
YOUTH BASKETBALL
Pomperaug Basketball Community is looking forward to kicking off the 2023-2024 basketball season. Registration deadlines are fast approaching. Program details can be found on the website at www.pomperaugbasketball.com. Questions can be sent to Pomperaugbasketball@gmail.com.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have a talent that you would like to share? The Southbury Parks and Recreation Department is always looking for new instructors for our classes. To submit a class for consideration, download the form and return to our office.
Is there a class or event you would like us to offer? Please email us at parkrec1@southbury-ct.gov and let us know.
If you have any other comments or suggestions, please email us at parkrec1@southbury-ct.gov.
YOUTH SPORTS LEAGUES
For information regarding youth sports organizations in town, please click here.