January-February 2024 News
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MESSAGE FROM P&R DIRECTOR
Over the last year, I had the privilege to be part of the 350th Anniversary Task Force. Together, we executed a plethora of special events relevant to the rich history of Southbury. The Parks and Recreation Department and the Southbury Community mutually benefited from the hard work, commitment, and dedication displayed by the many volunteers, boards and commissions, and colleagues, all of whom helped to make this momentous occasion a great success.
One of the final tasks of the year was for me to document, in part, “What did I learn from participating on the committee, either personally about yourself or Southbury?” I have learned that volunteering brings great joy to one’s self and how rewarding it is to give back. I am forever grateful to the many individuals who have selflessly shared their knowledge with me as I have learned a great many things. I was able to enhance my skills and to live the true meaning of teamwork. Best of all, I made many new, diverse, and lifelong friends that I will cherish forever, and I reaffirmed how valuable volunteers are and what volunteering means to me.
There is a banner that adorns the wall in the meeting room at the Southbury Town Hall. It reads, in part, “A Town That Runs on Volunteers.” As we approach the New Year, perhaps you will join me on a board or committee, coach or help manage a youth sports team, help promote the beatification of our spectacular landscapes, or give back in a way that will bring us joy.
Wishing all of you a happy and healthy 2024!
Michael Ganem, Director
Southbury Parks and Recreation
parkrec1@southbury-ct.gov
Events - Thank You for Participating!
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24th ANNUAL WINTER CELEBRATION
Another amazing annual event with so many wonderful new features - it was a huge success! Thank you to the hundreds of residents who joined in the singing, cookie decorating, and hot cocoa drinking! The weather was beautiful and the lights on the Town Hall Green sparkled with holiday spirit. Special thanks to Michelle Rosen and her team of volunteers! More photos on Facebook.
LETTERS TO SANTA
We sent 136 letters from local children via magical post to the North Pole – and Santa responded! He was also so excited about the artwork from the children of Southbury that he made copies to keep and sent us the originals to display here at our office. Come by and see the artwork and his to letter to the Parks and Recreation Department that will be on display until the end of January.
3rd ANNUAL HOLIDAY HOUSE LIGHTS CONTEST
Thank you to the owners of 23 houses and businesses that participated in our 3rd annual contest! To see the category winners and view the map route go to southbury-ct.org/holidaylights.
PUMPKIN DÉCOR CONTEST
Thank you to the participants of the 2023 Fall Pumpkin Contest! We are excited to welcome our winners to participate in the DIY Clubhouse Slime Lab coming up on January 16th – congratulations winners!
GUESS THE LEAVES IN THE JAR
Thank you to the dozens of participants in our new leaves guessing game! The winner was Tessa Eager with Monica Feraco close behind!
GUESS THE TOYS IN THE JAR – by January 29, 2024
Join us at the Parks & Recreation Office to guess the number of toys in the jar. Fill out a slip of paper with your contact information and your guess of the total number of toys in the jar. All ages are welcome to participate and there is no fee to guess. Last day to guess is January 29th!
SNOW SCULPTURE CONTEST – by March 28, 2024
Once we get a little snow that sticks: go outside and build a snowman, fort, or anything your creativity thinks of! Then submit a picture of your snowy creation to the Town of Southbury's online form or drop it off at the Parks & Recreation Office on or before Thursday, March 28, 2024.
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. You may have noticed our swim season is shorter than last year due to PHS pool renovations 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. Lessons will begin in January and continue through mid-March. Registration is open until January 4, 2024.
RENEW KID’S YOGA (NEW LOCATION!) – Register by 1/8
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We are happy to announce that Renew Kids Yoga will now be meeting at our very own Parks and Recreation Building! A unique approach to a traditional yoga class, children will learn and apply calming strategies to help them navigate through challenges at school and in life.
Classes will be held at Southbury Parks and Recreation, Senior Activities Room: 561 Main Street South, Southbury.
- Renew Kid’s Yoga | Ages 5-11 - Register by 1/8
- Mondays, 1/15-3/11 (no class 2/26) | 5:30pm-6:15pm
- Wednesdays, 1/17-3/6 | 6:15pm-7:00pm
FUN AND HEALTHY COOKING – Register by 1/11
Join instructor Sharon Martovich on a culinary adventure! All students will get a separate container with their individual ingredients and tools as we continue keeping everyone safe and comfortable. Let’s try some new cooking techniques and explore new foods! Class is nut-free and we accommodate other food allergies. Each session explores new recipes representing a variety of themes and cultures.
- Fun and Healthy Cooking | Ages 7-12 | Thursdays, 1/18-2/15 | 4:15pm-5:30pm - Register by 1/11
BABYSITTING BASICS – Register by 1/16
Join long-time instructor, Teresa, to learn the basics of babysitting. Apply your new skills to future job opportunities and approach childcare with confidence!
This course covers basic care, first aid, home safety, and entertainment for child care. Information for the course was prepared with participation from the Southbury Police Department, Fire Department, and Health Department.
- Babysitting Basics | Grades 5-8 | Tuesdays, 1/23-2/20 | 5:30pm-6:30pm - Register by 1/16
SOUTHBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS HALF DAY ADVENTURES & PARENT’S NIGHT OUT
Southbury Elementary Schools Half Day Adventures
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. Parents are also asked to log into the Region 15 dismissal manager and select Parks and Recreation as your choice for pick up the day of the program.
- Southbury Elementary Schools Half Day Adventures| PES & GES Grades K-5 | 1:00pm-4:00pm - Register by 2/22
- Friday, 3/8
- Wednesday, 3/20
- Thursday, 3/21
Parent’s Night Out
Celebrate Valentine's Day a little early. Parents can spend their evening with a special someone while Southbury Parks and Recreation will feed and entertain their children on Friday, February 9th from 5:00pm-9:30pm. Dinner and snacks are included for children in the program!
- Parent’s Night Out| Grades K-9 | Friday, 2/9 | 5:00pm-9:30pm - Register by 2/1
Toddler/Preschool Programs
- Enchanted Ballet | Age 3 | Saturdays, 1/13-2/10 | 9:30am-10:15am - Register by 1/5
- Mini Stars | up to 2 years old | Tuesdays | 3:45-4:15pm - Register by 1/2
- Winter Session 1 | 1/9-1/30
- Winter Session 2 | 2/13-3/5
- Kicking Stars | Ages 3-5 | Wednesday | 4:45-5:30pm - Register by 1/3
- Winter Session 1 | 1/10-1/31
- Winter Session 2 | 2/7-2-28
- Shooting Stars | Ages 3-5 | Tuesdays | 4:30-5:15pm - Register by 1/2
- Winter Session 1 | 1/9-1/30
- Winter Session 2 | 2/13-3/5
Youth Programs
- Bump! Set! Spike! Volleyball Lessons | Grades 6-12 | Mondays, 1/22-3/25 | 6:00pm-7:00pm - Register by 1/15
- Chess: Checkmate! | Ages 6-14 | Thursdays, 2/8-3/28 | 5:00pm-6:00pm - Register by 2/1
All Ages
- Code Wiz: Roblox and Minecraft | Ages 7+ | Wednesdays, 1/10-2/21 | Various times - Register by 1/3
- D.I.Y. Clubhouse - Slime Lab | Ages 5+ | Tuesday, 1/16 | 5:30pm-6:15pm - Register by 1/9
- Horseback Riding: Private Lessons | Ages 3+ | Times Determined with Instructors - Rolling Registration
- Pokémon Bus Tour: Mailing list | Ages 12+ | Starting Soon! Sign up to receive information about pop-up Pokémon events - Register any time!
- Taekwon-Do | Ages 7 & up | Mondays & Wednesdays, 1/3-3/20 - Register by 1/17
- Beginners | 6:00pm-6:45pm
- Advanced | 7:00pm-8:00pm
Adult Programs
- Adult Volleyball Games | Ages 18+ | Mondays, 1/22-3/25 | 7:15pm-8:30pm - Register by 1/15
- Chess: Game of Kings | Ages 15+ | Thursdays, 2/8-3/28 | 6:15pm-7:15pm - Register by 2/1
- Flow to Fit Yoga | Ages 18+ - Register by 1/12
- Pilates Fusion | Saturdays, 1/20-3/9 | 8:30am-10:00am
- Pilates Fusion | Mondays, 1/22-3/11 | 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Pilates Fusion | Wednesdays, 1/24-3/13 | 6:00pm-7:15pm
- Intro to Yoga | Sundays & Thursdays, 1/25-2/18 | Various times
- Gentle Yoga & Meditation | Wednesdays, 1/24-3/13 | 4:45pm-5:45pm
- Yoga for All | Sundays, 1/21-3/10 | 9:00am-10:00am
- Yoga for All | Thursdays, 1/25-3/14 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Level 1 Core | Tuesdays, 1/23-3/12 | 5:30pm-6:30pm
- Level 2 Core | Mondays, 1/22-3/11 | 9:30am-10:45am
- Level 2 Core | Wednesdays, 1/24-3/13 | 9:30am-10:45am
- Safety and Self-Defense Workshop | Ages 16+ | Saturday, 1/6 | 1:00pm-4:00pm - Registration open until program start
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.
Pavilion rental applications will be accepted for Southbury residents starting on February 5, 2024 and for non-residents starting on March 6, 2024. The 2024 application will be posted on February 1, 2024.
Programs returning in the New Year: April Vacation Camp, Tennis Lessons, Spring Egg Hunt, Art in the Park, and Panther Field Hockey. NEW this year: Indoor Volleyball, CT Boating Certificate Class, and Pickleball Tournament. Visit our Programs Page regularly for more information.
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.