Watch the full April 13 school-consolidation forum on Charter

The April 13, 2010 forum on the elementary school consolidation plan for Mansfield, sponsored by the Mansfield League of Women Voters and Mansfield Advocates for Children, will be aired on Charter Cable’s community access Channel 13.

The video will be broadcast from April 20 to May 11 at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, and at noon on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

For other information about the School Building Project, or to submit a question online, visit Mansfield’s town Web site at http://www.mansfieldct.org/town/government/committees/school_bldg_com.

Posted April 17, 2010

Also see: Mansfield Today, “Debate continues on proposed consolidated elementary school for Mansfield” April 16, 2010

http://mansfield.htnp.com/2010/04/16/debate-continues-on-proposed-consolidated-elementary-school-for-mansfield/

Fishing season events & other fun Sat-Sun

Stocking trout in Windham

On Saturday, April 17 2010

Fisherman’s Breakfast – Mansfield

A Fisherman’s Breakfast will be served from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Mansfield Fire Department at the intersection of Route 32 and Route 275 in Eagleville/Mansfield (Storrs).

Fisherman’s Breakfast – Windham

The opening day of fishing season will be commemorated with a Fisherman’s Breakfast from 4:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at American Legion Post 19, Bricktop Road, Windham.

Fisherman’s Breakfast – Chaplin

A Fisherman’s Breakfast will be served from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Chaplin Congregational Church, 43 Chaplin St., Chaplin. Adults:  $6. Sponsored by Chaplin Congregational Church.

5K road race – Hebron

5K road race, sponsored by the Hebron Parks and Recreation Department, takes place around Hebron, starting at 9 a.m. and ending at the regional RHAM High School on Wall Street.  Eight divisions. $24 per runner. Registration forms are available online at www.hebronct.com.

Town Pride

The Windham/Willimantic community, including volunteers from UConn and ECSU,  will do some spring cleaning from 9 a.m. to noon. The annual event brings residents and students in Willimantic together for a day of community beautification projects around town. Clean-up will be followed by a picnic for volunteers at Memorial Park. Music provided by Artists Against Addiction, Hunger, and Homelessness (AAAHH). Contact ecsu.community.service@easternct.edu or (860) 465-5158 or (860) 465-0684.

Childbirth education class

A childbirth education class will be taught from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Windham Community Memorial Hospital Education Center, 112 Mansfield Ave., Willimantic. Cost is $65 for families delivering their babies at the hospital and $75 for families delivering elsewhere. Participants can also register for a Baby Basics class (fee: $10 if combined with Prepared Childbirth class). To register, call (860) 456-6894.

Bereavement Group

Hospice of Eastern Connecticut will hold a Saturday Bereavement Group from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at 34 Ledgebrook Drive in Mansfield (Storrs). It is open to the community, the group is appropriate for those who have been grieving a year or more. Call (860) 456-7288 ext. 293.

Cash for Gold

Participants can trade their gold for cash at a fund-raising event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Willington Public Library, 7 Ruby Road. “Party of Gold” experts will be on hand to test, weigh and price your gold. There is no obligation, but you can choose to sell immediately. The library receives 15 percent. Yellow gold, white gold and platinum accepted. No watches or earring backs please.

Choral Festival

A choral festival starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Eastern Connecticut State University Student Center’s Betty Tipton Room. Event is the second annual College/Community Choral Festival. Donation $5.

Bailey’s Garden Music Fest

A music festival to benefit Bailey’s Garden at Lebanon Elementary School will take place from 3 to 11 p.m. at the Willimantic Elks Club on Pleasant Street, Willimantic. Features Peter Tork (formerly of the Monkees), Patty Tuite and more. See www.bailysgarden.org for tickets and schedule.

Roast Pork Supper

A roast pork supper is slated from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 199 Valley St., Willimantic. Cost is adults $9, children $5. Call (860) 423-6827 for more information.

Comedy Night

Treat yourself to an evening of laughter, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Capital Theater, 896 Main St, Willimantic.  Tickets $25. Contact: (860) 457-8996 (tickets available at the door, while supplies last). Benefits the Natchaug River Young Marines of Brooklyn. Event to feature professional comedians with national exposure.

On Sunday, April 18, 2010

Story Hour

Windham Textile & History Museum, Main Street, Willimantic, will host a story hour from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. After, children will be able to make up their own stories and perform them with spoon puppets. Attendees should be sure to bring some of their favorite textiles, like a blanket and stuffed animal. Program is for children aged 4 to 8. Fee is $2 per child or free for museum Kids Club members. Reservations requested. Contact (860) 377-7755 for more information.

Posted April 17, 2010

Have a news tip, press release, civic event, photo or video clip you’d like to see posted here? Simply email your information to mansfieldeditor@htnp.com and be sure to include your phone number and the time(s) when you can be reached, in case there are questions.

Sheila (Abare) Clark, Sept. 5, 1925 – April 11, 2010

Sheila (Abare) Clark

Sheila (Abare) Clark, 84, of Storrs/Mansfield, CT, wife of the late Neil F. Clark, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, April 11, 2010.

Sheila was born, raised and educated in Burlington, VT. She was the daughter of the late Leslie and Bernice (McGivern) Abare.

Sheila was a stay at- home Mom while she raised her three children, until they were all in school. She then was employed at SNET, Windham Community Memorial Hospital and the University of Connecticut, from which she retired in 1983.

Sheila’s greatest joy was spending time with her family. She also enjoyed the outdoors, traveling, working with her computer and genealogy.

We will all miss her gentle way and feisty spirit.

Sheila is survived by her three children: two sons, Patrick and his wife JoAnn of Storr/Mansfield, Thomas of Storrs/Mansfield and his former wife Sally of Coventry; a daughter, Kathleen Pelletier and her husband Terry of Storrs/Mansfield.

She is also survived by her four grandchildren: Kelley Clark of Arlington Va.; Timothy Clark and his wife Maria of Miami, FL; Courtney Pelletier of Storrs/Mansfield; and Kyle Pelletier of Storrs/Mansfield.

She also leaves a brother, Roger Abare and his wife Rose of Lebanon, a brother-in-law Edward Insalaco of Windham, a sister-in-law Giovanna Abare of New London and several loving nieces.

Besides her husband, Sheila was predeceased by a brother Leslie Abare, and two sisters, June Insalaco and Margaret Abare.

Services will be private and at the convenience of the family.

The family wishes to express sincere appreciation to the hospice nurses of VNA-EAST for the compassionate care given to Sheila.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice VNA-EAST, 34 Ledgebrook Drive, Mansfield Center, CT 06250. Potter Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Posted April 17, 2010