Community Happenings

J. RAY SHUTE CENTER

BOO-TACULAR HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

DATE: Thursday, 10/27 TIME: 4:00 – 6:00 pm AGES: All families welcome The J. Ray Shute Center is haunted once a year!! You can find all of your favorite Halloween activities right in your neighborhood! Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and enjoy Halloween games, music and fun food in a safe and fun environment!

HOLIDAY FEAST

DATE: Monday, 12/19 TIME: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm AGES: All families welcome The holidays are a special time for friends and family to join together and enjoy fun games, great conversation and good food. We would like to invite you to come out and join us for a great time.

WALKER COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

DATE: Saturday, 12/3 TIME: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Join your friends and family to celebrate the holiday season. Food and fun await you as the J. Ray Shute Center transforms into a Winter Wonderland. Toys, clothes and more will be available to make this Christmas the best one yet.

THE DREAM

DATE: Fridays, 1/6 and 1/20 TIME: 4:00 – 5:00 pm AGES: All families welcome This month commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. provides our community the opportunity to come together to remember the dream of Dr. King. We will have activities planned to celebrate his life and our community.

ONE STEP CLOSER

DATE: Second Wednesday of the month, January - April TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 The next step in your life is just around the corner. We are here to help you find your way to that next step. Whether you are ready to work or ready to further your education, we have the resources you need!

ALL COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS EVENTS ARE FREE!!

PRINCE AND PRINCESS VALENTINE’S PARTY

DATE: Friday, 2/10 TIME: 5:00 – 7:00 pm AGES: All ages welcome Good deeds DO pay off! Participants will be rewarded for their positive attitude within the community! Helping a neighbor and supporting their friends could result in you being crowned the Prince or Princess of the J. Ray Shute Valentine’s party! Food, games, drinks and more will be on site for a great way to celebrate helping others.

HEALTH IS WEALTH

DATE: Saturday, 11/12 TIME: 9:00 - 11:30 am AGES: All families welcome Eating healthy is essential, and the many options of fast food available today make it especially difficult to do so. Learn strategies to create good habits for eating and exercise to live a healthier life.

OLD ARMORY COMMUNITY CENTER

FAMILY GAME NIGHT SOCIAL

DATE: Thursday, 9/22 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Try your luck as a family. We will have tons of tasty snacks and more family entertainment while we play some bingo!

NATIONAL COFFEE DAY SOCIAL

DATE: Friday, 9/30 TIME: 10:00 – 11:30 am AGES: All families welcome Join your firends and neighbors for some tasty treats and a good ol’ cup of coffee. Let’s get ready to have a good time while enjoying some coffee.

PUMPKIN FEST

DATE: Thursday, 10/27 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm AGES: All families welcome After a fun and eventful Summer at the Old Armory Community Center, it is time to welcome the Fall season. Enjoy great food and games in a family atmosphere! We will decorate pumpkins, enjoy candy apples, hot apple cider and tons of games for a perfect fall day!

CHRISTMAS, COOKIES AND COCOA

DATE: Thursday, 12/15 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Create personalized family ornaments over a hot cup of cocoa and cookies! We have several varieties for you to try! Take advantage of some family time and learn creative techniques for gift wrapping and holiday crafts.

BINGO NIGHT

DATE: Thursday, 1/19 TIME: 5:00-7:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Try your luck playing the classic game, Bingo. We will have great prizes, food and more on site for a fun game night!

TRIM THE TREE

DATE: Tuesday, 12/20 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm AGES: All families welcome It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Get into the holiday spirit while decorating the Old Armory Community Center tree. We will have seasonal snacks and holiday themed activities to make a great evening.

SUTTON PARK COMMUNITY CENTER

HALLOWEEN BASH

DATE: Saturday, 10/29 TIME: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm AGES: All ages welcome If you’re looking for a safe and fun spot to celebrate Halloween, Sutton Park has it all! We will have Halloween games, opportunities to trick or treat and much more! Come on down for a not so spooky Halloween festival.

PARENTS’ APPRECIATION NIGHT

DATE: Friday, 11/18 TIME: 5:00 - 8:00 pm AGES: All ages are welcome Parents work hard every day!!! It is time we show our appreciation. Bring your mom, dad, grandparents or anyone else you appreciate on a regular basis. This day is for them!!! Games, food, activities and more await those most special to you. All activities will be planned and provided by Sutton Park Beyond the Bell participants and kids in our community!

CRAFTY CUPCAKES

DATE: Thursday, 12/1 TIME: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm AGES: 6 – 12 Sutton Park staff will treat participants to cupcakes while participants enjoy several craft stations. Creativity and cupcakes go hand in hand.

CHRISTMAS COOKIES

DATE: Wednesday, 12/14 TIME: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Show off your cooking skills and creativity with your friends while you bake and decorate your own Christmas Cookie. Help staff decorate your community center for the holiday season and enjoy Holiday themed games and music.

VALENTINE’S SWEETHEART DANCE

DATES: Saturday, 2/11 TIME: 5:00 - 8:00 pm AGES: 6 – 12; Parent, guardian or sibling 18 and older must accompany participant Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your favorite person. This dance is for kids and a guest that is the most special to them, whether it be a grandparent, mom, dad, aunt or guardian. Spend a fun filled evening dancing to your favorite songs. Food and games will round out a perfect night!

BLACK EXCELLENCE

DATE: Tuesdays in February TIME: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm AGES: 12 – 18 Learn about the individuals who fought against social injustice and racial discrimination in an engaging program. Participants will be able to discuss ways to support each other and speak about their personal experiences.

WINCHESTER COMMUNITY CENTER

YES I CAN

DATE: Wednesdays, 10/5 and 10/26 TIME: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 You can do anything you set your mind to. Join us as we provide you with creative and fun ways to set goals and what it takes to reach your potential. Fun games and team building opportunities will help you understand the tools needed to be successful.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT

DATE: Friday, 10/14 TIME: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm AGES: All families welcome Enjoy a night just for the girls. Fun games, food, music and more will highlight a perfect girl’s night out.

MONEY MANAGEMENT

DATE: Saturday, 10/22 TIME: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm AGES: 2-5 year olds with parents Learn what it takes to appropriately manage your money. Find out tricks to successfully create a budget and stretch that dollar further!

HALLOWEEN HAVEN TRUNK OR TREAT

DATE: Friday, 10/28 TIME: 5:30 – 7:30 pm AGES: All ages are welcome Friends and family will come together and celebrate Halloween as a community. Car trunks will be decorated and candy will be handed out. It’s the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment!

COOKING WITH KIDS

DATE: Wednesdays in November TIME: 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 Hungry? Why wait. Our kitchen is open for your to explore your culinary creativity.

CHRISTMAS DINNER

DATE: Wednesday, 12/21 TIME: 5:00 - 7:00 pm AGES: All ages are welcome Celebrate Christmas with your friends and family as we make and enjoy a Christmas dinner.

SOCIAL SKILLS

DATE: Thursday, 1/12 TIME: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 Social situations can be difficult. Let us help you break the ice as we introduce you to the best practices to be yourself and impress in social environments.

MLK CELEBRATION

DATE: Monday, 1/16 TIME: 3:00 - 4:00 pm AGES: All ages are welcome This day commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., provides our community the opportunity to come together to remember the dream of Dr. King. We will have activities planned to celebrate his life and our community.

FAMILY FIRST NIGHTS

SEPTEMBER – MARCH

OPEN TO ALL FAMILIES

SWEETHEART VALENTINE DANCE

DATE: Friday, 2/10 TIME: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm AGES: 15-18 year olds; Parents welcome Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate the people in your life that you love! Enjoy a night out with friends and the significant people in your life! We will have a DJ, food and an open dance floor! Registration is required.

J. Ray Shute Community Center

DAY: 1st Thursday of each month TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Sutton Park Community Center

DAY: 2nd Thursday of each month TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Winchester Community Center

DAY: 3rd Thursday of each month TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Old Armory Community Center

DAY: 4th Thursday of each month TIME: 6:00 - 8:00 pm Bring the entire family for fun activities, pizza, movies and so much more! Meet your neighbors and enjoy all our community centers have to offer. Spend some quality time with your family and friends every Thursday night! Visit all of our facilities for a night filled with fun!!!

ALL COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS EVENTS ARE FREE!

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

OCTOBER – JANUARY

FOR AGES 13 - 18

Sutton Park Community Center

DAY: 10/7 and 10/21 TIME: 9:00 - 11:00 pm

Winchester Community Center

DAY: 11/4 and 11/18 TIME: 9:00 - 11:00 pm

J. Ray Shute Community Center

DAY: 12/2 and 12/16 TIME: 9:00 - 11:00 pm

Dickerson Community Center

DAY: 1/6 and1/20 TIME: 9:00 - 11:00 pm Whether you enjoy basketball, video games, or music, we have it! Grab a buddy and come spend Friday nights at your community center. MONROENC.ORG/PARKSANDREC

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT @ DICKERSON

Dickerson Recreation Center

DAY: Fridays, 10/14, 11/11, 12/9, 1/13, 2/10, 3/10 TIME: 6:30 - 10:30 pm

AGES: 5 - 12 FEE: $10.00 Drop your kids off with us and enjoy a night out or just relax. Our staff will provide supervised activities including pizza, a movie and other fun activities!

DICKERSON COMMUNITY CENTER

DC TEENS

DATE: First Friday of the month; September – March TIME: 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 Looking for something fun to do on a Friday night? Look no further, Dickerson Community Center has something for you. Whether it be sports, games, video games or just a place to hang out to discuss community outreach and more!

STEAM KIDS SATURDAY

DATE: First Saturday of the month; September – March 10/1 – Pumpkin Power Craft Bake 11/5 – Edible Turkey Crafts 12/3 – Little Holiday Bakers 1/7 – Saturday Tie Dye 2/4 – Valentine Bath Bombs 3/4 – Designer Tote Bags TIME: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

AGES: 5-18 Science can be fun! Trust us! Learn how chemical reactions work, how machines work and more! Join us as we dive into the world of science with fun and safe experiments.

BOOTASTIC TRUNK OR TREAT

DATE: Saturday, 10/29 TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AGES: All families welcome. Halloween is always a spooky good time! Decorate your vehicle and bring some candy to give out to the community. Prizes will be awarded for most creative. Don’t forget to dress up in your Halloween costume! We will award prizes for best costume, as well! Registration is required. Please call Kimberly Scott at 704-282-4649 to register.

BABYSITTING TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION (RED CROSS)

DATE: Saturday, 11/12 TIME: 10 am – 2:00 pm

AGES: 13-18 PROGRAM FEE: $50 Need a few extra bucks? Are you great with kids? Become a certified babysitter and take your expertise to the next level!

POLAR EXPRESS NIGHT

DATE: Monday, 12/19 TIME: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm AGES: All families are welcome Enjoy some hot cocoa and a Holiday story from Santa. We are sure Santa will have some awesome treats in his sack.

MORE IN MY BASKET

DATE: Thursdays, 2/2, 2/9, and 2/16 TIME: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm

AGES: 18+ We know you have a lot going on! There are so many ways to manage your time so you can maximize your free time! Let us help you with some trick on time management.

VALENTINES DANCE

DATE: Friday, 2/10 TIME: 7:00 – 9:00 pm AGES: 6 – 12; Parent, guardian or sibling 18 and older must accompany participant Dickerson will be transformed into a perfect Valentines Dance Party! Bring your family and friends and celebrate Valentine’s Day with food and music!