The Recreation Department's Winter Program is quickly drawing to a close. Listed below are the final dates for some programs:

*GCMS and GCHS After School Program - Thursday, March 18

*Saturday Morning Recreation Program - Saturday, March 20 (Stewart and Stratford)

*Family Gym Time - Sunday, March 21

For further information, please call the Recreation Office at 742-5800.

A delightful afternoon of magic for young and old alike is cheduled at Cluett Hall for Sunday, March 21 at 2 p.m. This magic show will be presented by Bill White Productions. Admission to the show is $4 per person, which includes hot dogs, soda and chips. Advance reservations are required for this show. Please call the Recreation Office at 742-5800 during business hours by Thursday, March 18.

Pre-schoolers will smile as they complete their own arts and crafts project each week during this 8-week program, conducted by Sandra Young. This program will be held in Cluett Hall, and there will be three 45-minute classes each week -- Mondays at 10:45 a.m., Wednesdays at 1:15 p.m., and Thursdays at 10:45 a.m.

Registration for the classes that begin the week of April 5 will take place on Tuesday, March 23 at Cluett Hall beginning at 10:30 a.m.

The following guidelines have been established for this program:

*Children must between 3 and 1/2 and 5 years old.

*Children must not be in kindergarten.

*Children must be toilet trained.

*Children must be able to stay alone.

Cost of this 8-week session is $32 per child. For further information, please call Sandra Young at Cluett Hall 742-4905.

The Recreation Department is pleased to announce that their Women's Learn and Play Platform Tennis League at Community Park has already begun. The Learn and Play League will take place on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The cost of this league is $25 per person, which includes 5 instructional sessions, paddles and balls. There is a limit of 16 people for this league.

For further information, or to register, please call Steve Epsey at the Community Park Office, 483-2525.

One of the sure signs of the arrival of spring is the annual scramble to find goodies at the Recreation Department's Annual Easter Egg hunt, which is scheduled for Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m.

Once again this year, the Easter Egg Hunt will be held at the St. Paul's Athletic Fields. This year there will be three hunts for the following age groups: 1) Pre-School through Kindergartern; 2) First and Second Graders; 3) Grades 3 through 5.

Children will be searching for all kinds of candy treats, as well as Special Eggs, which are redeemable for special prizes. There will also be a Giant Easter Basket awarded to the lucky child who finds the Special Egg marked #1.

Children should assemble behind the St. Paul's Field House for the start of the hunt. The Recreation Department asks all parents to observe the age groupings, which are designed to give all the children a fair opportunity to search for both candy and the prize eggs.

In the event of rain, the hunts will be held on Saturday, April 3 at the same time. In the event of uncertain weather, residents may call the Recreation Department Program Line at 742-5888, any time after 8:30 a.m. for the latest information.

The Garden City Centennial Soccer Club will be holding an Intrumural Coaches Clinics on Saturday, March 20. The clinic will be conducted by NOGA, and they will be covering: organizing practices and fundamental soccer skills along with other topics.

The schedule is as follows:

*2nd and 3rd Grade Coaches - 1:15 to 2:30 p.m.

*4th to 8th Grade Coaches - 2:45 to4 p.m.

*Players Clinic: On Saturday, March 20, the GCAA will be holding a Players Clinic at the St. Paul's Field House. The clinic for players 9 years old and younger will take place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The clinic for players 10 years old and older will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bud Harrelson from the 1969 World Championship Miracle Mets will be speaking on batting and fielding instruction.

*Opening Day Parade: The GCAA Softball/ Baseball Opening Day Parade will step off at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 17 from the parking lot at Franklin Avenue and Tenth Street and will proceed to the Gazebo on the Village Green.

For more information or to register for the periodic e-mail list, please visit www.gc-aa.com.

The Recreation Department is pleased to announce that they have a limited number of discount tickets available to see the Islander's versus the tough Ottawa Senators, on Saturday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum.

Regularly priced $40 tickets are discounted to $29 are on sale now in the Recreation Office in Village Hall. Tickets must be paid for in cash only.

On Thursday, April 1, the Recreation Department will conduct a supervised trip for students in grades 6-8 to Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale. The cost for this trip includes: 3 hours of unlimited rides, bus transportation from Cluett Hall to the park and back again (the bus leaves Cluett Hall at St. Paul's at 11 a.m. and will return at 4 p.m.). Supervision will be provided by members of the Recreation Staff.

Please note: Payment must be made in cash only. Payment must be made in the Recreation Office in Village Hall by Wednesday, March 31. There will be a limit of 100 children for this trip.

For further information, call 742-5800.

On Saturday, March 20 at the Cultural and Performing Arts at Clett Hall enjoy a carefree evening at our dinner dance, featuring the romantic sounds of the Village Music Makers.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m., dance and relax to the great music provided by Tom Wagner and the Village Music Makers. Then at 9 p.m., you'll enjoy a full sit-down dinner, served family style, complete with coffee and dessert, followed by more music and dancing. The whole package is available to you for just $20 per person, which includes sodas and snacks.

Advance reservations are a must for this popular program, and payment is required in advance. Reservations can be made by calling the Recreation Office at 742-5800 during business hours by Thursday, March 18.