May 24, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity, Summer Camp)
Tags: Berkshire County, camp, Camps, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Summer Camps, New England Summer Camps, Summer Activities, Summer Camp, Summer Camps, Summer Camps in the Berkshires, Summer Camps in the HIlltowns, Summer Camps in the Pioneer Valley, Summer Camps in Western Massachusetts, Summer Program, Summer Programs, Western MA, western massachusetts
Berkshire County ♦ Franklin County ♦ Hampden County
Hampshire County ♦ Neighboring Regions
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Berkshire County ♦ Franklin County ♦ Hampden County
Hampshire County ♦ Neighboring Regions
May 14, 2013 at 9:00 am (CISA, Food, Franklin County, History, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Agriculture, Farmers, Farming, franklin county, History
“Root Hog or Die” captures the lives and stories of the old time horse farmers in Franklin County in their own voices, faces, ingenious technology and well-tended land. According to Pothole Pictures coordinator, Fred DeVecca, “Rawn Fulton’s film provides a vibrant and down-to-earth historical context for the resurgence of local agriculture, CSAs and micro-farming in Franklin County today…It connects us to our neighbors, our history, the land and the farms we depend on and gives us all an opportunity to show our support for local agriculture.”
Nearly forty years after its first release, “Root Hog or Die,” the Franklin County documentary film on the last of the old time horse farmers in Western Massachusetts, re-appears on the big screen in Shelburne Falls. On Friday and Saturday, May 17th & 18th at 7:30pm, Pothole Pictures presents two screenings of “Root Hog or Die” in historic Memorial Hall Theater in downtown Shelburne Falls.
On Saturday, May 18, the film’s director, Rawn Fulton will present the recently re-mastered digital version of the original 56-minute film made in 1974, and will lead a community conversation about farming then and now together with a panel of local farmers. They include farmers and local families whose experience stretches back for generations and who are connected to many of the farmers featured in “Root Hog or Die” – Jim Wholey and the Dole family of Shelburne, and Al Pieropan of Ashfield.
Contemporary farmers with long family roots in Franklin County also include Faith and Peter Williams representing the Our Family Farms dairy cooperative and John and Carolyn Wheeler of Wheelview Farm. Newer arrivals to Franklin County farming include Paul Lacinski and Amy Klippenstein of Side Hill Farm in Hawley and David Fisher and Anna Maclay of Natural Roots CSA in Conway. New Roots brings the horse-powered farming tradition back to Franklin County in a new form – community supported agriculture. Recent Mohawk High School graduate will represent the new generation of young farmers revitalizing agriculture in Franklin County.
May 7, 2013 at 1:00 pm (Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Resources)
Tags: Connecticut River Valley, Field Trip, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, nature based education, Nature Based Learning, western massachusetts
As a tax-supported agency, our educational programs are offered free of charge. They are available to public, private, and home school groups, scouts, and adult learners. Here’s a quick run-down of field trip opportunities in the Connecticut River Valley.
When you hear the term, “Field Trip,” what do you think?
Recently I spoke with a teacher at the Christa McAuliffe Regional Charter School in Framingham. This middle school emphasizes expeditionary education with field trips for students. “But we don’t call them field trips,” the teacher said. “Students think a field trip is a day to goof off. We call them field work and field research, just like scientists do.”
I couldn’t agree more, even though I still call them “field trips.” I’m a regional educator for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the agency that manages the state forests and parks. There is so much to learn and discover in them. And it fits with so much of what’s taught in the classroom.
Why not take classroom learning and see how it’s applied in the field? The subjects can be geology, soils, plants, and ecology. It can be history, too: No matter where we walk in wooded Massachusetts, chances are we will find evidence of past human activity, what I sometimes call hidden history. Read the rest of this entry »
May 6, 2013 at 6:00 am (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Mother's Day Craft, Mother's Day Event, Shelburne Falls, The Art Garden, western massachusetts
Join us on Friday, May 10th at the Art Garden in Shelburne Falls for a free, intergenerational community building art event that celebrates Mother’s and creativity!
Just in time for Mother’s Day, Hilltown Families presents a free family Friday night event, Mother’s Day Mementos, at The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls on Friday, May 10th from 4-7pm.
Come make handmade cards and gifts to give to the mothers in your life. Bring the kids and join your neighbors in a free community art event, making handmade tokens of appreciation for your spouse, mother, grandmother, or other mothers in your life. Let them know they are appreciated while getting creative with your kids! And if you’d like, bring along a photocopied image of mothers you’d like to honor to include in your memento too!
This is the third of a series of three Free Friday Family Nights that Hilltown Families and The Art Garden are offering. All materials included and everyone is invited to join in this community building event that honors the mother in your life.
The Art Garden is located at 14 Depot Street, Suite 2 in Shelburne Falls, MA (in the same building as the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.). SEE MAP. Questions? Email Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.
May 1, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Franklin County, History, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Connecticut River Valley, Dexter Marsh, dinosaur footprints, dinosaur museums, History, Museum, paleontology, Pioneer Valley
The town of Greenfield was once home to a world famous museum – it drew a stunning 3,000 visitors in just 7 years! The museum, opened during the mid-19th century by a local jack-of-all-trades named Dexter Marsh, was home to the first ever dinosaur tracks to receive a thorough and official scientific examination. What happened to the tracks? And what happened to the museum? Find out more about this fascinating piece of Pioneer Valley past at Greenfield Community College’s Sloan Theater on Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm. Presented by the Pioneer Valley Institute. 1 College Drive. Greenfield, MA. (FREE)
Many local people know that Dexter Marsh (1806-1853), quarrier — stonemason, janitor, handyman, and jack-of-all-trades in 19th-century Greenfield, MA — was among the first to discover dinosaur footprints, but how many know that he opened one of the first dinosaur museums in the country? In 1835, when he first saw the prints, he thought they had been left by very large birds — and professional geologists agreed with him. These became the first known tracks in the world ever to receive a thorough scientific examination, performed by a professor at Amherst College named Edward Hitchcock.
In the following years, the largely self-educated Marsh learned about paleontology and built an extra room onto his house to exhibit his collection. From 1846 to 1853, an astonishing 3,000 people signed the visitors’ register of his house-museum, including such famous Americans as Oliver Wendell Holmes and even travelers from Europe and the Near East. At his early death in 1853, Marsh’s museum was dispersed at public auction, split mostly between Amherst College and what is today the Boston Museum of Science.
By looking into his daybooks and visitors’ registry in the archives at Amherst College, Dr. Robert Herbert has given Dexter Marsh the most thorough examination to date, bringing the man and his museum from obscurity back into the light. On Wednesday, May 8th at 7pm, using maps, photographs, and illustrations, Dr. Herbert will give a lively talk about this brilliant day laborer whose curiosity moved him into another world. It is our great good fortune that Dr. Herbert, formerly an art historian at Yale University and later Mount Holyoke College, has long been interested in the history of geology. In recent years, he has written about Edward Hitchcock and Orra White Hitchcock and continues to delve into the history of dinosaur footprints in the Connecticut River Valley.
Dr. Herbert’s talk will take place at Greenfield Community College, Main Campus, Sloan Theater (Main Building, South Wing). For more info contact Cynthia Herbert at pvi@gcc.mass.edu
April 10, 2013 at 10:00 am (Franklin County, Historic Deerfield, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Community Based Education, History, Patriot's Day, Pioneer Valley, Revolutionary Muster and Parade, Revolutionary War
Go back in time and learn all about the Revolutionary War at Historic Deerfield this weekend! The museum’s Patriot’s Day Revolutionary Muster and Parade offers a chance to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and smells of 18th century New England, just as the Revolutionary War was beginning. Families will find numerous ways to learn and experience history for themselves, and the event is filled with demonstrations and reenactments that will bring history to life!
The focus for this year’s muster is “The Shot Heard Round the World,” and the events in Concord and Lexington that officially began the country’s fight for freedom from England. Historical re-enactors will fill the grounds at Historic Deerfield with encampments of soldiers – both American and British – and will perform traditional fife and drum music and act out a small skirmish-style attack. Families can learn about the traditional dress of a revolutionary soldier, as well as the uniforms, weapons, and even behavior required of a member of the early American army.
Other educational opportunities include demonstrations of open hearth cooking and powder horn carving, house tours, a self-guided Revolution Walk tour, Colonial crafts, and more. Children can learn about the Revolutionary War through immersion – gaining an understanding of the events that lead to the war and experiencing the culture and traditions of those living during and participating in the war. They will learn about life as a soldier, as well as life as a villager contributing to the war effort. Older students can pair their pre-existing knowledge of the Revolutionary War with studies of 18th century life by learning more about the customs of early Americans.
The event takes place on Saturday, April 13th, 2013 from 10am-4pm, rain or shine – just as in Revolutionary times! Historic Deerfield is located on Old Main Street in Deerfield. Admission to the event is $12 for adults, and $5 for children ages 6-17. For more information, visit www.historic-deerfield.org/ or call 413-775-7214.
April 9, 2013 at 2:00 pm (Berkshire County, Contributing Writer, Franklin County, Hampshire County, Theresa Heary-Selah)
Tags: Community Based Education, Farm Camp, Farming, place-based education
Red Gate Farm is located in Buckland, MA, and provides opportunities for school groups to visit and engage in the daily life of a working farm. School groups can visit for three days, during which they take care of the farm animals, buildings and people. There is more information available at www.redgatefarm.org. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
There is no better place to learn than your neighborhood farm and no better time than the spring and summer!
Whether you are looking for a place to go with your family on the weekend, your home-schooling group during the weekdays, or a summer camp for your kids, the following list of farm based learning opportunities are great places to check out. Many of them even have programs just for adults! No need for the kids to have all of the fun.
The soil is warming up for you and your children. Go and make something grow.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Theresa Heary-Selah — Theresa is a teacher and a freelance writer, making her home in Greenfield, MA and Wright, NY with her family. She teaches at S.H.I.N.E. (Students at Home in New England), a social and academic support program for middle school students in the Pioneer Valley, and writes about home-schooling and technology. Theresa’s interests include home-schooling, gardening, cooking, hiking, and dancing.
April 9, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity, Take Action, Volunteer Opportunity)
Tags: Community Service, Earth Day, Park Clean Ups, Service Based Learning, Volunteer Opportunites, Volunteering
In addition to these volunteer park clean-ups and trail maintenance opportunities, Hilltown Families will be hosting a Family Community Service Event on May 4th bringing families together under one roof to participate in hands-on volunteer projects for seven non-profit and community organizations in Western MA. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
As spring warms the landscape across western Massachusetts, opportunities for outdoor adventures increase exponentially. What would have been a snowshoe trek and bark inspection a month ago has become a woods hike where families can identify plants, trees, and wildlife of all shapes and sizes.
However, as the ground awakes from its snow-covered slumber, trails and parks are in need of some restoration and there are plenty of opportunities for families to volunteer together, including during DCR’s Massachusetts Park Serve Day on Saturday, April 20th, Mass Audubon’s 7th Annual Statewide Volunteer Day on April 27th, and stocking the Connecticut River Watershed with Salmon Fry throughout the spring.
All of these volunteer opportunities, and many other community service work days, aim to bring together community members for a day of reconnecting with nature and cooperative work while providing service based learning experiences! Community service is a great way to show your appreciation for local resources as a family, and participating in volunteer work can help kids develop a strong commitment to their community and their surroundings. Kids can use volunteer work to learn useful skills for everything from hands-on tasks (like trail maintenance) to social skills (such as working in intergenerational settings).
March 24, 2013 at 9:00 am (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity, Summer Camp)
Tags: Berkshire County, camp, Camps, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, Massachusetts Summer Camps, New England Summer Camps, Summer Activities, Summer Camp, Summer Camps, Summer Camps in the Berkshires, Summer Camps in the HIlltowns, Summer Camps in the Pioneer Valley, Summer Camps in Western Massachusetts, Summer Program, Summer Programs, Western MA, western massachusetts
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March 14, 2013 at 5:59 am (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Easter, easter egg hunt, Easter Egg Hunts in Western Massachusetts, Easter Events for Families, Easter Events in Massachusetts, franklin county, Greenfield, Hampden County, hampshire county, Southwick, Springfield, Things to do in Western Massachusetts for Easter, western massachusetts, Westfield
During Easter many towns host egg hunts for their residents. Find an egg hunt nearest you, along with Easter craft opportunities, brunch and Easter Bunny appearances.
Community events that celebrate Easter take place through April 13th. We’ll be adding to this list as events come in, so be sure to check back.
Saturday, March 16th
In Great Barrington at 3pm, earn to make naturally-dyed eggs with the Berkshire Co-op! Families will learn how to use food, flowers, leaves, and more to create beautifully decorated, all-natural holiday eggs. You’ll get to take the eggs that you dye home, and make sure to wear clothes that can get messy. 413-528-9697. 42 Bridge Street. (FREE)
In Otis at 10am, the town of Otis will host an Easter Egg Hunt and Games event. BYO basked and arrive at the town hall. For more info call 413-269-4541. (FREE)
In Whatley at 12noon, Marion Abrams will be leading a Family Batik Ukrainian Egg Workshop at the Whately Library. Children ages 8yo+ will learn basic skills for beautiful traditional Ukrainian Pysanky. 413-247-9807. (FREE)
Saturday, March 23rd
In Adams from 10-11:30am, the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum will host an Old Fashioned Easter Egg Hunt with hard boiled eggs colored by Daisy Troop 40054 for kids up to ages 12yo. 413-743-7121. 67 East Road.
In Amherst from 12noon-3pm, Atkins Farms hosts an Easter Egg & Candy Hunt with the Easter Bunny. Photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. BYO basket. Under the pavilion. 413-253-9528. Corner of RTE.116 & Bay Rd. (FREE)
In Easthampton at 10am, there will be an Egg Hunt at Daley Field. Bring a camera for photos with Easter Bunny. BYO basket. For kids ages 10yo and younger. Easthampton High School. Williston Ave. (FREE) – Rain/Snow Date: 3/30
In Great Barrington from 10-11:30am, Berkshire South Regional Community Center will host an egg hunt. Toddlers to age 6yo are welcomed. BYO basket. Pre-register. 413-528-2810. 15 Crissey Road. (>$)
In Huntington at 2pm, the Huntington Recreation Committee will host an Egg Hunt at Pettis Field for Huntington kids (& grandkids) 10yo and younger. BYO basket. 413-667-3500. (FREE) – Rain/Snow Date: 3/24, 2pm.
In New Marlborough at 10:30am, the New Marlborough Library will host a Spring Egg Hunt at the New Marlborough Central School for children up to 11yo. BYO basket and camera to take photos with the Easter Bunny. 413-229-6668. – Rain/Snow Date: 3/24, 1pm
In Northampton at 1pm, Marion Abrams will be leading a Family Batik Ukrainian Egg Workshop at the Forbes Library. Marion will teach basic skills for beautiful traditional Ukrainian Pysanky. Children ages 8yo+ are welcomed. 413-247-9807. (Free/>$)
In South Hadley at 12noon, the Odyssey Children’s Department will be hiding 100 eggs in store for an Epic Easter Egg Hunt! Two simultaneous Egg Hunts will happen, one on each floor, divided according to age. Spring Storytime follows hunt. BYO baskets. All ages welcome. 413-534-7307. 9 College St. (FREE)
In Wendell from 10am-12noon, Diemand Farm hosts their annual Easter Egg Hunt. There will be egg coloring, crafts and an egg hunt for your children to enjoy. A variety of baby animals including rabbits, goats and lambs will be there to pet–and maybe even feed! 126 Mormon Hollow Road. (FREE)
In Westfield at 11am, the Mayor’s Easter Egg Hunt happens at Shaker Farms Country Club. Kids can search for eggs filled with treats – BYO basket! The Easter Bunny will visit at 11:30am, and kids can get their faces painted. 413-572-1260. 866 Shaker Road. (FREE) – Rain/Snow Date: 4/1, 11am.
In Wilbraham from 10:30am-1pm, the Wilbraham Children’s Museum will host an egg hung for kids ages 5yo and younger. BYO baskets and come hunt for over 400 eggs, enjoy indoor crafts and story time. Hunt begins promptly at 11am. 678 Main Street. (>$) – Rain or Shine.
In Williamstown at 10am, Sweet Brook of Williamstown Rehabilitation and Nursing Center hosts their 3rd annual Easter Egg Hunt. Children up to 10yo can join in. There will be Easter baskets and plastic eggs filled with candy to hunt for on the grounds. 413-458-8371. 1561 Cold Spring Road. (FREE) – Rain/Snow Date: 3/24, 2pm.
Sunday, March 24th
In Ludlow at 12noon, Randall Boys and Girls Club host an Easter Egg Hunt for kids ages 3-11yo. Pictures with the Easter Bunny at 12noon. Hunt begins at 1pm. Must register by 3/22. Rain date: April 7. 413-583-2072. 91 Claudia’s Way. (>$) – Rain/Snow Date: 4/7.
In Sunderland at 2pm, Sunderland Recreation host their 14th annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Sunderland Elementary School. 413-665-1439. 1 Swampfield Dr. (FREE)
Friday, March 29th
In Health from 10:30-11:30am, the Heath Library will host an Egg Hunt on the Town Common in lieu of their weekly story hour. They ask that all participants RSVP. 413-337-4934 x7 (FREE)
In Agawam at 10am, the Great Easter Egg Hunt happens at the Bethany Assembly of God. Kids ages 1-12yo can join in an Egg Hunt, win prizes and enjoy a performance by the TNT Puppet Team. 413-789-2930. 580 Main Street. (FREE)
In Cheshire from 11am-6pm, Whitney’s Farm Market hosts their Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Kids ages 5yo and under search at 11am. Kinds ages 6yo and older search at 3pm. 413-442-4749. 1775 S. State Rd. (FREE)
In Chicopee from 10am-12:15pm, the Chicopee Parks Dept hosts their annual Easter Egg Hunt at Szot Park. Kids are invited to make a silly pair of bunny feet during the event and prizes will even be awarded. In the upper fields at the park, thousands of eggs will litter the field, with good luck eggs sprinkled throughout! Call to register: 413-594-3481. Upper Szot Park. (>$) – Rain site: Chicopee Academy.
In Dalton, the Dalton CRA host an Easter Egg Hunt on the CRA Memorial Lawn. Open to kids 11yo or younger. Easter Bunny visit too. BYO basket. 413-684-0260. 400 Main Street. (FREE) – Rain site: CRA gym.
In Florence at 9:30 & 11am, Look Park hosts two seatings for families to have a breakfast buffet with the Easter Bunny at the Garden House. Tickets sold first come first served. 413-584-5457. 300 North Main St. ($)
In Florence from 1-2pm, the Northampton Rec Department host their annual EGGstravaganza Egg Hunt at Look Park for children ages 10yo and younger. With over 10,000 eggs with goodies inside, kids can scramble for eggs according to age group. BYO basket, get your photo taken with the Easter Bunny, and even win prizes. Be sure to arrive early! 300 North Main St. (FREE/>$ Parking)
In Granby at 11am, the Granby PM Club hosts an Egg Hunt for kids 12yo and younger at the Dufresne’s Park Gazebo. BYO basket. (FREE) – Rain Cancels.
In Hadley from 10:30am-12noon, Hadley Park & Rec. to host an Easter Party at the Hadley Elementary School. Pictures with the Easter Bunny, crafts and fun activities. BYO basket to collect eggs! 21 River Dr. (FREE) – Rain or Shine.
In Holyoke at 10am, Holyoke Parks and Recreation hosts an Egg Hunt and Spring Celebration at the Holyoke Heritage State Park. Easter egg hunts for four age groups, great prizes, face painting, gift bags and a t-shirt decorating station (t-shirts and gift bags included for the first 500 children), pony rides, craft stations and of course a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! BYO basket. 413-322-5620. 221 Appleton Street. (>$) – Rain or Shine.
In Ludlow at 11am, the Hubbard Library host their annual egg hunt. Kids of all ages are invited to the Library’s egg hunt, sponsored by the Friends of the Library! Children will search the grounds for colorful eggs, and a chance to win prizes. Kids who have food allergies can swap for non-candy eggs. BYO basket. 413-583-3408 x3. 24 Center Street. (FREE)
In Pittsfield at 10:30am, the Annual Eggstravaganza Egg Scramble will be held at Pittsfield’s Morningside Community School. Five different age categories beginning at 10:30am-11:25am, open to all Pittsfield children. One winner in each age group who finds the golden egg will receive a special prize! BYO baskets. Easter Bunny will make a special appearance. 100 Burbank Street. (FREE) – Rain or Shine.
In Springfield from 11am-1pm, The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center hosts a Spring “Egg”stravananza. Collect eggs along the “bunny trail.” Meet live animals that all come from eggs, and bring your camera for a photo with the Easter Bunny. 413-733-2251. 302 Sumner Ave.
In Stockbridge at 11am, the Stockbridge Library host an annual Easter Egg Hunt to follow a spring story time and book giveaway. 413-298-5501. 46 Main Street. (FREE)
In West Springfield at 9:45am, West Springfield residents are invited to join the search for over 7,000 eggs at the West Springfield Park and Recreation Department annual Easter Egg Hunt at Mittineague Park. Children ages 7yo and younger are invited to meet the Easter Bunny and receive a candy treat between 9:45-10:30am in the tennis court area and then the Easter Hunt will begin sharply at 10:30am. Children will be divided into three color-coded age groups. 413-781-3020. Mittineague Park. (FREE) – Call if rain/snow.
In Worthington at 10:30am, Worthington Easter Egg Hunt takes place at R.H. Conwell School. Kids hunt followed by teen/adult hunt. All are welcomed. 413-238-5500. (FREE)
In Deerfield from 10am-3pm, celebrate Easter at Chandler’s Restaurant at Yankee Candle! There will be delicious food (some from local farms!) and the Easter Bunny will stop by to visit! Reservations suggested. 413-665-1277. 25 Greenfield Road. A ($$)
Saturday, April 13th
In Turners Falls at 1pm, the 8th Annual Peter Cottontail’s EGGstravaganza takes place at Unity Park. Children ages 4-12 are invited to take part in this great community tradition. Activities include face painting, egg coloring, pictures with Peter Cottontail, and a 5,000 Egg Hunt! BYO basket. Unity Park, First Street. (FREE) – (Originally scheduled on 3/23)
[Photo credit: (ccl) Jose Chavarry]
March 13, 2013 at 9:00 am (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Act of Kindness, Pay it Forward, Shelburne Falls, The Art Garden, western massachusetts
Share a small act of kindness to another! Decorate pots and plant posies to pass along to others in your community with Hilltown Families at The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls on Friday, April 4th from 4-7pm (FREE).
In the spirit of spreading kindness to others, Hilltown Families presents a free family workshop, Flowers for Friends, at The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls on Friday, April 5th from 4-7pm. Families are invite to join neighbors & friends in a free community art event, painting terracotta flower pots to plant with pansies and pass along to another in their community.
Participating families are encouraged to give their posy to an elder in their neighborhood, or their librarian, classroom teacher, receptionist at the hospital or animal shelter, or other community space of their choice. — Pay it forward with a small act of kindness!
This is the second of a series of three Free Friday Family Nights that Hilltown Families and The Art Garden are offering this winter/spring. All materials included. Space is limited for this free event and pre-registration required.
Registration for Flowers for Friends has been closed as our maximum allowance of participants has been filled. If you would like to be put on our waiting list to be contacted if a family cancels, please submit your information below:
The Art Garden is located at 14 Depot Street, Suite 2 in Shelburne Falls, MA (in the same building as the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.). SEE MAP. Questions? Email Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.
March 12, 2013 at 9:00 am (Contributing Writer, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity, Theresa Heary-Selah)
Tags: breakfast, Food, Maple Syrup, maple syrup season, maple syrup time, restaurants, Sugar Season, Sugar Shacks, Western MA, western massachusetts
The moment that we have been waiting for all winter is here: Maple Syrup Time! The ground is thawing and the sap is running… maple sugaring is everywhere, giving great reason to get out with your family to learn about the maple sugaring process while enjoying the first harvest of the year!
Below, I have listed several sugar shacks where there is a restaurant and the sap run is a sweet and joyful event. However, do not disregard the people around the corner or the trees in your own back yard! A directory of sugar shacks in Massachusetts is available at www.massmaple.org. Check to see if there is someone making syrup in your neighborhood that you do not know. Call ahead to see if they are boiling and if you bring your kids to come watch the process.
Sugar Shacks with Breakfast
If you want a list with highlights, this is the list for you:
For a quick, complete, and unannotated list, with hours, dates and directions, check out the Mass Maple Sugar House with Restaurant directory. And while there is a definite joy in celebrating the harvest with comrades and pancakes, have you considered tapping a tree or two yourself? Here is a quick guide from the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association to get you started: Make Your Own Maple Syrup.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Theresa Heary-Selah — Theresa is a teacher and a freelance writer, making her home in Greenfield, MA and Wright, NY with her family. She teaches at S.H.I.N.E. (Students at Home in New England), a social and academic support program for middle school students in the Pioneer Valley, and writes about home-schooling and technology. Theresa’s interests include home-schooling, gardening, cooking, hiking, and dancing.
February 27, 2013 at 1:30 pm (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity, Video)
Tags: decorated easter eggs, Easter, Easter Egg, Folk Art, Pisanski, Pisanski eggs, tradition of easter eggs, Ukraine
We all know about the American tradition of Easter eggs – the three dimensional ovals that come in many varieties, from jelly beans to hard boiled. They’re no match, however, for Pisanski eggs. These eggs – that you would never dream of eating – are beautifully decorated using beeswax and vibrant (yet non-edible) dyes. A tradition from eastern Poland and Ukraine, rich in history, Pisanski eggs are usually decorated with intricate patterns, and are made using hollowed out eggs!
The word Pisanski comes from the Polish verb “pisac,” meaning to write - an accurate description of the process! Check out this simple tutorial on making pisanki- wax and dye decorated Easter eggs from polandisawesome.blogspot.com:
Easter is coming – it’s on March 31st this year! Introduce a new tradition to your family while exploring the customs of another culture. Instead of plastic candy-filled eggs, make your own Pisanski eggs. Your beautiful eggs will become beloved family treasures. Families hoping to find help in learning to make Pisanski are in luck! Check out these Western MA classes and workshops taking place before Easter Sunday:
February 12, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Berkshire County, Contributing Writer, Franklin County, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity, Theresa Heary-Selah)
Tags: animals, Berkshires, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, Pioneer Valley, shearing day, Sheep, sheep farmers, Sheep Shearing, textiles, western massachusetts, Wool
It is quite possible that you have on a wool sweater, right now! You might even buy sweaters from consignment shops to make cute little wool pants for your toddler. Thank goodness for sheep, farmers, and wool. We would all be colder without them.
In the next few months, you might be able to put your woolies away until next winter. What better way to commemorate the event than to spend time with sheep? Farmers around Western MA will free their sheep from the hairy locks that bind them and allow their skin to feel the glorious sun shine.
Here’s a sheep shearing demo from a previous season at Red Gate Farm in Buckland, MA:
Sheep shearing is a great opportunity to learn about animals and textiles. It is also a great excuse to visit a local farm! To follow is a rundown of what is happening in the land of lanolin this spring (and late winter) in Western MA:
Don’t settle with wearing a sweater. Learn how to make one!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Theresa Heary-Selah — Theresa is a teacher and a freelance writer, making her home in Greenfield, MA and Wright, NY with her family. She teaches at S.H.I.N.E. (Students at Home in New England), a social and academic support program for middle school students in the Pioneer Valley, and writes about home-schooling and technology. Theresa’s interests include home-schooling, gardening, cooking, hiking, and dancing.
January 30, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Berkshire County, Franklin County, Hampshire County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: New England, western massachusetts, Winter Carnival, Winter Celebrations, Winter Festival, Winter Festivals
Celebrates The coldest, bleakest stretch of winter upon us – and it’s time to celebrate! With the coming of February comes a host of community winter celebrations and festivals of all kinds, offering families a chance to enjoy time outside, try new foods, learn about cultural traditions, support local teams, and more!
The town of Greenfield will be celebrating all weekend – Greenfield Winter Carnival takes place from February 1st-3rd, and offers exciting events for all ages throughout town. Friday night kicks off the carnival with a bonfire and fire dancing performance at Beacon Field, ice skating at Collins-Moylan Arena, and ice carving, a cribbage tournament, art exhibits, and more downtown. Saturday brings the annual Sleigh Bell Run, and is Family Fun Day, too- meaning that the Greenfield Youth Center will host games, crafts, a family movie, and more throughout the day. Hockey fans can see two local teams – one women’s and one men’s – play exciting games on Saturday, too, and outdoors enthusiasts can take a snowshoe trek! Finally, Sunday brings fun snow-related activities like sledding, an outdoor community tug of war, a snowman village, snow sculptures, and a bonfire!
The following weekend, the town of Amherst’s annual Winterfest will take place at the Cherry Hill Golf Course on Saturday, February 9th from 1-6pm. The festival will have everything from sled races to chili! Families can enjoy an afternoon outdoors of cross country skiing or snowshoeing, sleigh rides, frisbee, hoola hoop games, sledding (including the annual Cardboard Classic sled race!), and more. Then, warm up inside and fill your belly at a cider donut eating contest, the chili cook off, a wine and cheese tasting for grown ups, and more! The event also includes dance and music performances, and the night will end with fireworks! The golf course is located on Montague Road in north Amherst. Tickets are available at the event.
For a celebration of cultural traditions from down south, look no further than Ashfield for this year’s Winklepicker Festival! Held from February 15-17th, the festival is the hilltowns’ own Mardi Gras party – there will be celebrations of the food, costume, dance, and music of Mardi Gras all weekend long! Highlights include a New Orleans-style dinner at Elmer’s Store, a cooking class with chef Carlos Neville, a kids’ Mardi Gras ball featuring live music from Primate Fiasco (as well as a Mardi Gras ball for big people, too), and live music from Eileen Jewell, Charles Neville, and the Salvation Alley String Band.
Finally, the Lee Cabin Fever Festival will add some excitement to school vacation week, and is filled with all sorts of events to help families shake off the winter blues. Held from February 15th-22nd, the festival includes events like the crazy (and annual!) bathing suit dash down Main Street, ice and snow sculpting competitions, the Taste of Lee restaurant event, a short film festival, special storytimes, and more – check the schedule to find fun events throughout school vacation.
[Photo credit: (ccl) Squirmelia]
January 30, 2013 at 9:00 am (Contest, Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity, Video)
Tags: Ashfield, Cajun Music, mardi gras ball, mardi gras festival, The Primate Fiasco, western massachusetts, Winklepicker, Zydeco
Win a family 4-pack of tickets and shake off the winter blues at the Ashfield Town Hall during a winter afternoon of family-friendly creole fun! Deadline to enter to win: 02/12/13 by 11:59pm (EST). More details below.
Parents aren’t the only ones who can have a ball at the WinklePicker Mardi Gras Festival! Kids have their own Mardi Gras Ball planned too! Families can two-step during an afternoon family-friendly Mardi Gras Ball on Saturday, February 16th at 2pm with The Primate Fiasco, and Hilltown Families has three family 4-pack of tickets to giveaway!
Win a family 4-pack of tickets and shake off the winter blues at the Ashfield Town Hall during a winter afternoon of family-friendly creole fun! Deadline to enter to win: 02/12/13 by 11:59pm (EST). More details below.
ABOUT THE PRIMATE FIASCO
The Primate Fiasco, the Pioneer Valley’s own New Orleans street band (Sousaphone, banjo, brass, woodwinds, drums, etc), plays music that you wouldn’t expect. They can keep a dance party pumpin’ on a sidewalk or from a stage. High energy arrangements and improvisation mix with fascinating lyrics and curveball cover decisions. From their Grammy nominated kids album, “Wheels on the Bus,” to their cult following of Hippies and Hipsters to their gray haired jazz lovers, the Fiasco scene is open to all music lovers, especially those who love to dance. Whether you see them on stage or parading through a festival campground, you’ll be smiling and moving your feet. The Primate Fiasco has shared the stage with Classic Rock legends, Jazz greats, Jam Band giants, and random people from the audience. - www.theprimatefiasco.com
Dadnabit, the “Dads writing about kids’ culture” blog, summed up The Primate Fiasco live concert experience perfectly, “Trust me: You’re a Primate Fiasco fan. You just don’t know it yet.”
HOW TO WIN
Your chance to enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to the family-friendly afternoon Mardi Gras Ball at WinklePicker Festival in Ashfield, MA on Saturday, February 16th at 2pm, is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)!
To enter to win simply:
- CONSIDER SHARING ON FACEBOOK by selecting the Facebook icon below;
- TELL US HOW HILLTOWN FAMILIES HAS CONNECTED YOU WITH YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS below (one entry per household); and be sure to tell us your
- FULL NAME and where you
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE), Must include your town to be eligible.
- ACCURATE EMAIL IN THE EMAIL FIELD BELOW (we never share your email address with a third party).
- We’ll randomly draw the names of three winners and will share the results below.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is Tuesday, 02/12/13 by 11:59pm (EST) – Laissez les bons temps rouler!
If you don’t win, you should take yours sprouts anyway! Tickets will be available at the door, beginning at 1:30pm, and are $5/children, $10/adults, or $20/family of four. For more information, visit WinklePickerFest.com or call Elmer’s Store at 413-628-4003.
January 29, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Contest, Franklin County, Parents' Night Out, Video)
Tags: Ashfield, Cajun Music, mardi gras ball, mardi gras festival, Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, The Primate Fiasco, western massachusetts, Winklepicker, Zydeco
Win a pair of tickets for a Parents’ Night Out to the WinklePicker Festival Mardi Gras Ball with music by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and special guests, The Primate Fiasco, on Saturday, February 16th at 8pm at the Ashfield Town Hall. Deadline to enter for a chance to win: 02/12/13.
Continuing our Parents’ Night Out promotions, Hilltown Families and Winklepicker Festival have partnered up to offer two pairs of tickets to the 2nd annual WinklePicker Festival Mardi Gras Ball at Ashfield Town Hall on Saturday, February 16th at 8pm with multi-Grammy nominee Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys!
Win a pair of tickets and take your spouse, partner or good friend for a night out. Deadline to enter to win: 02/12/13 by 11:59pm (EST). More details below.
ABOUT THE WINKLEPICKER MARDI GRAS FESTIVAL
The 2nd annual WinklePicker Mardi Gras Festival — When New Englanders Go Barnyard Crazy – will heat up the town of Ashfield, MA., February 15- 17, 2013. WinklePicker stirs all the warmth of music, dancing, community, eating and drinking up together in one big, roiling pot, celebrating warmth and fun in the coldest, plainest days of the year. www.WinklePickerFest.com
ABOUT THE MARDI GRAS BALL
Headlining the Saturday, February 16th Grown Ups Mardi Gras Ball at Ashfield Town Hall (412 Main Street, Ashfield, MA) at 8pm, will be multi-Grammy nominee Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. This is the ball for grown-ups who want to dress up and get down as the band works its magic with a hot two-step, then turns on a dime and deliver an a cappella ballad, followed by something that sounds like Howlin’ Wolf fell in lust with a Creole girl. Costumes and masks are welcome! After the concert, revelers can head next door to Elmer’s Store where The Primate Fiasco After Party will keep you dancing.
ABOUT STEVE RILEY & THE MAMOU PLAYBOYS
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys will be rolling out their brand new songs in the Hilltowns of Western MA in Ashfield, just before heading into the studio to record their 14th CD. And they will have just returned from the Grammy Awards on February 10th, where their last recording, “Grand Isle,” is nominated for a Grammy in the “Best Regional Roots Music Album” category. Best of luck to the Playboys! www.mamouplayboys.com
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys began over twenty years ago with a reputation for excellence. Their stunningly clean and cohesive performance of Cajun French music from the backwaters of Southwest Louisiana propelled them into the world music limelight early on, and by their third release, Trace of Time, had garnered them a Grammy nomination in the worldwide field of traditional folk music, another in 2004 for Bon Reve, in 2009 for Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and again in 2011 for their latest release, Grand Isle.
In this video below, “Steve Riley and his Mamou Playboys make sweet Cajun music together: music steeped in the French heritage of southwestern Louisiana and driven by accordion and fiddle. Watch the Grammy-nominated Cajun band play an upbeat yet bittersweet set from the NPR Music offices.:”
HOW TO WIN
Your chance to enter to win a pairs of tickets for a Parents’ Night Out to the WinklePicker Festival Mardi Gras Ball with music by Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys and special guests, The Primate Fiasco, on Saturday, February 16th at 8pm at the Ashfield Town Hall, is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)!
To enter to win simply:
- CONSIDER SHARING ON FACEBOOK by selecting the Facebook icon below;
- TELL US HOW HILLTOWN FAMILIES HAS CONNECTED YOU WITH YOUR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS below (one entry per household); and be sure to tell us your
- FULL NAME and where you
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE), Must include your town to be eligible.
- ACCURATE EMAIL IN THE EMAIL FIELD BELOW (we never share your email address with a third party).
- We’ll randomly draw the names of two winner sand will share the results below.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is Tuesday, 02/12/13 by 11:59pm (EST)
If you don’t win, tickets are on sale at www.signaturesounds.com/winklepicker2013 and at Elmer’s Store in Ashfield ($25/person)… and at the event ($30/person). Doors open at 7:30 pm. Complete details and ticketing information is available at www.WinklePickerFest.com and at Elmer’s Store 413-628-4003.
January 27, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Franklin County)
Tags: Commercial Free, Handmade Valenties, Making Valentines, The Art Garden, Valentine, valentine swap, Valentine's Day, western massachusetts
On Friday, January 25th, Hilltown Families and the Art Garden presented a Make Your Own Handmade Valentines Workshop, as part of a 3-part free Friday family workshop series in Shelburne Falls. Families with children of all ages gathered to make Valentines together.
Getting crafty with family, friends and neighbors in a community art space like The Art Garden, builds relationships, affords opportunities to share and connect, and allows the space for creativity that our otherwise busy lives might not offer.
Join in the Swap!
There’s still time to sign up to participate in the Hilltown Families 5th Annual Community Handmade Valentine Swap! For the past several years Hilltown Families has coordinated a community Handmade Valentine Swap — and we’re doing it again! Push back against the commercialization of Valentine’s Day while getting creative with your kids and connecting with your community… sign up to participate! Swapping happens through the mail with 10 other families! It’s free to sign up and open to all in Western MA. Deadline to sign up: Jan. 31, 2013. Western MA (FREE)
January 22, 2013 at 9:00 am (Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Local Food, Pioneer Valley, Suggested Activity)
Tags: CISA, Farmers' Market, Local Food, Pioneer Valley, western massachusetts, Winter Fare, Winter Farmers' Market
In addition to perusing the array of local foods, shoppers can attend educational workshops scheduled during each market. Workshops range in topic from simple cheese-making and canning to growing grains and herbal medicine. All the workshop leaders are local people who practice these skills at home. The workshops are free and do not require pre-registration. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
It is possible to eat locally year-round and there is a lot of amazing local food to be had even in the depths of winter. On January 26th and February 2nd, CISA will kick off its 20th anniversary year with Winter Fare, a celebration of the winter bounty. In collaboration with regular Winter Farmers’ Markets in Greenfield, Northampton, Amherst, and Springfield, Winter Fare will highlight the array of local food available in the deep of winter with workshops, bartering, music, and more! Bring your shopping bags and stock up on fresh salad greens, root vegetables, local grains and bread, eggs, meat, cheese, maple syrup, honey, jam, pickles, and more, all grown by local farmers.
Amherst, Greenfield, and Northampton will all host Barter Markets, a fun, lively food-swapping event. Bring your own home-preserved foods and trade with your neighbors to diversify your pantry and get to know other people that can, dry, and freeze the local harvest.
This special event is designed to showcase the amazing local food that is available year-round in the Pioneer Valley of Western MA, and to introduce new people to the incredible farmers’ markets that run all winter long. For a complete list of winter farmers’ markets, including regular markets in Athol, Easthampton, and Hampden, visit www.buylocalfood.org.
More details about Winter Fare, including complete lists of workshops, are available at www.buylocalfood.org. Volunteers are still needed to make this event possible! Please contact CISA at 413-665-7100 or volunteer@buylocalfood.org to sign up or for more information.
Winter Fare is sponsored by River Valley Market, UMassFive College Federal Credit Union, and Whole Foods Market. All four markets accept SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps), and in honor of Winter Fare, CISA will be matching the first $10 of all SNAP purchases.
- Submitted by Claire Morenon
January 6, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Shelburne Falls, The Art Garden, Valentine Making, Valentine's Day, western massachusetts
This free workshop is full and pre-registration is now closed… however, there’s still time to sign up for our Valentine Swap! Click on the banner to sign up by Jan 31, 2013:
Is your family participating in the Hilltown Families 5th Annual Community Handmade Valentine Swap? Come create together in The Art Garden’s community supported art-making space. Find inspiration from other along with great direction from visual artist/teacher Jane Beatrice Wegscheider!
Make Your Own Handmade Valentines with Hilltown Families at The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls during a free family workshop: Friday, January 25th, from 4-7pm. Families can create their own unique valentines using simple book-making techniques or countless other ideas with materials provided by The Art Garden in Shelburne Falls. Drop in anytime. Pre-registration required (Sign up below.).
This is the first of a series of three Free Friday Family Nights Hilltown Families and The Art Garden will be offering this winter. All materials included, but feel free to bring any materials you’d like to incorporate into your handmade valentines, such as photocopies of personally relevant images if you’d like (photos of loved ones, poems you love, pictures of places and things your Valentine cares about, etc.).
PRE-REGISTRATION HAS CLOSED. EVENT IS FULL: This free workshop is full and pre-registration is now closed… however, there’s still time to sign up for our Valentine Swap! Click on the banner to sign up by Jan 31, 2013:
The Art Garden is located at 14 Depot Street, Suite 2 in Shelburne Falls, MA (in the same building as the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum.). SEE MAP.
December 11, 2012 at 6:00 am (Contributing Writer, Franklin County, History, Suggested Activity, Theresa Heary-Selah)
Tags: Christmas, Christmas History, History, Holiday History, Holiday Traditions, western massachusetts
When did decorating a Christmas tree become a holiday tradition? Where did the practice of giving gifts originate? The Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, MA writes, “During the Victorian Era, Christmas bloomed into a season full of tradition when a London newspaper published a drawing depicting the royal family of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert adorning a Christmas tree with lighted candles, tinsel, ribbon, and paper chains.”
The holiday season is full of opportunities to teach your kids about the origins of holiday traditions, getting a glimpse into history and cultures. The Historic Deerfield and Old Sturbridge Village offer opportunities throughout December for holiday history lessons that are fun and engaging!
HISTORIC DEERFIELD: Heritage Holiday
Historical Deerfield has a month long series of traditional festive activities for families to enjoy in December. Visitors can learn about open hearth cooking, holiday traditions, take a horse-drawn wagon ride, and make simple gifts to take home.
Last weekend, silhouette artist and historical actress Lauren Muney was at Historic Deerfield in period dress cutting portraits out of paper. The art of silhouettes was very popular in the 1800′s, and Lauren’s interpretation of the work of itinerant artists from the past, who cut likenesses of people from black paper using just scissors, was an engaging way to explore the history of folk art.
This weekend visitors of Historic Deerfield can make their own simple gifts to give this holiday season, including woodland figures made from natural materials, paper quillwork ornaments, and spiced hot chocolate mix. There will also be horse-drawn wagon rides through the streets of Historic Deerfield.
Historic Deerfield’s program has a refreshing lack of the man in red! If you would prefer your family to take in some history without a distracting bearded figure, this is the museum for you. It is delightfully low key and fun, even for families with young children. The programs run from December 1st-30th, excluding December 24th and 25th, from 9:30am-4:30pm. Open Hearth Cooking starts at 10am, and gift-making starts at 12noon. December 15th-16th will be the final days for enjoying horse-drawn wagon rides. You can get all of the details at www.historic-deerfield.org.
OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE: Christmas by Candlelight
For an all-engaging sensory experience, check out the Old Sturbridge Village’s “Christmas by Candlelight.” The staff at Old Sturbridge goes all out to create magic for your family. There are carolers, horse-drawn carriages, dances, a bonfire, mulled cider, Santa Claus, a gift-making workshop… the list goes on! True to the mission of the museum, all of the fun is organized to help visitors understand New England in the early 1800s. Visitors will be able to learn about the origins of the Christmas Tree, Poinsettias, and fruit cake, among other things, and have the opportunity to create their own gifts and decorations. You can read more about it at Christmas by Candlelight.
For more learning opportunities this holiday season, check out Hilltown Families Friday column, Learn Local. Play Local.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Theresa Heary-Selah — Theresa is a teacher and a freelance writer, making her home in Greenfield, MA and Wright, NY with her family. She teaches at S.H.I.N.E. (Students at Home in New England), a social and academic support program for middle school students in the Pioneer Valley, and writes about home-schooling and technology. Theresa’s interests include home-schooling, gardening, cooking, hiking, and dancing.
[Image credit: (ccl) Royce Bair]
December 10, 2012 at 6:01 am (Contributing Writer, Franklin County, Hampden County, Hampshire County, Northampton, Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser, Video)
Tags: Community Foundation, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, philanthropy, Pioneer Valley, Sarah Werthan Buttenwieser, Valley Gives, western massachusetts
I love this about the little Valley I call home: people care about the larger world and they care about this community. I think volunteerism is something that’s a community value. To wit, my daughter’s preschool—not just the parents—are involved in community service activities. The message, as I understand it, to help others is part of life. Period.
The folks at the Community Foundation apparently think the same and so this year, there’s an initiative Valley Gives to bring lots of energy—and money—to participating organizations across the Valley. Their language: Valley Gives is a “celebration of generosity.” In order to partake in the day—it’s 12.12.12—each non-profit received some training, about using website and email and social media to reach out to their constituencies, and to ride the wave of the larger effort, the 12.12.12 one (is this date lodged in your mind yet?).
Even our preschool is participating.
I’ll be honest; there’s an overwhelm factor to a day like this—for the people doing the asking and for the people being asked, often, if you’re someone like me, known to be a cheerleader and a donor, you are being asked to help loads of organizations on one day and how can you possibly do so?
I’ve been thinking hard about this. Here are my answers:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sarah is a writer, who lives in Northampton with her husband and four children. She contributes to Preview Massachusetts Magazine, as well as other publications and writes a parenting blog Standing in the Shadows at the Valley Advocate. She moved to the Valley to attend Hampshire College—and found the Valley such a nice place, she stayed!
December 10, 2012 at 6:00 am (Franklin County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Ashfield, Bear Swap, Bullitt Reservation, Chapel Brook, Hilltowns, Trustees of Reservation, western massachusetts
Families with younger children and homeschooling families are welcomed to join in a new winter hiking series with the Trustees of Reservations on Thursday mornings in Ashfield, MA.
Even though it’s cold outside, and the snow and ice will be here soon, walking in the woods is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, and stay fit and healthy this winter. Join the Trustees of Reservations for a new weekly walk series on Thursdays at the Bullitt Reservation, Chapel Brook, and other destinations in and around Ashfield, MA. The walks will be easy to moderate guided group hikes in the woods. Come look for signs of winter wildlife, meet some new neighbors or catch up with old friends, get your blood pumping, all while enjoying some new and familiar places!
The first walk will be on Thursday, December 13th at 10am, for 1-2 hours at the Bullitt Reservation (332 Bullitt Rd.) Ashfield. The next two hikes will be on Thursday, December 20th at 10am at the Chapel Brook (Williamsburg Rd.) Ashfield, and Thursday, January 10th at 10am at Bear Swamp (Hawley Rd.) in Ashfield. We will meet every Thursday, weather permitting, through the winter.
The hikes are free and open to all, but please register to be notified of inclement weather cancellations, directions to hikes, and for more information by calling Ryan Pennesi at 413-628-4485 x1 or emailing rpennesi@ttor.org
This series is sponsored in part by The Trustees of Reservations and the Student Conservation Association.
- Submitted by Wendy Sweetser.
November 19, 2012 at 3:00 pm (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Holiday Lighting of the Village, Holiday Stroll, luminary candles, Moonlight Magic, new england village, Shelburne Falls, Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum, western massachusetts
This annual holiday event begins with the “Lighting of the Village” at approximately 4pm. At 5:15pm, the annual Parade of Lights will cross over the Iron Bridge spanning across the Deerfield River from Buckland to Shelburne. Mole Hollow Candle Co. will again be providing 1,200 luminary candles which will line both sides of the streets throughout the village as Santa, the Grinch, the Snow Princess and many more make their way through town. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Moonlight Magic is a community tradition held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving coinciding with the annual “Holiday Lighting of the Village” in Shelburne Falls, MA. Many special features add to the traditional festive evening of family fun and holiday spirit in this classic New England village on the Mohawk Trail. The streets are filled with luminary candles, caroling, sidewalk sales, art events and craft demonstrations; Vendor tables are set along the sidewalks with local non-profit group’s holiday wreaths, baked goods and crafts; Live music and roving performers will be present on both sides of the river throughout the evening.; and Stores, galleries and restaurants stay open late for special holiday promotions.
The streets and local venues will be filled with music too. Many local vocal and instrumental groups will perform at designated sites and along the streets, including Uncle Hal’s Crabgrass Band, Last Night’s Fun Celtic Band, and the Expandable Brass Band. If your in need to warm up, stop in anytime at Memorial Hall Theater where children and their families can watch cartoons (traditionally Looney Tunes) on the big screen from 5:30-8pm, and families can stop into Santa’s Workshop at the Shelburne-Buckland Senior Center.
The Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum will be open too. This will be a rare opportunity to ride the brightly lit and beautifully restored Trolley No. 10 after dark. While you wait for the Trolley, warm up by the potbelly stove and enjoy a cup of warm cider in the museum’s classic restored wooden caboose. Take the Trolley to the Museum’s visitor center for interesting historic period displays of life in the area one hundred years ago. The kids will love the operating displays of toy trains.
Thanks to the Academy at Charlemont, a shuttle service will be provided with stops at Eddie’s Wheels, Christopher’s Grinders, the Trolley Museum, Buckland-Shelburne Elementary School, and Arms Academy from 4-8pm. The Iron Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic so that folks can stroll back and forth enjoying events and open shops on both sides of the river.
November 12, 2012 at 6:00 am (Franklin County, Hampshire County, Sustainability)
Tags: Alternative to Holiday Giving, Consumerism, Consumption, Holidays, Regifitng, western massachusetts
Western MA libraries offer youth patrons a chance to focus on giving and not just receiving during the holiday season.
During the holiday season many Western MA libraries organize community alternatives to holiday consumerism and consumption while enabling their youth patrons to think about giving rather than just receiving for the holidays.
For over 20 years the Dickinson Memorial Library in Northfield has hosted an annual Children’s Holiday Bazaar for their youth patrons. For several months leading up to the bazaar the library asks town residents to donate small items to be regifted during the bazaar (donations of gift bags, wrap, tags and tape are welcomed too). On the day of the bazaar the children’s room is transformed into a pop-up shop where kids ages 5-11 years old may shop for their family. All gifts are 50-cents, gift wrapping included. During the bazaar parents are not allowed into the room and younger children are escorted by their very own personal shoppers – 6th graders and National Honor Society volunteers. This year the Children’s Holiday Bazaar happens on Saturday, December 8th from 10am-12noon.
Newer to this regifting tradition is the Meekins Market at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, now in its fifth year! All patrons are welcome to both shop at and donate to the Meekins Market, which begins in late November and runs through December. The market is a special in-house tag sale where families will find lots of small (and not so small) inexpensive recycled gifts to give friends and family. It’s a great place for children to find presents to give their parents, grandparents and teachers. Library patrons can stop in and shop (or donate items for regifting) any time during library hours. For more information call: 413-538-6489 or 413-268-7472.
Does your library have a holiday tradition, new or old, you’d like to share? We’d love to hear! All of these great traditions and ideas are an inspiration for communities both in and outside our region!
[Photo credit: (ccl) Sarah Parrott]
October 1, 2012 at 2:00 pm (Franklin County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Ashfield Fall Festival, Columbus Day Weekend, western massachusetts
The Ashfield Agricultural Commission will display entries to the 5th annual Tallest Sunflower and Heaviest Pumpkin contests. At 12noon on Saturday, anyone may join a team for some friendly competition in the annual “Pumpkingames.” Try your hand at pumpkin bowling, the pumpkin relay race, and musical pumpkins. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Ashfield town center will be bustling with visitors on Columbus Day weekend, Saturday, Oct 6-7, 2012 from 10am-5pm both days. The fall festival offers over 50 arts and crafts exhibits, live music, a wide variety of local agricultural products and prepared foods, book and tag sales, fundraising raffles, and many activities for children. Admission is free and parking is available in lots east of town center.
Visitors will be able to get a jump-start on their holiday shopping, finding everything from fiber and textile arts, woodwork and blown glass to pottery, jewelry, kid’s clothing and more in several venues along Main Street (route 116). Private homes as well as local organizations host tag and book sales, including the big book sale at Belding Memorial Library. The town common, with its hill overlooking the festival booths, is a great place to relax, listen to music, and enjoy a sampling from the many food vendors. Have a bowl of soup, grinder, or kielbasa for lunch and feed that sweet tooth with fried dough with maple cream, apple pie or blueberry cobbler. There are plenty of kid- and vegetarian-friendly options.
There are numerous low-cost kids games, many designed and run by other kids, including mini-golf, marble runs, beanbag and coin toss games, and the ever-popular “Storm the Castle” catapult game. There is also a fidget ladder, face-painting and pumpkin painting.
September 26, 2012 at 6:00 am (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Suggested Activity)
Tags: North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival, western massachusetts
Follow your nose to the 14th Annual North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival on September 29 and 30. This scent-sational and much anticipated event fondly known as “The Festival that Stinks” emanates non- stop entertainment and education for everyone in the family. Festival enthusiasts wander among 100 exhibitors featuring the region’s finest artists and craftspeople, farmers, specialty food creators and innovative organizations. All ages gain creative inspiration from more than 25 art and agriculture demonstrations, from leather work to weaving, cider pressing to growing garlic, composting with worms, raising bees, and turning wooden bowls. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Attend the smelliest festival around! The 14th annual North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival will take place at Forster’s Farm in Orange, MA this weekend, September 29th and 30th, 2012. Of course, garlic plays a huge role in the festival, but the event includes numerous non-garlic activities, presentations, workshops, performances, and more.
As the festival’s name implies, there will be local artists and artisans on hand displaying their creations, as well as opportunities for kids to experiment with art-making materials and participate in collaborative group art creation.
New to the festival this year is a forest trail, where families can explore the wooded sections of the farm and learn about the plants and creatures to whom the woods provide a home.
There will be live music throughout nearly the entire event, as well as cooking demonstrations (featuring local chefs, local food, and internationally inspired dishes), and workshops, talks, and demonstrations on everything from composting to herbal medicine – and everything in between! Of course, the festival also features delicious food (local, and featuring lots of garlic!) from a wide variety of vendors. Kids can learn about skills for sustainable and self-sufficient learning, and gain a greater sense of belonging and togetherness in their community!
To find out more, visit www.garlicandarts.org.
September 19, 2012 at 6:00 am (Contest, Franklin County, Parents' Night Out, Shelburne Falls)
Tags: franklin county, Jeffrey Foucault, Memorial Hall, Music in Western Massachusetts, Ramblin' Jack, Ramblin' Jack Elliott, Ticket Giveaway, western massachusetts
Signature Sounds writes: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the October 7th show with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott at Memorial Hall has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.” (10/2/12)
Win a pair of tickets to see Ramblin’ Jack Elliot in concert at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls on Sunday, October 7th at 7pm with special guests, Jeffrey Foucault, and take your spouse, partner or good friend for a night out. Deadline to enter to win: 10/3/12 at 7pm (EST).
Continuing our Parents’ Night Out promotions, Hilltown Families and Signature Sounds Concerts have partnered up to offer two pairs of tickets for two lucky couples to see Ramblin’ Jack Elliot in concert at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls on Sunday, October 7th at 7pm with special guests, Jeffrey Foucault.
Win a pair of tickets and take your spouse, partner or good friend for a night out. Deadline to enter to win: 10/3/12 at 7pm (EST). More details below.
ABOUT RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT
One of the last true links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott is considered one of the country’s legendary foundations of folk music. Long before every kid in America wanted to play guitar — before Elvis, Dylan, the Beatles or Led Zeppelin — Ramblin’ Jack had picked it up and was passing it along. From Johnny Cash to Tom Waits, Beck to Bonnie Raitt, Ry Cooder to Bruce Springsteen, the Grateful Dead to The Rolling Stones, they all pay homage to Ramblin’ Jack Elliott. In the tradition of roving troubadours Jack has carried the seeds and pollens of story and song for decades from one place to another, from one generation to the next. They are timeless songs that outlast whatever current musical fashion strikes today’s fancy.
He has recorded forty albums; wrote one of the first trucking songs, Cup of Coffee, recorded by Johnny Cash; championed the works of new singer-songwriters, from Bob Dylan and Kris Kristofferson to Tim Hardin; became a founding member of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue; and continued the life of the traveling troubadour influencing Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, Tom Russell The Grateful Dead and countless others.
Ramblin’ Jack’s life of travels, performances and recordings is a testament to the America of lore, a giant land of struggle, hard luck and sometimes even of good fortune. Ramblin’ Jack takes us to places that spur us on to the romance and passion of life in the tunes and voices of real people. At seventy-seven, Ramblin’ Jack is still on the road, still seeking those people, places, songs and stories that are hand-crafted, wreaking of wood and canvas, cowhide and forged metal. You’ll find him in the sleek lines of a long haul semi-truck, in the rigging of an old sailing ship, in the smell of a fine leather saddle. For more information visit: www.ramblinjack.com.
ABOUT JEFFREY FOUCAULT
Longtime disciple of the rich and strange music that sings behind the American veil, local musician Jeffrey Foucault has spent the last decade mining the darker seams of country and blues, producing a string of spare and elemental albums of rare power while garnering accolades across the United States and overseas for a tersely elegant brand of songwriting set apart by its haunting imagery and weather-beaten cool.
With his album, Horse Latitudes, Jeffrey Foucault gives us ten new original songs that showcase an artist in the fullness of his powers, offering a compelling vision of modern American music. A cross-country collision of rock, country, and folk, Horse Latitudes alights with equal grace on full-band ragers and whispered solo pieces, delivering a methodically paced collection of songs that inhabit the borderlands of heartbreak and memory. Foucault’s deep, enticing vocals are richly complemented by an intoxicating mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation: acoustic guitar, pedal steel, Hammond organ, piano, and accordion, electric bass, drums, cello. www.jeffreyfoucault.com
HOW TO WIN
Your chance to win a one of two pairs of tickets to see Ramblin’ Jack Elliot in concert at Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls on Sunday, October 7th at 7pm with special guests, Jeffrey Foucault, is as easy as 1-2-3 (4)! To win simply:
- TELL US ABOUT AN UPCOMING EVENT IN WESTERN MA YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO ATTENDING WITH YOUR FAMILY (one entry per family) and be sure to tell us your
- FULL NAME (first/last) and where you
- LIVE (TOWN/STATE) must include your town to be eligible.
- ACCURATE EMAIL (we never share your email address).
- We’ll randomly draw two winners and will share the results below.
IT’S THAT SIMPLE! — Deadline is 10/3/12 at 7pm (EST).
If you don’t win you should still go! Tickets are also available at World Eye in Greenfield, Turn It Up in Northampton and Signaturesounds.com. 413-665-4036
Signature Sounds writes: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, the October 7th show with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott at Memorial Hall has been cancelled and will not be rescheduled.” (10/2/12)
September 10, 2012 at 12:00 pm (Franklin County, Hilltown Families, Historic Deerfield, Suggested Activity)
Tags: autumn, Historic Deerfield, History, history of scarecrows, Massachusetts, New England, open hearth, Travel, Western MA, western massachusetts
Apprentice’s workshop open daily. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Historic Deerfield is a lovely place to visit any time of the year – but the fall is definitely a most special time. In addition to visiting historic homes and collections, visitors on weekends will enjoy involvement in hands-on activities on a variety of topics.
Open Hearth Cooking and Historic Trade demonstrations are featured on Saturdays, Sept-Nov, 2012.
Highlights this fall for families include Stencil Art offered September and October weekends 12–4:30pm. Learn about the work of stencil artists who traveled from town to town taking commissions to decorate building interiors. Explore the art of stenciling and make a beautiful and unique stenciled artwork to take home. Also visit Into the Woods: Crafting Early American Furniture to see painted and stenciled furniture for inspiration!
Participate in a Family Scarecrow-Making Workshop held on September 29 at 10am or 2pm. Once a familiar sight as a guardian of crops in the rural landscape, scarecrows are now more often seen as symbols of harvest time and Halloween. Try your hand at making a scarecrow, and learn about the fascinating history of scarecrows in New England, and around the world. Space is limited; pre- registration is required. Contact Faith Deering at 413-775-7116 or fdeering@historic-deerfield.org. Activity available with museum admission plus a $5 materials fee.
Studded with cloves and fragranced with cinnamon, an apple pomander historically served as a festive and decorative air freshener. (Courtesy photo)
Taking our cues from the seasonal changes around us, the museum will feature a program about apples on November weekends, 12-4:30pm. From Apples to Ornaments teaches about uses of apples and spices as you make an apple pomander to take home with you. From cider to pies to sauce, the bounty of fall apples has many uses. One way to use an apple is to preserve its fragrance and shape in the form of a pomander. Studded with cloves and fragranced with cinnamon, an apple pomander historically served as a festive and decorative air freshener.
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend learn about both Native and English histories. Friday, November 23 meet Narragansett descendant Jennifer Lee will talk about Native history and culture while demonstrating traditional bark-basket-making technology in a program called Native Traditions Past and Present. On Saturday November 24 we welcome Season of Thanks: Society of the 17th Century, a group of re-enactors who will bring our historic Hall Tavern building to life with an incredible array of period arts, crafts and trades. See redware pottery, spinning, lace making, herbal lore, quill pen writing, wood carving, basket making, and arms and armor.
Hearth Cooking demonstrations this season will focus both on recipes for fresh foods of the harvest, as well as some techniques for preservation (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Capture the holiday spirit this December by joining our cooks, guides, educators, and craftspeople in a month-long series of traditional festive activities. Starting Saturday, December 1, visitors can see daily “Sugar & Spice” open hearth cooking demonstrations, participate in hands-on “Giftmaking” activities, and enjoy seasonal decorations hung throughout the historic Hall Tavern (except December 24-25). Experience the warmth of the hearth and take in the aroma of sweet, savory, and spiced foods prepared in the open hearth. Make one of three gifts by hand to take home and give to someone special.
Weekends will offer additional activities including horse-drawn wagon rides, and a special “Silhouettes” event. Bundle up and tour the village aboard a wagon drawn by the beautiful horses of Karas Farm December 1–2, 8–9, and 15–16. Don’t miss artist Lauren Muney demonstrating the historic art of cutting likenesses from paper with just a pair of scissors on December 8–9.
For more information about Historic Deerfield visit www.historic-deerfield.org for a full calendar of events and visitor information, or call 413-775-7214.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amanda Rivera Lopez
Amanda is the Director of Museum Education at Historic Deerfield. She lives in Amherst with her family which includes an 11 year old daughter and 8 year old son.
September 5, 2012 at 6:00 am (Franklin County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: franklin county, Montague, Soap Box Derby, STEM, western massachusetts
Wondering what a Soap Box Derby is? According to Wikipedia, it’s “a youth soapbox car racing program which has been run in the United States since 1934.” Read about the history of the Soap Box Derby on Wikipedia.
The 3rd annual Montague Soap Box Derby is coming up! The event will take place on September 16 on 1st Street in Turners Falls, at the top of the Unity Park hill. There are three age brackets (8-12yo; 13-19yo; 20+yo.), and participants should race homemade cars with a minimum of three wheels and no motorized propulsion.
Designing, building, and racing a car can provide a multidisciplinary hands-on learning experience for kids, making math and science fun! Designing a car requires some basic math, engineering, and design skills, and executing a plan means learning how to use basic tools. The race itself is a physics lesson – racers will learn how to utilize the slope of the hill paired with the size and weight of their car to accomplish the fastest speed possible.
Western Reserve Public Media in Ohio has made available a comprehensive teacher’s guide (pdf) designed for 5th & 6th grades called Masters of Gravity which could serve as a curriculum tool for the Soap Box Derby in Montague.
For more information or to register, call 413-320-5336 or visit montaguesoapboxraces.com. Deadline to enter for this year Sept 10th!
Welcome to Hilltown Families, a grassroots communication network for families living in Western Mass, established in 2005 by hilltown mother and long time activist Sienna Wildfield.
The Hilltown Family Variety Show (HFVS) airs Saturday mornings on Valley Free Radio, 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA from 9-10am with encores on Sunday from 7-8am. Playlist and podcasts are posted immediately following broadcast. Listen to our archived shows at any time: HFVS Archived Shows.
The exhibit will be on display at the Forbes Library in Northampton for the month of February 2013, and at the City Hall Gallery in Easthampton from Sept 13-Dec 11, 2013. - We're currently booking shows for the Spring/Summer of 2013 and for 2014. Each exhibit is a unique showcase of images that correspond with the season and venue. Contact us to inquire about hosting this fundraising exhibit for Hilltown Families in your town/venue.
