May 22, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Hampden County, Hilltown Families, Science, Suggested Activity)
Tags: derby, Engineering, physics, Science, STEM
The Great Holyoke Brick Race: June 8th, 2013
Intergenerational collaborations can provide young students with hands-on lessons in the basic science of physics and principles of design at the 3rd annual Great Holyoke Brick Race happening on Saturday, June 8th!
Take on the coolest gravity based physics experiment around at the Great Holyoke Brick Race! Similar to the Boy Scouts of America’s traditional Pinewood Derby, the event requires that participants create their own miniature car to race down a specific track. However, unlike Pinewood Derby, the cars are not wooden – the main piece of material is a brick!
Hosted by Paper City Studios, the race is open to participants of any age and from anywhere in the world (No need to be a Holyoke native!). Entries can be created by individuals, or by teams of any size, allowing for lots of intergenerational collaboration and knowledge pooling. Each car can be no more than 15” tall and 18” wide – and the key to speed is a low and wide wheel base. No more than 50 entries will be accepted for the race – so sign up now to ensure that your creative car gets a chance to roll down the track!
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May 22, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Suggested Activity)
Tags: Hiking, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, Massachusetts State Forest, Massachusetts State Parks, Nature Based Learning, Outdoor Adventures
So Much Fun for So Little Money
Massachusetts State Forests & Parks
In the extreme southwest corner of Massachusetts is a cluster of state parks noted for their spectacular scenery and breathtaking views, including Mount Washington State Forest. Adjacent to the state forest is Bash Bish Falls, one of the state’s most dramatic waterfalls. Cascading water tumbles through a series of gorges, and then plummets some 60 feet into a sparkling pool below. One of the many “so much fun for so little money” locations the DCR manages.
“Come out and play!” “Find yourself in a state park.” “It’s your nature.” These are some of the phrases Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has used over the years to invite visitors to Massachusetts state Forests and Parks. They are all true. Here’s another one: “So much fun for so little money!” It’s unofficial, of my own invention, and so true, too.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation – the state forests and parks – kicks its recreation season into high gear in June. Plan a visit. Plan lots of visits. Let’s talk about the “so much fun” part first. “For so little money” is covered later in this article.
SO MUCH FUN
The first thing to know about your state Forests and Parks is that there are lots of them – approximately 150 sites throughout Massachusetts. They range from small “pocket parks,” such as playgrounds, in eastern Massachusetts, to several thousand acre forests in western Massachusetts. October Mountain in Berkshire County, at over 16,000 acres, is one of the largest.
The point is this: Each park is special in its own unique way, whether it is a geologic wonder, like Natural Bridge‘s marble formations in North Adams; or the state’s highest peak, Mt. Greylock State Reservation, in Lanesboro; or waterfalls like the 80-foot Bash Bish Falls in Mt. Washington; or even re-claimed forest land, such as Erving State Forest and many of our other state forests.
The DCR website, www.mass.gov/dcr, gives a nice overview of the agency and a glimpse of individual parks, including relevant information such as driving directions and what the park offers visitors. There are several ways to search out parks for exploring. I recommend selecting by park name or by geographic region (click “Find a Park” on the home page) or by type of activity that interests you (click on “Activities” on the home page).
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May 21, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Hampden County, Hilltown Families, History, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Civil War, History, Pioneer Valley, Storytelling
Storrowton Village Host Interactive Tour: Civil War
West Springfield, May 28th
The storytelling tour at Storrowton Village in West Springfield, MA recognizes the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War on Tuesday evening, May 28th. Those who are intrigued and fascinated by Civil War history and want to learn more about life during this period, are urged to attend this unique and educational learning experience. Storrowton Village plans to present four such programs each year.
Storrowton Village will present an interactive, educational tour titled Storrowton and the Civil War, Tuesday, May 28, from 6-7pm, offering an inside look at how folks in the Northeast coped with the Civil War and the absence of our men who were called to duty or joined the patriotic fervor.
Participants will meet “townspeople” and hear their personal stories and points of view regarding the Civil War. Storrowton Village volunteers will be portraying the characters of the time as visitors travel through the Village’s historic buildings meeting residents, shopkeepers, farmers, family members, and tradesmen along the way, all with information and their own experiences to share.
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May 21, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Hampden County, Springfield Museum, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Butterflies, Butterfly, entomology, lepidopterology, Pioneer Valley, Springfield Museums
Amazing Butterflies at the Springfield Museums
May 25-Sept 2nd, 2013
Amazing Butterflies is an interactive maze experience that allows visitors to explore the world of the butterfly and learn the surprising challenges butterflies face every day. Each station of the maze relates to a different phase of a butterfly’s life cycle, from a caterpillar to a dormant chrysalis and finally to a mature butterfly. As visitors make their way through the maze, they will also be introduced to some of the butterfly’s enemies and the challenges they face in finding food and a mate. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Amazing Butterflies is that it is designed for both children and adults, allowing families to share in the enjoyment of learning together.
What do question marks, painted ladies, and mourning cloaks all have in common? They’re all things that can be found this summer at the Springfield Museums’ newest exhibit. And they’re all species of butterflies!
Opening on May 25th, Amazing Butterflies is an interactive and informative exhibit created for both children and adults. Created by The Natural History Museum in London in collaboration with Minotaur Mazes, Amazing Butterflies takes visitors on a maze-like journey through the lifecycle of a butterfly, following this insect from its first days as a caterpillar to its last days as a fluttering butterfly.
In conjunction with this interactive exhibit at the museums is a Butterfly House – an enclosure filled with numerous native species of live butterflies for visitors to see up close. There’s no better way to observe the colors and patterns of a butterfly’s wings than by having it land on a leaf or flower right next to you for close inspection!
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May 20, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Hampshire County, Hilltown Families, Hilltown Spring Festival, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Hilltown, Hilltown Community Development Corporation, Hilltown Spring Festival, Music Workshops
Musical Workshops for Children and Families at the
Hilltown Spring Festival on June 1st
Cummington Fairgrounds in Cummington, MA
Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots returns this year with another terrific intergenerational, interactive Afro-Caribbean song and drum workshop featuring music from Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico! All workshops are free with festival entrance and open to everyone! (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
At the Hilltown Spring Festival on June 1st at the Cummington Fairgrounds, in addition to ten musical groups on two stages between 11:15am-5pm, there will be four musical workshops for children and families!
- At 1pm, Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots will lead an intergenerational, interactive West African and Caribbean percussion and song workshop.
- At 2pm, Mariam Massaro of the Gaea Star Band will lead musical play with creative crowns, wands and whimsical costumes, for ages 1 to 12.
- At 3pm, Jim Armenti of the Lonesome Brothers will tell the stories behind some of the songs he has written for kids, teach the audience the lyrics, and then lead the audience in singing the songs (ages 4 to 10).
- And at 4:15pm, percussionist Tony Vacca will lead an intergenerational world music percussion workshop. All ages and skill levels are welcome. The instruments, which will be provided, usually include djembe drum, balafon, tuned bells, shekere, talking drum, gongs and drum set.
Also at 1pm, at the Hilltown Spring Festival there will be an OPEN MIC for anyone who has family-friendly music to share with their neighbors. The sign-up for the open mike begins at 12noon. Young people are especially welcome to perform.
The Hilltown Spring Festival also includes food, arts and crafts, horse training demonstrations, and children’s activities all day long. The gates will open at 10am; the music begins at 11am. Admission is $8; children 12 and under are free. Free parking is available on the fairgrounds.
The Hilltown CDC’s 7th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival will be on Saturday, June 1st, 2013 at the Cummington Fairgrounds! 2,000 people are expected at the Hilltown Spring Festival this year and entertainment will include musical performances and workshops, exhibits by artists and craftspeople, displays by local businesses, food from local vendors, kids-made craft bazaar, children’s activities and much more. More information is available at www.hilltowncdc.org. – Proceeds go to support Hilltown CDC programs that support low and moderate income hilltown residents. These programs include small business support, housing rehabilitation, child care subsidies, and social services for families and the elderly.
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May 18, 2013 at 6:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for May 18th-24th, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Mark Your Calendars, Bulletin Board. and over 50 Summer Camp Options.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 33 Community Highlights: Lady’s Slipper to Bird Calls. Charcoal Industry to Historic Mill Sites., and our column, Berkshire Family Fun: May 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
May 18th-24th, 2013
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Early Childhood ♦ History ♦ Animal/Nature Studies ♦ Plant Studies ♦ Language Arts ♦ Community Service ♦ Parent Workshops
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
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May 17, 2013 at 6:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, Mother's Day, New England, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
Healthy Smiles to Spring Fling. Lady’s Slipper to Bird Calls. Charcoal Industry to Historic Mill Sites… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Peruse our list and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Community Highlights
With beautiful weather in the forecast, it’ll be a great weekend to head out to any of the many annual community celebrations taking place this weekend. Community highlights include the 34th annual Longmeaddowe Days in Longmeadow, 18th annual Springfest in Northampton, Muddy Brook Elementary School PTA’s annual Mud Day in Great Barrington, and Chester On Track which this year celebrates the 174th anniversary of the coming of the railroad to Chester! There are also a couple of museum adventures awaiting families this Saturday with Museum Day at The Clark in Williamstown, and Art Museum Day at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.
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May 15, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Hampshire County, History, Suggested Activity)
Tags: History, Pioneer Valley, Primary Source, Summer Music Series
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum Opens for 2013 Season
The rooms in the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum remain as they were arranged by members of the family to accommodate the procession of folks who crossed the house’s threshold. From farmers and businessmen, to religious leaders and social workers, to servants and slaves, the stories of many men, women, and children spanning 250 years of American History are told within the house.
The Porter-Phelps-Huntington Museum, an historic house museum dating to 1752 in Hadley, MA opens today (Wednesday, May 15) for its 64th season, and will continue their summer music engagement series, Wednesday Folk Traditions and A Perfect Spot of Tea this summer.
Known as Forty Acres, the museum is an 18th-century farm on the banks of the Connecticut River that today interprets life in rural New England over three centuries. Through the words, spaces and possessions of the women and men who lived there, the Museum portrays the activities of a prosperous and productive 18th-century farmstead.
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May 14, 2013 at 12:00 pm (Hampshire County, History, Northampton, Suggested Activity)
Tags: mulberry trees, northampton museum, Northampton Silk Threads, Pioneer Valley, Silk, silk threads, Silk Trade, textiles, Western Massachusetts History
Northampton Silk Threads: The China Connection
Historic Northampton Museum & Education Center
May 1st-31st, 2013
The remnants of the Pioneer Valley’s silk trade are still around – one can find the iconic Silk Mill, visit Silk City (Florence), and gaze up into the branches of mulberry trees all over Northampton. All of these things are representations of the city’s long-ago to silk production and the silk trade in China and Japan.
During the first half of the 19th century, Northampton was a huge producer of silk. Mulberry leaves fed the hungry silk worms, and women worked in factories, helping to spin the silk onto spools in order to be woven into beautiful fabric. Eventually, the demand for silk became too much for the town’s supply of silk worms, and manufacturers began outsourcing to China. However, Chinese silk production methods proved incompatible with mechanical production, and Japan replaced China as the valley’s silk provider until the industry collapsed during America’s Great Depression.
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May 14, 2013 at 9:00 am (CISA, Food, Franklin County, History, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Agriculture, Farmers, Farming, franklin county, History
Pothole Pictures presents “Root Hog or Die”
May 17th & 18th in Shelburne Falls, MA
“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.
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May 13, 2013 at 9:00 am (Hampden County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: berkshire hills, Hilltowns, History, keystone arch, railroad, railroad hub, Westfield River
Chester On Track Celebrates 174th Anniversary
Saturday, May 18th, 2013
Chester, MA
All aboard for Chester On Track, the railroad-themed family festival in downtown Chester, MA on Saturday, May 18 from 9am-4pm (rain or shine). A 10am parade sets the day’s pace along Route 20 and through the village. This free event gathers some of the very best early railroad, industrial, military and artisan talent from the across region.
Celebrate the 174th anniversary of the coming of the railroad to Chester, MA. Chester became a significant railroad hub during the age of steam. 150 men worked around the clock at the roundhouse maintaining the “pusher” engines to move passengers and freight up and over the Berkshire Hills westward.
Visit with living history re-enactors and explore the stories of the local landscape: 10th Massachusetts Regiment Civil War, blacksmithing, and Irish immigrant Western Railroad workers from Storrowtown Village, and tool demonstrations at a former granite stone finishing works.
Stop by the rail fan train show at the depot. Marvel at the Pioneer Valley Live Steamers ‘one-lung’ steam & gas engine demos, and classic cars. Displays include a number of 1920′s-era freight cars, wooden caboose, wooden velocipede, ‘Children’s Boxcar,’ Operation Lifesaver and US Fish and Wildlife’s Watershed On Wheels exhibit van.
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May 11, 2013 at 6:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for May 11th-17th, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Mark Your Calendars, Bulletin Board. and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 25 Community Highlights: Mother’s Day to Mamadrama. Steamboat Bill to Beaver Ponds., and our column, Berkshire Family Fun: May 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
May 11th-17th, 2013
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Mother’s Day Highlights ♦ Animal Studies ♦ Local History ♦ Nature Studies ♦ Film Studies ♦ Plant Sales ♦ Parent Workshop
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
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May 10, 2013 at 6:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, Mother's Day, New England, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
Sunday is Mother’s Day! If you’re looking for ideas for getting out on Mother’s Day, we have a few suggestions…
Mother’s Day to Plant Something Campaign. Mamadrama to Steamboat Bill. Beaver Ponds to Fishways… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Peruse our list and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Brunch, Hike & Celebrate for Mother’s Day
Not up for breakfast in bed, then head out for breakfast or brunch. We asked our readers for family friendly restaurant recommendations for Mother’s Day and they had several to offer. Check out Mother’s Day Brunch to see their suggestions… and add one of your own.
After breakfast/brunch, celebrate Mother’s Day by taking her to one of the many gorgeous gardens dotted throughout Western Massachusetts including the Bridge of Flower in Shelburne Falls, one of the Commonwealth’s most unusual and enchanting “gardens” is found in Franklin County. Read our post The Art of Great Gardens in Western MA for a list of recommended public gardens in the region.
Looking for other ideas? Check out our Mother’s Day Highlights!
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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
Mother’s Day Mementos: Free Family Friday Night Event with Hilltown Families at The Art Garden
Friday, May 10th from 4-7pm
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.
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May 4, 2013 at 6:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for May 4th-10th, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Best Bets, Bulletin Board. and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 23 Community Highlights: Building Birdhouses to Making Giving Bags. Jurassic Roadshow to Long Island Express., and our column, Berkshire Family Fun: May 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
May 4th-10th, 2013
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Service-Based Learning ♦ Playgroups & Storyhours ♦ Dinosaurs/Fossils ♦ Nature & History ♦ Fashion ♦ Science ♦ Animal/Nature Studies ♦ Parent Workshop
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Affirming What’s Essential ❥ Love in Western MA
- What to do with Fiddleheads?
- Hilltown Families on Pinterest!
- Let’s Play: Monsters and Creative Free Play
- HFVS Music from South Africa with Guest DJ, Debbie Lan (Radio Show/Podcast)
HILLTOWN FAMILIES EVENT: This Saturday, May 4th form 10am-1pm. JOIN US!
GIVEAWAY
RECAP MAP SPONSORS
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May 3, 2013 at 6:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, Community Service, Community Service Based Learning, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, National Volunteer Week, New England, Park Clean Ups, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
Northampton’s annual Pride Parade and Celebration takes place on Saturday starting at 12noon! Celebrate LGBTQ culture and rights – there is a specially designated youth space at the event just for families!
Building Birdhouses to Making Giving Bags. Jurassic Roadshow to Long Island Express. Wild Flower Walk to Historical Fashion Show…
These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week!
Get out into your community and learn while you play!
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May 1, 2013 at 5:00 pm (Berkshire County, Berkshire Family Fun, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County Community Events
Berkshire County Highlights for Families: May 2013
Find out about community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County for the month of May. We’ll be adding to this list as the month progresses, so be sure to check back:
• North Berkshire
• Central Berkshire
• South Berkshire
To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday! There you will also find our list of ongoing weekday playgroups, storyhours and events both in Berkshire County and throughout the region.
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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
Greenfield’s Lost Museum: Dexter Marsh and the Dinosaur Tracks
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
Submitted by Cynthia Herbert. Photo courtesy of the Historical Society of Greenfield.
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April 30, 2013 at 3:00 pm (Art, Eric Carle Museum, Hampshire County, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Arts, Recycled Art, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Artists of All Ages are Invited to Participate in Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Arts Call of Caterpillar Sculptures!
Celebrate the beloved and iconic caterpillar – as well at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art’s 10th anniversary – by building your very own caterpillar sculpture out of recycle and/or found materials. (Photo credit: Eric Carle Museum)
Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar
is a family favorite all around the world – over 33 million copies have been sold since it was first published, and it has been translated into over 50 languages! The little green caterpillar has munched its way through the pages of the books and into the hearts of multiple generations. The story provides Eric Carle’s signature illustrations and a silly story, plus it gives young children an age-appropriate first taste of nature education. It is rare to find a developmentally appropriate nature-related book for young children, but Carle’s classic tale beautifully weaves fantasy and reality together, teaching young children about the life cycle of a caterpillar while still managing to include bright illustrations and fun details.
Celebrate the beloved and iconic caterpillar – as well at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art’s 10th anniversary – by building your very own caterpillar sculpture! The Carle has put out an open Call for Caterpillars of all kinds to be submitted for use in the museum’s Children’s Book Festival on June 8, 2013 (and for the chance to receive an original doodle by Eric Carle!).
Photos of the submitted pieces will be shown during the festival, and three random entries will be shown in their three-dimensional original form in the museum’s galleries. Museum staff ask that caterpillars be created using recycled and/or found materials, such as plastic bottles, wood, metal bottle caps, and packing materials.
Pieces should be submitted in photo form, and can be created by caterpillar-enthusiasts of all ages! Visit the museum’s website for more information on submissions and the festival itself (www.carlemuseum.org). All submissions are due by May 31st. Happy upcycling!
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April 29, 2013 at 6:30 am (Hilltown Families Event, Suggested Activity, Take Action, Volunteer Opportunity)
Tags: Community Service, Dakin Humane Society, Family Community Service Night, Family Volunteering, Franklin Land Trust, Grow Food Northampton, Kane's Krusade, MA Department of Early Education and Care, Northampton, Northampton Public Schools, Service Based Learning, Volunteering, western massachusetts
Hilltown Families’ Family Community Service Event
Saturday, May 4th from 10am-1pm
Leeds Elementary School in Northampton, MA
Volunteer with your family to help local non-profits in a single free event on Saturday, May 4th from 10am-1pm during the Hilltown Families’ Family Community Service Event, held at Leeds Elementary School in Northampton— a one of a kind event for families to volunteer together while educating children about animal welfare, conservation efforts and the value of community service. Space is limited, so reserve a spot for your family today! –
“Our mission is to give families service based learning experiences by collaborating with local non-profits and community organizations in a single event,” says Sienna Wildfield, Executive Director of Hilltown Families. “Many families are interested in volunteering together but may find it difficult due to either a limit in time or to a lack of opportunities. Hilltown Families’ Family Community Service Event is for all ages and is a fun way for families to volunteer together. It’s also an avenue for parents to discuss and educate their children on important community issues and the value of volunteering on behalf of animals and the environment.”
Join Hilltown Families for a Saturday morning of volunteering together with your family during our spring Family Community Service Event on Saturday, May 4th from 10am-1pm in Northampton, MA!
This past fall at our inaugural Family Community Service Night we focused on human service organizations and families had a great time working together in support of several local non-profits.
Our spring event on Saturday, May 4th will be held at Leeds Elementary School in Northampton. We will be offering seven volunteer stations for families to participate in hands-on service projects for ALL AGES that support animal welfare organizations, conservation efforts and food security. Families will also be able to bring home several of their service projects to continue their community service together from home.
With a Community Service Passport in hand, families can travel to each station and have their Passport stamped after completing their service project. In their Passports parents will find conversation starters, online resources and recommended reading lists for each station, and children can share what they liked best about each project by filling in their Passport. Parents can use the Passport to help guide youth participants in learning about animal welfare, conservation efforts and food security.
Our Spring Volunteer Stations include:
- BIRD HOUSE BUILDING: Bluebird houses will be constructed on site to be donated to the Franklin Land Trust. Families can help assemble & sand houses… something for all ages. (Facilitated by the Northampton High School Woodworking Club)
- FELINE FUN: Make catnip toys for cats to be donated to the Dakin Humane Society for cats waiting for adoption. (Facilitated by Dakin Humane Society)
- FLEECE CHEWS FOR CANINES: Make and donate chew toys for dogs of families in need with Kane’s Krusade. (Facilitated by Give a Hoot Pets)
- SOW AN EXTRA ROW: Learn about growing extra food in your family garden plot or container gardens to harvest and donate to a local food pantry. Go home with a plant starter and seeds to plant and nurture this summer. (Facilitated by Grow Food Northampton)
- SEED BOMBS: Create dirt bombs with native wildflower seeds to use for promoting natural habitats for pollinators. Go home with your very on seed bombs! (Facilitated by Help Yourself!)
- GIVING BAGS: Upcycle old t-shirts into giving bags to take home for collecting food for animal shelters, food pantries or other service organization in need of donations. (Facilitated by Knack)
- LETTER WRITING: Learn about the work of participating organizations and write letters of appreciation, or participate in letter writing campaigns. (Facilitated by the Northampton High School Key Club)
Donation Stations: In addition to our volunteer stations, we will have several opportunities for families to bring and donate items from home, including:
- Cat food & cat toys to be donated to Dakin Humane Society.
- Dog food to be donated to Kane’s Krusade, including: new, unopened dry dog good (no Beneful or Ol’ Roy, please); canned dog food; and dog treats (no treats form China, please).
- Baby blankets, receiving blankets, baby wipes & kids polar fleece hats to be donated to Urban Wildlife Rehabilitation.
Pet Adoption: Stop by and visit Dakin Humane Society’s pet adoption station. Families can learn more about Dakin’s services and programs, and the adoption process. Who knows, maybe you’ll meet your new furry friend! If a family meets an animal they would like to adopt, they can complete their adoption process at either Dakin’s Springfield or Leverett Adoption Centers.
Food: Cup & Top Cafe will be joining us with food to fuel our volunteering families, selling coffee/tea, beverages, pastries and light lunch fare. So be sure to come hungry (and thirsty!).
Questions? Call 413-961-9367
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April 29, 2013 at 6:01 am (Hampshire County, Hilltown Families, Hilltown Spring Festival, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshires, Children's Festival, Craft Festival, Food Festival, hampshire county, Hilltown Spring Festival, Hilltowns, Music Festival, Pioneer Valley, Spring Festivals, Sustainability Festival, western massachusetts
Hilltown Spring Festival on June 1st will be a medley of festivals!
Innovative percussionist, Tony Vacca will be returning to Hilltown Spring Festival this year, with a performance and rhythm workshop for families. His performances are a nearly non-stop athletic spectacle of percussion music and spoken word, incorporating a world of percussion traditions that includes African, Caribbean, Asian and Middle-Eastern influences. To be enjoyed by the entire family! (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
The Hilltown Spring Festival on June 1st, 2013 at the Cummington Fairgrounds will be a combined music festival, food festival, children’s festival, craft festival, and alternative energy exposition!
MUSIC
Musical performers include percussionist Tony Vacca, acoustic string band Appalachian Still, singer-songwriter Heather Maloney, the Lonesome Brothers, Hot Day at the Zoo, the Walkin’ Blues Band, and Dan Hales and the Frost Heaves. The complete music schedule is at www.hilltowncdc.org.
CHILDREN
Music for children of all ages will be performed by Mister G, David Grover and Terry A La Berry. There will be children’s activities all day long, dancing around the Maypole at noon, children selling their own hand-made crafts at the Kids-Made Crafts Bazaar, eight foot tall puppets, Morris dancers, and much more.
New this year is an open mike stage for local musicians of all ages!
EDUCATION
Music workshops for families will be led by percussionists Aimee Gelinas and Tony Vacca, Jim Armenti of the Lonesome Brothers,, and Mariam Massaro.
SUSTAINABILITY
The Festival also features vendors of sustainable living products and services, farmers selling starter plants, local craft vendors, horse-training demonstrations, displays by local organizations and much more.
The gates will open at 10am; the music begins at 11am. Admission is $8; children 12 and under are free. Free parking is available on the fairgrounds.
The Hilltown CDC’s 7th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival will be on Saturday, June 1st, 2013 at the Cummington Fairgrounds! 2,000 people are expected at the Hilltown Spring Festival this year and entertainment will include musical performances and workshops, exhibits by artists and craftspeople, displays by local businesses, food from local vendors, a family contra-dance, kids-made craft bazaar, children’s activities and much more. More information is available at www.hilltowncdc.org. – Proceeds go to support Hilltown CDC programs that support low and moderate income hilltown residents. These programs include small business support, housing rehabilitation, child care subsidies, and social services for families and the elderly.
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April 27, 2013 at 6:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for April 27th-May 3rd, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Mark Your Calendars, Bulletin Board. and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 40 Community Highlights: History of Tea to Biology of Frogs. Cultural Festivals to Fundraisers., and our bi-weekly column, Berkshire Family Fun for late April through early May, 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
April 27th – May 3rd, 2013
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Community Service ♦ Fundraisers ♦ Sustainability ♦ Animal/Nature Studies ♦ Economics ♦ Cultural Studies ♦ History
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Q&A: Does Your Family Have a Pediatric Dentist You Love Here in Western MA?
- HFVS Arbor Day Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
- One Clover & A Bee: Poems For Families To Learn And Love
- Make Your Own Natural Bug Repellent Using Essential Oils
- Our Daughters: Using Facebook to Air Conflict
HILLTOWN FAMILIES EVENT
GIVEAWAY
RECAP MAP SPONSORS
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April 26, 2013 at 6:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, Community Service, Community Service Based Learning, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, National Volunteer Week, New England, Park Clean Ups, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
The new exhibition, Tea Talk: Ritual and Refinement in Early American Parlors, opens at Historic Deerfield this weekend. Families can learn about the history of the tea trade, historical use of tea in homes, and its role in socializing in early America. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Spaghetti Dinner to Fun Run. Composting to Recycling. Victorian Tea to Potluck Dinner. Frog Life Cycle to Arabic Cultural Festival…
These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week!
On the heels of Earth Day as we head towards the end of National Volunteer Week, there are still a plethora of events to participate in that celebrate and support sustainability, along with opportunities to volunteer with your family this weekend. Peruse our list below and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
And be sure to check our list of supporting book titles to supplement the learning on the different topics highlighted each week.
Purchase them for your family library, or check them out from the public library!
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April 20, 2013 at 6:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for April 20th-26th, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Mark Your Calendars, Bulletin Board. and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 34 Community Highlights: Wild Flower Walks to Textile Drives. Weather to Transportation., and our bi-weekly column, Berkshire Family Fun for late April through early May, 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
April 20th-26th, 2013
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Community Service ♦ Earth Day ♦ Animal Studies ♦ Nature Studies ♦ History ♦ Parent Workshops ♦ Cultural Studies
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Virtual Tour: How Plastic Bags Get Recycle
- Families in Western MA Offer Earth Day Eco-Tips
- Planting Seeds: Music that Celebrates Gardening
- Q&A: Where to Get New/Used Bikes for the Family in Western MA
- HFVS Astronomy Episode (Radio Show/Podcast)
HILLTOWN FAMILIES EVENT
RECAP MAP SPONSORS
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April 19, 2013 at 6:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: April Vacation, Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, Community Service, Community Service Based Learning, Earth Day, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, National Volunteer Week, New England, Park Clean Ups, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, School Vacation, School Vacation Week, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
Earth Day to Volunteer Week. Beaver Ponds to Raising Chickens. Wild Flower Walks to Textile Drives…
These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
And be sure to check our list of supporting book titles to supplement the learning on the different topics highlighted each week.
Purchase them for your family library, or check them out from the public library!
Hilltown Family Variety Show: This Saturday, April 20th, we will rebroadcast our Weather Episode with Guest DJ, Alison Faith Levey. Tune in for an hour of great music and learning highlights on all things WEATHER!
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April 16, 2013 at 9:00 am (Suggested Activity, Sustainability)
Tags: Earth Day, Recycling, Sustainability
Reuse & Recycling Rally Offers 3 Ways to Practice the 3 R’s!
Northampton Reuse & Recycling Rally happens Saturday, April 20th from 9am-12noon at Smith Vocational High School. Find new-to-you toys for the kids at the community tag sale, shred confidential papers, donate old baby equipment, recycle well-loved pants with holes in the knees and t-shirts with juice box stains for the textile drive, and bring by those hotel shampoos and conditioners from your family winter vacation to Florida to donate to the Hampshire County Interfaith Emergency Shelter. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
The Northampton Department of Public Works is sponsoring another reuse & recycling rally on Saturday, April 20th, 2013 at the Smith Vocational High School from 9am-12pm, in cooperation with the City’s ReUse Committee, the Salvation Army & ProShred of Wilbraham. This is the third in a series of events in 2013 to promote waste reduction, reuse and recycling of unusual materials. Once again, it’ll be a three ring circus: a community tag sale and donation drop off, a shredding event for confidential papers and a textile drive to keep usable goods out of the landfill.
COMMUNITY TAG SALE & DONATION DROP OFF
The Community Tag Sale is a flea market with a twist. Fifty-four sellers will load up their trunks and sell stuff from the back of their vehicles in the Vocational School’s back lot at 80 Locust Street (Route 9, Northampton, MA). Each will be given two parking spaces- one to park in and the other for sales (note: pre-registration is required for vendors through the Northampton DPW. Yard sale devotees will be delighted with bargains at this huge multi-family tag sale!
The Salvation Army will be on site to accept donations of small household goods, including but not limited to kitchen ware, fireplace sets, lamps, wall decorations, board games, books, DVD’s/CD’s, tools, sporting goods, luggage, radios, umbrellas… practically anything in good condition except mattresses, upholstered furniture, and baby equipment.
Voluntary donations for the Hampshire County Interfaith Emergency Shelter will be gratefully accepted in exchange for this service (hotel-sized shampoos, conditioners & hand soaps, men’s and women’s socks & underwear, small deodorants, toothbrushes & small toothpastes, razors & shaving cream, combs & brushes, women’s hygiene products, gloves & mittens, etc.
TEXTILE DRIVE
The Salvation Army will also be accepting clothing, shoes, accessories and textiles. Textiles that are unsuitable for reuse or resale will be reprocessed into polishing cloths for industrial use, fibers for insulation, soundproofing, carpet padding and building materials. Acceptable textiles can be worn, torn, stained or missing buttons- but they must be clean and dry.
SHREDDING
Concurrently, a free regional shredding event for confidential papers will be offered to residents and small businesses. ProShred’s mobile shredding unit will provide confidential destruction of documents on site. Participants can deliver up to two recycling bins to be safely recycled, and pre-registration is not required.
For more information contact Karen at 413-587-1059 or at kbouquillon@northamptonma.gov, find them Facebook (“Northampton ReUse”) or go to the DPW’s website at www.northamptonma.gov/dpw/Recycling/reuse.
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April 15, 2013 at 10:00 am (Hilltown Spring Festival, Suggested Activity)
Tags: Hilltown, Hilltown Community Development Corporation, Hilltown Spring Festival
7th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival
Celebrating life in the Hilltowns
June 1st, 2013 in Cummington, MA
“The Hilltown Spring Festival is a chance to connect with 2,000 of your neighbors who care about the quality of life in the Hilltowns,” said Seth Isman, Hilltown CDC’s Economic Development Director and Festival coordinator. “The Festival celebrates what we love about the Hilltown community.”
Hilltown Families is a proud premiere sponsor of the Hilltown Spring Festival, the Hilltown Community Development Corporation’s signature community celebration to be held this year on Saturday, June 1, from 10am-5pm at the Cummington Fairgrounds in Cummington, MA.
Last year’s Festival drew 2,000 people for an all-day celebration of regional arts, culture and sustainability. This year’s Festival will feature performances all day by area musicians on two stages, specialty food and drink from local vendors, children’s activities all day long, kids-made crafts bazaar, and a new open mike stage.
Right now is a great time for community members and local businesses to get involved with the Festival as the Hilltown CDC is signing up local artisans, businesses, non-profit organizations and volunteers.
The Festival is looking for:
- Artists and craftspeople who want to display and sell their work;
- Businesses who want to reach 2,000 prospective customers in one day;
- Vendors of products and services that make our lives more energy-efficient and our communities more sustainable;
- Local food vendors;
- Volunteer captains to help the Festival succeed;
- Kids 12 and under who want to show and sell their art or craft work in the kids-made craft bazaar;
- Musicians to perform on a new open mike stage;
- And businesses to sponsor the Festival.
Registration forms are available from Hilltown CDC; email sethi@hilltowncdc.org, call 413-296-4536 ext. 112, or stop by during office hours (387 Main Road/Route 143 in Chesterfield, MA). Priority deadline for reserving a space is May 13, 2013.
ABOUT THE HILLTOWN CDC: Hilltown CDC seeks to improve the quality of life for Hilltown residents by addressing economic, housing, educational, social and community needs while preserving the rural character of the area. Find out more about the Hilltown CDC and their community development work at www.hilltowncdc.org.
The Hilltown Spring Festival is supported in part by grants from the Local Cultural Councils of the towns of Ashfield, Chester. Chesterfield, Conway, Cummington, Goshen, Middlefield, Plainfield, Washington, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Windsor and Worthington—local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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April 13, 2013 at 5:00 am (Recap Map, Suggested Activity)
Tags: April Vacation Week, Berkshire County, Berkshires, Family Guide, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Hilltowns, Massachusetts, New England, Pioneer Valley, Spring, Weekend Guide, western massachusetts
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and during April Vacation Week throughout Western MA!
MAP
Peruse our list of Suggested Events for April 13th-19th, 2013 for a comprehensive list of events happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, including: Mark Your Calendars, Bulletin Board. and the Hilltown Family Variety Show.
Also check our weekly column, Learn Local. Play Local. for 40 Community Highlights: StoryWalks to Marionette Shows. Salmon Fry to Coatimundi., and our bi-weekly column, Berkshire Family Fun for Early-Mid April, 2013, for a list of premier educational and cultural highlights in Berkshire County for families!
April 13th-19th, 2013
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
StoryWalks ♦ Puppets & Marionettes ♦ Animal Studies ♦ Community Service ♦ History ♦ Astronomy
RECAP
Visit the Hilltown Families Facebook page and Twitter stream for more news and information!
FIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES
- Music Trekking: Andean Music for Spring
- Q&A: Share Your Love for Your Local CSA
- Let’s Play: Puppets and Creative Free Play
- Mug & Bugs in the Hills
- Birds of Spring Episode: Hilltown Family Variety Show (Podcast/Radio Show)
HILLTOWN FAMILIES EVENT
RECAP MAP SPONSORS
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April 12, 2013 at 5:00 am (Highlights, Suggested Activity)
Tags: April Vacation, Berkshire County, Berkshires, Community Based Education, Community Service Based Learning, education for sustainability, environmental education, experiential education, Family Activities in Western Massachusetts, franklin county, Hampden County, hampshire county, Massachusetts, New England, pedagogy of place, Pioneer Valley, place-based education, place-based learning, School Vacation, School Vacation Week, staycation, Things to do in Western Massachusetts, Tourisim, Travel, vacation, Western MA, western massachusetts
StoryWalks to Marionette Shows. Salmon Fry to Coatimundi. American Revolutionary War to Patriot’s Day…
These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play during April vacation week!
And be sure to check our list of supporting book titles to supplement the learning on the different topics highlighted each week.
Purchase them for your family library, or check them out from the public library!
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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
Patriot’s Day Revolutionary Muster and Parade
Historic Deerfield
Saturday, April 13th, 2013
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!
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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.
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