If being in the garden with your kids is more your speed, be sure to check out the plant sales & swaps happening this Saturday in Cummington, Holyoke, Shelburne Falls, and Sunderland.
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.
Citizen Scientists are Studying All Over the World
From ladybugs to sunflowers to birds to babies… there are a number of ways average families can participate as citizen scientists and time of year!
You’ve got to love technology! Never before in the history of time have people from all over the world been so easily able to learn about and participate in true science.
Citizen Scientist projects are research based investigations that involve regular people in actual research experiments. By engaging the general public, professional scientists are able to amass a huge amount of data. The observers and data collectors get to learn more about the scientific process and whatever the scientists are studying.
Often in this column I focus on events that are coming up in Western MA; however, the thought of having a list with all of my favorite citizen science projects in one place proved irresistible.
So, here is a sample list of family friendly, year round, citizen science projects that involve the natural world, and sound intriguing:
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.
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!
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!
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!
There are 3 series of puppet and marionette shows happening during April vacation week in the Pioneer Valley!
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!
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.
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.
Winterberry Farm in Leverett, MA, is a small, family teaching farm. They have farm and fiber programs throughout the year. One of their most interesting programs is Sheep Week for kids during April vacation week. Each child is assigned a ewe and her lambs to care for during the week. The kids weigh, feed, and get to participate in all aspects of the care of their own sheep family. They even get to watch the video of their home-birth! There are also courses for adults. There are private fiber and soap making classes, as well as custom made workshops for scout groups or homeschool groups. They host camps on vacation weeks as well as Summer Camp. Learn more at www.winterberryfarm.org.
Berkshire Botanical Gardens in Stockbridge, MA offers programs for both children and adults. They run a Farm in the Garden Camp, which is a full-day summer camp for children ages 5 to 10. For adults, the choices are impressive. They offer courses on fruit production, growing with perennials, and building dry stone walls, among other things. You can learn more at berkshirebotanical.org.
Crimson and Clover Farm in Florence, MA hosts courses and summer camps through the Farm Education Collaborative. There are home-school programs, parent child gardening programs, an after school farm club and workshops for adults. There is more information available at www.thefarmeducationcollaborative.org.
Farm School in Athol, MA helps people connect with the land. Visiting schools can spend three days fully immersed in the work and life of the farm. Adults who want to learn about animal husbandry, vegetable production and homesteading skills can participate in the Practical Farm Training Program. There is even a one-room school house for middle school students. It offer a rigorous education in a joyful, beautiful setting. You can learn more about their programs at www.farmschool.org.
Farm and Garden Camp in Amherst, MA is a program through the Farm Education Collaborative based at Hampshire College that has an intentional focus on growing and harvesting the food we eat and fibers we use. It offers weekly summer day camp programs to young people from 4-14 years old during the months of July and August. Learn more about the program at www.farmandgardencamp.org.
Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA offers a Waldorf inspired camp during vacation weeks and Farm Camp during the summer. Children ages 4-15 enjoy caring for a variety of farm animals, participating in agricultural crafts and preparing their harvests in the kitchen.You can learn about it at www.hartsbrook.org.
Open View Farm in Conway, MA was founded in 2005 with the goal of creating a welcoming environment in which people of all ages and backgrounds could connect with nature. They have events throughout the year, including sheep shearing, work projects, and social gatherings. Open View has created an especially welcoming farm for the families of people in the LGBQT families. They have a program called CampOUT which is for children from LGBQT families to get to experience farm life and companionship. Open View farm also offers fellowships for private and public school teachers who need a retreat to create curriculum that supports Peace and Justice or Sustainable and Responsible living. You can learn more about Open View Farm at www.openviewfarm.org.
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.
Search for courting Woodcocks, an elusive bird that is a sure sign of spring when you discover their entertaining breeding behavior. There are two opportunities to explore: Friday night, April 5th at the Guyette Farm in Plainfield, and Tuesday evening, April 9ths at Northfield Mountain.
Radio to Railroad. Alchemy to Literacy. Polka to Hindustani. Timberdoodle to Madagascar… 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!
One of the oldest Good Friday customs is eating hot cross buns. These small sweet buns, marked with a cross of white icing, may have originated in pre-Christian times. Early Egyptians, Greeks and Romans marked their loaves of bread with symbols to honor their gods and goddesses. Many superstitions grew out of this custom.. Read more about this and other Easter icons in our post, Legends & Lore of Easter Icons.
Laura Ingalls Wilder to the Beatles. Vernal Pools to Boreal Forests. Legally Blonde to Anything Goes…
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!
Beekeeping to Bird Houses. Latino Folktales to Ukrainian Pysanky. Bread to Sushi… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
March 23 – April 5, 2013
While there still might be fresh snow on the ground, it is officially spring… and there’s proof! High school spring musicals are happening at both Taconic High School in Pittsfield and Mount Everett Regional High School in Sheffield; Spring egg hunts are scheduled in several towns throughout the county; there’s even the annual Spring Tonic happening at the Lenox Library!
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through April 5, 2013:
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.
Project BudBurst
Citizen Scientist Opportunity for Families & Students
For younger children, BudBurst Buddies is a companion to Project BudBurst that encourages young learners to follow the seasons by making simple botanical observations. Check it out at www.budburstbuddies.org – (Photo credit: Dennis Ward)
Students can learn so much by following the seasonal patterns of plants found here in New England. Each plant’s cycle is different, and varies depending on factors like location and weather patterns. Tracking a plant through its seasonal changes can help us to better understand the subtle changes that take place in our environment, and says a lot about where we live.
This spring, families can track these plant cycles by volunteering as Citizen Scientists for Project BudBurst, a national project that tracks buds, blooms, and leaves as the seasons change. The project is used to generate useful ecological data that can be used in studies of the environment and to track annual changes of seasons and climate. The project is open to families and educators living in any of the 50 states, and participation can be a one time project or a year-long educational expedition.
Working together to gather information to submit to Project BudBurst is a great way for youth to develop useful nature-related skills and to gain knowledge and experience in plant identification, while volunteering as citizen scientists. Students will need to learn the anatomy of plants in order to check for specific growth patterns, and they will gain practice using field guides while working to identify the plants that they find. They will also begin to understand the biodiversity present in the area, and will examine the relationship that changes in the sky bring to their environment. Recording data will help with development of basic data analysis, and presenting data in a useful format is excellent practice for nonfiction writing. Students of all ages can learn by participating in Project BudBurst, and it could be used by homeschoolers, K-12 classrooms, and higher education.
Spring arrives on Wednesday, March 20th with the Vernal Equinox. Families are invited to witness the sunrise (6:45am) or sunset (6pm) at the UMass Amherst Sunwheel. Astronomers Judith Young and Stephen Schneider will discuss the astronomical cause of the suns changing position during the hour-long gatherings. They will also explain the seasonal positions of Earth, the sun and moon, phases of the moon, building the Sunwheel, and answer questions about astronomy
Annie to Oklahoma. St. Patrick’s Day to Spring Equinox. Jane Yolen to Georges Méliès… 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 & DVD 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!
Squirrels to Bats. Irish Soda Bread to Mill Workers. Maple Harvest to Colonial Toys… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
Spring bulb shows continue this weekend at both Mt. Holyoke’s Talcott Greenhouse in South Hadley and at Smith College Botanic Garden in Northampton. Families can learn about unique types of plants, and a visit to the show can be used to supplement studies of biodiversity and plant anatomy. Pair a visit to the show with a family study of how plants grow and compare seed growth to bulb growth.
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
March 9th-22nd, 2013
The community is starting to look towards spring! Spring musicals like Oklahoma at Mount Greylock High School, maple events like MapleFest, and even Easter activities like learning how to naturally-dye eggs at the Berkshire Co-op and an egg hunt in Otis, are all starting show stirrings of spring… even the time change this weekend will bring more light to the end of your day!
Give the kids a sweet taste of spring and take them to one of the sugar shacks for breakfast. Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock is a Berkshire County favorite! Here is what our readers had to say about this local treasure:
Rebecca Heath of Pittsfield writes: “We love maple sugaring season… as a family, including our 93 year old grandmother, we head to Ioka Valley Farm for their delicious farm fresh breakfast. Our favorite of course is the fresh boiled maple syrup but they also have the best maple butter…MMMM….”
Heather Fletcher of Pittsfield writes: “Our family likes to have breakfast at Ioka Valley Farm. We feed the animals, mimic the sounds, sample syrup, & learn how it’s made.”
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through March 22nd, 2013:
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.
Explore another culture by introducing a new tradition to your family, Ukrainian Easter Eggs, also know as Pisanski eggs. This month there are several community classes and workshops taking place. Check out our post, The Tradition of Pisanski Eggs, for both a list of upcoming opportunities in Western MA and a video showing you how to make them at home.
Culinary Arts to Forensic Science. Tulips to Jazz. Teen Brains to PreK Friendships. Irish Dance to Asian Art…
These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
Be sure to check our list of supporting book & DVD 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!
This weekend is the Amherst Orchid Society’s annual orchid show at Smith Vocational High School in Northampton. Kids can view a wide variety of orchids – there will be blossoms of all sizes and colors, and families will be able to learn about the proper care for growing orchids at home, as well as the interesting facts about orchids’ unique cycle of growth, how they are pollinated by insects and their amazing beauty. After the show, head over to the Lyman Conservatory at Smith College for more orchids, as well as cacti, a chocolate tree and many others. Can’t make it? Check out the Kids Corner and take a virtual tour of the Smith College Botanic Garden and make plans to go this spring when the bulb show arrives!
Orchids to Spotted Salamanders. Purim Celebrations to Afro-Cuban Dances. Sign Language to Fabric Collage… 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 materials 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!
This Saturday, February 23rd & Sunday, February 24th, visit Old Sturbridge Village to celebrate Black History Weekend, the village’s educational celebration of Black History Month. The event will include a performance by historical reenactor Tammy Denease as Elizabeth Keckly, a former slave who bought freedom for herself and her son and went on to be a very successful fashion designer and clothing maker. Along with the usual opportunities to learn about 19th century life in New England, families will learn about the history of race issues and the use of slavery in early America. Perfect for students studying American history!
The Northampton Community Music Center presents the Deedle Deedle Dees in concert at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst this Saturday morning! An educational rock band, the Deedle Deedle Dees sing about science, history, and everything in between, making their fun, catchy songs educational as well as entertaining. Then mark your calendars as Lloyd from Deedle Deedle Dees joins the Hilltown Family Variety Show again as our guest DJ on Saturday, March 30th!
Learn about the changes that Williamstown’s Main Street has undergone throughout its existence on Saturday morning, at the Williamstown Historical Museum. Once mostly a residential neighborhood, downtown Williamstown has become the commercial hub of the town. Kids can learn about how their community has evolved, and will be able to put what they know about American history into a specific, locally-centered context.
On Tuesday afternoon, February 26th, learn about the life and accomplishments of WEB Du Bois at UMass’ 19th annual Du Bois Lecture. Arthur McFarlane II, great-grandson of WEB Du Bois, will speak about his great-grandfather’s accomplishments as a civil rights activist at St. John’s Congregational Church in Springfield. Older students studying American history and/or the Civil Rights Movement will learn useful and interesting information about a significant figure from the Civil Rights Movement, and will also learn to put what they’ve learned into a modern background.
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
Feb 23rd – March 8th, 2013
We’re rounding the corner into March, the month of the vernal equinox! But we’re not there just yet, so while it lasts, get out and enjoy the snow! There are a number of events happening to get your family outdoors for winter fun. Thunderfest, Winter Fest, Notchview and Sheep Hill’s Winter Open House will have snow adventures in North Berkshire County. and in South Berkshire County, Berkshire Natural Resources Council offers winter hikes at the Housatonic Flate Reserve and Alford Springs. But if snow adventures aren’t your warm cup of tea, there are plenty of indoor adventures in Central Berkshire County, including Bowey the Clown at the Spectrum Playhouse, a mini-golf classic inside the Berkshire Athenaeum, creative free play and kitchen science at the Berkshire Museum, theater production of Happy Days at Miss Hall’s School, and museum fun at the Norman Rockwell Museum.
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through March 8th, 2013:
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.
Sledding on 1830′s-style sleds at Old Sturbridge Village. (Submitted photo.)
Shaker Song to Gospel Music. Sojourner Truth to George Washington. Arctic Wolves to Mountain Lions… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
Having a snow day? Here’s a fun papercraft to make with your kids for Valentine’s Day : Swedish Heart Baskets. Click on the image for directions.
Chocolate History to Guitar History. Victorian Valentines to Mardi Gras. Winterfest to Fire & Ice… These are just a few of the learning & community highlights we’re featuring this week. Get out into your community and learn while you play!
Chocolate and Valentine’s Day go together like peanut butter and jelly! Learn about the history of chocolate – bean to bar – and Valentine’s Day traditions at Old Sturbridge Village on Sunday, February 10th. Families can make their own valentines and meet the local women responsible for the tradition of sharing cards on Valentine’s Day. The tradition began with handmade cards, and grew into an entire company! There will also be demonstrations of chocolate processing and the making of a hot, spiced chocolate drink. Families can also learn a 19th century recipe for chocolate cake! There will, of course, be the usual opportunities to learn about life in early New England that Old Sturbridge Village offers. Families can supplement studies of American history and culture by visiting the village, and make their visit fun and holiday-related by learning about Valentine’s Day traditions! Read our featured post, Be Mine: Chocolate and Valentines.
The Springfield Museums will host a lecture titled, “Les Paul’s New Sound: Re-Imagining the Electric Guitar in 1950’s America,” featuring Smith College professor Steve Waksman on Sunday afternoon. The talk will teach visitors about the role that Les Paul’s music played in the changing sound of American music during the mid-20th century. Also featured will be Quinnipiac University professor John Thomas, who will share his process of x-raying vintage guitars to examine their craftsmanship. Great for older students interested in music, music history, and cultural studies and ties into the current exhibit, GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World.
Hold your pinky high – it’s time for a fancy tea at Ventfort Hall on Thursday afternoon, February 14th in Lenox! In honor of Valentine’s Day, the museum is hosting a special tea-tasting event, where visitors can learn about the history of specific tea blends, as well as the origins of teas and recent changes in the tea market. Special emphasis will be placed on the history of the JP Morgan blend, a special tea commissioned by JP Morgan himself – it was his favorite! Best for older students with some background in world history and basic economics, the event will help students learn about world trade, and the changes in food sourcing and sales throughout American history. BYO teacup! Victorian high tea to follow the tasting.
VALENTINE CELEBRATIONS
Use antique valentines for inspiration at a valentine-making workshop at the Wistariahurst Museum on Sunday afternoon, February 10th in Holyoke! There will be plenty of materials on hand, along with Victorian poetry and sayings to embellish your artwork with. Read our featured post, Victorian Valentines Workshop & Era Days at Wistariahurst Museum.
On Tuesday afternoon, February 12th, visit the Sixteen Acres Library in Springfield for a special Valentine tea! Kids ages 5-8 and their parents can learn about different kinds of tea and have some treats (including chocolate milk in place of tea, if they prefer!) – and there will be a special edible craft, too! Wear a fancy hat or don one borrowed from the library. (FREE)
Still need to make some last-minute valentines? The Williston Library children’s department in Easthampton is hosting a pre-Valentine’s Day celebration that will include card and craft making, and a performance of “Little Bear’s Valentine” by Emily’s Players on Tuesday afternoon. (FREE)
Looking for a date night on Valentine’s Day, Thursday, February 14th? Spend Valentine’s evening at MASS MoCA in North Adams – there will be tours, gift-making, romantic games, and couples yoga. End the evening with dinner at Lickety Split! The Kidspace will offer kids’ programming, and parents can drop off kids for their own special Valentine’s evening, including crafts, dinner, and lots of other fun activities.
Another way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is seeing a screening of Casablanca at the Amherst Cinema for a cozy date night on Thursday! Well known as one of the greatest love stories from the golden age of film, the movie stars Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman as lovers forced to choose between love and virtue in Africa during World War II.
Parents and their kids 10 and under can enjoy an evening out at a special parent/child Sweetheart Dance on Friday evening, February 15th in Florence! Hosted by Northampton Recreation, the dance will have live (family-friendly) DJ music, crafts, games, and treats.
ANIMALS
Pooches of all shapes and sizes strut their stuff on Sunday, February 10th at Berkshire Community College in the 12th annual Not Your Average Dog Show in Pittsfield! There are lots of non-traditional categories for pups to compete in, including mystery mutt, best trick, most beautiful eyes, “earresistable” ears, and more. Dog lovers of all ages will love spectating at this event.
Preschoolers can become track-finding nature detectives this morning at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst on Friday morning, February 15th! The Winter Wonderland Detectives program will teach young children to look for tracks in winter, and will include a track-themed storytime and a track-finder guide making activity.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Shovel out your car and visit MASS MoCA in North Adams on Saturday, February 9th – for Free Family Day! Along with the usual opportunities to learn about (and make) modern art by visiting the museum’s galleries, there will be special performances, tours, and workshops today, too! Families can learn all about the many works of art housed at MASS MoCA by taking tours which will be held throughout the day. Visitors ages 16 and older can take part in a dance workshop with Batsheva Emsemble (bring water and a towel!). The day ends with a family-friendly psychedelic Latin dance party featuring the sounds of Brooklyn’s Chicha Libre! Tickets to the show cost extra for those over 12. (FREE)
Easthampton’s 5th annual Fire and Ice Art Walk takes place on Saturday evening, February 9th, FEBRUARY 16TH! The event features, of course, beautiful and interesting artwork by local artists and locations throughout town, and will also offer exciting wintery activities for families. There will be a bonfire at Nashawannuck Pond (but ice harvest has been cancelled), luminaries, live music, poetry readings from 6:30-7:30 at participating Art Walk locations, and a collaborative community art project titled, “For the Love of Easthampton, Valentines for the City,” will be taking place at city hall for families to participate in! Read our feature post, Warm Up this Winter with Easthampton Fire & Ice Art Walk!
Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride, race down a hill in a cardboard box, play some frisbee (winter style!), watch fireworks, taste chilis entered in the chili cook-off, a marvel at ice sculptures, and practice your cross-country ski skills on Sunday, February 10th at Winterfest Amherst(rescheduled from Saturday, Feb. 9th)! The annual event takes place at the Cherry Hill Golf Course, and features tons of exciting winter-themed family activities. Beat cabin fever and spend the day outdoors!
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Snowshoe with the Trustees of Reservations at Peaked Mountain in Monson on Sunday afternoon, February 10th! Snowshoes available for rent with registration.
Explore Chapel Brook in Ashfield with the Trustees of Reservations on Thursday morning, February 14th and learn to identify moss and lichen species! The 1-2 hour hike will include lots of stops for observation and identification practice, so bring any interesting field guides or other resources if you’d like!
Look for tracks and other signs of wildlife on Wednesday morning, February 13th at Mt. Greylock with the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in Adams! The 2-4 mile expedition will take about 2 hours, but is relatively easy. Hikers can see a new beaver lodge, and can wander through some of the many game trails created by the wildlife who call the mountain home. An excellent supplement to studies of local biodiversity and natural resources! (FREE)
MARDI GRAS
On Saturday, February 9th from 9-10am and Sunday, February 10th from 7-8am, tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org, to the Hilltown Family Variety Show! Children’s book author and musician Johnette Downing and Grammy Award winning producer Scott Billington offer a carnival of Louisiana roots music; a showcase of Cajun, New Orleans Rhythm and Blues, Zydeco, Brass Band and Jazz music by Louisiana artists. (FREE)
Celebrate Mardi Gras and Carnival together at Mardival on Sunday afternoon in Nothampton! The Academy of Music hosts this special performance, featuring the Expandable Brass Band, Samba SA, and the Jaimoe Jasssz Band with special guests Samirah Evans and Duke Robillard. The event will share New Orleans-style jazz and Brazilian music to celebrate the annual celebration of Carnival in New Orleans and Rio de Janero.
With Mardi Gras is coming up, prepare for the celebration by making a maskat the Forest Park Library in Springfield on Tuesday afternoon, February 12th! There will be feathers, beads, glitter, and more to make beautiful, unique masks with – express yourself, cajun-style! (FREE)
FIBER ARTS
On Sunday afternoon, February 10th, see a display of needlework in the Springfield Central Library’s Wellman Hall, and then work on your own crochet and hand-weavingskills! All skill levels are welcome, but young weavers/crocheters/knitters should be mature and able to interact with adults easily. Guidance will be offered for beginners. BYO materials. (FREE)
SCIENCE
Students from Pittsfield High School and Taconic High School present their projects for the Science and Innovation Fairat the Berkshire Museum on Tuesday, February 12th in Pittsfield! Approximately 170 students have participated in preparation for the event, and 80 collaborative projects will be displayed. Visitors can learn about the projects and ask questions about the young scientists’ methods and processes, and will also get free admission to see the museum’s exhibits. Students can be inspired by the projects that they see, and the high schoolers can serve as role models for independent work and scientific inquiry. (FREE)
THEATER STUDIES
By special arrangement with Hilltown Families, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox is pleased to offer our readers a rare opportunity to take in a classic Shakespearean performance paired with a guided tour backstage. On Friday, Feb. 15th at 10am, schools and homeschooling families are invited to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Tina Packer Playhouse, followed by a backstage guided tour where participants can learn how the process of theatre is crafted in the costume shop, prop studio, and production workshop. Tickets for this package are only $8/person and a Study Guide for educators is available to download before attending. To reserve discounted tickets, contact Alexandra Lincoln, and let her know you are a Hilltown Families reader: 413-637-1199 x131. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. www.Shakespeare.org.
Find out about these events and over 100 other events & activities happening all next week in our List of Weekly Suggested Events. All of our listed events are “suggested.” Please take a moment to confirm that these events are happening as scheduled, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before heading out.
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
February 9th-22nd, 2013
Valentine’s Day is next week and school vacation week is the week after… and we’ve got you covered in Berkshire County! In our list of events below you will find all sorts of fun activities to do with the kids and even some date night options for the parents! If you’re looking for winter vacation camp options for the week of Feb 18-22, 2013 in the Berkshires, check these out:
Winter Vacation Camp Options in Berkshire County – Feb 18-22:
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield – Movie Camp. (M-F. 9am-4pm. $250.)
Berkshire South Regional Community Center in Great Barrington – Action Adventures. (M-F. 1/2 & Full Days.)
By special arrangement with Hilltown Families, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox is pleased to offer our readers a rare opportunity to take in a classic Shakespearean performance paired with a guided tour backstage. On Friday, Feb. 15th at 10am, schools and homeschooling families are invited to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Tina Packer Playhouse, followed by a backstage guided tour where participants can learn how the process of theatre is crafted in the costume shop, prop studio, and production workshop. Tickets for this package are only $8/person and a Study Guide for educators is available to download before attending. To reserve discounted tickets, contact Alexandra Lincoln, and let her know you are a Hilltown Families reader: 413-637-1199 x131. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. www.Shakespeare.org.
Hilltown Families and the Berkshire Theatre Group have partnered up to offer a free family 4-pack of tickets to one lucky family to The Popovich Comedy Pet Theater on Tuesday, February 19th at 2pm, at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield, MA
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through February 22nd, 2013:
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.
Spelling Bee to Cosmology. Glass Blowing to Handmade Valentines. Ice Harvest to Hobby Railroad. African-American History Month to Groundhogs 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! 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!
Saturday, February 2nd is Groundhog Day! Families with young children can celebrate in the morning at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls by learning about the winter habits of the shadow-searching creatures, and make a guess about whether or not winter will last for six more weeks
Learn about raptors at the Greenfield Center School on Sunday afternoon, February 3rd at their annual free Birds of Prey Open House with Tom Ricardi, Raptor Rehabilitator. Bird-related activities and projects, like owl pellet dissecting, will be lead by Center School teachers.
In Williamstown in the afternoon on Sunday, explore Field Farm for their free Winter Wildlife Day at Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation. Dress warmly to trek around the farm, searching for signs of wildlife and learning about how the many creatures who call the farmlands home survive during the winter months. Bring snowshoes or skis if you wish. Warm up after your adventure by toasting marshmallows over a campfire! 4
In the morning on Wednesday, February 7th in Williamsburg, start out your day with some fresh air with a free guided hike at Petticoat Hill with the Trustees of Reservations. The theme of the hike is edible plant identification, and the hike will stop a few times along the way for observations. Bring a field guide and a camera if you want.
HANDMADE VALENTINES
Did you sign up for the Hilltown Families 5th annual Handmade Valentine Swap? Whether you did or not, making handmade valentines is a great way to push against the commercialization of yet another holiday, while being creative with your family and friends. There are a few opportunities to get out in your community to make valentines with others this weekend!
On Saturday morning, February 2nd, sign up to take part in the Eric Carle Museum’s Valentine-making party, which will take place in the museum’s art studio in Amherst or make your own valentines at the Mason Library in Great Barrington. In the afternoon on Saturday, families can also make their own handmade valentines at Art Party in Easthampton. If you can’t make any of those, on Sunday evening, February 3rd, kids ages 8-14 can learn basic drawing and print-making techniques with local artists at the Shutesburny Town Hall to use to create unique and beautiful handmade valentines.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
There are also a few upcoming events happening at area museum that support the study of American history for older students. On Saturday morning, February 2nd the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield presents, “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery,” the first in a two-part lecture series featuring author Barbara Krauthamer. The presentation will use historic images (including the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, Sojourner Truth, abolitionist conventions, and more) to examine what the freedom granted by the Emancipation Proclamation really looked like in the years just after its implementation. Older students can pair the event with studies of American history and civil rights – gaining a critical understanding of the implications of the historic proclamation can help students better understand the roots of race-related conflicts and inequalities. The second lecture will take place at the same time on Saturday, February 9th.
Learn about the history of slavery in the Connecticut River Valley on Thursday at noon, February 7th at the Springfield Museums’ Museums a la Carte lecture, featuring Amherst College Professor Robert Romer. During the 1700’s, it was commonplace for important, prominent people to own slaves – even ministers. Older students can learn how the practice of slave-holding affected the history of their community.
Learn about the powerful images that Norman Rockwell created during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s on Friday afternoon, February 8th in Stockbridge. Norman Rockwell Museum’s Curator of Education Tom Daly will share the stories behind the creation of such paintings as “The Problem We All Live With,” “Murder in Mississippi,” and “New Kids in the Neighborhood,” and Rockwell’s dedication to civil rights throughout his career.
HISTORY
The annual Amherst Railroad Society Railroad Hobby Show takes place this weekend (Feb. 2nd & 3rd) at the Big E in West Springfield, and contains everything related to rail travel, from real life railroad pieces to scale models and extensive hobby train set-ups. There will be displays from railroad historical societies, hobby builders, suppliers, and more – the event has something for everyone, whether you’re new to studying railroads and model trains of a seasoned enthusiast! Families can learn about the history of rail travel, and the numerous types of trains and their uses. Kids can also learn about the history of railroad use in the area, and will learn about how their community has changed over the years.
Attend an old-fashioned ice harvest at the Old Shop Pond at the Noble and Cooley Center for Historic Preservation in Granville on Saturday afternoon, February 2nd. Dennis Picard, director of Storrowton Village, will teach visitors about the historic practice of cutting ice from the pond to store for the year. The museum will show a short video about the history of ice harvesting in New England on loop, so that visitors throughout the day can learn even more about winter life in early New England.
Families can do hands-on activities to learn about early New England life at Old Sturbridge Village! The village’s winter homeschool day takes place on on Friday, February 8th and will feature a variety of special workshops for all ages, in addition to the daily opportunities to explore the village, meet historical re-enactors, and learn all about 1830’s culture and practices. Some of the workshops offered today include learning to make a kitchen grater using tin-working techniques, open hearth cooking, and studying the language of fans and dance etiquette.
Smith College’s John M. Greene Hall will be filled with the sounds of a capella on Sunday afternoon, February 3rd in Northampton. The Northampton Arts Council’s annual Silver Chord Bowlwill feature groups from Smith College, Northeastern, the University of Connecticut, Yale, Tufts, NYU, Berklee College of Music, and the Northamptones. Families will love the unique sound that each group has, and can learn to better understand a capella music by listening to a sampling of well-performed pieces.
The Mt. Holyoke College Music Department presents flutist Andrea Kapell Loewy, principal in the Acadania Symphony, in concert on Wednesday afternoon, February 6th in Hadley. Students with audience skills can learn about the unique sound of this beautiful wind instrument at this free performance.
SCIENCE & SPELLING
Older students can learn about the science behind the human sense of smell at the OEB Science Cafe on Monday evening, February 4th in Hadley. This free event will take place at Esselon Cafe, and will be lead by UMass graduate student Tom Eiting will explain his work researching how nasal passages work and how smell is perceived in the brain.
Where did the universe come from? Learn about its origins on Tuesday evening, February 5th with cosmologist Lawrence Krauss at Williams College in Williamstown. Best for older students, the talk will cover recent developments in the field of particle physics, as well as ideas behind why there is something in the universe instead of nothing at this free talk.
The second annual Westfield city-wide spelling bee, Words With Friends, takes place on Thursday evening, February 7th. Students from all of the city’s fifth grade classrooms have participated in preliminary bees, and this final event will include two top spellers from each school! Takes place at Westfield State University.
PARENTS NIGHT OUT
Saturday night, February 2nd: Enjoy an evening of classic jazz at the Gateways Inn Restaurant in Lenox. The event is a fundraiser for the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School’s high school, and will feature local musicians.
Thursday, afternoon February 7th: Enjoy an indulgent night of wine and chocolate at the Springfield Museums! There will be wines to taste, chocolates to try, and delicious chocolate hors d’ouevres, as well as guest speaker Donald Williams, a professional wine buyer.
Friday, evening February 8th: New Orleans’ own legends the Preservation Hall Jazz Band are playing The Clark in Williamstown! Playing both Dixieland and traditional jazz, the group represents the historic Preservation Hall’s decades-long musical tradition.
Find out about these events and over 100 other events & activities happening all next week in our List of Weekly Suggested Events. All of our listed events are “suggested.” Please take a moment to confirm that these events are happening as scheduled, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before heading out.
This weekend, January 26th & 27th,Old Sturbridge Village celebrates Fire and Ice Days! Families can visit the village to take part in the annual event, which includes many of the activities typical to an 1830’s New England winter. Families can skate on the pond, go sledding on vintage sleds, take a horse drawn sleigh ride, and learn about (and try!) ice harvesting. Indoor activities include a fireside magic show, a talk on the history of ice skating, a thaumatrope-making craft, and opportunities to learn about 19th century methods of staying warm throughout the village. Pair a visit to the village with studies of American history and culture or a look at the evolution of technology, and compare the ways that early New Englanders battled winter to the ways we have adapted to handle cold weather today. Kids get free admission through the month of January!
Ice Harvest to Winter Farmers’ Market. Chinese New Year to Tu B’Shevat. Wind Turbines to Meteorology. Hendrix to Ben-Hur… 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!
It’s that time of the year when families are being to think about their next step with their children’s education. Several schools will be offering open houses this weekend, along with a preschool resource fair for families just starting their investigation in various learning institutes and establishments offered in the region. Here are seven upcoming opportunities:
Celebrate the Chinese New Yearwith the Pioneer Valley Chinese Immersion Charter School on Saturday afternoon, January 26th in Northampton! Families can learn about Chinese culture, as well as the traditions surrounding the event. Then later in the week, pay a visit to the Smith College Museum of Art’s Asian art exhibit to learn more about Chinese culture – it opens on February 1st!
In the morning on Saturday, celebrate the Jewish holiday of Tu B’Shevat – also known as Jewish Earth Day- with Jewish entertain-ucator Felicia Sloin and puppeteer Kate Holdsworth at Temple Beth El in Springfield. This free performance is filled with music, puppets, and stories that will teach kids about the holiday. The show is designed for young children, but all are welcome to come and learn about Jewish culture and traditions. Then on Sunday morning, January 27th, continue the celebration at Temple B’Nai Israel in Northampton! Tu B’Shvat is a celebration of trees, and calls for reflection on our relationship with the natural world. Families of all backgrounds can take part in this free celebration, which will include lots of fruit and environmentally-themed games.
LOCAL FOOD
Celebrate CISA’s Winter Fare Week at the Northampton Farmers’ Market and the Springfield Winter Market this Saturday, January 26th. These markets are filled with a wide variety of local produce and locally produced foods – shop tables filled by farms, bakeries, orchards, and more to find foods your family will love. At the Northampton event there will be special workshops on food preservation, sustainability, and self sufficiency, too! Families who preserve their own food can participate in a barter market, too – trade your homemade pickles for local blueberry jam, or eggs from your chickens for homemade local applesauce. At the Springfield event, stop by the market for workshops and fun kids’ activities. The workshops offered will be on teaching kids to cook and preparing efficient, eco-conscious, and affordable family meals.
Another way to enjoy food locally is by joining in a community dinner or breakfast! This Sunday morning, January 27th, bring your family to fill up on pancakes with the Belchertown Fire Department at a community pancake breakfast! … Maple season is just around the corner! Get your pancake chops ready now!
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math)
This Saturday morning, January 26th, learn how to be a mad scientist – safely! – using ingredients found in your kitchen! Kitchen Ka-Boom at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is a special program filled with wacky kid-safe experiments that can be easily replicated at home and will help kids learn about basic scientific principles.
In the afternoon on Saturday, kids can build crazy LEGO creations at the Dickinson Library in Northfield! LEGOs are a great creative medium for kids interested in design and architecture, and can help them develop their own creative stories based on characters and structures that they build.
On Wednesday evening, January 30th, the Collaborative for Educational Services is offering a free parent workshop, “Tech for Tots,” focused on developmentally appropriate use of technology. The workshop takes place at Hatfield Elementary School, and parents will learn about the impact of use of technology on normal child development – technology use can impact social skills, learning, and brain development if not done appropriately.
Students at the Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School will present their own unique, independent science research on Wednesday evening, January 30th, at the school’s annual science fair! Students choose their own topics to research, then are mentored by an expert in the field that they have chosen in order to help them learn how to do accurate research, provide them with necessary background information, etc. The process helps students learn how to be a scientist, and the role that scientific research plays in our lives. Families can learn about many different scientific phenomena by viewing the exhibits, and can learn about ways to conduct their own scientific research at home.
On Thursday afternoon, January 31st, meet an actual television meteorologist! Sprout Homeschool Science Program is offering a field trip to a television station in Springfield where kids will be able to learn about how air temperature, the water cycle, weather monitoring, and knowledge of climate all help meteorologists make their weather predictions. Kids will be able to see meteorology equipment and can ask questions, too! Fits perfectly into elementary-aged studies of earth sciences, especially the water cycle and climate.
Also on Thursday afternoon, in preparation for the Science and Sustainability Expo happening in April, there will be a KidWind Workshop for educators and parents of youth in grades 4-12 to learn how to build a mini wind turbine in Greenfield. Build and take home a free model electricity generating wind turbine with your own blade design. Learn about the knowledge, skills and resources needed to bring wind energy education to your youth using standards-based activities in an engaging, hands-on manner.
MUSIC/FILM STUDIES
Enjoy some mid-day Baroque musicat the Pelham Library on Saturday at noon, January 26th! The library’s monthly tea will feature a free performance by The Montague Consort, featuring music for piano and recorder. Great for older students interested in learning about music history!
On Saturday evening, The Academy of Music Theater in Northampton screens Hendrix 70: Live at Woodstock, a documentary about Hendrix’s road to Woodstock, as well as footage of his most famous (and probably most memorable) performances. Young music buffs will love seeing Hendrix’s Woodstock performance and hearing live version of his classic songs. Older students interested in music history can learn about the early days of classic 70’s rock and will learn more about the history behind the sounds that influenced much of today’s music. Then on Sunday, January 27th, head over to the Springfield Museums to check out GUITAR: The Instrument That Rocked the World, an exhibit which shares the history and science behind this iconic musical instrument. Families can also learn about over 60 rare, unique, and antique instruments, learn about playing music through hands-on interactive exhibits, and more!
The Clark Museum’s Widescreen Wonders series continues on Saturday in Williamstown with a free screening of Ben-Hur, a 1959 epic about the Roman Empire in Palestine. The film, directed by William Wyler, included a cast of thousands of actors and swept in eleven Oscars. Older students interested in film will love seeing this classic!
LITERACY
Celebrate the 151st birthday of prolific writer Edith Wharton on Saturday, January 26th at The Mount in Lenox Wharton’s beautiful and historic home! The mansion will be open for visitors of all ages to explore for free – guides will be available for tours throughout the day. Kids can do a scavenger hunt and make their own journals to write down their thoughts and ideas – just like Edith! Tie the celebration into family studies of classic literature and/or historic homes and architecture.
Monday evening, January 28th is the first meeting of First Steps to Reading, a free workshop series for parents of kids from birth to five years old in Belchertown. Parents will learn ways to prepare their children for reading at home by sharing books, writing, playing, exploring and singing. The workshops run weekly through March 4th, and each meeting will focus on a different aspect of reading preparation, teaching parents how to support their children’s budding literacy.
Families with early readers can take part in a freeliteracy workshop at the Lee Library on Tuesday morning, January 29th! The workshop is part of a six-week series, and is open to families with kids ages 5 and younger. The program will focus on teaching skills that will eventually help children learn to read in school – parents can work on these basic skills at home with their kids in order to help them be ready to read!
Do you ever wish that you could recommend your favorite books to other library visitors? The Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield invites Forest Park Reads, a free series where families can read new books (or chapters of books) and then rate them using a star system so that other library visitors can choose great new things to read on Tuesday afternoon, January 29th!
SNOWSHOE HIKES & ANIMAL STUDIES
Snowshoe under the full moon at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox on Saturday evening, January 26th, or spend the entire day and evening outdoors on Sunday, January 26th, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snow hiking at Stump Sprouts Cross Country Ski Area in Hawley!
Learn about the secret lives of amphibians on Saturday afternoon, January 26th at the Berkshire Athenaeum in Pittsfield. Berkshire Community College professor Tom Tyning will present information about frogs and salamanders, as well as his new book – A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles.
SPORTS
Smith College’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration takes place in Northampton on Sunday afternoon, January 27th! This free event, open to girls in 3rd-5th grade, celebrates girls and women participating in sports at all levels – from professional ice hockey to high school basketball to recreational summer soccer. Girls participating in the event will learn about (and get to try!) many of the sports played by women at the collegiate level, including rugby, cheerleading, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, rock climbing, and more. The event is a great opportunity for girls to learn about advanced levels of sports, and the female athletes they meet can serve as role models for budding athletes of all abilities.
If your girls are interested but can’t make the Smith College event, girls in grades 3-8 can participate in a similar free event on Saturday, February 2nd at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts’National Girls and Women in Sports Day event in Williamstown! There will be separate workshops for kids and adults, all of which will teach girls and women about participating in sports and the many different athletic opportunities available to them. The event celebrates the female presence in athletics, and young participants will learn about the hard work that it takes to be a higher level athlete.
THEATER STUDIES
By special arrangement with Hilltown Families, Shakespeare & Company in Lenox is pleased to offer our readers a rare opportunity to take in a classic Shakespearean performance paired with a guided tour backstage. On Friday, Feb. 15th at 10am, schools and homeschooling families are invited to a performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Tina Packer Playhouse, followed by a backstage guided tour where participants can learn how the process of theatre is crafted in the costume shop, prop studio, and production workshop. Tickets for this package are only $8/person and a Study Guide for educators is available to download before attending. To reserve discounted tickets, contact Alexandra Lincoln, and let her know you are a Hilltown Families reader: 413-637-1199 x131. Shakespeare & Company is located at 70 Kemble Street in Lenox. www.Shakespeare.org.
Find out about these events and over 100 other events & activities happening all next week in our List of Weekly Suggested Events. All of our listed events are “suggested.” Please take a moment to confirm that these events are happening as scheduled, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before heading out.
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
January 26th – February 8th, 2013
Ready to shake off those winter blues? There are several events coming up in Berkshire County that will get you moving and having fun! Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will host National Girls and Women in Sports Day, Winter Wildlife Day happens at the WRLF, and Williamstown’s 10th annual Snowfest will take place too!
There will also be ways to supplement learning for older students! In honor of Black History Month, the Berkshire Museum will present “Envisioning Emancipation: Black Americans and the End of Slavery,” and the Norman Rockwell Museum’s Curator of Education, Tom Daly, will review Rockwell’s dedication to civil rights throughout his career. There will be a presentation about frogs and salamanders by Berkshire Community College professor Tom Tyning at the Berkshire Atheneaum for those interested in nature studies, and cosmologist Lawrence Krauss will give a presentation at Williams College, talking about “Why is there something rather than nothing?”
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through February 8th, 2013:
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.
The Quabbin Reservoir, a man-made body of water, is home to numerous species and provides a vast amount of habitat to these creatures. Visit the reservoir on Saturday, January 19th to learn about the nearly 30 bald eagles that call the reservoir home!
30 Community Highlights: Bald Eagles to Bats. Opulent Banquets to Trolley Lines. Teen Open Mic to Nurturing Your Baby… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week! Get out into your community and learn while you play!
MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr.
Celebrate and honor Martin Luther King, Jr. at the 29th annual MLK Community Breakfast on Saturday morning, January 19th. An Amherst tradition, the event includes performances from the Amherst Regional High School jazz band, the Hope Community Church Choir, and the Common School Chorus, and will feature main speaker Dr. John Higginson, UMass history professor. Along with breakfast, music, and celebration of civil rights and Dr. King’s life, the event will include the distribution of community awards.
Six more ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day take place on Monday, January 21st.
Join community members in Northampton for the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Volunteer for MLK Day of Service with MassAudubon in Easthampton.
Old Sturbridge Village is open with special programs celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Sturbridge
The Community Music School of Springfield presents their annual musical celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the 4th Annual Interfaith Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Great Barrington
Learn about the powerful images that Norman Rockwell created during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s during a guide tour of Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbrigde
The Quabbin Reservoir, a man-made body of water, is home to numerous species and provides a vast amount of habitat to these creatures. Visit the reservoir on Saturday, January 19th to learn about the nearly 30 bald eagles that call the reservoir home! Mass Audubon hosts the event, which will include a visit to the visitor’s center in Belchertown to learn about the reservoir’s interesting history, a drive around the reservoir to visit lookout points and search for eagles, and a trek through the woods to search for other feathered wildlife.
Eagles are the only bird of prey being highlighted this week… families can also learn all about the many types of owls found in Western MA at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton on Saturday evening. Come see a puppet show of local author Jane Yolen’s picture book, Owl Moon! After the puppet show, take a walk in the sanctuary’s woods to listen for owl calls and search for signs of owls.
Long ago,animal tracking was essential to survival – now, it’s a way to learn what other creatures call the woods home, and to learn about the biodiversity of the area in which you live. Visit Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton on Saturday morning to learn about many different types of animal tracks and signs, and explore outside to find and identify some!
The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield is coming alive with creatures of the night – the museum’s newest exhibit is all about bats, Bats: Creatures of the Night. The exhibit opens on Saturday and there will be fun family activities all afternoon, including a scavenger hunt, echolocation experiments, and wing-making. The museum is also offering a lecture on bats later in the afternoon.
Two libraries are welcoming live animals to their stacks on Saturday to meet their youth patrons, and to be petted and read too! In the morning, kids can meet a real live llama at the Ramsdell Library in Housatonic, and in the afternoon, specially trained therapy dogs will be available as reading buddies at the Westfield Athenaeum. Both events are free.
Visit the Great Falls Discovery Center for a bear-themed Discovery Hour on Friday morning, January 25th in Turners Falls! Though the real bears are hibernating, there’s still lots to be learned about them during this free event.
HISTORY
Want to learn about the history of the Mount Greylock Ski Club? Join the the Williamstown Historical Society on Saturday morning, January 19th at the Milne Library in Williamstown. Club member Mary Merselis (who joined in 1965) will share nearly 75 years worth of local history, including the club’s role in building Greylock’s Thunderbolt Trail and in creating the National Ski Patrol.
Beginning Sunday afternoon, January 20th in Williamstown, Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute will present a four-part lecture series, “A Feast for the Eyes: Food, Porcelain, Silver, and Luxury Fabrics.” Darra Goldstein, professor of Russian at Williams College, will present the first lecture in the series, “Artful Dining: The Orchestration of the Meal.” Goldstein will explore feasts, from the ribald gatherings of the European Middle Ages through the opulent banquets of the Renaissance and on to the excesses of America’s Gilded Age. Older students can get a unique view into European history.
In Springfield on Thursday, January 24th, the Mason Square Library hosts, “Circle in the Square,” an ongoing community discussion of local history and community memories. This free afternoon meeting will focus on researching local history, and special guest Ed Lonergan (librarian and neighborhood resident) will help attendees learn ways to find out history about their own homes that they may not have known! Great for students interested in researching their community – learning about local history can help students put national history into a local context that they can relate to.
In its heyday, Holyoke was a bustling hub of industry, drawing workers from all over New England, and even Canada and Europe. The Connecticut River powered the city’s many factories, and there was even a trolley line! On Thursday afternoon, January 24th at the Meekins Library in Williamsburg, local author Bob McMaster will read from his new novel Trolley Days, a coming-of-age story about two young boys growing up in early 20th century Holyoke. Best for older students, this free reading puts an exciting, fictional spin on local history and can help students to learn more about the rise and fall of local industry and life in Holyoke past.
ASTRONOMY & ART STUDIES
On Saturday afternoon, January 19th learn all about Mars at Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams, while celebrating the 50th anniversary of the release of Mars Attacks.
Artist, educator and author of “Cellblock Visions: Prison Art in America,” Phyllis Kornfeld, will present a slide talk on the art of inmates at the Stockbridge Library on Friday afternoon, January 25th. This presentation will be paired with a discussion of their work, common types of art produced, and its place amongst mainstream American artwork. Older students can attend the event to learn about prison culture, the universality of human artistic expression, outsider art in America, and other topics related to art, psychology, and criminal justice.
JUST FOR TEENS
The Belchertown Teen Center is holding an Open House at the center on Saturday morning, January 19th. The center is open Tuesdays-Wednesdays afternoon every week, and offers activities, sports, homework help, and a safe place to socialize in a semi-supervised environment.
Northfield Mountain is offering a freesnowshoeing workshop for women ages 16+ on Saturday afternoon! Have a mother-daughter day of learning all about the winter sport, or teens can go with their BFF! Learn everything from the specifics of snowshoeing gear, the history of the sport, and the best types of trails for snowshoeing!
Teens, make yourself heard at the Barrington Stage Company’s first ever youth open mic on Saturday evening, in Pittsfield! The free event is open to youth ages 19 and younger who are interested in sharing performance of any kind. Each performer will get a 10-minute time slot to share music, poetry, performance art, and any other creative performance! The event will take place at Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, in the lower level of the Barrington Stage Company.
Teens can dance the night away in their most elegant attire at the Hartsbrook School’s annual Viennese Ball at the Northampton Center for the Arts on Saturday evening! The event is open to youth ages 12yo+ and parents/guardians, and includes dessert & dancing.
On Wednesday evening, January 23rd, teens can sing their hearts out with Berkshire Sings!, a community singing group at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center in Great Barrington. Singers of all abilities welcomed (adults, too) to sing pop, jazz, folk, showtunes, and more.
Teens can make a masterpiece out of food at the Forest Park Branch Library in Springfield on Thursday afternoon, January 24th! Use everyday food items as materials in what could possibly be the messiest but most beautiful art you’ll make this week. There will be prizes for the least amount of food used, most amount of food used, most colorful, most creative, and other limits.
JUST FOR PARENTS
Do you know how to survive an emergency situation? On Sunday afternoon, January 20th, Earthworks Programs in Ashfield is offering a workshop for adults that will share information and teach skills for surviving everything from a power outage to being lost in the woods
A free workshop series for parents of infants (babies 0-12 months) begins Wednesday, January 23rd at the Gateway Family Center in Huntington. Titled, “Nurturing Your Baby,” the series will teach parents about infant development, sleep strategies, infant massage, and other methods of caring for your baby.
The Collaborative for Educational Services hosts, “Why Do They Do That? Challenging Behaviors and Effective Responses,” at the Ware Family Center on Wednesday evening, January 23rd. The free workshop will teach parents of toddlers and pre-school aged children about the causes of common challenging behaviors and some strategies for dealing with them effectively.
On Thursday morning, January 24th, Baystate Health in Springfield is offering a free workshop for parents on the physical and emotional changes that kids go through during puberty, and will teach ways to effectively communicate and provide emotional support throughout childrens’ transition. “Family Matters! Encouraging Healthy Choices by Promoting Positive Self-Esteem.”
Find out about these events and over 100 other events & activities happening all next week in our List of Weekly Suggested Events. All of our listed events are “suggested.” Please take a moment to confirm that these events are happening as scheduled, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before heading out.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
Opportunities and Celebrations in Western MA
Monday, January 21, 2013
Six different community building events, community-based educational opportunities and service-based learning experiences are schedule this Monday, January 21st in Western MA. Find one that fits your interests and spend MLK Day learning, serving and connecting through your community!
Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.’s life and dedication to creating change in our country can be done in many ways. The day will be celebrated in Western MA at concerts, lectures, worship services, and ceremonies throughout the region.
Mass Audubon is offering a unique way for families to spend the special holiday this year – providing much needed help with improvement projects at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton on Monday, Jan 21! Dr. King’s major goals had to do with civil rights, but he also stands as a pillar of service to community, dedication, hard work, and determination. Honor these values by giving your time to better your community!
Projects at the sanctuary include:
trail clearing to provide better habitat for small animal and bird species
working to eliminate invasive plant species from the grounds
helping to clean and organize the sanctuary’s Visitor Center so as to make further groups’ visit more enjoyable
These service-based learning activities also allow families to learn about the many different animals who call the sanctuary home, the type of habitat protected by the sanctuary, and how to support local conservation efforts. Spending time outdoors can also lead families to discover winter animal signs, including tracks, scat, and traces of pre-nibbled food from a variety of plant species.
The community service day will take place on Monday, January 21st from 9:30am-1:30pm at Arcadia, located at 127 Combs Road in Easthampton. Pre-registration (done online) requested. Dress warmly if you plan to spend time outdoors, and bring water, lunch, and perhaps a hot drink.
There are several other opportunities for families to observe Martin Luther King, Jr. day through out the region too:
NORTHAMPTON: Join fellow community members in Northampton for the 29th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration. Starting at 8am, there will be events throughout the day, beginning with a community breakfast and dialogue at Christ United Methodist Church (271 Rocky Hill Road). At 10am, families can take a walking tour of Florence highlighting places significant to abolition and sharing information about the life and work of Sojourner Truth. Other events throughout the day include a workshop for youth education, a multifaith celebration, and a lecture on the effects of racism. (FREE)
STURBRIDGE: Old Sturbridge Village is open from 9:30am-4pm with special programs celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! There will, of course, be lots of opportunities to learn about life and culture during the winter in early 19th century New England. In addition, families can meet Elizabeth “Mumbet” Freeman (played by historian Tammy Denease), a young slave from Massachusetts who won her freedom (legally- in a court!) from her owner in 1781. The decision was a landmark case, considering Freeman was not only a slave, but also a woman. Families can learn about the importance of Freeman’s story, and pair what they learn with further studies of civil rights issues and American history. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road. ($)
SPRINGFIELD: The Community Music School of Springfield presents their annual musical celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at Newhouse Hall from 11am-1pm. The event will feature performances from the Freedom Choir, the MLK Dancers, the CMSS String City Orchestra, Dream Studios, and many other local groups sharing song, dance, and words honoring Dr. King and his accomplishments. 413-746-3655. 127 State Street. (FREE)
GREAT BARRINGTON: Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at an interfaith celebration at the First Congregational Church starting at 12noon for the 4th Annual Interfaith Celebration of the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Holiday. There will be readings, music, and singing, and youth from local organizations will participate in the ceremony and present information. Bring a nonperishable food item to donate to a local food pantry. 251 Main Street. (FREE)
STOCKBRIDGE: Learn about the powerful images that Norman Rockwell created during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Starting at 2:30pm, Norman Rockwell Museum’s Curator of Education Tom Daly will share the stories behind the creation of such paintings as “The Problem We All Live With,” “Murder in Mississippi,” and “New Kids in the Neighborhood,” and Rockwell’s dedication to civil rights throughout his career. 413-298-4100. 9 Route 183. (FREE with museum admission)
Educators can learn about creative ways to connect comics to curriculum at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge during an educators workshop on Saturday, January 12th. Participants will learn a bit about the history of comic book art, as well as many ideas for using comics as learning material alongside common curriculum topics. This special workshop is being held in conjunction with the museum’s exhibit, “Heroes and Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross.” ($$)
From Silver Mines to Labyrinths. Fiddler on the Roof to The Tempest. Laura Ingalls Wilder to Citizen King… These are just a few of the learning highlights we’re featuring this week, including opportunities to get outside and take the family snowshoeing! 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!
SNOWSHOEING
There are several upcoming opportunities to unpack those snowshoes and get out into the snow. We featured seven opportunities in Berkshire County over the next couple of weeks in our bi-monthly column, “Berkshire Family Fun.” Other places for snowshoe adventures this weekend include Laughing Brook Sanctuary in Easthampton and Northfield Mountain in Northfield.
HISTORY
On Monday morning, January 14th, Williams College in Williamstown presents a free media presentation all about Martin Luther King, Jr. There will be a screening of Citizen King, a film focusing on King’s leadership, as well as a slideshow of important scholars and activists heading other movements.
Loudville – part of Westhampton – was once home to lead and silver mines! On Friday evening, January 18th at the Westhampton Library, families (with older students) can learn about the history of the mines (including when they were built, who owned them, and more) and the methods used to extract materials. Families can also take a look at some of the many sources used by resident Wayne Perrea to research the mines’ history at a free presentation.
Meet Laura Ingalls Wilder (as portrayed by a historical reenactor) at Storrowton Village in West Springfield on Friday evening, January 18th! The beloved children’s writer’s 1894 self will share stories of her life (both well-known and obscure) with fans and scholars of all ages. The presentation will teach visitors about the culture and daily life of a late-19th century American!
ASTRONOMY
Visit Western Gateway Heritage State Park in North Adams on Saturday afternoon, January 12th, for a free space-themed workshop titled, “Empire of the Sun,” – it’s part of the park’s space-themed January programs, and pairs perfectly with a visit to the exhibit, “Journey to the Stars: To the Solar System, and Beyond!”
Learn all about constellations, then take a good look at them through a powerful telescope at the Ramsdell Library in Housatonic during Family Astronomy Night on Friday, January 18th! Astronomer Rick Costello will teach families the basics of identifying things seen in the night sky, and families can sign up for telescope viewings. There will be hot chocolate, too!
PARENT/EDUCATOR WORKSHOPS
Navigating the Vaccine Controversy: A Parent’s Guide. At Cradle, Dr. Laila Tomsovic, ND will be discussing the risks and benefits of early childhood vaccinations, the diseases they prevent, and each vaccine recommended by the CDC in the first 6 years of a child’s life on Saturday afternoon, January 12th in Northampton. ($)
Trying to budget better in the new year? Take part in a freetwo-part workshop series on budgeting and saving at the Haskins Center, starting on Monday morning, January 14th in North Adams. Parents will learn the basics of financial planning, as well as some tricks and tips to help save money while shopping for a family.
Frank Grindrod of Earthwork Programs will share strategies for preparing your family for an emergencyon Tuesday evening, January 15th at Green Fields Market in Greenfield during a free presentation. Participants will learn what things are best to have on hand, and what strategies to have prepared for a variety of emergencies, including a power outage, extreme weather, being lost in the wilderness, etc.
The Collaborative for Educational Services is offering a free workshop for parents titled, “Why Do They Do That?” at the Palmer/Monson Family Network in Three Rivers on Thursday evening, January 17th. The workshop is designed to teach parents of toddlers and pre-schoolers about the roots of common behaviors, as well as behavior management skills.
THEATRE
Students from Performing Arts Charter Public Schools present Shakespeare’s The Tempest at the Academy of Music on Saturday evening, January 12th in Northampton. Introduce your family to the classic, exciting story, and be wowed by the talent of local teens.
Amherst Leisure Services’ production of Fiddler on the Roofhits the stage on Thursday evening, January 17th for nine performances in Amherst! The show features local actors and actresses, and it is expected that all nine performances will sell out so buy tickets early!
ANIMAL/NATURE STUDIES
Explore Laughing Brook Sanctuary on Saturday morning, January 12th in Easthampton! Families can walk along the Scantic River and search for animal tracks and signs, and learn to identify the evergreen plant life found there. Bring snowshoes to make it an even more exciting adventure!
On Saturday morning, January 12th in Turners Falls, learn about local watersheds at the Great Falls Discovery Center’s, “Watershed Investigators,” a free family program where kids can learn new ways to look at and understand the world around them using games, crafts, exploration, etc. Designed to best fit students in grades 2-5, but all ages are welcome.
Snowshoe the trails for free at Northfield Mountain with naturalist Kim Noyes, tracking porcupines on Saturday afternoon, January 12th in Northfield! Families can romp through the woods and learn about ways to find animal tracks and look for clues to the area’s past land use. Kim will share with families information about using animals signs to identify wildlife, and there will be cocoa around a campfire once the hike is done! Best for children ages 10yo+.
Kids can learn firsthand about bird banding on Saturday, January 12th at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox! Visitors can watch as birds are caught in mist nets, then banded in order to be tracked and used for data collection. Participants will also be able to help record data, and learn what the information collected from banded birds is used for!
Embark on a special treasure hunt through the woods at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst on Tuesday morning, January 15th! The program will teach visitors about using a map and compass to get to a specific location, and kids will learn about the many different types of maps (topographical, political, climate, etc.). As the trek moves through the woods, kids will also learn to solve some “winter mysteries,” too!
SERVICE TO SPANISH TO SCIENCE
Want to make a difference in your community? On Saturday morning, January 12th, youth ages 8 and up can join the Hatfield Library’s Youth Action Committee – a free group that supports kids’ ideas for community improvement and helps them put them into action!
Knitting for kids at the Monson Library on Saturday at noon, January 12th! Work on a project you’ve started, get help casting on or off, and get some advice on whatever pattern you’d like to tackle.
Ashfield Needles and Threads is hosting a freecrafting materials swap at the Ashfield Congregational Church on Sunday afternoon, January 13th. Bring fabrics, yarn, needles, pattern… plus ideas and encouragement! Clear out some of your clutter while enabling another’s creative genius. Leave with ingredients & ideas for some terrific new projects for the New Year. Enjoy connecting with folks who share your interest as well as with folks who can help you learn a new craft. Bring the kids! All are welcome to come pick out materials whether they have some to donate or not.
On Sunday afternoon, January 13th, MASS MoCA screens, “Brave New Voices,” a film about young people using spoken word to show that personal experiences are political in North Adams. If your tweens/teens are interested in poetry and using language as art and activism, take them to be inspired by their peers and to find their brave voice! The film is sponsored by Williams College’s Davis Center and is part of the college’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Day events.
Explore a labyrinth used for walking meditation at the First Congregational Church in Williamstown on Sunday afternoon, January 13th! The labyrinth is an ancient technique used by non-sectarian groups to encourage mindfulness.
The Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield hosts a freeopen house on Monday morning, January 14th, for families to tryout music classes and explore a musical instrument petting zoo. Refreshments will be served and the faculty will meet & greet.
Learn some basic Spanish at the Ramsdell Library in Housatonic on Wednesday afternoon, January 16th! This class is designed just for kids, and will teach some basic vocabulary.
The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield hosts author Bob Reiss on Wednesday evening, January 16th, who will share a multimedia presentation about his travels and work studying the Shell oil company’s efforts to drill in Alaska. Older students can learn about the controversy over Alaskan oil drilling from all sides – Reiss has worked with Eskimo groups, the military, scientists, politicians, and hunters in order to gather information, and the viewpoints on each side will be shared.
Find out about these events and over 100 other events & activities happening all next week in our List of Weekly Suggested Events. All of our listed events are “suggested.” Please take a moment to confirm that these events are happening as scheduled, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before heading out.
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
January 12th-25th, 2013
We’re nearly a month into winter with a healthy layer of snow on the ground, a great excuse to get outdoors and enjoying the beauty of the Berkshires! There are several opportunities to dust off and put your snowshoes to good use over the next couple of weeks! So strap on your snowshoes and select your choice destination for winter fun, including snowshoe race at Constitution Hill in Lanesborough, the Haskins Center’s Cabin Fever Festival in North Adams, Mountain Meadow Preserve in Williamstown, Notchview in Windsor, the Becket Quarry in Becket, Winter Trail Days at Hilltop Orchard in Richmond, and Bartholomew’s Cobblein Sheffield!
Find out about these events and other community events and learning opportunities happening throughout Berkshire County through January 25th, 2013:
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.
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.
"Hilltown Families keeps us connected with all the amazing educational and cultural activities and resources that abound here in W. Mass and curates them in a way to let us know just what’s out there for the many varied interests of our young families and communities,while creating networks of support and growth." - Kara Kitchen (Plainfield, MA)
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.
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Information provided on Hilltown Families (HF) is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Reasonable efforts are made to provide the most accurate information, but no guarantees of any kind can be made. Information can be changed without prior notice. Please check with 3rd parties to confirm all listings for date/time, cost, location and age appropriateness before attending. Opinions expressed on HF are that of the writer and not necessarily that of HF. In no event shall HF be liable (directly or indirectly) for any losses or damages causes (or allegedly caused) in connection with HF. All health and wellness related information is for entertainment purposes only and should not be used to substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. All provided links are provided as a courtesy and not as an endorsement.
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.
Earth Day to Volunteer Week. Beaver Ponds to Raising Chickens. Wild Flower Walks to Textile Drives…
Beekeeping to Bird Houses. Latino Folktales to Ukrainian Pysanky. Bread to Sushi… 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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We’re nearly a month into winter with a healthy layer of snow on the ground, a great excuse to get outdoors and enjoying the beauty of the Berkshires! There are several opportunities to dust off and put your snowshoes to good use over the next couple of weeks! So strap on your snowshoes and select your choice destination for winter fun, including snowshoe race at 
