Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events 09/25/10-10/01/10
Discover fun and educational events happening this weekend in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
Orchard Ladders in Deerfield, MA. Click on the photo to recommend your favorite Apple Orchard in Western MA. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
If you have a family friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending.
BEST BETS
Saturday, Sept. 25th from 10am-5pm: 50th Anniversary Country Fair at the Hancock Shaker Village. Kids tent, agricultural demonstrations, wagon rides, a fabulous Farmers Market, and local and regional crafters and artisans. www.hancockshakervillage.org 443-0188 Pittsfield, MA
Sunday, Sept. 26th from 1-6:30pm: On stage at the Pine Theater at Look Park, a CD release concert for the star-studded family music CD, Many Hands, will take place. Scheduled performers include: Dan Zanes, Elizabeth Mitchell & Family, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Tony Vacca, Grenadilla and The Deedle Deedle Dees. Florence, MA ($)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 2nd & 3rd: 49th Annual Festival of the Hills. 10K road race, arts and crafts exhibits, live music, activities for kids, a parade, log-splitting and skillet-tossing contests, and food and wares from local vendors. All proceeds from the Festival go to support scholarships for local high school students. www.festivalofthehills.com 369-4392 Conway, MA
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 2nd & 3rd: North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival (Forster’s Farm, 60 Chestnut Hill Rd.). (978) 544-9023 http://www.garlicandarts.org Orange, MA (>$)
BULLETIN BOARD
Warm welcome to Hilltown Families newest sponsor, The Top Stop. A locally owned, independent toy store on Pleasant Street in Northampton, MA. Grand opening this weekend! Stop by and thank them for sponsoring Hilltown Families!
GRAND OPENING: The Top Stop will be celebrating their Grand Opening this weekend, Saturday, September 25th & Sunday, September 26th. Located at 271 Pleasant Street in Northampton, The Toy Stop offers creative, eco-friendly toys and games that inspire play, laughter and learning. All are invited to stop in for giveaways and a free gift with every purchase all weekend long. – The Toy Stop. Laugh. Play. Learn. (413) 727-8821 http://www.thetoystoplaughplaylearn.com
Melissa Adams of Williamsburg, MA writes: My mother’s friend Susan Tordella Williams just wrote a book, Raising Able: How Chores Cultivate Capable Young People and is teaching a 6 week on-line course in parenting skills. If any parents have interest, check out www.blackeyedsusanpublications.com for more information or contact Susan at susan@susantordella.net.
FIELD TRIP: This weekend is the Working Waterfront Festival. Pack up the car and take a road trip to New Bedford, MA, America’s largest commercial fishing port, to learn about the men and women who harvest the North Atlantic. Walk the decks of a scalloper, dine on fresh seafood, mend a fishing net and watch a Coast Guard rescue demonstration. Experience the workings of the industry which brings seafood from the ocean to your plate. www.workingwaterfrontfestival.org
Deadline to enter to win: October 6th.
PARENTING CLASS: The Family Resource Center in North Adams presents, How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, a free 6 week parenting series for parents. Learn simple effective communication techniques that really work – Cope with your child’s negative feelings. Express your anger without being hurtful. Gain your child’s cooperation. Set limits and maintain goodwill. Use alternatives to punishment. Resolve family conflicts peacefully. – This 6-week class is for families with a child age 8 or under starting Monday, September 27th for six Monday nights from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Haskins Community Center. Includes free class, light snack, transportation (if needed) and child care. Call 413-664-4821 to register. Space is limited.
Deadline to enter to win: September 29th.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: The Paradise City Arts Festival is rated #3 among arts and crafts fairs nationwide. On Columbus Day Weekend, over 50 artists have donated sculpture, art glass, ceramics, jewelry and pottery to an auction benefiting The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts – October 7-11th at the Three County Fairground in Northampton. The Food Bank is looking for help running the auction table, assistance for set-up and greeters at the front entrance where a food drive is happening. Admission is free for volunteers. Volunteer orientations at The Food Bank on Monday, October 4th from 1-2:30pm & 5:30-7pm. Come help out and enjoy the show. Interested in participating? Contact Laurie Thompson at katieshane@verizon.net or (413) 786-5963
Deadline to enter to win: September 27th.
COAT COLLECTION: The Girls Scouts in Hadley, MA are collecting gently-used coats to donate to local shelters this winter. Coats can be dropped off at the Hadley Park & Rec and the Hadley Elementary School through October 8th. More info call Kate at 531-5415
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Let us help get the word out about your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement. Email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for more information. — Help us help you!
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am.
This week on the HFVS, music by Sonya Kitchell, Rusty Bell, Dan Zanes, Frances England, Rani Arbos & Daisy Mayhem, and many others.
Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday & Sunday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio. On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA.
PODCAST: Listen to the most recent episodes of the Hilltown Family Variety Show anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Playgroups & Family Centers | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires | Farmers’ Markets | Listen Here
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
♦ On-going Events
Saturday – 9/25
COUNTRY FAIR: Applefest at the Little Red Schoolhouse. A country fair for the family, with games, crafts, food, and apples galore! http://www.lrsh.org 458-8668 Williamstown, MA (>$)
All Day – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: Lee Founders Weekend with sidewalk sales, art show, parade (11am), family performance with Terry a la Berry (1:30pm), tag sale, Italian Fest, Food, walking tour, multi-cultural celebration, dancing, and much more. 243-1705 www.leefoundersweekend.com Lee, MA
All Day – BIG E: New England’s Premier Exposition. www.TheBigE.com West Springfield, MA ($)
9:30am-4:30pm – FOOD HISTORY: What’s cooking? Open hearth cooking at the Historic Deerfield. Open hearth cooks will prepare select dishes that are on display as part of the exhibition Dinner is Served!: Dining and the Decorative Arts. Come see “what’s cooking” and learn how these dishes were prepared in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
10am – YOGA: Bring the family in for a free yoga classes for National Yoga Month at Inn Nautre B&B and Yoga Studio (261 South St.). One hour introductory class for all ages and activity levels. Also on Sunday at 6pm. 296-9201 Chesterfield, MA (FREE)
10am – GEOLOGY: Exploring Little Tom: Dikes, Sills, and Lava Flows. Join geologists Richard Little and Steve Winters in exploring this little-known geologic wonder of the Mt. Tom Range. The hike is challenging at times due to steep and rough off-trail terrain. Explore dramatic exposures of lava, volcanic ash, and possibly the igneous sills and dikes that fed the volcanism that built the Holyoke Range over 200 million years ago. After hiking on Little Tom, the group will proceed to Dinosaur Footprints for further geo- and paleontological study. [Rain date: 9/26] Holyoke, MA (>$)
10am-1pm – NATURE STUDIES: Frogs and Turtles of Western Massachusetts at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Join naturalist Chris Lyons for a look at amphibians and rep- tiles and some of their distinguishing characteristics . Review the specific species in western Massachusetts and take a peek at a host of photographic and artistic images of frogs and turtles . End with a short walk around the pools at Arcadia to view their habitat and look for late-season examples of these fabulous animals. 584-3009 Easthampton, MA (>$)
10am-4pm – APPLE FESTIVAL: Apple Harvest Crafts Fair and Children’s Festival happens on the Amherst Town Common. Children’s games, pony rides, pumpkin decorating, baby scarecrow making, live entertainment, crafters’ booths. Sponsored by the Amherst Family Center, 256-1145 Amherst, MA
10am-4pm – FIBER FAIR: Franklin County Fiber Twist. Held at the Employee Health & Fitness Center at Yankee Candle. Showcase of sheep and fiber f armers, spinners, knitters, dyers, felters, weavers, traditional rug hookers and more. 773-5463 www.fibertwist.com South Deerfield, MA (FREE)
10am-5pm – COUNTRY FAIR: 50th Anniversary Country Fair at the Hancock Shaker Village. Kids tent, agricultural demonstrations, wagon rides, a fabulous Farmers Market, and local and regional crafters and artisans. www.hancockshakervillage.org 443-0188 Pittsfield, MA
10am-5pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: 31st Annual Apple Squeeze. Downtown, enjoy all things apples. 637-3646 Lenox, MA (FREE)
♦ 10am-5pm – CORN MAZE: Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm (25 South Main St.). 665-8331 www.mikesmaze.com Sunderland, MA ($)
10am-10pm – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: 153rd Belchertown Fair & Parade. Parade at 10am. www.belchertownfair.com Belchertown, MA
10:30am-4pm – HISTORIC ADVENTURES: Made-by-Hand-Trades of the Past: Flax Dressing demo at Historic Deerfield. See historic trades demonstrations of flax dressing with Gina Gerhard. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
11am, 1:15 & 3pm – FOLIAGE CRUISE: Quinnetukut II Riverboat cruises. Join Captain Steve Larivee and first mate Sarah Doyle for this 12 mile cruise along the scenic Connecticut River. Cruises depart from Barton Cove. Make a reservations: (800) 859-2960 Northfield, MA ($)
♦ 12Noon-3pm – COMMUNITY MEAL: Montague Farm Zen House presents the weekly Montague Farm Cafe -a free, weekly family oriented meal and gathering, with healthy food, art activities, live music, and games. 367-5275 Montague, MA (FREE)
12Noon-4:30pm – FOOD HISTORY: Honey Harvest at Historic Deerfield. Honey was an important ingredient used to sweeten foods and beverages in colonial America, and to brew a traditional drink called mead. Join museum educators in this fun family program to learn about bees and honey. Taste different kinds of honey, and make a beeswax candle to take home. 775-7214 www.historic-deerfied.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
12Noon-4:30pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: Nuestras Raices’ 17th Annual Harvest Festival & 2nd Annual Education Fair. Games, activities and resources for families and children. Full roast pork dinner (1pm), market, Puerto Rican crafts, music, and more! Held at Nuestras Raices Farm (24 Jones Ferry Rd.) www.nuestras-raices.org Holyoke, MA
MORE EVENTS:
1pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Mummies’ Medical Mysteries Revealed at the Berkshire Museum. Dr. Prakash Malkani, a Neuroradiologist at Berkshire Health Systems, will present a specially prepared 3D fly-through of our mummy-in-residence Pahat, and will also discuss how the state-of-the-art imaging tools. 443-7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
1pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Join Harvard professor, Maria Tatar as she explores the fairy tales illustrated by Lisbeth Zwerger at The Eric Carle Museum. Professor Tatar will guide the audience through these childhood stories exploring their historical origins, their cultural complexities, and their psychological effects. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
♦ 1pm – ASTRONOMY : Amherst Solar will be set up with their telescopes on the Amherst Town Common all summer. Stop by with the kids and see Sunspots, Prominences, Limb Darkening and more. 256-6234 amastro.org Amherst, MA (FREE)
2-4pm – HISTORIC ADVENTURES: Join Historic Deerfield and the Deerfield Inn for a fun and educational opportunity to learn more about tea drinking in colonial Deerfield. Enjoy a delicious and beautiful array of freshly baked scones with clotted cream, finger sandwiches, cakes, sherry, cookies and more with a cup of tea! Then join Amanda Rivera Lopez, Director of Museum Education & Interpretation at Historic Deerfield, to learn about the many ways people have enjoyed tea over time. Pre-registration required: 774-5587 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA ($$)
♦ 3pm – ASTRONOMY: Observe the sun with Northampton Solar at A2Z Science and Learning Center. See Sunspots, Prominences, Limb Darkening and more. Northampton, MA (FREE)
♦ 9pm – ASTRONOMY: View the Moon, Planets, Satellites, Multiple Stars, Star Clusters, Galaxies, Nebulas and more through the 6 ton, 25 foot long, 18 inch F/17, World Class Clark Refractor at the Wilder Observatory at the Amherst College. Set up a telescope on the lawn, view through public use telescopes. www.amherstastronomy.org Amherst, MA (FREE)
Sunday – 9/26
All Day – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: Lee Founders Weekend with a pancake breakfast (7:30-11:30am), kids activities, music and more. 243-1705 www.leefoundersweekend.com Lee, MA
All Day – BIG E: New England’s Premier Exposition. www.TheBigE.com West Springfield, MA ($)
9am-4pm – YOUTH OUTDOOR EXPO: Annual MA Outdoor Expo for Youth. Families, friends, Scouts (Boys and Girls) and other youth groups should join the fun at the 14th annual Massachusetts Outdoor Expo (Big MOE) held at the Hamilton Rod and Gun Club grounds. Sturbridge, MA (FREE)
10am-5pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: 31st Annual Apple Squeeze. Downtown, enjoy all things apples. 637-3646 Lenox, MA (FREE)
10am-5pm – COUNTRY FAIR: 50th Anniversary Country Fair at the Hancock Shaker Village. Kids tent, agricultural demonstrations, wagon rides, a fabulous Farmers Market, and local and regional crafters and artisans. www.hancockshakervillage.org 443-0188 Pittsfield, MA
♦ 10am-5pm – CORN MAZE: Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm (25 South Main St.). 665-8331 www.mikesmaze.com Sunderland, MA ($)
11am, 1:15 & 3pm – FOLIAGE CRUISE: Quinnetukut II Riverboat cruises. Join Captain Steve Larivee and first mate Sarah Doyle for this 12 mile cruise along the scenic Connecticut River. Cruises depart from Barton Cove. Make a reservations: (800) 859-2960 Northfield, MA ($)
12Noon-4:30pm – FOOD HISTORY: Honey Harvest at Historic Deerfield. Honey was an important ingredient used to sweeten foods and beverages in colonial America, and to brew a traditional drink called mead. Join museum educators in this fun family program to learn about bees and honey. Taste different kinds of honey, and make a beeswax candle to take home. 775-7214 www.historic-deerfied.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
12Noon-6pm – COMMUNITY CELEBRATION: 153rd Belchertown Fair & Parade. Parade at 10am. www.belchertownfair.com Belchertown, MA
♦ 1-4pm – HISTORIC ADVENTURES: Hadley Farm Museum (Route 9) is open. Take the kids for a historic exploration of farming through equipment and tool displays. 533-2412 Hadley, MA (>$)
1-6:30pm – FAMILY CONCERT: On stage at the Pine Theater at Look Park, a CD release concert for the star-studded family music CD, Many Hands, will take place. Scheduled performers include: Dan Zanes, Elizabeth Mitchell & Family, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, Tony Vacca, Grenadilla and The Deedle Deedle Dees. Florence, MA ($)
1:30pm – SENSORY FRIENDLY SCREENING: Of Alpha & Omega at Cinemark Theatre for families. Hadley, MA (>$)
5pm – OUTDOOR CONCERT: Rakish Paddy will perform a lawn concert at Bascom Lodge. 743-1591 www.bascomlodge.net Adams, MA (FREE)
Charlie Chaplin Movie Fest at Amherst Cinema starts this weekend. How cool is that?!
Monday – 9/27
6pm in Northampton: Northampton Community Music Center (139 South St.) will be offering a free demo class of its Celtic Jam program. Celtic Jam is open to all melodic instruments and not limited to fiddle players. The program is open to students of all ages, however it is important that students have a basic proficiency on their instrument. The ability to read music is not required, as the class is taught entirely by ear. 585-0001 http://www.ncmc.net (FREE)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Northampton: Playgroup at the Northampton Parent Center. 582-2636 http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org (FREE, DONATION)
♦ 10:30am in Northampton: Storytime with Ellie at the Forbes Library. 587-1011 http://www.forbeslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 11:00am in Northampton: Tummy Time at the Forbes Library. 587-1011 http://www.forbeslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 12Noon – 1:30pm in Northampton: Mother-Mother Breastfeeding group hosted by a certified lactation consultant every Monday at Cooley Dickinson Hospital. 582-2096 [FREE]
♦ 4:30pm in Northampton: Family Karate for kids ages 6-12 with an adult at the Hampshire Regional YMCA. 584-7086 (MEMBERS)
♦ 4:30-5:30pm in Northampton: The Forbes Library hosts a Manga/Anime Club. Drop-ins welcomed. In the children’s department. [FREE]
♦ 6:30pm in Montague: Evening Sing-Along at the Montague Center Library. Children of all ages and their families are invited to join Children’s Librarian Linda Hickman for a fun informal live music. Linda plays a variety of children’s music on the guitar and banjo, and there are bells and shakers for the children to play. For more information, call the Carnegie Library- 863-3214.
Tuesday – 9/28
9:30am & 11am in Westfield: Little One’s Library Time (6-35months) at the Westfield Athenaeum. Story, songs, fingerplays and playtime. 562-6158 ext. 5. http://www.westath.org (FREE)
2-5pm in South Hadley: The Odyssey Bookshop Proudly Presents local author Mo Willems and Knuffle Bunny Free: An Unexpected Diversion at the All Saints Episcopal Church (7 Woodbridge St.). Games, activities, book-signing and more! 534-7307 http://www.odysseybks.com ($)
6pm in Easthampton: ‘Nourishing Our Children: Timeless Principles for Learning, Behavior and Health through Optimal Nutrition’ with Craig Fear at the Emily Williston Library. (FREE)
6-7:30pm in Florence: Strong Voices, Safe Bodies: An evening for parents with Lynne Marie Wanamaker and Amy Pybus. In an increasingly violent and complex world, it is never too early to set our children on a path of life-long safety. Join self protection expert Lynne Marie Wanamaker and early childhood educator Amy Pybus for an eye-opening evening exploring the safety skills your kids need and how you can teach, model and rehearse them in daily family life at the Lilly Library Community Room. Wise, accessible and irreverrent, these two moms will have you rethinking what personal safety and peace can mean to kids and grown-ups alike. http://www.compassionateconditioning.com (FREE)
6-8pm in Northampton: Auditions for the Valley Teen Theater Project. Following auditions, rehearsals will be held on Monday evenings, October 11-December 20, 6-8pm. A final performance is scheduled for Friday, January 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm. ($$$)
6:30-7:15pm in West Springfield: Evening Family Storytime with stories, snack, music and craft for families with kids ages 3-up at the West Springfield Library (200 Park St.) 736-4561 (FREE)
7pm in Ashfield: Storyteller Tevyn East at the Congregational Church.
7-8:30pm in Williamsburg: Meekins Library Hosts Wellness Workshop Series on How to Improve Health, Fitness and Rest through In-Body Awareness. 297-4917 (FREE)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Sandisfield: Playgroup at Sandisfield Old Town Hall. 644-0104 (FREE)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in West Stockbridge: Playgroup at W. Stockbridge Town Hall. Gym Fun. 644-0104 (FREE)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Northampton: Playgroup at the Northampton Parent Center. 582-2636 http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org (FREE, DONATION)
♦ 10am in Florence: Kulp Memorial Lap Sitting at the Lilly Library for yougest ones 587-1500 http://www.lillylibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10-11am in Greenfield: Pre-School Storyhour at the Greenfield Public Library (402 Main Street). Mrs. Sally Ahearn leads this story time for children ages 5 and under. 772-1544 http://www.greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10:15-12:15am in Northampton: MotherWoman Postpartum Support Group at the Community Action Building (56 Vernon St.). Confidential drop-in group for mothers of infants and babies up to one year old who are experiencing a challenging postpartum time. Expectant mothers welcome. Free childcare up to four years old. 253-8990 wwwmotherwoman.org (FREE)
♦ 10:30am in Springfield: Preschool Storytime at the Springfield Central Library. Stories, songs, and a craft. Perfect for ages 3-5 years, with siblings welcome. Pre-registration required if you’ll be bringing more than 4 children . 263-6828, x201. http://www.springfieldlibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10:30am in Amherst: Sing with your Baby at the Jones Library in the large room. http://www.joneslibrary.org (FREE )
♦ 11:00am in Hatfield: Preschool story hour lead by Carolyn Mazel at the Hatfield Library (39 Main St.). Geared to ages 3-5, each story hour includes books, songs, finger plays, a play along with musical instruments, and a simple craft. 247-9097 (FREE)
♦ 11am in Florence: Toddler Time at the Lilly Library. 587-1500 http://www.lillylibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 11am in Lenox: Toddler Story Time at the Lenox Library (18 Main Street). Story Time is for children age 18 months to 3 years. Children & their caregivers sing songs, learn finger plays & listen to a story. Following the structured program, participants are invited to stay so that the children can play together & their caregivers can visit. (FREE)
♦ 12:30pm in Pittsfield: Chow Time in the aquarium at 12:30pm at the Berkshire Museum. 443-7171 http://www.berkshiremuseum.org (FREE w/museum admission)
♦ 1:30-6:30pm in Northampton: Tuesday Farmers’ Market in Downtown Northampton, behind Thornes Marketplace! Food, plants, baby animals, live music, family-friendly. 586-7586 (FREE)
♦ 2:15pm in Amherst: Baby-friendly movie screening at the Amherst Cinema. ($)
♦ 3:30-4:45pm in Miller Falls: Millers Falls Library Club (23 Bridge St.). An afterschool program with drop-in sessions for children of all ages. Activities include arts and crafts, snacks and homework help. 659-3801 http://www.montaguepubliclibraries.org (FREE)
♦ 4:30pm in Florence: I Can Read Book Club at the Lilly Library. 587-1500 http://www.lillylibrary.org (FREE)
Wednesday – 9/29
3-5pm in Huntington: Homework Help for Parents at the Huntington Library with instructor Leslie Edwards. 667-0217
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Northampton: Playgroup at the Northampton Parent Center. 582-2636 http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org (FREE, DONATION)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Lenox: Playgroup at Lenox Community Center. 644-0104 (FREE)
♦ 10am in New Marlborough: Library Story hour. 644-0104 (FREE)
♦ 10am in Greenfield: Sunshine Story Time, an all-ages story hour – During the school year, this story time will take place, weather permitting, on the library’s back lawn. 772-1544 http://www.greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10am in Northfield: Story time at the Northfield Public Library. with stories, crafts and snacks. 498-2455 http://www.northfieldpubliclibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10:30am in Leverett: Children’s story hour at the Leverett Library. http://www.leverettlibrary.org
♦ 10:30-11:45am in Amherst: Momma and Baby Yoga (Start after 7 weeks postpartum) at the CDH outpatient offices at 170 University Drive. Pre-registration is required: 582-2736, press “3” for Yoga
♦ 11am in Northampton: Toddler Time at the Forbes Library. 587-1011 http://www.forbeslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 1pm in Northampton: Baby-friendly movie screening at the Pleasant Street Theater. ($)
♦ 2pm in Florence: Wednesday Farmers’ Market on the lawn at the Florence Civic Center (Route 9) from 2-6pm
♦ 2-6pm in Turners Falls: Great Falls Farmers Market. Located on the corner of 2nd Street and Avenue A. in Turners Falls, right next to the Great Falls Discovery Center.
♦ 3-6pm in Greenfield: Guiding Star Grange Farmer’s Market (401 Chapman Street)
♦ 4pm in Northampton:Parenting/Baby Group at the Forbes Library. Call to pre-register. 587-1011 http://www.forbeslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 4:15pm in Northampton: Family Yoga for ages 3yo and up at the Hampshire Regional YMCA. 584-7086 (MEMBERS)
♦ 4:30pm in Northampton: Yo-Yo School at A2Z. Come visit yo-yo school and learn to yo-yo for free with A2Z. (FREE)
Thursday – 9/30
9:30am & 11am in Westfield: Fantastic Fours & Fives, a storytime specifically designed for 4 and 5 year olds. This program includes stories, song, fingerplays and a craft! Registration is required. 562-6158 ext. 5. http://www.westath.org (FREE)
1pm in Springfield: The Read Aloud Handbook, presented by Jim Trelease at the Springfield City Library, Central Branch, Community Room (State St.). In this informative and entertaining lecture, Jim will discuss the importance and educational value of reading aloud to children. Limited seating. Please register online at http://www.SpringfieldParentAcademy.com or call 787-7485
4pm in Northampton: The Northampton Parents Center is having their Annual Welcome Back Picnic until dusk at Look Park. Everyone is welcome – new and current families as well as alumni! Meet at the picnic tables near the little playground (look for the NPC sandwich board!) The Picnic is potluck, so please bring a dish to share. Look Park charges a small fee to enter the park. If the weather is questionable, call the Parents Center at 582-2636 for details.Rain date is Thursday, October 7th. Rescheduled for 10/7 due to rain.6:30-8pm in Lenox: Reading with the Girls for girls in grades 5&6 and a female adult at the Lenox Library. Discussing the book, The Secret of Zoom by Lynne Jonell.637-0197
6:30-8:30pm in Springfield: “Can You Hear Me?” Hearing Loss in Children – The Facts and Why They Are Important! at the Mercy Medical Center – Weldon Hearing Center (271 Carew St.) http://www.SpringfieldParentAcademy.com 413-787-7485 (FREE)
7pm in Pittsfield: Infant and Child Massage: For Better Sleep / Wake Behaviors and Supporting Healthy Growth at Berkshire Healing Arts (42 Summer St.). (FREE)
♦ 9am in Great Barrington: Kids’ Kitchen with Melanie Seserman at the CHP Family Services Building (442 Stockbridge Rd.). A cooking class for kids 2.5-5yo to learn about healthy food choices. http://www.communityhealthprograms.org 644-0104 (FREE)
♦ 9:30-11:30am in Northampton: Music class at the Northampton Parent Center. 582-2636 http://www.northamptonparentscenter.org (FREE, DONATION)
♦ 10am in Florence: Pre-school Story Time at the Lilly Library. 587-1500 http://www.lillylibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10:30am in Springfield: Preschool Storytime at the Springfield Central Library. Stories, songs, and a craft. Perfect for ages 3-5 years, with siblings welcome. Pre-registration required if you’ll be bringing more than 4 children . 263-6828, x201. http://www.springfieldlibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10:30am-12:30pm in Greenfield : Meme and Pepe supports grandparents (55+ primary caregivers of children). 475-1553 (FREE)
♦ 10:30am in Amherst: Preschool Story Time at the Jones Library in the Children’s Room. http://www.joneslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 11am in Springfield: Public ice skating at Smead Arena (1780 Roosevelt Ave.) until 1pm. Skate rentals available. 781-2599 ($)
♦ 1pm in Northampton: Baby playgroup at the Forbes Library. 587-1011 http://www.forbeslibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 1-3pm in Great Barrington: Infant/Toddler Playgroup Group at the CHP Family Services Building (442 Stockbridge Rd.) 644-0104 http://www.communityhealthprograms.org (FREE)
♦ 5-8pm in Pittsfield: 3rd Thursdays in downtown Pittsfield. The streets come alive with musicians, artists, activities, sidewalk dining, after hours shopping and much more. 499.9348
Friday – 10/1
11am, 1:15 & 3pm in Northfield: Foliage cruise on the Quinnetukut II Riverboat cruises. Join Captain Steve Larivee and first mate Sarah Doyle for this 12 mile cruise along the scenic Connecticut River. Cruises depart from Barton Cove. Make a reservation: (800) 859-2960 ($)
6-9:30pm in Greenfield: Skeleton Crew Theater (SCT) at Camp Kee-Wanee. SCT is a theatrical attraction with a Halloween twist. Think of it as a treasure/scavenger hunt you’ll solve in one evening. Shows are 45/65 minutes long. Dress for the outdoors and bring a flashlight. Not scary or gory, just spooky in a tasteful way. Bad weather cancels. http://www.skeletoncrewtheater.com ($)
7pm in Monson: Family Friendly Haunted Hayrides at Echo Hill Orchards. 267-3303
♦ 7:30am in Lanesboro: Guided hikes on Mount Greylock, followed by an optional breakfast at historic Bascom Lodge. Meet at the Visitors Center (30 Rockwell Rd.) Steve Linscott will lead a moderate to strenuous hike. 499-4262 (FREE HIKE; $ FOOD)
♦ 9:30am in Amherst: Pre-school Spanish immersion program for kids under 6yo at the First Baptist Church. (954) 829-5233 (FREE)
♦ 9:30-10:30am in Holyoke: Read to Grow preschool program at the Children’s Museum (444 Dwight St.). 536-5437 (>$)
9:30-11am in Northampton: La Leche League of Northampton meets at Cradle (3rd Floor in Thornes). 586-5627 (FREE)
♦ 10am in Florence: Mother Goose: Music, Stories and Movement – at the Lilly Library. 587-1500 http://www.lillylibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 10am & 11am in Pittsfield: Aquarium Adventures. Each week children ages 2-4 meet a different animal from Berkshire Museum’s aquarium and watch as their new friend enjoys a meal. Story time is included. Free with Museum admission.
♦ 11am in Sunderland: Story/craft time for kids ages 3-5yo and their families at the Sunderland Pulic Library (20 School St.). Each storytime is approximately 45 minutes in length for theme-related stories, songs, finger plays and crafts! 665-2642 sunderlandpubliclibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 11am in Greenfield: Mother Goose on the Loose makes early learning lots of hands-on fun with songs, rhymes, and activities geared for the 3 and under audience. http://www.greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (FREE)
♦ 2pm in Springfield: Planetarium show at the Springfield Museum. 263-6800 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org (>$)