One-Room Schoolhouse: Connecting to Place through Literature & History
In the 1800’s, the traditional academic year was quite different in New England. An element of seasonality was incorporated into how the school term was determined. In rural areas, children who helped out on the family farm attended school during the winter and stayed home to assist with the harvest during the summer and fall. In a one-room schoolhouse, grade levels were often mixed and one teacher was responsible for all of the students’ learning. A man or woman, the school teacher assigned tasks to each student depending on the pupil’s age, grade, and level of advancement.
19th century poet, John Greenleaf Whittier, wrote a poem that describes well a typical country schoolhouse in New England. A Quaker, abolitionist, and native of Haverhill, MA, Whittier is part of a group of poets also known as the schoolroom poets. Whittier, William Cullen Bryant, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, James Russell Lowell, and Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. were considered the first American poets to bring forth an authentic American voice and rival the British poets. They were referred to as the Schoolroom Poets, Fireside Poets, or Household Poets given their popularity and widely read works. One of Whittier’s poems, “In School-days,” read here in this video by Tom O’Bedlam, describes the memory of an old man as he recalls a fellow student and the life lesson she taught him.
When listening to (or reading) this poem, notice the description of the schoolhouse: the warped floors, the schoolmaster’s worn desk, and the battered seats of the students – all characteristics that point to a typical 19th century schoolhouse in New England. Read the rest of this entry »
Community-Based Education Resources: One-Room Schoolhouses in Western MA
Here in Western Massachusetts there are many preserved historic school houses people can visit to learn more about schooling and education before the 20th century.
Print out and take John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem, “In School-Days,” with you to read as you explore these six historic schoolhouses in Western Massachusetts: Read the rest of this entry »
3 Community-Based Events Support Interests & Education Through the Lens of One-Room Schoolhouses
An interest in one-room schoolhouses can be a lens into learning about New England history, education, and local industry. Here are three free community-based events coming up this month that supports these intersections of learning! Read the rest of this entry »
In this video by Kylee Reschke, five Fireside Poets from the 19th century are introduced. Discover why they are called the Fireside Poets (also known as the Schoolroom Poets) and why they are relevant today.
Well-known education resource Khan Academy, a free web site offering video-based learning to students, sparked a small revolution in the utilization of video in the classroom. Here, modern learning technology offers a lesson in the history of education… Sal Khan style:
Contemporary conversations about modern day education include” inspiring and forward-looking leaders and thinkers on the topic of learning, including Dr. Angela Lee Duckworth, Bill Gates, Rita F. Pierson, Sir Ken Robinson and Geoffrey Canada, among others.” Hear what many of these folks have to share in this this TED Talk special on education:
Natalia Romanova’s Once There Was a Tree tells the story of life after death in nature. Beginning at the end of a great tree’s life, the book spotlights the many visitors and inhabitants who benefit from what the former tree’s stump and roots have to offer. Beginning and ending with human visitors, the chain of use includes bark beetles, ants, and even a bear! Each visitor to the stump gains something substantial from it and begins to feel ownership of it – though each, unbeknownst to them, ends up sharing it with all of the others. In the end, the stump remains and, though many have utilized it as a resource, it continues to offer itself to the world. So who then does it belong to? All of the visitors feel that it is theirs, yet each of them has taken advantage of a different part of the stump. Without realizing it, the people and creatures who feel they own the stump have actually shared it – allowing the stump to truly belong to everyone and, ultimately, to the earth itself. Read the rest of this entry »
Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all week long! Each weekday we feature community-based educational opportunities that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers and life-long learners, in addition to our bimonthly publication, Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts.
Select the day of the week and find events that support your interests through community engagement!
Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.
New Beginnings Episode with
Guest DJ, Alison Faith Levy
Kindie artist Alison Faith Levy shares some of her favorite songs with the theme of New Beginnings – songs about starting something new, dawning, awakening, renewal…. and shares fun facts about which came first – the chicken or the egg! She plays some of her own retro pop tunes for kids, some classic rock from the Kinks, the Byrds and The Beatles, some favorite modern psychedelia, and plenty of wonderful songs by her many musicians friends. — www.alisonfaithlevy.com
Saturday from 9-10am & Sunday from 7-8am September 10th & 11th, 2016 WXOJ LP – 103.3 FM – Valley Free Radio Northampton, MA
FEATURED VIDEO: Fruit Bats – Beautiful Morning Light
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
Peruse our list below and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Featured community highlights this week: You can become a citizen scientist on Wednesday, September 14, 4pm-6pm by helping to tag monarchs before they head south to the overwintering grounds in Mexico. Jennifer Unkles has been tagging monarchs since 1997. She will be teaching participants at the Hitchcock Center about the monarch’s life cycle, their epic annual migration, how the tagging program works, and how to tag any monarchs you’re able to catch and release. Registration is recommended. 413-256-6006. 845 West Street. Amherst, MA. (FREE)
“Hilltown Families draws together the people living in the isolated Hilltowns… providing us with educational community- based events and information. Support Hilltown Families because Hilltown Families supports us!” – Pamela Haskins (Williamsburg, MA)
If you have a community event, educational program or service opportunity for youth/families happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our Suggest An Event bulletin board. 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.
Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families throughsponsorship and advertising. Let us help get the word out about your after-school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Click HERE to find out more.
Featured Fall Classes in Western MA
What are your child’s interests? What are your interests? This fall there are a number of after-school, homeschool, evening, and weekend classes to choose from to supplement and support the interests of your family! Check out our growing list of classes, programs, openhouses and even auditions for this fall in our dedicated post, 2016 Fall Classes, Auditions & Open Houses in Western MA, and find the perfect activity for your child, teen, and even lifelong learners! — Have a class you’d like to add to this list? Click here to find out how to have your class, lessons, program, auditions, and open house included.
Bulletin Board
Sep 10
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is celebrating the 100th birthday of legendary author Roald Dahl with a fast-paced, live interactive game show on Saturday, September 10 at 2pm! The program is filled with fun facts, trivia and challenges that celebrate Dahl’s beloved stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, Fantastic Mr. Fox, James and the Giant Peach, The Witches and The BFG. Brought to you by Penguin Young Readers and Story Pirates, the performance culminates in a brand new, improvised story based on ideas from the audience and inspired by the themes, language and hilarity of this iconic author. Recommended for 3rd-6th graders, but enjoyable for all ages! Free w/museum admission. www.carlemuseum.org
Sep 15
Amherst BID’s 5th Annual Block Party happens Thursday, September 15, from 5-9pm. North Pleasant Street is closed to traffic and vendors, performers and music fills the street. There is something to see and experience for every age. WRSI/The River and Hits 94.3 provide amazing live music on two stages with DJ Ragoza spinning tunes from the Peter Pan Futureliner bus. The Amherst Poetry Festival launches at the Block Party with a Poemkemon Scavenger Hunt and other fun activities. Please join the fun and help celebrate Downtown Amherst. For more information, please visit the BID Amherst Downtown.com site or write to ann@amherstdowntown.com.
Sep 25
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ annual Will Bike 4 Food charity cycling event is returning for its sixth year on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Hatfield. You can pedal towards a hunger free community by riding in this fun event as an individual or forming a team with your friends, family and coworkers. With 4 routes to choose from (10, 25, 50 or 100 miles), riders of all ages can get involved. There will be music, food, beverages, games and more. Last year’s event raised $100,000 to help feed our neighbors in need. You can make this year’s event even more successful. To register, or to learn more about WB4F, visit their website at willbike4food.org.
Sept 24 – Jun 3
Full Moon Girls – Wild Natured Girls.Monthly Saturdays.Registration is open! Join in woodland adventures, learn practical crafts, and forge friendships through play. Girls immerse in the teeming wonders of nature and the connectedness of community. Learn to build friction fires, harvest wild edibles, climb trees, and more! Explore empowerment and embrace aliveness in this village of girls, guided by women mentors! Monthly in Montague for girls 7-15, (split into two clans). Sept 24th-June 3rd, 9:30 – 2:30, a sliding scale of $45-75/day. Contact FullMoonGirlsInfo@gmail.com or 413-367-6191 or visit online at www.vermontwildernessschool.org/full-moon-girls!
Preschool Openings: Sept 2016. Clarke’s Integrated Preschool Program in Northampton offers a high-quality, affordable preschool program. Preschoolers engage in activities that facilitate all aspects of development. In our enriched learning environment, children come to know themselves and the world around them through classroom and extended experiences. Both children with typical hearing and children with hearing loss attend five days per week. To learn more or schedule a visit, please contact 413-582-1144. clarkeschools.org/prek
ADVERTISE HERE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! See your summer camp, class, community event, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, after-school class, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Eventsand in our weekly eNewsletter, reaching thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Find out more about our advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by emailing us at info@hilltownfamilies.org. Find out more about this targeted marketing opportunity HERE.
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community-building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish, and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including local reviews, DIY posts, seasonal cooking/local food, and community-based educational & community service learning opportunities/resources. Send your query to info@hilltownfamilies.org.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
September 10th-16th, 2016
As summer winds down and signs of autumn appear, annual agricultural fairs throughout Western Massachusetts mark the season with celebrations of local culture through the lens of farming traditions. Beginning as early as August, these annual fairs honor the unique character of towns throughout our region, fostering community pride, and strengthening intergenerational relationships through a shared interest and experience. With a stroll through exhibition halls on the fairgrounds and experiencing both traditional skills, crafts, and customs, visitors can support their interests through various learning opportunities while cultivating relationships and strengthening a deeper sense of place.
With many exhibition categories reserved specifically for youngsters, exhibition halls offer families the opportunity to share their own work, projects, and produce with others – and the opportunity to share the active role that they have in preserving local culture. See our post, Youth Participation at Agricultural Fairs Learning about History, Agriculture, Science & More.
Agricultural fairs help to preserve our local history by showcasing the skills, crafts and home-grown produce unique to rural life that have been cherished and passed on for generations. Through participation in these rich traditions we support the preservation of culture, local history, and a connection to place. The agricultural fair’s long-standing presence in New England history reminds people of the importance in gathering to celebrate and share, even during difficult times, in order to foster a sense of community and collaborative spirit. Many fairs are over 150 years old and have even taken place during some of our country’s most difficult economic periods and war time. These generations-old traditions of agriculture, self-sufficiency, and resiliency in rural communities afford families opportunities to participate in intergenerational community-based traditions while offering a myriad of entertainment and skill-sharing experiences inspired by a shared interest in traditional crafts, history, land, and art.
These annual community-based events give learners great insight to the past through current day traditions. Take the time to learn about the long and rich history of our agricultural fairs and you’ll have a renewed way of viewing the many traditions found at each fair. Historical society museums are at some fairgrounds, open during the fair for families to view primary source artifacts and antique equipment displays. Come curious and bring your questions!
Agricultural fairs are a great way to explore the domestic arts and understand the quality of items made by hand. Exhibition halls are filled with different handmade crafts and culinary arts, such as quilts, preserves, knitwear, canned goods, and pies – all tokens from our past that still have a place in our present today.
3 Community-Based Events Support Interests & Education Through the Lens of Quilting
Karen Pratt Exhibit BINGO! Gallery at Shire City Sanctuary September 2016
The BINGO! Gallery at Shire City Sanctuary is proud to present the Karen Pratt Exhibit, which features the work of local quilt artist Karen Pratt during the month of September. Each year, Hoffman California Fabrics hosts a world-wide quilting contest. The quilt collection on display represents a chronological journey of Pratt’s entries into the Hoffman Challenge, which she has participated in since 1997 and uses to challenge herself as an artist. The exhibit supports the work of a local artist while introducing textiles as a distinct and practical form of art. The exhibit will be on view throughout the month of September 2016 at the BINGO! Gallery at Shire City Sanctuary. 40 Melville Street, Pittsfield, MA. (FREE)
Quilting Offers Multidisciplinary Exploration of Math and Art
Often, math and art are seen as opposites: structure and the lack thereof. At the intersection of the two, however, lies quilting: an art form that is inherently mathematical. Families can explore everything from shape identification to tessellations by learning to create quilts together! Read more in our post, Quilting Offers Multidisciplinary Exploration of Math and Art.
Knitting Supports Explorations of History, Agriculture & Mathematics
An age-old skill, knitting provides us with some of our most treasured warm clothes. Learning the art of knitting can not only help to provide warmth, but can lead to explorations of local history, local agriculture, and complex math – and families can even engage in service-based learning by donating hand-knitted goods to help support people in need! Read more in our post, Knitting Supports Explorations of History, Agriculture & Mathematics.
Learn Locally: Explore Your Interests via Community-Based Resources
Interested in learning a domestic art skill to share and exhibit at next year’s agricultural fairs? Explore and engage in community resources to support your interests and education, and get ready for next year while expanding your interests and learning new skills!
3 Community-Based Events Support Interests & Education Through the Lens of Textile Arts
An interest in textiles and the domestic arts can be a lens into learning about other cultures, local history, and industry. Here are three free community-based events coming up this month that supports these intersections of learning!
Agriculture has it’s influence in all facets of food, habitat, and culture in New England. Artists often reflect back to us this influence in their art work, finding inspiration in the landscape that agriculture has shaped in our region. An exhibit in Deerfield, Farmers’ Castles, showcases the work of western Massachusetts artist Robert Strong Woodward (1885-1957) with a selection of paintings that celebrates our landscape and the castles that dotted the horizons… barns!
One of our family’s yearly late-summer rituals is a road trip to Michigan, where my husband and I are originally from, and where his family still lives. Because we have small children, a big dog, and we like to visit a few of the Great Lakes while we are there, we opt to drive the 10+ hours instead of flying. Needless to say, we spend a good deal of time during these trips in the car. And for the first time this summer, we experienced a new phenomena. At some point early in the drive my six-year-old announced she was bored. My four-year-old, always eager to keep pace with her sister, announced she too was bore-ing (I assure you, she is not).
At first, we offered my daughters a few solutions for their newly discovered malaise. I had packed books and art supplies, stuffed animals and dolls, all stacked between their car seats to keep themselves entertained. But as my older daughter repeated every five minutes like the world’s most annoying metronome how she was still bored, I told her quite simply what I honestly think about her boredom. Namely, that her boredom isn’t my problem to solve for her. And that boredom has some positive attributes for those willing to tackle their road-trip ennui. Read the rest of this entry »
Relaxing on my parents’ porch, I watch hummingbirds vie for feeder spots and recall Dad’s story: A hummingbird came to the feeder and found it empty. It flew to where Dad sat a few feet away and hovered directly over Dad’s newspaper, then flew back and forth between paper and feeder until Dad got the message. Dad put down the paper, filled the feeder, and returned to reading as the hummingbird ate.
One family story among many, teaching me about animal intelligence.
A train whistle sounds in the distance: Long, long, short, long. The signal for a crossing. Did I ever tell you about the time… Dad retells the familiar story of his father teaching him the signals, his father explaining how the engineer made the last whistle trail off, long before my dad learned about the Doppler Effect in college. Granddaddy was a college educated man, but this physics fact was not in his knowledge base.
A family classic demonstrating how knowledge changes with each generation.
When my son graduated from college, it was a proud day for all except one; his 6 year old sister. Well, she MAY have been proud, but that isn’t the emotion that oozed from her pores that day and for several subsequent days. As with any little one, all thoughts of his graduation centered around her. How could HIS graduation in any way be about her you ask? Well here’s a quote: “Mama, I know that this is a proud day and all for my brother, but I am just so happy because this means that he’ll never leave me again!” And while both you and I know that nothing about that is even remotely true, we’ll let her have it, even if it is for just a little while. Read the rest of this entry »
At the end of every summer tour, it’s always an incredible relief to get back to the Pioneer Valley. As grateful as I am to travel around the world making music, the old cliché turns out to be true: there’s no place like home! That’s particularly true for all of us fortunate enough to be based here in Western Massachusetts.
Over the years, we’ve developed a ritual at the end of the long months of summer on the road. As soon as we’re home, we make a point to swim in all our favorite ponds, rivers, and streams that we’ve been missing while we’re performing in big cities. Last week as I was getting out of Ashfield Lake at sunset, I noticed the first few leaves starting to turn under the tree where I’d placed my towel.
As a songwriter, being aware of my surroundings and responding to my emotions are important tools of the trade. Noticing the changing leaves, the sensation of getting in cool water, the feeling of sand on bare feet: any of these experiences could be the spark of a new song. Read the rest of this entry »
Weekday community-based educational opportunities can be found throughout the four counties of Western MA all week long! Each weekday we feature community-based educational opportunities that can be selected to support the interests and education of self-directed teens, homeschoolers, and life-long learners.
Select the day of the week and find events that support your interests through community engagement!
Check our list of Weekly Suggested Events for our comprehensive list, including ongoing learning and play opportunities for younger children and intergenerational community events.
See your banner here! Sponsor Weekdays in Western MA!
Back to School Episode
with Guest DJ, Joanie Leeds
Joanie Leeds of Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights guest DJs our Back To School Episode. Joanie hand picked all of the school themed songs including a few from her CD, Bandwagon as well as from artists such as: Pop Ups, Dizzy Gillespie, Justin Roberts, Bari Koral, Recess Monkey, Lunch Money, Astrograss, Miss Nina, They Might Be Giants, The Verve Pipe, Chuck Berry, Trout Fishing in America and Rocknoceros. – www.joanieleeds.com
Saturday from 9-10am & Sunday from 7-8am September 3rd & 4th, 2016 Original Broadcast: Aug 31, 2013 WXOJ LP – 103.3 FM – Valley Free Radio Northampton, MA
FEATURED VIDEO: Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights , “Back to School.”
Here’s a recap of news and information posted on Hilltown Families this past week, along with a map for finding out what’s happening this weekend and next week throughout Western MA!
Greek “Glendis” are celebrations, often highlighting Greek culture through traditional food and dance. Every year, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral hosts a Glendi for thousands of visitors from far and near, providing the best in traditional Greek foods, pastries, music, dancing, and more. Beginning next Friday, all are welcome to this celebration on September 9-11, 2016. Call 413-737-1496 for more information. 22 St George Road. Springfield, MA. (<$)
Peruse our list below and make plans to get out into your community and learn while you play!
Featured community highlights this week: Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to Smith College for an afternoon of engineering, geology, physics and biology activities on Saturday, September 3, 3pm-5pm! Participants will choose one of four options: Engineering Design with balloon powered cars, Investigating physical properties for rocks and minerals, Exploring electricity and electromagnetism and Investigating food chains and food webs with an owl pellet dissection. Registration is required through the Smith College website. 413-585-3932. Drop off and check in will take place in the lobby of Ford Hall. Green Street. Northampton, MA. (FREE)
“There are so many opportunities for families to enjoy and be enriched by in our area, but without your newsletter most of us wouldn’t know about them. My family would have missed out on discovering new nature excursions, cultural experiences, and new friendships that build community.” – Josh Weinstein (Shelburne Falls, MA)
If you have a community event, educational program or service opportunity for youth/families happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our “Suggest An Event” bulletin board. 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.
Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families throughsponsorship and advertising. Let us help get the word out about your after-school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families… help us help you! Click HERE to find out more.
Featured Fall Classes in Western MA
What are your child’s interests? What are your interests? This fall there are a number of after-school, homeschool, evening, and weekend classes to choose from to supplement and support the interests of your family! Check out our growing list of classes, programs, openhouses and even auditions for this fall in our dedicated post, 2016 Fall Classes, Auditions & Open Houses in Western MA, and find the perfect activity for your child, teen, and even lifelong learners! — Have a class you’d like to add to this list? Click here to find out how to have your class, lessons, program, auditions, and open house included.
Bulletin Board
Sep 25
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts’ annual Will Bike 4 Food charity cycling event is returning for its sixth year on Sunday, Sept. 25 in Hatfield. You can pedal towards a hunger free community by riding in this fun event as an individual or forming a team with your friends, family and coworkers. With 4 routes to choose from (10, 25, 50 or 100 miles), riders of all ages can get involved. There’ll be music, food, beverages, games and more. Last year’s event raised $100,000 to help feed our neighbors in need. You can make this year’s event even more successful. To register, or to learn more about WB4F, visit their website at willbike4food.org.
Sept 24 – Jun 3
Full Moon Girls – Wild Natured Girls.Monthly Saturdays.Registration is open! Join in woodland adventures, learn practical crafts, and forge friendships through play. Girls immerse in the teeming wonders of nature and the connectedness of community. Learn to build friction fires, harvest wild edibles, climb trees, and more! Explore empowerment and embrace aliveness in this village of girls, guided by women mentors! Monthly in Montague for girls 7-15, (split into two clans). Sept 24th-June 3rd, 9:30 – 2:30, a sliding scale of $45-75/day. Contact FullMoonGirlsInfo@gmail.com or 413-367-6191 or visit online at www.vermontwildernessschool.org/full-moon-girls!
FMC Ice Sports offers a fun and unique learning environment for all ages. Participants in their Step 1 Learn to Skate programs are taught the basics of ice skating. Students graduate to their Step 2 and Step 3 programs that focus on the more sport specific skills required in hockey and figure skating. FMC Ice Sports programs can be found at the Smead Arena in Springfield and the Collins Moylan Arena in Greenfield. Class information and registration are available online at www.fmcicesports.com or by calling 1-888-74-SKATE. Use promo code HTF201617 and receive $10 OFF your entire purchase of any instructional program!
ADVERTISE HERE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! See your summer camp, class, community event, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, after-school class, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Eventsand in our weekly eNewsletter, reaching thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Find out more about our advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by emailing us at info@hilltownfamilies.org. Find out more about this targeted marketing opportunity HERE.
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community-building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish, and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including local reviews, DIY posts, seasonal cooking/local food, and community-based educational & community service learning opportunities/resources. Send your query to info@hilltownfamilies.org.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
September 3rd-9th, 2016
We're 10! As we look ahead to the next decade of supporting education through community engagement we need YOUR support! Make a tax-deductible donation to Hilltown Families today! - Hilltown Families is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Welcome to Hilltown Families, an online grassroots communication network for families living throughout the four counties of Western Massachusetts. Hilltown Families believes in creating resilient and sustainable communities by developing and strengthening a sense of place in our children and citizens through community-based education and engagement. We work to accomplish this by highlighting the embedded learning that is found everywhere in our communities, making the information accessible to families, and giving parents/educators access to opportunities that support their children’s interests and education while encouraging community engagement.
Hilltown Families was founded in 2005 by Sienna Wildfield and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
"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)
Featured Sponsor
Thank you to all of our sponsors! Interested in joining our team of supporters? Find out about enhanced publicity with Hilltown Families!
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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disclaimer
Information provided on Hilltown Families (HTF) 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 HTF are that of the writer and not necessarily that of HTF. In no event shall HTF be liable (directly or indirectly) for any losses or damages causes (or allegedly caused) in connection with HTF. 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 BINGO! Gallery at Shire City Sanctuary is proud to present the 
Relaxing on my parents’ porch, I watch hummingbirds vie for feeder spots and recall Dad’s story: A hummingbird came to the feeder and found it empty. It flew to where Dad sat a few feet away and hovered directly over Dad’s newspaper, then flew back and forth between paper and feeder until Dad got the message. Dad put down the paper, filled the feeder, and returned to reading as the hummingbird ate.
