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For a week of suggested events for hilltown families, read on …

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Friday – 01/19

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share in dinner and conversation this Friday evening. Choices on this Friday’s menu include Tortellini Facciazula and the good ole’ comfy food, Mac & Cheese. . [Families] ($)

Saturday – 01/20

10am – FAMILY CONCERT – Dennis Caraher of Dog Bone Town will be doing a family concert at Cup & Top in Florence, MA. (413) 585-0445. [Families] (Free/$)

Noon – COZY WINTER DAY – Spend a cozy winter day from Noon-4pm at Historic Deerfield in the Hall Tavern where you will pass the time as early New Englanders did. Find out how sheep’s wool is processed into yarn that can be used to make warm winter clothing. Learn the principles of knitting by practicing finger-knitting. Weave on a loom. Learn about quilting, and make a small one for your teddy bear. Watch open-hearth cooks make gingerbread, and talk about other foods that sustained people through the long winter. Enjoy a snack of fresh baked goods and cider. Musician Tim Van Egmond will perform winter-theme songs and stories at 2:00 p.m. (413) 775-7214. [Families] ($)

3pm WINTER WONDERLAND – From 3-5pm, children are invited to come to the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA, to make art and transform the space into a “Winter Wonderland” for their grand opening on Sunday. Snow flakes, sparkly snowmen, wintry garlands and much more will be made and hung around. (413) 625-6826. [Ages 6-11] ($)

7pm – MOVIE SCREENING – Hilltown Families will be hosting a private screening of Bad Seed: The Truth About Our Food, for interested hilltown parents of Western Massachusetts. Space is limited. Adults only. Nursing infants welcomed. [Parents] (Free)

Sunday – 01/21

2pm- CAM GRAND OPENING – The Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA, will be having their grand opening! There will be a family concert with Lui Collins and a bake sale. All are invited. (413) 625-6826. [Families] (Free)

3pm – FAMILY CONTRA DANCE – Wild Asparagus will host a family contra dance at the Guiding Star Grange #1 in Greenfield, MA, to benefit the Greenfield Center School. The dance will run from 3-5:30pm. There will be festive fund raising events also T-shirts, water bottles, and refreshments for sale. (413) 772-0501. [Families] ($)

Monday – 01/22

4pm – SEWING 1-2-3 – A sewing series for school aged children will be offered at the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA. This is a 14 part workshop focusing on sewing, learning about needle, thread, fabrics and pattern making, taught by Zanne Blair, a fashion design major of Pratt Institute. Reservations required. (413) 625-6826. [Ages 7 & up] ($$)

Tuesday – 01/23

2:30pm – PRINTMAKING MAGIC – A two hour printmaking class for school aged children at the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA. Come learn the secrets of drawing backwards, mirror images, and making multiple copies of the same picture! This basic introduction to printmaking will use a variety of methods and everyday materials. Taught by Meagen Grundberg, a History of Art and Architecture and Urban Studies major from Brown University. (413) 625-6826. [Ages 7-11] ($)

6pm – KNITTING CIRCLE – A winter knitting group is underway at Shaw Memorial Library in Plainfield, MA, for knitters of all levels. (413) 634-5406 [Ages 7 & up] (Free)

Wednesday – 01/24

9am – PARENT’S BREAKFAST AT ELMER’S -After dropping your children off at school, head on over to Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, for coffee, tea and crumpets. [Parents] (Free/$)

6pm – MOVIE SCREENING – Ace Ventura: Pet Detective will be showing at the Huntington Library in Huntington, MA. This movie is rated PG-13, and will be shown while the library is open. Popcorn and beverages will be available during the film. (413) 667-3506. [Families] (Free)

Thursday – 01/25

1:30pm – HOME SCHOOL THURSDAYS – Meet at the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA, to explore the museum while connecting with other home school families; visit the galleries, explore art making in the Studio, books in the Reading library, and view a short film at 2:30pm. [Ages 5 & up] ($/Check out free pass from your local library)

4pm – YOUNG FARMERS – Young Farmers at Red Gate are invited to help farmer feed animals, check for eggs and take care of other chores in Buckland, MA. Parents and younger siblings also welcome. [Ages 5 and older] (Free)

4pm – WHAT’S THE STORY? – Join the CAM in Shelburne Falls, MA, as they explore puppetry, painting, comics, collage, and a variety of other art forms as ways of telling stories real, imagined, and self-composed. Taught by Meagen Grundberg, a History of Art and Architecture and Urban Studies major from Brown University. (413) 625-6826. [Ages 7-10] ($)

Friday – 01/26

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share in dinner and conversation this Friday evening. Menu TBA. [Families] ($)

8pm – EVENING CONCERT – After dinner at Elmer’s walk next door to the town hall for a benefit concert by Sonya Kitchell to benefit Ashfield’s town library. Tickets are available at Elmer’s. [Adults or families with night owl children] ($)