May Flowers

We are very excited to announce the launch of the Hilltown Family Variety Show podcast this week. There are four shows available for download, and well worth a listen. New shows are uploaded every Tuesday evening. Tie it all together with our weekly HFVS post here on Hilltown Families for links, resources and commentary. If you have a favorite song or band you’d like to share with us, post it below in our comment box.

And now for a look ahead … there are a gazillion things happening over the weekend, including a May Day celebration. You’ll wish there were two or three of you so you could attend several with your family. During the week are a couple of workshops worth checking out too.

If you have a family friendly event or educational program you’d like to let us know about, or would like to submit your event to the Hilltown Families calendar of Suggested Events, email Sienna at hilltownfamilies@gmail.com. Comments are warmly welcomed!

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Free Museum Passes | Farmer’s Market

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Friday – 05/04

10am – BOOK SALE – Stock up on your summer reading at the Berkshire Athenaeum booksale in Pittsfield, MA, from 10am-5pm [Families] (>$1)

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Menu TBA. 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

Saturday – 05/05

Cinco de Mayo

Japanese Children’s Day

8am – MUSIC – While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. [All ages] (Free)

8am – MORNING EXERCISE – Join other hilltown parents for a morning hike at DAR in Goshen. Meet at the first parking area and go for an hour hike. Get fresh air, exercise your heart, and meet other hilltown parents. 413.293.0321 [Parents] (Free)

9am – HERB GARDEN WORKSHOP FOR KIDS – HomeDepot will be offering a free Herb Garden workshop from 9am-noon in Pittsfield. Designed to teach do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while instilling a sense of accomplishment. [Ages 5-12] (Free)

10am – BOOK SALE – Stock up on your summer reading at a booksale on the Amherst Town Green from 9am-7pm [Families] (>$1)

10am – INTERNATIONAL FAIR – Amherst Montessori School will be holding an International Fair for Families from 10am-2pm in Amherst. There will be games, crafts, music, food, and more. 413.253.3101 [Families] (Free)

10am – STORYTELLING – The Gateway Family Center presents storyteller Rona Leventhal in Huntington. 413.667.2203 x3 [Families] (Free)

11am – JAPANESE CHILDREN’S DAY – Day of Japanese-themed family activities from 11am-4pm at the Springfield Museum in Springfield. 413.263.6800 [Families] ($)

Noon – PRIDE WEEKEND – Pride Weekend in Northampton from 12-5pm. Check out their new Kids Zone. Click here for a schedule of events: www.northamptonpride.org. 413.586.5602 [Families] (Free)

5:30pm – HOUSE CONCERT – All members of Hilltown Families are invited to a potluck social and house concert in West Chesterfield, MA. Music begins at 7pm. Space is limited. RSVP required. [Families] (Donation)

Sunday – 05/06

National Music Week

10am – MAY DAY CELEBRATION – A morning May Day festival on the green in Montague, MA, beginning at the Montague Post Office. There will be singing and dancing with Morris dancers and the Family Folk Chorus, along with a Maypole. Tuck a flower in your hair and bring the family. [Families] (Free)

Noon – KIDS FUN RUN – The Hatfield Education Foundation is sponsoring a Kids’ Fun Run at the Lions Pavilion in Hatfield, MA. 413.341.3682 [Families] ($)

2pm – FAMILY PERFORMANCE – Marmalade Productions brings the watershed to life with masks, music, shadows and puppets at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. [Families] ($)

3pm – ART & MUSIC – Sisters Ink will be hosting Radio Free Earth and an art opening/reception from 3-5pm at the Cummington Community House on Main Street in Cummington. [Families] (Free)

4pm – SHADOW PUPPETS – “Our Shadows,” an Egyptian/American Puppet Theater at the Bowker Auditorium in Amherst at UMass. This puppet show will evoke a traditional Egyptian village festival, featuring shadow puppetry, music, stick-dancing and storytelling of traditional Arab folk stories. Audience participation. 413.545.2511[Families] ($)

5:15pm – PARENT’S NIGHT OUT – Meet at Cup & Top Café in Florence, MA, for an Art Salon. Simple creative writing & drawing exercises to bring out your creativity and to get “unstuck.” Materials provided. 413.584.8328 [Parents] ($)

Monday – 05/07

Teacher Appreciation Week

 

6pm – WORKSHOP FOR GRANDPARENTS – Exploring Your Grandchild’s Temperament, a special discussion for grandparents of young children will be at the Treehouse Community Room in Easthampton, MA. This workshop will help grandparents identify and understand their grandchild’s individual temperament style. An overview of the different temperament styles as well as effective techniques for working with rather than against each style will be explored. Plus, meet other grandparents in your community and learn about support services for young children. Free dinner and childcare. Pre-Registration is required. 413.563.7672 [Grandparents] (Free)

Tuesday – 05/08

National Asparagus and Strawberry Month

7pm – Hilltown Family Variety Show – Tune-in between bath and bed time to the Hilltown Families very own radio show on WXOJ 103.3LP-FM, Valley Free Radio, out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org [Families] (Free)

Wednesday – 05/09

National Bike Week

9am-ish – HILLTOWN PARENTS SOCIAL – Breakfast at Elmer’s! After dropping your children off at school, Hilltown Families invites you to head on over to Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, for coffee, tea and crumpets. Bring your lap tops and get some work done too. 413.628.4003 [Parents] (Free/$)

Thursday – 05/10

10am – MOVEMENT FOR MOMS – Movement classes for moms at the Wood Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Florence, MA, from 10-11:15am. Class includes childcare available. 413.238.4499 [Mother’s] ($)

7pm – PARENTING WORKSHOP – “Simplicity Parenting: Why less is more for children, and five steps you can take to help your child to feel calmer, happier and more secure.” A free workshop at the Jackson Street School’s Library in Northampton, MA. 413.587.1471. [Adults] (Free)

Friday – 05/11

1pm – MAY CELEBRATION – The Hartsbrooks School in Hadley, MA, will hold a May celebration, with Maypole dancing, picnic, cupcake walk, and other activities for children from 1-3pm. 413.584.3198 [Families]

5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Menu TBA. 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)

4pm – ARTS NIGHT OUT – Visit 16 galleries and art shops in Northampton for their monthly art walk. Smith Art Museum will offer an art project inspired by a special exhibition about the Japanese tea ceremony will be offered for families with children from 4-6pm. [Families] (Free)

Anyday – Anytime

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