HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND
There are two types of folks that live in the Hilltowns, people that get little tiny red spots when bitten by a black fly, and folks that swell up with angry red welts. Actually, there’s a third type, folks that swell up and itch like crazy. No, make that four types. Add those that swell up, itch like crazy, AND are mosquito magnets. — Hmmm, now that I’m thinking about it, make that five. Those that swell up, itch like crazy, have mosquito magnetism PLUS a mental block on what poison ivy looks like. I’m the fifth type of Hilltowner, currently sporting welts from black flies, mosquitos and poison ivy, and will continue the fashion throughout most of the early summer.
The question is, “Is it worth it?” A resounding you bet! This morning I woke up to what I thought was a radio playing off in the distance. Upon closer attunement, I assessed it was a blend of the river and birds singing, giving rise to a lovely harmony. Spring in the Hilltowns can be a land of make believe, with little “fierce creatures” and all.
This coming week there are a number of opportunities to get outside and enjoy Spring, including a wildflower walk, a fly fishing clinic, ponding, plant sales… and opportunities to discover more about wildlife in the area, including black bears and falcons. Read on to discover more …
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 swildfield@juno.com. Comments are warmly welcomed!
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Free Museum Passes | Farmer’s Market
Events Happening in the Hilltowns
Friday – 05/11
NATIONAL PET WEEK
1pm – MAY CELEBRATION – The Hartsbrook 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]
4pm – FREE GIRLS SELF-DEFENSE CLASS – A free self-defense & martial arts class for girls ages 5-12 is being offered by Sisters Ink and the Worthington Health Center. This free class is being offered to all hilltown residents and will be held at the Cummington Community House in Cummington, MA. 413.238.5511 x155 [Girls age 5-12] (Free)]
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] ($)
4pm – ARTS NIGHT OUT – Visit 16 galleries and art shops in Northampton for their monthly art walk. Smith Art Museum will offer an art project inspired by a special exhibition about the Japanese tea ceremony for families with children from 4-6pm. [Families] (Free)
Saturday – 05/12
8am – MUSIC – While traveling around town, tune-in to WXOJ 103.3 FM in Northampton, MA, from 8-10am to hear fabulous family friendly music on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. [All ages] (Free)
9am – PLANT SALE – From 9am – 1pm a the Smith Vocational Agricultural School in Northampton, MA. Proceeds buy books for public schools. 413.585.9127.
10am – FLY FISHING CLINIC FOR KIDS – From 10am-3pm on the Westfield River at the turnout on Route 20 across from the Huntington Health Center in Huntington, MA. Kids can learn to tie a fishing fly and to fly-cast under the expert guidance of seasoned fly fishermen. There will be exhibits, educational displays, and exploration for naturalists. Equipment will be provided, but participants can bring their own fly rod. 413.786.0195 [Families] (Free)
10am – PONDING FOR FAMILIES – Explore life in a spring pond at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton, MA. After a brief introduction, families will take net in hand and explore what lives beneath the muck of our ponds. Discuss the ecology and unique adaptations that animals have to survive in a wet environment. The group will be provided with nets and bug boxes. 413.584.3009 [Ages 5-16] ($)
11am – MUSICAL PERFORMANCE – Music of the Americas by Sirius Coyote at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. Sirius Coyote is a multi-talented group of musicians, storytellers and instrument makers. They perform on over 30 different ancient and modern instruments of the Americas. Sirius Coyote will take you on a musical journey to the realms of magical sounds of the Americas. 413.443.7171 [Families] ($)
2pm – ARTS OF ASIA FOR FAMILIES – ImaginASIA is a program for families that will introduce the Arts of Asia by focusing on a different art form at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. Discover and learn more about Japan’s Children Day (May 12), Gyotaku fish printmaking (May 26) and the ways of the Ninja (June 2). 413.443.7171 [Families] ($)
5:30pm – SILENT AUCTION – The Cummington Family Center will be having a silent auction fundraiser at the Cummington Community House on Main Street in Cummington, MA, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. 413.634.5362 [Families] ($)
6:30pm – HILLTOWN JAMBOREE – The 2nd Annual Hilltown Jamboree will take place at the Ann Dunphy School in Williamsburg, MA. Featuring many local musicians. 413.268.8407 [Families] (Free)
6:30pm – TALENT SHOW – Gateway Middle School students in Huntington are presenting a talent show entitled “Talent Rocks.”
Sunday – 05/13
MOTHER’S DAY
9:00am -HILLTOWN FAMILIES MOTHER’S DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST – The 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Pancake Breakfast in West Chesterfield, MA, from 9am-1pm. Hilltown moms get to relax and enjoy the morning while sipping mimosas with strawberries, catching up with friends, meeting new families and stuffing their faces with pancakes with local fresh maple syrup. Dads and partners cook up a storm and referee the kids. [HF Families] (Free)
FREE TROLLEY RIDES FOR HILLTOWN MOMS – Trolley Museum, Shelburne Falls, MA.
Noon – PEACE PARADE – The Womens Congress for Peace & Justice and the Peaceable Planet Puppet Parade will have a march from Bridge Street School in Northampton to the Hestia Mural. Rain Date: May 20th. 413.268.3588 [Families] (Free)
2pm – DR. DOLITTLE – Dr. Dolittle will be performed at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. 413.584.7327 [Families] ($)
2pm – WILDFLOWER WALK – The Hilltown Land Trust is holding a wildflower walk from 2-5pm at Shirley Winer’s farm on Kinnebrook Road in Chester. 413.667.3439. [Families] (Free)
5:15pm – PARENTS 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] ($)
Monday – 05/14
MASSACHUSETTS BIKE WEEK
7pm – BLACK BEARS – At the Forbes Library in Northampton, join a wildlife biologist to discover the history of the black bear in MA. 413.587.1011 [Families] (Free)
Tuesday – 05/15
NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP DAY
10:30am – STORYTELLER – John Porcino will be performing stories and songs at the Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton, MA. 413.584.7327 [Ages 3-5] (Free)
7pm – Hilltown Family Variety Show – Tune-in between bath and bed time to the Hilltown Families’ very own radio show on WXOJ 103.3LP-FM, Valley Free Radio, out of Northampton, MA. www.valleyfreeradio.org [Families] (Free)
Wednesday – 05/16
9am-ish – HILLTOWN PARENTS SOCIAL – Breakfast at Elmer’s! After dropping your children off at school, Hilltown Families invites you to head on over to Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, for coffee, tea and crumpets. Bring your lap tops and get some work done too. 413.628.4003 [Parents] (Free/$)
6:30pm – BEYOND PRAISE AND PUNISHMENT – A free educational workshop at the Forbes Library in Northampton, MA, led by psychotherapist, Sarah Getoff. She discusses how to teach children self esteem and self control, and the drawbacks of praise, punishment, time-outs, and other common techniques. For more information contact Getoff at sarahgetoff@hotmail.com. [Parents] (Free)
Thursday – 05/17
10am – MOVEMENT FOR MOMS – Movement classes for moms at the Wood Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Florence, MA, from 10-11:15am. Class includes childcare. 413.238.4499 [Mothers] ($)
11:15am – GROUNDBREAKING – The River Valley Market invites the community to bring a shovel and break ground at the old quarry site at 330 North King Street in Northampton, MA, the future home of the coop. There will be fresh local food served and special guests. 800.392.3862 [Families] (Free)
6:30pm – FALCONRY – The Chesterfield Historical Society will be hosting a supper followed by a falconry presentation at the Chesterfield Church Dining Room. To RSVP call by 05/14. 413.296.4333. [Families]
Friday – 05/18
NATIONAL BACKYARD GAMES WEEK – Check side bar for great links to discover children’s games.
5pm – COMMUNITY DINNER – Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, invites community members to come together to share dinner and conversation every Friday evening. Menu TBA. 413.628.4003 [Families] ($)
Anyday – Anytime
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