Suggested Events 11/17/07 – 11/23/07

Posted on November 15, 2007 By Hilltown Families

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As we celebrate the harvest season this week, it would be a great time of the year to show our kids how we can share with our neighbors. Donating food to your local food bank is one fine way to do so. If you’d like to reach out to other families in our area that are in need, there will be a Food Drive to benefit the Hilltown Food Pantry this Saturday (11/17/07). There will be a curbside drop off happening at 5 Bridge Street in Haydenville, MA, of non-perishables to be delivered to the pantry and distributed to local families. Donations can also be dropped off anytime from now through 12/15/07 at the Legion (same address).

THIS WEEK’S LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS IS SPONSORED BY:

Become a Sponsor

To find out how you or your business can help support Hilltown Families by becoming a sponsor, drop us an email or give us a call at 413.296.0096 for more information. We’re offering very reasonable rates throughout the holiday season. By having individuals in our community and area businesses become sponsors, Hilltown Families can continue to offer a weekly list of suggested events, a weekly podcast, updated resources, articles and much more.

Submit an Event

If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that 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!

Local forecast | Get directions | Free Museum Passes

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 11/17

8am – FAMILY RADIO – 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. This week the winners of the Fids & Kamily Awards will be announced! [All ages] (Free)

9:30am – HISTORIC FOODS – There will be an open hearth cooking demonstration at the Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA. Learn how autumn affected the preparation and preservation of foods in historic menus. 413.775.7214 [Ages 6 & up] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your local library)

10am-3pm – HOLIDAY FAIR – At the Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA, will be a Crafts Fair and Children’s Festival. Make crafts to give as gifts, be entertained and enjoy music, hayrides and a bonfire. 413.586.1908. [Families] (Free/$)

10am – NATURE CRAFTS – Make edible birdhouses at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in Stockbridge, MA. 413.298.3926 [Families] ($$)

10pm – OUTDOOR ACTIVITY -Learn about numerous wild edibles found in our area at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton, MA. 413.584.3009 [Ages 4-12] (>$)

Noon – ZOOLOGY FOR KIDS – The Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, will be hosting a discovery program called “Creatures on the Move” every Saturday through 12/29. Kids can learn how fish, amphibians and other creatures move around. 413.443.7171 [Families] (Free with admission to museum)

2pm & 3pm – FAMILY THEATER – Picture Book Theater performs Tico and the Golden Wings at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Arts in Amherst, MA. [Families](>$, Borrow a museum pass from your local library)

7pm – FAMILY DANCE – There will be a Family Folk Dance at the First Congregational Church in Wiliamsburg, MA. Traditional folk dances to the music of Katherine and the Borstals. No partner or prior experience necessary. Refreshments. [Families] (Donation)

7pm – MOM’S NIGHT OUT – A relaxing, women-only evening is being offered at Union Station Restaurant in Northampton, MA, sponsored by MotherWoman. Desserts, cash bar, poetry, auction, and more. 413.586.5366 [Mothers] ($$)

Sunday – 11/18

9:30am-4:30pm – HISTORIC FOODS – There will be an open hearth cooking demonstration at the Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, on both Saturday & Sunday. Learn how autumn affected the preparation and preservation of foods in historic menus. 413.775.7214 [Ages 6 & up] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your local library)

10am-4pm – FLOWER SHOW – Bring the kids to explore the amazing variety of Chrysanthemums at the Fall Chrysanthemum Show inside the Lyman Conservatory at Smith College in Northampton, MA. 585.2700 [Families] (>$)

Noon – 4pm – HISTORIC FOOD – At Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, learn the historic uses of apples in New England. 413.775.7214 [Families] ($)

1:30pm-3:30pm – CRAFTING WITH KIDS – The Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA, will be offering a Crafting with Kids series. This weeks workshop is A Felt-Made Picnic. All ages welcomed. Must pre-register. 625-6826 [All Ages] ($$)

4pm-6pm – CHRISTMAS EVENT – Yankee Candle in South Deerfield, MA, will be having their Christmas Tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting, the Dickenson Carolers will be singing and hot chocolate will be offered. 413.665.1277 [Families] (Free)

5pm – COMMUNITY SING – Penny Schultz will be leading a community sing at Earthdance in Plainfield, MA. Rounds, part songs, chants and spirituals from a wide variety of cultures. All ages and abilities welcomed. 413.634.5678 [Families] (Children Free, Adults $5)

Monday – 11/19

11:30am – SIGNING STORYTIMES – Discover ALS (sign language) with your child at the Toy Box in Amherst, MA. Students from Hampshire College will read a story out-loud and in sign language (ASL) for the audience. 413.256.8697 [All ages] (Free)

Tuesday – 11/20

1pm & 2pm – PARENT EXERCISE – Community Walking Program in the Hilltowns, organized by the Hilltown Community Health Centers. Every Tuesday (weather permitting) meet at Russell Conway School Parking lot in Worthington, MA. Beginner start at 1pm & experienced walkers start at 2pm. Call to register. 413.667.2204 [Parents] (Free)

4pm – KIDS’ JAM – Join Hilltown Music Together director Lui Collins in a new music and movement for “big kids” at the Belding Memorial Library in Ashfield, MA. Two different time slots are available. Classes run through 12/11. Scholarship aid is available. Open to home schoolers and other family groups. 413.628.0197 [Ages 5-6+] ($$)

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

Wednesday – 11/21

9pm – PARENT COFFEE BREAK – After dropping the kids off at school or their homeschool program, drop into Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA. Not only do they have great coffee, they have a fantastic breakfast menu too. Connect with other parents. If you’d rather do some work, bring your laptop (they have wireless!) and let them bring you coffee! To find out what’s happen over at Elmer’s, read Notes from Nan, a weekly update posted here on Hilltown Families. [Parents] ($/Free)

Thursday – 11/22

THANKSGIVING

1:30pm & 6:30pm – STORY HOUR – The Huntington Library in Huntington, MA, is offering a “No-Baking Story Hour.” Children will be read stories, do crafts and have refreshments. Parents must be on-site. 413.667.3506 [Families] (Free)

Friday – 11/23

11am-4pm – SCHOOL VACATION FUN – The Springfield Museum in Springfield, MA, is hosting AbraKlDabra: A Magical Day. Go on a scavenger hunt, design a magician’s hat, make a magical craft, watch strolling magician perform trick, watch a magic show at 2pm, and more. 413.263.6800 [Families] ($/Borrow a museum pass from your local library)

Noon-4pm – MAKING CRAFTS – At Historic Deerfield in Deerfield, MA, there will be a “Made-by-hand Holiday Gift Workshop” for families to make present they can give for the holidays. (Fri. & Sat.) 413.775.7214 [Families] (>$, Borrow a museum pass from your local library).

3:30pm-5:30pm – KIDS CRAFTS BAZAAR – Hilltown Families and CAM will he hosting a Kids-Made Holiday Bazaar a the Children’s Art Museum in Shelburne Falls, MA, (same building as the Trolley Museum). Come support young artisans who have handmade holiday crafts to sell during the bazaar. 413.625.6826. [Families] (Free/$)

4:30pm-9:30pm – TOWN FESTIVAL – Shelburne Falls will be having their annual Moonlight Magic celebration. The town is lit with luminaries. Santa visits. Music and crafts are available town wide. 413.625.2526 [Families] (Free)

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