Spring radishes at the farmer's market. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)

SUGGEST 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, post your event on our “Suggest An Event” page. The events below are “suggested.” Please take the time to confirm that these events are happening, along with time, location, age appropriateness and costs before attending

BULLETIN BOARD

Erin White of Cummington, MA writes: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY – This Saturday, June 6th, is Spruce-Up Day at Berkshire Trail Elementary School in Cummington, MA. From 9am-4pm parents and community members will work together at Berkshire Trail to get our school looking like the local treasure we know it is. We will be planting new flowers and bushes, painting the gym, raking new mulch and pea stone in the playground, and lots of other easy and fun sprucing tasks. Lunch will be provided by Bread Euphoria and The Old Creamery. Please join us! It will be a great opportunity to see Berkshire Trail and to meet some of the wonderful families in our school community.

HF Listserv member Dina Raymond of Goshen, MA writes: BARTER OPPORTUNITY – Given the economy and in consideration of all the talented people in the Hilltowns and Northampton, we would like to propose a bartering situation here on lower highland lake in Goshen, MA. We have 3 cottages (www.goshensummerrentals.com) that we typically rent for the months of June, July, August and into September (a great time). There are many weeks not rented as people may not be able to afford to be here- thus the barter proposal.  Have you musical teaching skills, (guitar/voice) kid sitting skills, know French, CPR, swimmming, cooking, proficient in house cleaning, electrical work, gardening/weeding? If you’d like to live on the lake for a week or more and have excellent bartering skills, please contact us. 413-268-7772.  Come enjoy the lake with your family!

Tracie from CISA writes: LOST & FOUND – A volunteer working at the CISA table at the Hilltown Festival in Cummington on May 30 left behind a hand-carved cane that his late father made for him. Obviously, it is irreplaceable. Please call CISA at 413-665-7100 if you or someone you know found this item. Ask for Tracie.

MA EBT FARMERS’ MARKET PROJECT: Senator Benjamin B. Downing (D-Pittsfield) proposal promotes access to fresh, locally grown, nutritious food.  Click here to read more.

FAMILIES INTERESTED IN SOLAR ENERGY: There will be a Solar Energy Seminar for homes and businesses in Cummington, MA at the Community House on Wednesday, June 10th from 6:30-8:30pm.  Click here for more info.

HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW

Sippy Cups new CD, "Time Machine," and Ziggy Marley's new CD, "Family Time."

Tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show on Saturdays from 9-10am on Valley Free Radio (VFR), 103.3FM (Northampton, MA), or listen via streaming audio at www.ValleyFreeRadio.org. Every Saturday VFR offers four hours of commercial-free, quality family program from 6-10am, including Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child from 7am-9am. It’s better than Saturday morning cartoons!

This weeks episode is BICYCLE with new music by Joe West, Artichoke, Ani DiFranco & Putumayo Kids.

CONCERT & DVD GIVEAWAYS – WINNERS!

Ellen Ferris of South Hadley, MA (winner of the “Treasury of 25 Storybook Classics: Dinosaurs, Trucks, Monsters… and More!” writes: Oh wow! I am so excited!! Thank you so much – I love your website (and radio show) – it is an excellent resource and wonderful help to me. I also just decided about a week ago to homeschool my little ones so this will be a great thing to add to our “classroom”.

Marian Kent of Easthampton, MA (winner of Patty Larkin tickets & CD) writes:  Right on! Thanx a ton, wow! Happy day.

FEATURED EVENT

SUNDAY:  There will be a pop-up bookmaking workshop given by artist Jeannie Hunt on Sunday, June 7th from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center in Chesterfield. Children ages 8 – 12, with one attending parent or grandparent, will learn how to create simple pop-up books. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited; call Kester Warlow-Harry at 413-296-8058 to register. The workshop is supported by the Friends of the Chesterfield Public Library and grants from the Cultural Councils of Chesterfield, Goshen, Westhampton, Williamsburg and Worthington.

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Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday – 06/06/09

7am-9am – RADIO SHOW: Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA or starting at 8am on The River.

9am-10am – RADIO SHOW: Hilltown Family Variety Show on 103.3FM WXOJ, Northampton, MA – BICYCLE EPISODE.

9am – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: National Trails Day in Ashfield, MA. (Free)

9am-12Noon – ENGINEERING: Junior Solar Sprint at the Reid Middle School in Pittsfield, MA.

9am-1pm – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Workday at Little Tom Reservation in Holyoke, MA. All tools provided. (Free)

9am-4pm – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Spruce-Up Day at Berkshire Trail Elementary School in Cummington, MA. (Free)

Strolling of the Heifers in Brattleboro, VT.

10am-2pm – OUTDOORS: Family Fish Day at the Mt. Tom State Reservation in Holyoke, MA. No license require. Canoe rides and casting lessons. Some equipment available. (Free. Fee to enter reservation) 322-5620.

Hadley 350 Years Celebration in Hadley, MA.

12Noon-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Fun in the Garden at the Historic Deerfield Museum in Deerfield, MA.

12Noon-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES:  “Vehicle for a Small Planet: The History of the Bicycle” at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, MA. This exhibition will present information on bicycle safety, bicycles as green transportation, bicycle racing and the wonderful history of bicycles.

8pm – MUSIC: Swing Caravan at Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA.

Sunday – 06/07/09

9am – VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Invasive Plant Removal at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area in Florence, MA. (Free)

9:30am – WALK/RUN – The Garden’s 10th Annual A Walk/Run to Remember 5K Road Race, 1M Walk. Music with Aric Bieganek’s Recess Rock Band following the walk/run.  YMCA in Northampton, MA.

Strolling of the Heifers in Brattleboro, VT.

10am-3pm – NATURE ADVENTURES:  West Springfield Fish Ladder Open House.  (Free)

10am-1pm – NATURE WALK: Let the family learn about medicinal herbs on a walk at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton, MA.

12Noon-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Fun in the Garden at the Historic Deerfield Museum in Deerfield, MA.

12Noon-4pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES:  “Vehicle for a Small Planet: The History of the Bicycle” at the Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke, MA. This exhibition will present information on bicycle safety, bicycles as green transportation, bicycle racing and the wonderful history of bicycles.

1pm – THEATER: Hartsbrook School Presents The Emperor’s New Clothes in the auditorium of the Eric Carle Museum in Amherst, MA. (Free with museum admission)

2:30-4:30pm – ARTS & CRAFTS: Pop-up bookmaking workshop at the Senior Center in Chesterfield, MA for children ages 8 – 12.

4pm – ARCHITECTURE STUDIES: Take the family for a bike ride around Amherst while discovering Amherst’s architecture. Start at the Amherst History Museum.

Weekdays 06/08/09-06/12/09

For more events happening this week visit our “Suggest An Event” page. There are also fun suggestions on our THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO SEE page. If you know of an upcoming event that you would like to share with other families, please feel encourage to do so by posting it HERE.