Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events 11/27/10-12/03/10
Discover fun and educational events happening this week in Western Mass, along with announcements, upcoming events, links, resources and the HFVS podcast.
SUGGEST AN EVENT
Gingerbread houses on display last weekend at the Hartsbrook Winter Fair in Amherst, MA (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
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, place, age appropriateness and costs before attending.
BEST BETS
In the evening on Friday, November 26th from 4:30-10pm – MOONLIGHT MAGIC: An annual village tradition to kick-off the holiday season. Stores, galleries and restaurants are open. Luminaries line the streets. Parade at 5pm. This year look for Santa, the Grinch, Shriners Clowns and a Snow Princess. Music inside and out. Trolley rides with the SF Trolley Museum. Read more here! Shelburne Falls, MA (FREE)
On Saturday, November 27th from 12Noon – 4:30pm – ARTS & CRAFTS: Holiday gift making at Historic Deerfield. With thread and a needle museum educators will help visitors embroider a small design or initials on a cloth napkin. Make a unique napkin ring to go along with the napkin, and tie it up with a ribbon. Then decorate a card, and put it a gift bag. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
And in the evening on Saturday, December 4th at 7pm – KIDS’ DANCE: Kids’ Dance Party at the Cummington Community House. Live music with Radio Free Earth. Dance Scores led by Maureen Shea. Snacks. http://www.radiofreeearth.com Cummington, MA (>$)
BULLETIN BOARD
CRAFTY RUMPUS: On Sat. Dec. 4th from 10am-4pm, Greenfield Center School will again host a Crafty Rumpus. This is a colossal arts, crafts and music event for all ages. Musician Jay Mankita, who, according to Pete Seeger, is “one of the half dozen best songwriters today” will perform children’s music. Span of Sunshine and the Carrie Ferguson will also perform. Rumpus hosts a 25+ booth craft fair featuring juried artisans from across the region offering fresh, lovely wares. In addition: free art and crafting workshops for kids, ages 3-12, savory and sweet foods, and a used childrens’ clothing sale. All events free. All are welcome! For directions: www.centerschool.net and check out the Rumpus blog: www.gcsrumpus.blogspot.com. For more info: 413-773-1700
CHILDCARE SUBSIDIES AVAILABLE: For income eligible families with children ages 0-5 residing in the towns of Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Peru, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington. Adult(s) must be working, or in a vocational or educational program during childcare hours to qualify for assistance. If your gross household annual income is below the limits listed, you may be eligible: Household of 2 ($50,050), Household of 3 ($56,300), Household of 4 ($62,550), Household of 5 ($67,600), Household of 6 ($72,600). Contact Jennifer Reagan for application: 230-8552 conreag@comcast.net. This Program is funded by a Community Development Block Grant from the MA Dept. of Housing and Community Development and the Towns of Chesterfield & Cummington.
SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Let us help get the word out about your event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement. Email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for more information. — Help us help you!
CYBER MONDAY: On Cyber-Monday (the Monday after Thanksgiving), Hilltown Families will feature five fabulous gifts for kids made by five equally fabulous Hilltown Mompreneurs … and you will be able to enter to win all five! So when surfing online on Monday, make sure to stop by to enter to win!
HOLIDAY GIVING OPPORTUNITY: Give to the Forbes Library Annual Giving Tree to benefit children and families in Western MA. Gifts donated to the library will be distributed for the holiday season to family with financial difficulty for children 0-16yo. Bring in a brand new (or like new) unwrapped gift (or gift card) to donate to the Giving Tree. Used clothes not accepted. Drive runs from Thanksgiving through Jan. 4th. Drop off gift at the Forbes Library Children’s Department during open hours in Northampton, MA. Contact Jude McGowan for more info at 587-1010.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: CASPER BABYPANTS GUEST DJ EPISODE
Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am.
This week on the HFVS is hosted by Chris Ballew of Caspar Babypants. Featured on his playlist Elizabeth Mitchell, Van Halen, Enzo Garcia, Elvis Costello, Ella Jenkins, Mike Seeger, and many other wonderful musicians – even and interview with The Beatles!
Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday & Sunday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio. On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA.
PODCAST: Listen to the most recent episodes of the Hilltown Family Variety Show anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!
WEEKLY LIST OF SUGGESTED EVENTS
Saturday • Sunday • Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Local Forecast | Free Museum Passes | Playgroups & Family Centers | Movies in the Valley | Movies in the Berkshires | Listen Here
Events Happening in the Hilltowns | ♦ On-going Events
Saturday – 11/27
9-10:30am – CHRISTMAS EVENT: Breakfast with Santa at the YMCA (67 Court St.) 562-2277 Westfield, MA ($)
9am/10am – CHRISTMAS EVENT: Elf Show at Yankee Candle followed by Santa arriving by helicopter. Full day of fun. 877-803-6890 South Deerfield, MA (FREE)
9am-2pm – FARMERS’ MARKET:Winter Farmers’ Market in the basement of Thornes through April 30th. Food, live music and art. Northampton, MA (MARKET)
10am – HOLIDAY PARADE: From Trinity Row Park the annual holiday parade will preceed towards the Civic Center, with Santa and Mrs. Claus and many others. Florence, MA (FREE)
♦ 10am-2pm – FARMERS’ MARKET:Winter Farmers’ Market at Amherst Middle School (170 Chestnut St.). Amherst, MA (MARKET)
♦ 10am-2pm – FARMERS’ MARKET: North Amherst Farmers’ Market happens a the Big Bule Barn at SwartzFamiy Farm (11 Meadow St.). www.northamherstmarket.com Amherst, MA (MARKET)
♦ 12Noon-3pm – COMMUNITY MEAL: Montague Farm Zen House presents the weekly Montague Farm Cafe -a free, weekly family oriented meal and gathering, with healthy food, art activities, live music, and games. 367-5275 Montague, MA (FREE)
12Noon – 4:30pm – ARTS & CRAFTS: Holiday gift making at Historic Deerfield. With thread and a needle museum educators will help visitors embroider a small design or initials on a cloth napkin. Make a unique napkin ring to go along with the napkin, and tie it up with a ribbon. Then decorate a card, and put it a gift bag. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
♦ 12:30pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Chow Time in the aquarium at the Berkshire Museum. 443-7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org Pittsfield, MA (FREE w/museum admission)
2pm & 3pm – THEATER: Picture Book Theatre Presents Tico and The Golden Wings and Geraldine, The Music Mouse in the auditorium at the Eric Carle Museum. 658-1100 www.carlemuseum.org Amherst, MA ($)
1pm & 4pm – MOVIE SCREENING: The Wizard of Oz (1946) starring Judy Garland will be shown at he Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center. 528-0100 www.mahaiwe.org Great Barrington, MA (>$)
♦ 1:30-3:20pm – ICE SKATING: Public ice skating at Collins/Moylan Arena (41 Barr Ave.). Skate rentals available. 772-6891 Greenfield, MA ($)
♦ 2-3:50pm – ICE SKATING: Public ice skating at Fitzpatrick Arena (575 Maple St.) Skate rentals available. 532-2929 Holyoke, MA ($)
4pm – BALLET: East Street Ballet is presenting a rendition of Prokovief’s Peter and the Wolf and selections from Swan Lake. 584-5535 www.eaststreetballet.com Hadley, MA ($)
Sunday – 11/28
9:30am – CHRISTMAS EVENT: Santa Parade at Yankee Candle. Live music and giveaways. 877-803-6890 South Deerfield, MA (FREE)
12Noon-2pm – CHRISTMAS EVENT: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena (21 South Broad St.) 562-2277 Westfield, MA ($)
12Noon – 4:30pm – ARTS & CRAFTS: Holiday gift making at Historic Deerfield. With thread and a needle museum educators will help visitors embroider a small design or initials on a cloth napkin. Make a unique napkin ring to go along with the napkin, and tie it up with a ribbon. Then decorate a card, and put it a gift bag. 775-7127 www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
2pm – WEST AFRICAN DANCE/MUSIC: Sunday Come Dance Senegalese Sabar at Community Yoga Center (16 Federal St.). Learn this graceful and energetic style danced to Senegalese music. All ages welcomed. Greenfield, MA ($)
♦ 2-3:50pm – ICE SKATING: Public ice skating at Smead Arena (1780 Roosevelt Ave.) Skate rentals available. 781-2599 Springfield, MA ($)
2:30pm – SUPPORT GROUP: Queer Non-Gestational Parent Group at Cradle. For new parents (w/kids 2yo & younger). Children welcome. 341-5282 www.cradlefamily.com Northampton, MA (FREE)
Monday – 11/29
4pm & 6pm in Whately: Pride & Prejudice will be screened at the Whatley Library. 665-2170 (FREE)
Plainfield ♦ 5:15-6:15pm: Creative Dance for Children ages 6-9yo (a.k.a. The Dolphin Dancers) at Earthdance with Maureen Shea. Drop-ins welcomed. 634-5431 ($)
6pm in Westfield: Lanternlight Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting. WHS Concert Choir at 6:15pm. Parade at 6:30pm. Ceremony outside of the Westfield Athenaeum (6 Elm St.) (FREE)
6:30pm in Northampton: Emergency preparedness talk with Frank Grindrod of Earthwork programs at River Valley Market. Reg. in advance 522-0338 Ashfield, MA (FREE)
Monday – On-Going
PLAYGROUPS
STORY TIMES
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
OTHER ONGOING
Tuesday – 11/30
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Last day to enter to win this 17 DVD set of 100 Storybook Classics"]
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10am in Leverett: Music Together teacher, Heleen Cardinaux (Music Together for Valley Families) will lead Music and Movement at the Leverett Elementary School Music Room every Tuesda in November. Register by calling (978) 544-5157
3:30pm & 4:15pm in Northampton: Hootnanny Holiday Concerts with Katryna and Nerissa Nields. At Cradle in Thornes. 341-5282 (FREE)
4pm in Florence: Puppet Show-Sing along Time with Anna Sobel of Talking Hands Theatre at Cup & Top Cafe (1 N Main St.). 585-9565 http://www.cupandtop.com (FREE)
Tuesday ♦ On-Going
PLAYGROUPS
STORY TIMES
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
OTHER ONGOING
Wednesday – 12/1
[caption id="" align="alignright" width="180" caption="Last day to enter to win two CDs by Caspar Babypants"]
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♦ 10:30-11:45am in Northampton: Jewish Family Jam for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. Sing, drum and dance. Led by Felicia Sloin at Lander Grinspoon Academy (257 Prospect St.). 737-2601 http://www.jfswm.org (>$)
7pm in Pittsfield: Holiday concert with the Pittsfield High School chamber orchestra at the Berkshire Athenaeum auditorium (FREE)
Wednesday – On-Going
PLAYGROUPS
STORYTIME
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
OTHER ONGOING
Thursday – 12/2
Millers Falls ♦ 10am: Music and Movement series with Tom Carroll and Laurie Davidson at the Millers Falls Library 23 Bridge St.). Young children of all ages and their parents or caregivers. 863-3214 (FREE)
Thursday On-Going
PLAYGROUPS
STORY TIME
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
OTHER ONGOING
Friday – 12/3
9:30-11am in Hadley: Felting Fridays at the Hartsbrook School (94 Bay Rd.). 584-3198 (FREE)
10am & 11am in Pittsfield: Storyteller “Big Joe” Paglicua will entertain kids with stories at a special Aquarium Adventures at the Berkshire Museum. 443-7171 http://www.berkshiremuseum.org (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
4-9pm in Sturbridge: Old Sturbridge Village hosts Christmas by Candlelight, a nostalgic look at holiday traditions, music & food. http://www.osv.org ($)
4-7pm in Amherst: Merry Maple Celebration with Hayrides, chorus performance, tree lighting, marching band, Santa, cider & donuts. Bring a new and unwrapped toy, clothing, book, games for 0-18yo for kids in need. On the Amherst Town Common. (FREE)
5-7pm in Westfield: Fireside with Santa at Amelia Park Ice Arena (21 South Broad St.) 562-2277 ($)
5-8pm in Florence: Hayrides through Look Park Winter Wonderland light display. www.lookpark.org (>$)
6:30pm in Florence: The Mystery of Hanukkah Harry, an intergenerational Hanukkah celebration at Beit Ahavah (130 Pine St.) with a puppet show by Anna Sobel. 587-3770.
6-8pm in Greenfield: There will be an informational meeting for the Greenfield “It Takes a Village” group in Franklin County at the Greenfield Family Center (90 Federal St.). Kids are welcomed. 634-5431 http://www.itavillage.info (FREE)
7pm in Pittsfield: It’s A Wonderful Life (1946) will be screened at the Colonial Theater. http://www.thecolonialtheater.org Pittsfield, MA (FREE w/non-perishable food donation)
7pm in Sunderland: Starlight’s Youth Theatre presents one acts of “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Little Women,” and “The Rememberer” at the Maple Ridge Community Center ( 659 Amherst Rd). starlightyouththeatre.com 533-7896 (FREE)
7:30pm in Springfield: The Springfield Science Museum’s large rooftop telescope will be open for public sky-gazing. The program will be held rain or shine. If it is overcast, a planetarium show will be presented in place of telescope viewing. The program features an introductory slide show on topics such as space exploration, seasonal sights of the night sky, current astronomical research, or an explanation of events such as an eclipse or the appearance of a comet. After the presentation, participants can use the museum telescope to view sights in the night sky, which may include objects such as the moon, a planet, star clusters, a nebula or a galaxy, depending on their visibility. Springfield Stars Club members also set up telescopes outside the museum, weather permitting. The programs are best suited for families with children ages 8 and older, however younger children are also welcome. 263-6800, ext. 318 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org (>$)
8pm in Westfield: A Christmas Carol will be performed by Gerald Charles Dickens (great, great grandson of literary master, Charles Dickens) at the Central Baptist Church (115 Elm St.). 572-2277 ($$)
On-Going
PLAYGROUPS
STORY TIME
PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS
OTHER ONGOING