Hilltown Families 
Suggested Events 12/25/10-12/31/10
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
Cookies and milk for Santa. (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
On Friday, December 31st – Noon-Midnight: First Night Northampton: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Northampton for First Night. Get your button and check out nearly 20 different venues of entertainment the whole family with enjoy. Hoopoe the Clown, Henry the Juggler, Show Circus, Ed the Balloon Man, John Porcino Storytelling, The Nield Kids Concert, Happy Dan, Dennis Caraher, Otter and Moo Puppet Show, Paintbox Theater, and much more. Schedule of events here. Northampton, MA ($)
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
On New Year’s Day at 10am – HIKE: First Day 2011 Hike with Williamsburg Woodland Trails at Bradley Sanctuary. Directions here. 268-7523 Williamsburg, MA (FREE)
Then on Sunday, January 2nd at 4pm – MARIONETTE SHOW: The Cummington Family Center and the Tanglewood Marionettes present Cinderella at the Community House (33 Main St.) Cummington, MA (FREE)
BULLETIN BOARD
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!
WINTER CAMP: SHOW Circus Studio in Easthampton, MA will be holding a winter circus camp for ages 5-7 on December 29 and 8-12 on December 30. This day camp will run from 9am – 3pm and it will cover all aspects of circus including trapeze, fabric, juggling, balancing, acrobatics, partnering, human pyramids, stretching, strength, and circus games. Our 10% discount for more than one child signing up from the same family applies to our camps as well as our classes. Sign up today before the camps fill up! Each camp is limited to 15 students. Cost: $60/child. Register online at www.showcircusstudio.com/Registration.html or call us at 413-203-4282.
CIRCUS ARTS CLASSES: A new session of week day kid’s circus classes will begin on January 10th at SHOW Circus Studio in Easthampton, MA. We will work on trapeze, fabric, juggling, tumbling and acrobatics, human pyramids, balancing, strength and flexibility. Circus is a great way to increase self esteem, have fun, get in shape, improve focus and learn new skills. Classes for students new to circus will be held on Tuesday and Thursday. Ages 5-7 will run from 3:30-4:30pm and ages 8+ will be from 4:30-5:30pm. Continuing circus students are able to choose from Level 2 classes on Monday (ages 5-7 from 3:30-4:30pm and ages 8+ from 4:30-5:30pm) or the SHOW Stars Performance Troupe on Wednesdays (All ages, 4-5:15). Registration is available online. (updated 12/30)
Deadline to Enter to Win: December 28th
DECEMBER SCHOOL VACATION: Historians and educators at Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge, MA) are planning lots of indoor and outdoor activities to keep the kids busy – and happy – during December school vacation week (Dec. 26- Jan. 2). The fun includes ice skating (weather permitting – bring your own skates), sledding on 1830s-style sleds, and sleigh rides (snow permitting). A new exhibit of antique ice skates from the Antique Ice Skate Club will be on view, including elaborately decorated vintage figure skates from the 1800s. For more info visit www.osv.org or call 800-1830
Deadline to Enter to Win: January 3rd
CITIZEN SCIENTIST: Every year, MassWildlife participates in a midwinter eagle survey that occurs nationwide. This year, the Midwinter Bald Eagle survey period begins on December 29, 2010 and ends January 12, 2011. Everyone who is outdoors and sees an eagle during this time period is encouraged to report his or her sighting! You can send your report to mass.wildlife@state.ma.us. Please provide the date, time, location, and town of eagle sightings, plus the number of birds, whether juvenile or adult, and your contact information. Bald eagle sightings in the hilltowns include the Chesterfield Gorge, and just off of Route 9 in Chesterfield, so keep a look out!
Deadline to Enter to Win: January 4th
FOOD FOR COMMUNITY SENIORS: Know of grandparents in our community who could benefit from a free bag of groceries? The Food Bank’s Brown Bag: Food for Elders program supplies a free monthly bag of groceries in 51 western Massachusetts towns for people ages 55 and older who meet income guidelines. To sign up for the program, call the Food Bank at 413-247-9738. Help get the word out to area seniors. Print this info out and post it in your town hall, post office or library for our senior’s to discover.
HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
This holiday season we will have several Holiday Podcasts available to download. Click on the banner to see which ones are available. Fill your home with holiday music and stories featured on the Hilltown Family Variety Show. Stories you’ll find include Jane Yolen’s Owl Moon, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Trees of the Dancing Goats.
Tune in every Saturday from 9-10am. Encore episodes are aired every Sunday from 7-8am. 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
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Cobble Mountain Christmas Bird Count
We're giving away an annual family museum membership to five fabulous Western MA museums: MASS MoCA, Springfield Museums, Berkshire Museums, Historic Deerfield and The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Arts. Deadline to enter to win is January 3rd. Click on banner to find out how you can enter. Super easy and quick!
9:30am-4:30pm – HISTORIC DEERFIELD: Explore 11 museum houses with trained guides, world- class collections of antiques, special exhibitions, and an outdoor garden and meadow walk. Read A Day at the Historic Deerfield. 774-5581 http://www.historic-deerfield.org Deerfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
10am-5pm – MASS MOCA: Explore MASS MoCA as they open their doors the day after Christmas. Kidspace open 11am-4pm. New Katharine Grosse installation on view. 662-2111 www.massmoca.org North Adams, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
11am-4pm – SPRINGFIELD MUSEUMS: Springfield Museums are open with shows in the planetarium, take an adventure with Robots: The Interactive Exhibition, see the amazing gingerbread houses, try on costumes in the Hasbro Games Art Discovery Center, and much more. Read A Day at the Springfield Museum. 800-625-7738 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org Springfield, MA ($)
12Noon-4pm – CHILDREN’S MUSEUM AT HOLYOKE: The Children’s Museum at Holyoke is open with their water table, climbing structure, pretend play area, and gravity maze. Read A Day at the Children’s Museum in Holyoke. http://www.childrensmuseumholyoke.org Holyoke, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
12Noon-5pm – ERIC CARLE MUSEUM OF PICTURE BOOK ARTS: The Eric Carle Museum invites your family to take a look at Shrek and The Wild Things that are on display as part of the Monsters and Miracles exhibition. Then come get creative and paint you own create in the art room. www.carlemuseum.org 658-1100 Amherst, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
12Noon-5pm – BERKSHIRE MUSEUM: Explore the Festival of Trees: Storybook Forest, and Henry Klimowicz: Paper and Light at the Berkshire Museum. Read more about A Day at the Berkshire Museum. http://www.berkshiremuseum.org 443-7171 Pittsfield, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
1-5pm – NORMAN ROCKWELL MUSEUM: Family Traditions at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. Read more about A Day at the Norman Rockwell Museum. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org Stockbridge, MA (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
10am-5pm in North Adams: MASS MoCA is open during the Winter School Vacation Week. 662-2111 www.massmoca.org ($)
1pm in Springfield: An Arabian Adventure by the Tanglewood Marionettes at the Springfield Museums (21 Edwards St.). 263-6800 www.springfieldmuseums.org (FREE W/ADMISSION)
1-5pm in Stockbridge: Stories in Pictures. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
3pm in Lenox: Puppeteer Carl Sprague will perform Rumpelstiltskin at the Museum of the Guilded Age at Ventfort Hall. Families will be able to meet Sprague at a Childrens’ Holiday Tea that follows the performance. 637-3206 www.gildedage.org ($)
9am-12Noon in Great Barrington: Kids Club for kids from 18mo-4yo at Berkshire South Regional Community Center (15 Crissey Rd.) Drop off kids to sing and play while you run errands. www.berkshiresouth.org 528-2810 x16 ($)
10am-5pm in North Adams: MASS MoCA is open during the Winter School Vacation Week. 662-2111 www.massmoca.org ($)
11am in Pittsfield: “The Magic Lamp,” a puppet show and booksigning at New Stage Performing Arts Center. http://www.newstateperformingarts.org 418-0999 (FREE)
11am in Lenox: A Holiday Present, multicultural, humorous and heartwarming holiday stories told by award-winning author and storyteller, Mark Binder, will be performed at the Lenox Library. This program is recommended for all ages from 5 and up. Call 637-1097 ext 105 for more information.
1pm in Springfield: Magic Carpet Ride by the Crescent Dancers Middle Eastern Dance Troupe at the Springfield Museums (21 Edwards St.). 263-6800 http://www.springfieldmuseums.org (FREE W/ADMISSION)
1pm in Pittsfield: “A Multicultural Winter Holiday” with storyteller Mark Binder at the Berkshire Athenaeum (1 Wendell Ave.) 499-9480 www.pittsfieldlibrary.org (FREE)
1-5pm in Stockbridge: Favorite Folktales. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
2pm in Westfield: Flea Circus with Ed Popielarczyk. Open to kids of all ages. Pre-register. 568-7833 www.westath.org (FREE)
2pm in Amherst: Tom Knight and Amy Dawn Kotel present two heroes, Otter and Moo, at the Eric Carle Museum. For kids 3-9yo. 658-1126 www.carlemuseum.org ($)
2pm in West Springfield: Arts & Smarts at the West Springfield Public Library (200 Park St.). The art of geography with books and art by Uri Shulevitz for kids 6-9yo and their families. 736-4561 (FREE)
3:30pm in Lee: Tail Waggin’ Tutors program at the Lee Library with Addie. Addie is a “Tail Waggin’ Tutor” certified by Therapy Dogs International as a trained therapy dog. The Tail Waggin’ Tutors program encourages children to read by providing a non-judgmental listener and furry friend to read to. All ages. 243-0385 (FREE)
4pm in Adams: Storyteller and author Mark Binder will share “Multicultural Winter Holiday Present” at the Adams Free Library. 743-8300 (FREE)
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010
9am-12Noon in Great Barrington: Kids Club for kids from 18mo-4yo at Berkshire South Regional Community Center (15 Crissey Rd.) Drop off kids to sing and play while you run errands. www.berkshiresouth.org 528-2810 x16 ($)
10am-5pm in North Adams: MASS MoCA is open during the Winter School Vacation Week. 662-2111 www.massmoca.org ($)
10am-3:30pm in Northampton: First Night Preview: Family Day at the Northampton Center for the Arts. Dance to the music of Ellen Glegg (11am), “Peter and the Wolf” with Tom Knight (1:30pm), makes New Year’s Eve hats & crowns. Must purchase a First Night Button to attend. www.nohoarts.org ($)
10am in West Springfield: Morning storytime at the West Springfield Public Library (200 Park St.). Stories, snack, craft and music for kids 3yo+ and their families. 736-4561 (FREE)
10:30am in Stockbridge: Kids Create Preschool Art Program at the Norman Rockwell Museum. An interactive, hands-on experience for kids 2-5yo. 298-4100 www.nrm.org (>$)
11am & 2pm in Pittsfield: Alice in Wonderland presented by Berkshire Children’s Theater at the Berkshire Museum. www.berkshiremuseum.org ($)
1pm in Springfield: Aladdin and the Magic Lamp by the Gerwick Puppets at the Springfield Museums (21 Edwards St.). 263-6800 www.springfieldmuseums.org (FREE W/ADMISSION)
1-5pm in Stockbridge: Recreating the Classics. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
2pm in Westfield: Screening of “Shrek Forever After” at the Boys and Girls Library. 568-7833 www.westath.org (FREE)
3pm in Lenox: Puppeteer Carl Sprague will perform Rumpelstiltskin at the Museum of the Guilded Age at Ventfort Hall. Families will be able to meet Sprague at a Childrens’ Holiday Tea that follows the performance. 637-3206 www.gildedage.org ($)
3-5pm in Springfield: Create a gingerbread house at the East Forest Park Branch Library. For kids 5yo & older. Must pre-reg. 263-6836.
10am-5pm in North Adams: MASS MoCA is open during the Winter School Vacation Week. 662-2111 www.massmoca.org ($)
10:30am-12:30pm in Great Barrington: Kid Kaboodle for kids 1-5yo at the Berkshire South Regional Community Center. Adult/child community program with lots of opportunities for kids to be active, including a bouncy castle, tumble matts, crafts, music and more. Bring a lunch. 528-5260 www.berkshiresouth.org ($)
10am-5pm in Springfield: Scavenger Hunt for kids at the Sixteen Acres Library, based on the characters from the “Gingerbread Man” story. For kids 12yo and younger. http://www.springfieldlibrary.org 263-6855 (FREE)
11am & 2pm in Pittsfield: Alice in Wonderland presented by Berkshire Children’s Theater at the Berkshire Museum. www.berkshiremuseum.org ($)
12Noon in Westfield: Screening of Despicable Me with free pizza. 568-7833 www.westath.org (FREE)
1pm in Springfield: Musical Travels through the Middle East by 35th Parallel at the Springfield Museums (21 Edwards St.). 263-6800 www.springfieldmuseums.org (FREE W/ADMISSION)
1-5pm in Stockbridge: Animals in Art. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
1pm in Pittsfield: Sewing School: 21 Sewing Projects Kids Will Love to Make. Offered at the Berkshire Museum for kids 5yo+. 443-7171 www.berkshiremuseum.org (MUSEUM ADMISSION)
11am in Pittsfield: Nutshell Playhouse performs Dance with a Clown at New Stage Arts Center (55 North St.) www.nutshellplayhouse.org 637-1245 (>$)
2pm in Springfield: Cupcake decorating for tweens/teens at the Sixteen Acres Branch Library. http://www.springfieldlibrary.org (FREE)
2pm in Amherst: Tom Knight and Amy Dawn Kotel present two heroes, Otter and Moo, at the Eric Carle Museum. For kids 3-9yo. 658-1126 www.carlemuseum.org ($)
6-8pm in Pittsfield: Berkshire Community Kwanzaa Celebration at the American Legion (41 Wendell Ave.) with singer Evelyn Harris, food and ceremony. Presented by the Women of color Giving Circle of the Berkshires and cosponsored by the City of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development. 464-7307 (>$)
7pm in Lenox: Winter’s Eve Family Film and Story Night at the Lenox Library. The Heartless Giant and The Luck Child from Jim Henson’s The Storyteller with John Hurt will be screened. Popcorn and cider served. For kids 5yo+. 637-0197 x105 www.lenoxlib.org (FREE)
Click on poster to discover all of the family-friendly activities happening during First Night Northampton (www.nohoarts.org)
10am-4pm in Holyoke: First Night Jr. at the Children’s Museum at Holyoke. Learn the New Year traditions of other cultures, be entertained by magician Ed Popielarzcyk and storyteller Roger Tincknell, ice sculpture creations with Mike Rondeau, an appearance by Cat in the Hat, face painting, ballon sculptures, and unlimited rides on the Holyoke Merry-Go-Round. Ball drop at 3:45pm at the Holyoke Heritage State Park Visitor Center will end the celebration. 536-7048 (>$)
11am-4pm in North Adams: Make New Year Hats at MASS MoCA at Kidspace. Call for exact time: 664-4481 x8131 kidspace.massmoca.org(FREE W/ADMISSION)
11am in Pittsfield: The Berkshire Museum host a New Year’s Eve Day Kid’s Celebration with Domino the Great, a family-friendly mix of comedy, magic and storytelling. www.berkshiremuseum.org ($)
Noon-Midnight in Northampton: First Night Northampton. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in downtown Northampton for First Night. Get your button and check out nearly 20 different venues of entertainment the whole family with enjoy. Hoopoe the Clown, Henry the Juggler, Show Circus, Ed the Balloon Man, John Porcino Storytelling, The Nield Kids Concert, Happy Dan, Dennis Caraher, Otter and Moo Puppet Show, Paintbox Theater, and much more. Schedule of events here. Northampton, MA ($)
1-5pm in Stockbridge: Animals in Art. Real Life Heros. Explore the art of Jerry Pinkney. 298-4100 http://www.nrm.org (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)
Hancock: Fireworks and torchlight parade down the mountain at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. Call for exact time: 738-5500 www.jiminypeak.com
