Hilltown Families 
Berkshire Family Fun for Early to Mid November
Berkshire County Highlights for Families:
November 3rd – 16th, 2012
Halloween always seems to mark the beginning of the holiday season with Thanksgiving just around the corner. In between Halloween and Thanksgiving is Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights. Families can join students from Berkshire Community College (BBC) for a Diwali celebration in Lee in mid-November as they share several traditions from this holiday.
Early this month, Native American culture is also being celebrated by BCC and at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, and in Great Barrington the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will offer an autism-friendly screening of London’s National Theater’s production of, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.”
Other highlights in Berkshire County early this month include Dr. Augie’s Entomology Workshop, family volunteering at Springside Park, Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School’s Holiday Handcraft Fair, Monument Mountain Music in Common Youth Program at the Guthrie Center, and international game day at the Ramsdell and Mason libraries.
Find out about these events and other community building events, community based educational opportunities, and community service based learning connections happening throughout Berkshire County through November 16th, 2012:
• North Berkshire
• Central Berkshire
• South Berkshire
To find out what’s happening throughout the four counties of Western MA, check our comprehensive list of Weekly Suggested Events, published every Thursday! There you will also find our list of ongoing weekday playgroups, storyhours and events both in Berkshire County and throughout the region.
North Berkshire
Adams | Florida | Lanesborough | North Adams | Williamstown | Windsor
Central Berkshire | South Berkshire
Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum — Pre-election program for youth will be offered at the museum November 3rd & 4th starting at 11am. This program is in conjunction with the Girls Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and will include a tour of the museum, information about suffrage, what voting gave women and why it is important today to vote. (>$) — 413-588-2071. East Road
Abbot School — Ongoing: Tuesday afternoon playgroups at in the gym, sponsored by Childcare of the Berkshires in the gym. (FREE) — 56 North Country Road.
Berkshire Mall — Visit the Berkshire Mall for a Community Baby Shower on Saturday, November 3rd from 10am-12noon. There will be prizes and giveaways for parents-to-be and parents of young children. Representatives from community organizations will be on hand, too, to provide information on everything from lead poisoning to breastfeeding techniques! Takes place at center court. (FREE) — 8 Old State Road.
Lanesborough Library — Ongoing: Tuesday morning story time at 10:15am. Stories, crafts, and music for all ages. (FREE) — 413-499-5981. 83 North Main Street.
Town Hall — Ongoing: On Fridays from 11am-12noon a playgroup will be in the town hall community room, sponsored by Childcare of the Berkshires in the community room. (FREE) — 413-664-4821. 83 North Main Street.
Childcare of the Berkshires — Childcare of the Berkshires is offering a 3-week parenting workshop series for parents of children ages 5-12 beginning Monday, November 12th from 5:30-7:30pm. Parents will learn tools for helping to develop independence, character, and responsibility in school-aged children, as well as strategies for positive discipline and effective communication. Childcare and transportation available, registration required as space is limited! (FREE) — 413-664-4821. 210 State Street.
Mass MoCA — Have a lazy – yet fun! – morning at Mass MoCA with Child Care of the Berkshires on Tuesday, November 13th with your preK kids! Families are invited to visit the museum at 9:30am (kiddos can even stay in their pajamas) where breakfast will be provided, along with storytime, art projects, and a chance to explore the galleries. Call to register! 413-664-4821. (FREE)— 413-662-2111. Mass MoCA Way.
Western Gateway Heritage State Park — Visit the park on Saturday, November 3rd at 3pm for a program on the history of Indian Summer! On the following Saturday, November 10th at 3pm, the park hosts a workshop on Fredericksburg and its role in the Civil War as part of the Civil War 150 Years series. (Free, >$ parking)— 115 State Street, Building 4.
The Clark — Check out our post Film Series Explores the Lives of Artists at The Clark this Fall for students interested in film studies, and be sure to mark your calendars for Family Day at The Clark on Saturday, November 17th from 12noon-5pm! Admission is free. Activities include gallery talks, educational presentations on raptors and big cats, interactive family music, and several art-making projects. Family Day coincides with the grand opening of two exhibitions: Kidspace: Lions and Tigers and Museums, Oh My! and Giselle’s Remix: A uCurate Exhibition. A reception celebrating the Giselle’s Remix exhibition will be held from 4:30-5pm.— 413-458-2303. 225 South Street.
Williams College Museum of Art — Enjoy a Parents’ Night Out dancing, dining, and viewing great art at the Williams College Museum of Art on Thursday, November 15th from 5-9pm! The museum is launching WCMA at Night, a monthly event series featuring live music and a chance to connect and help to re-imagine the museum as more than a space to showcase art – it’s a community space! — 413-597-2376. 15 Lawrence Hall Drive.
Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation — Explore a Bear Spring, rock ledges, and ancient shorelines and see unique plant life like witch hazel, mountain laurel, and sassafrass at Pine Cobble on Sunday, November 11th at 11am! The Williamstown Rural Lands Trust will lead a guided hike through the cobble, during which biologist and land historian Hank Art and geoscientist David Dethier will teach hikers about the fascinating natural history of the area. Best for teens and adults, the hike is moderately strenuous and will last for roughly three hours, and the information shared will require some basic natural science background knowledge. Meet at the Chestnut Trail trailhead. Chestnut Street. (FREE) — 413-458-2494. 671 Cold Spring Road. Route 7.
Williamstown Youth Center — Starting Monday, November 5th, the after school program will be organized into groups according to grade. Each group will have regularly scheduled time in specialty areas of the new Youth Center. Schedules for different groups are: Weekly Schedule Group 1 (1st & 2nd grade,) Weekly Schedule Group 2 (3rd & 4th grade,) Weekly Schedule Group 3 (5th grade,) Weekly Schedule Group 4 (6th grade,) Weekly Schedule Teen (7th & 8th grade.) — Ongoing: Monday playgroups from 10-11:30am at the center, sponsored by Childcare of the Berkshires. (FREE) ♦ — 413-458-5925. 270 Cole Avenue.
Notchview — Gaze into the night sky at the stars on Saturday, November 10th with Arunah Hill at Notchview starting at dusk! Learn to identify some basic constellations, planets, etc. There will be a variety of telescopes to try out. Great as an accompaniment to beginning studies of astronomy! (FREE) —413-532-1631. Old Route 9.
Central Berkshire
Dalton | Lee | Lenox | Pittsfield | Stockbridge
North Berkshire | South Berkshire
Crane Museum of Papermaking — Visit the Crane Museum of Papermaking to learn about the history of papermaking at Crane since the early 1800’s. Located on the banks of the Housatonic River, the building itself is a museum! This is a great opportunity to learn about local history. The museum is open weekdays from 1-5pm. — 413-684-2600. 30 South Street. (FREE)
Bombay Bar and Grill — Celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, with the Berkshire Community College Committee for Diversity on Thursday, November 15th at 6pm! The celebration takes place at Bombay Bar and Grill, and will feature traditional Diwali foods, flowers, prayer, candles, and more. Tickets available through BCC Student Life. ($$) — 413-236-4564. 435 Laurel Street.
Lee Library — Center for EcoTechnology(CET) will share ideas for more environmentally-focused holiday gift and wrapping techniques for families looking to have a more eco-friendly holiday season on Saturday, November 3rd at 11am.. Learn how you can reduce waste and increase fun this holiday season with creative alternatives. Refreshments. Pre-registration required. 413.445.4556 x 10. (FREE) — 100 Main Street.
Spectrum Playhouse — Roger the Jester, a children’s favorite, performs at the Playhouse on Saturday, November 3rd at 11am. Roger’s interactive shows are full of fun and laughter! (<$) — 413-394-5023. 20 Franklin Street.
Montessori School of the Berkshires — Montessori education helps children become responsible, caring learners and community members who are self-motivated, confident, independent, and creative. The school will host an Open House on Wed., Nov 7th. For more info and to register visit BerkshireMontessori.org.— 413-637-3662. 21 Patterson Rd. Lenox Dale.
Lenox Library — Country Quilt Llama Farm is paying a fur-filled visit to the library on Saturday, November 3rd at 11am! Kids can learn about llama farming and the uses for llama fiber through storytime, large pictures detailing important parts of llama life and llama-raising, and many llama-products to touch and inspect. There will be a llama visiting, too for kids to meet and learn about. (FREE) — 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street.
Berkshire Athenaeum — The library will screen three preschool videos on Friday, November 9th starting at 10am. Videos being screened including The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, Mouse Around, and That New Animal. Three more on Friday, November 16th, including Frog, Where are You?, Hot Hippo, and Chicken Soup with Rice. (FREE)— 413-499-9480. 1 Wendell Avenue.
Berkshire Community College — The Berkshire Environmental Education Network hosts the annual BEEN Conference for Environmental Educators today at Berkshire Community College on Friday, November 6th from 8:30am-2:30pm. The event offers workshops for educators of all types, all of which will be centered around the theme of hands-on, place-based environmental education (our favorite!). Attendees will get to choose from over 20 different workshops – the learning possibilities are endless! Registration requested. 413-229-3321. (FREE) — The on the following Thursday, November 13th at 12:15pm, the college hosts a performance by Joseph Firecrow, a Grammy-nominated Northern Cheyenne musician and master of the traditional Native American flute. Sponsored by the BCC Committee for Diversity. 413-499-4660. (FREE)— 1350 West St.
Berkshire Museum — Native American artist Teri Greeves will be at the museum on Saturday, November 3rd at 10am to lead a hands-on beaded medallion workshop for kids to accompany the museum’s Rethink! Native American Art exhibition. Kids will learn basic beadworking skills, and will also learn about the role of beadwork in traditional Native American art. (FREE with museum admission). On the following Saturday, November 10th, the museum hosts the Chief Konkapot Festival of Native American Culture and History, an event that features unique and exciting performances from Native American singers, musicians, songwriters, and more! At 1pm Jerry Thundercloud Macdonald will perform Mohawk stories, songs, and dance. ($$) Then at 7pm, the evening performance will feature Joseph Firecrow, a Northern Cheyenne flautist, singer, and songwriter (Grammy-nominated!). ($$) The festival continues on Monday, November 12th with two more performances. The 1pm performance features Larry Spotted Crow Mann, who will present Nipmuck stories, songs, and drumming alongside the Quabbin Lake Singers. Then at 3pm, Sandy Rhodes will share a presentation on traditional pow wow culture, dance, and regalia. ($$) — 413-443-7171. 39 South Street.
Berkshire Museum — The museum is hosting yet another round of PechaKucha presentations on Tuesday, November 13th from 7-9pm (rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy). The event is a space for community members to present a series of 20 20-second slides (20×20 is another name for the event) on any topic they choose – audience members can leave having learned about anything from candy bar shapes to native plants. Best for older students (mature tweens and teens), the event is a great way to celebrate diversity in knowledge and experience within the community! Free beer from Wandering Star for adults. (<$) — 413-443-7171. 39 South Street.
Colonial Theatre — Parents’ Night Out! On Saturday, November 10th at 6pm, enjoy a night of drinks, dinner, dancing, and live performances at the Berkshire Theater Group’s annual gala event honoring and raising money for its education programs! The event begins at the Colonial Theater with cocktails, followed by dinner on the theater’s stage during which diners will be entertained by performances from children featured in BTG productions, as well as some performances by actors from the summer’s mainstage productions. Following dinner is a dance party at The Garage, featuring beats from DJ BFG. Tickets are available to all (or some) of the night’s events. Dress up and enjoy a fancy night out while supporting enriching community programs! 413-448-8084 x14. ($$$) — 413-298-5576. 111 South Street.
The Garage — Matt Cusson, a locally-grown and nationally known singer/songwriter and pianist, is offering a songwriting workshop at The Garage on Friday, November 9th at 4pm! A self-taught musician, Cusson is a winner of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest and has performed with acts such as James Taylor, Cee Lo Green, and Brian McKnight. (FREE) Concert follows at 8pm. — 413-997-4444. South Street.
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts — Dr. Augie’s Entomology Workshop for kids ages 8-12yo begins on Saturday, November 3rd and runs for three Saturdays from 9am-1pm. This three day workshop will allow students to expand on their knowledge and explore the world of bugs by observation of live insects, dissection, drawing, discussion and video. The microscopes will be out and participants will be learning how to use dichotomous keys to identify insects and their kin. All supplies are included. To register contact: Lisa Provencher at Dr. Augie’s. or call 413-499-0692. ($$$) — Ongoing: Mondays at at 3:30pm a hip hop class for youth ages 8yo+ introduces hip hop styles and steps. Then at 6pm Aimee Gelinas leads a youth Afro-Cuban drum beats class. To register for drum class, contact Aimee at aimee@gaiaroots.com ($) — 413-499-9348. 28 Renne Avenue.
Springside Park — Family volunteer opportunity on Saturday, November 10th from 9:30am-5pm: Bring the family to Springside Park, Pittsfield’s largest public park, and work together with your community to clean up the park before the snow falls. Bring gloves and park at the upper playground (near the old zoo). Rain date: 11/11. Start off with a nature hike at with naturalist Victor Capelli at 9:30am. Kids can learn to identify common plants and will learn about the changes that take place in the park during the fall. 413-443-5348. (FREE) — Springside Avenue.
Treehouse— Ongoing at Treehouse there are a couple of playgroups on Tuesdays: Kids ages 2-4 and their siblings can come together in their playspace in the mornings from 10-10:45am; and there will be drop-in crawl time for infants in the afternoon from 3-4pm. And on Wednesdays, there is a New Moms Group takes place from 11am-12noon, intended for moms with babies under 9 months – drop in and get support from others parents experiencing similar adjustments and developments.— 413-344-4435. 305 North Street.
Berkshire Botanical Garden — Parents and their teens wanting to learn how to use fruit, flowers and apples to make alcohol-free cordials or cider should check out the two classes the garden is offering on Saturday, November 3rd. ($$) — 413-298-3926. 5 West Stockbridge Road.
Norman Rockwell Museum — The museum hosts, Kids Create! an art workshop on Wednesday, November 7th at 10:30am. Young art lovers (2-5yo) can take an interactive look at the world of art. (>$) — Heroes & Villains: The Comic Book Art of Alex Ross opens on Saturday, November 10th and runs through February 24, 2013.— 413-298-4100. 9 Route 183
South Berkshire
Great Barrington | Housatonic | Sheffield
North Berkshire | Central Berkshire
Berkshire Co-op — BYO container and learn how to make homemade candles at the Berkshire Co-op on Friday, November 9th at 4pm! Candles make great holiday gifts, and are handy all around the house (especially in the darkest months of the year!). Ages 8+. Space is limited, registration required. (FREE) — 413-528-9697. 42 Bridge Street.
Berkshire South Regional Community Center — Ongoing: On Mondays from 5:30-7pm, enjoy an evening of friendly Scrabble! Open to anyone ages 8+, the game night offers families an opportunity to practice fair play and basic sportsmanship while allowing kids to expand their spelling, vocabulary, and basic practical math skills. On Tuesdays from 6:30-8pm the center hosts a free ukulele group! Beginners and kids without any knowledge of music reading can join in – the class will teach basic chord progressions and styles of playing from around the world. Registration requested but drop-in is OK. On Wednesdays from 7-8:30pm, teens are invited to sing their heart out with Berkshire Sings!, a community singing group. Singers of all abilities welcome (adults, too) to sing pop, jazz, folk, showtunes, and more. – All programs sponsored by Bobbie Hallig and Jenny and Adam Hersch. — 413-528-2810. 15 Crissey Road. (FREE)
Great Barrington Rudolf Steiner School — Shop local and handmade for the holidays at the school’s Holiday Handcraft Fair on Saturday, November 10th from 10am-4pm! There will be a market of beautiful children’s games, toys, and other wares, as well as a gently-used-corner, jump rope making for kids, a performance from Roger the Jester, silent auction and raffles, food, and more. ($) — 413-528-4015. 35 West Plain Road.
The Guthrie Center — The Monument Mountain Music in Common Youth Program presents a new original song and music video at the FODFest Community Concert at the Guthrie Center on Saturday, November 3rd at 7:30pm. The event also features numerous other local musicians, bringing together a diverse program of musical styles. 413-229-9939. (FREE) — 413-644-9288. 2 Van Deusenville Road.
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center — On Saturday, November 3rd at 2pm, the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center will offer an autism-friendly screening of London’s National Theater’s production of, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime.” This production is a theatrical adaptation of Mark Haddon’s novel of the same name. Following this ”Live in HD” encore broadcast will be a community dialogue about autism, intended to build connections between those in the autism community. The event is open to autistic people and their families, caregivers, education specialists, clinicians, and community members who are simply interested in learning more about autism. The show is appropriate for teenagers (13yo+), and can provide students unfamiliar with autism with a better understanding of the inner workings of the autistic mind. — 413-528-0100. 14 Castle Street.
Mason Library — On Wednesday, November 7th from 3:30-5pm, visit the library to create and decorate unique ornaments for the library’s holiday tree, which will be part of the Berkshire Museum’s annual display! Registration required. 413-528-2403. – Ongoing: Wednesdays from 10:15-11am it’s story time for preK kids. Includes stories, songs, and crafts. In the afternoon on Wednesdays from 3-5pm, the library screens classic films. The “Mason Matinee” is best for tweens/teens and adults – call to find out what’s playing. — 11/8 3:30-5pm – CRAFTS: Visit the Mason Library to create and decorate unique ornaments for the library’s holiday tree, which will be part of the Berkshire Museum’s annual display! Registration required. 413-528-2403. 231 Main Street. Great Barrington, MA. (FREE)— 413-528-2403. 231 Main Street.
Bard College at Simon’s Rock — Simon’s Rock is hosting an event series focusing on the politics, economics, and social movements surrounding food and food security. On Wednesday, November 7th at 7pm, this series features Mike Callicrate (cattle rancher and consultant for food-related books and movies such as, “The Omnivore’s Dilemma,” and, “Food, Inc.”) and Bob Martin (senior advisor at Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health). Best for older students interested in food security. 413-528-9697 ex. 39. (FREE) — 413-644-4400. 84 Alford Road.
Ramsdell Library — Celebrate International Game Day at the Mason or Ramsdell Library on Saturday, November 3rd from 10am-3pm. Families can play favorite games together or learn some new ones – there will be games of all different types to play. Practice logic, critical thinking, strategy, etc. (FREE). On Wednesday, November 7th, the library celebrates Animation Month with a screening of the film, “Cars” at 6:30pm.— 413-274-3738. 1087 Main Street.
Lime Kiln Farm Sanctuary — Enjoy beautiful views of the Taconic Range and search for geologic and historic landmarks at the Lime Kiln Farm Sanctuary with Mass Audubon on Saturday, November 10th from 10am-12noon. The newest Berkshire sanctuary, the land houses a beautiful trail system. Call to register. ($) — 413-637-0320. Silver Street.
