If you have a community event, educational program, or service-learning opportunity happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, self-post your event at any time on our Suggest An Event bulletin board. 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.

Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, individuals, schools, and non-profits are encouraged to partner with Hilltown Families through sponsorship and advertising. Let us help get the word out about your after school/homeschool class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business/school, service, open house, volunteer opportunity or general announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Click HERE to find out more.

After-School Classes & Enrichment Programs

Our community is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and life-long learners. We have put together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts throughout the school year. Many of these programs aren’t just for kids, so to all the adults out there – feel encouraged to pursue your interests and honor your callings through these enrichment classes, too!

If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.

Bulletin Board

Nov. 18

Interested in starting a Girls on the Run program at your school? Girls on the Run is now accepting applications for new sites for our spring season. Come check out what Girls on the Run is all about at our Fall 5k, taking place at Smith College on November 18th at 10:30am! Our 5k is unlike anything else. Upon arrival, you will be swept away by the excitement in the air. Colored hair spray, facepaint, joy and positivity can be seen and felt before the celebratory run even begins. This fall we will be hosting over 500 girls, their running buddies, families and many community members. Come and run, feel inspired and take home a smile you will wear from ear to ear the rest of the day! Register and learn more about the 5k at: www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

Nov 17

The Holiday Fair at The Hartsbrook School: a seasonal celebration and long-time family favorite in the Valley! Enjoy candle dipping, gingerbread decorating, jump rope making, pony rides, a treasure hunt for young children and holiday shopping from local artisans. Fun for all ages. Experience the wonder that abounds at the fair! Saturday, November 17th from 10 am to 3 pm. 193 Bay Road, Hadley. www.hartsbrook.org

Nov 17

Saturdoozy!! An Art Themed Kids Night Out in Noho! November 17th. Fun, safe, and supervised, SATURDOOZY, welcomes children ages 7 and up, and will feature a DJ, dancing, games, ping-pong, arts and crafts, karaoke, face-painting, pizza, snacks and a movie to top the night! An added plus, parents can also opt for a “VALET SERVICE” – supervised curbside pick-up, so you don’t have to worry about parking! Admission is $30 (6PM – 10 PM) or $20 (6PM – 8PM), additional siblings half price. Pre-registration highly recommended at studio4noho.com or at 413-570-4491.

Add your class

Reach thousands of families in the region with our 2018-2019 directory! Reserve your space. Our community is rich in after-school learning opportunities to supplement the interests of our children, teens, and life-long learners. We are putting together a directory of after-school & weekend classes and enrichment programs happening across Western Massachusetts to be published on our web site later this month and featured throughout the school year. If you have a class or program you would like to have included in our directory, contact us at sales@hilltownfamilies.org to learn about our advertising options and sponsorship packages.

Add your school

Hilltown Families Preschool Directory: Are you looking for a preschool that fits your child’s personality and reflects your family’s values? Check out our growing Preschool Directory, covering all four counties in Western Massachusetts, and find the perfect place for your young one! — Have a school you’d like to include in this list? Click here to find out how to have it added.

ADVERTISE HERE: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! See your summer camp, class, community event, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, after-school class, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and in our weekly eNewsletter, reaching thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA while supporting the community development work of Hilltown Families! Find out more about our advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by emailing us at at sales@hilltownfamilies.org.

JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community-building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish, and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including local reviews, DIY posts, seasonal cooking/local food, and community-based educational & community service learning opportunities/resources. Send your query to info@hilltownfamilies.org.

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LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
November 17th – 23rd, 2018

Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday

Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Berkshire Family Fun | Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español

Events Happening in the Hilltowns

Saturday, November 17th, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

9-10am – HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Eric Herman gets downright happy in this show featuring songs that celebrate feeling good about yourself and about life, and being positive and grateful. Encore of Saturday’s broadcast airs Sunday morning from 7-8am and podcast is posted here on Hilltown Families immediately following Sunday’s broadcast. Listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show podcasts anytime. Click here select from over 10 years of archived shows!

Saturday, November 17, 9am
WINTER MARKET/AGRICULTURE
Winter is just around the corner but our local farmers and artisans are still producing fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, milk and cheese, herbal medicine, and more! The Northampton Winter Farmers Market is beginning its season this Saturday, with more than 20 vendors. Don’t miss this opportunity to come together as a community and celebrate our wonderful local farmers and artisans. 67 Conz Street, Northampton, MA (FREE)

Saturday, November 17, 10-11:30am
NATURAL HISTORY/ORNITHOLOGY
The turkey is one of America’s most recognizable birds. Benjamin Franklin even wanted it to be the United States’ national bird, but where does its name come from? One theory is that early Europeans initially misidentified the turkey as a type of guinea fowl, which was a popular Turkish import. The second theory is that the bird was named for the Middle Eastern merchants who domesticated the turkey for European consumption. Come learn all about the history of this spectacular bird on this special walk. Mass Audubon Laughing Brook. Main Street, Hampden, MA ($)

Saturday, November 17, 10am-3pm
HOLIDAY FAIR/ARTS AND CRAFTS
Waldorf education, developed by Austrian esoteric agrarian philosopher Rudolf Steiner, is based on a holistic, child-centered approach to education. Steiner once wrote: “Where is the book in which the teacher can read about what teaching is? The children themselves are this book. We should not learn to teach out of any book other than the one lying open before us and consisting of the children themselves.” As such, Waldorf education places a focus on developing critical reasoning, empathic understanding, creativity, and imagination. Many subjects in the Waldorf curriculum including sciences are taught experientially, through observation and hands on engagement. Waldorf education also emphasizes music education, gardening, cooking, and ecological awareness. This Saturday, the Hartsbrook School, a Waldorf school in the Pioneer Valley, will be hosting its annual holiday fair. Learn all about Waldorf education, enjoy live music and puppetry, and arts and crafts activities! The Hartsbrook School. 193 Bay Road, Hadley. www.hartsbrook.org Hadley, MA (FREE)

Saturday, November 17, 10:30am-1:30pm
BOARD GAMES
 Board games can help develop creative problem solving, patience, and social skills. But most of all, they are just super fun! Come enjoy a day of your favorite games at the Meekins Library. Bring your friends and meet new people. Meekins Library. 2 Williams Street, Williamsburg, MA (FREE)

Saturday, November 17, 1-2:30pm
HISTORY/NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY
 By the 19th century, most farmhouses in the United States were largely self sufficient, though staple items would be purchased at the local general store. Often, these provisions such as salt, sugar, coffee, and baking soda would be purchased by trading eggs and butter from the farm. During the colonial period, the rarity of cows meant that pigs were the most common source of meat and lard was the most common cooking oil. This remained true into the 19th century. Come learn about the Thanksgiving customs of 19th century New Englanders, including the dishes they cooked, at this presentation by a historical food specialist. William Cullen Bryant Homestead. 207 Bryant Road, Cummington, MA ($)

Saturday, November 17, 1:30-2:30pm
ARTS AND CRAFTS/THANKSGIVING
Come learn how to create a turkey sculpture for your Thanksgiving centerpiece, using potatoes, pipe cleaners, feathers, and beads. It’s amazing how you can create something so lovely and charming with such simple items! To register, please visit Make a Turkey out of a Potato Extravaganza. Mason Library Children’s Room. 231 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA (FREE)

Saturday, November 17, 1-4pm
AGRICULTURE/SEED SWAP
 Saving and sharing seeds helps to make sure that massive corporations are not able to control food production. The fact that private companies can own patents on food is extremely troubling. If companies can legally own a crop, that means they are able to dictate how and where it is grown. Thus the production of food becomes a part of a for profit enterprise, as opposed to the rightful shared gifts of the natural world. Seed sharing helps to maintain a strong local, independent food culture, in which local farmers and consumers make decisions about what to grow and how to grow it. Join your local community for the 7th Annual Hilltown Fall Seedswap! Cummington Community House, 33 Main Street, Cummington, MA (SUGGESTED DONATION)

Saturday, November 17, 3-4:30pm
HISTORY/COLONIALISM
The history of the modern Caribbean is defined by colonialism, capitalism, and the Atlantic slave trade. At this talk, Selwyn Cudjoe, professor of Africana studies at Wellesley College, will be discussing his new book The Slave Master of Trinidad, a biography of William Hardin Burnley, the so-called ‘founding father’ of Trinidad and one of the largest slave owners in the 19th century Caribbean. In the book, Cudjoe discusses Burnley’s social and cultural background, including his close friendship with Alexis de Tocqueville and William Gladstone. Ultimately, Cudjoe demonstrates how profoundly the legacy of slavery and colonialism continues to shape contemporary Caribbean society. Jones Library. 43 Amity Street, Amherst, MA (FREE)

Saturday, November 17, 3:30-5:30pm
SUSTAINABILITY/GARDENING
An important part of maintaining a healthy local ecosystem is saving and exchanging seeds. This ancient practice ensures that plants are best suited to their environment, soil, and climate. By growing species that work well in our area, we are less dependent on fossil fuel fertilizers, pesticides, and other invasive growing techniques. Come learn all about seed saving and seed exchanges at the MCCC Seed, Bulb, and Plant Exchange! Historic Northampton. 46 Bridge Street, Northampton, MA (FREE)

Saturdoozy!! An Art Themed Kids Night Out in Noho! November 17th. Fun, safe, and supervised, SATURDOOZY, welcomes children ages 7 and up, and will feature a DJ, dancing, games, ping-pong, arts and crafts, karaoke, face-painting, pizza, snacks and a movie to top the night! An added plus, parents can also opt for a “VALET SERVICE” – supervised curbside pick-up, so you don’t have to worry about parking! Admission is $30 (6PM – 10 PM) or $20 (6PM – 8PM), additional siblings half price. Pre-registration highly recommended at studio4noho.com or at 413-570-4491.

Saturday, November 17, 7-8:30pm
FILM SCREENING/ART STUDIES
One of the most influential painters of the late 19th century, Edgar Degas is most often associated with the impressionist movement, though he rejected the term and considered himself a realist. His obsessive commitment to capturing the movement of contemporary life drew him to dance, which is portrayed in roughly half of his paintings. In his private life, Degas was reclusive and misanthropic, deliberately cultivating a secretive persona. His abrasive personality, however, can be seen as a product of his intense preoccupation with the achievement of perfection in his work. The film Degas: Passion for Perfection offers a rare look into one of the world’s richest collections of Degas’ work and features narration from his correspondence. Berkshire Museum. 39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA ($)

Saturday, November 17, 8-10pm
THEATER/CLASSICAL MUSIC
While the story of the brilliant and tragic life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has been immortalized in films such as Amadeus, the equally fascinating story of his sister Nannerl has largely been ignored. A renowned virtuoso in her own right, Nannerl often performed with her brother throughout Europe. The play The Other Mozart tells Nannerl’s story through letters among the siblings. Academy of Music Theatre. 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA ($)

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Sunday, November 18th, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

7-8am – FAMILY RADIO: Valley Free Radio (WXOJ-LP 103.3FM Northampton, MA) airs encores of the Hilltown Family Variety Show every Sunday morning. commercial-free family radio. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Listen to the Hilltown Family Variety Show podcast anytime – click here to select from over 10 years of archived shows!

Interested in starting a Girls on the Run program at your school? Girls on the Run is now accepting applications for new sites for our spring season. Come check out what Girls on the Run is all about at our Fall 5k, taking place at Smith College on November 18th at 10:30am! Our 5k is unlike anything else. Upon arrival, you will be swept away by the excitement in the air. Colored hair spray, facepaint, joy and positivity can be seen and felt before the celebratory run even begins. This fall we will be hosting over 500 girls, their running buddies, families and many community members. Come and run, feel inspired and take home a smile you will wear from ear to ear the rest of the day! Register and learn more about the 5k at: www.girlsontherunwesternma.org.

Sunday, November 18, 10am-4pm
BOTANY/CHRYSANTHEMUMS
It’s time again for the annual Fall Chrysanthemum Show at the Smith College Botanic Garden! This show has been a community favorite since the early 1900s and features a wide variety of hybrids created by the horticulture class. Members of the public can also cast their votes for their favorite mums of the show. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about the natural variation of this beloved flower. Lyman Conservatory. 16 College Lane, Northampton, MA (SUGGESTED DONATION)

Sunday, November 18, 10:30am-12:30pm
NATURE STUDIES/TREE IDENTIFICATION
The Steepletop Reserve is part of a 5,000 acre block of conserved forests and wetlands, including a small grove of Old Growth trees. Come explore this special area and learn about how to identify trees from their bark on this hike, organized by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. Easy to moderate difficulty. Remember to wear orange, as it is hunting season. Steepletop Reserve. New Marlborough, MA (FREE)

Sunday, November 18, 2-4pm
AGRICULTURE/STORYTELLING
Food connects us to each other and the world we live in. For better or worse, the food we consume is a reflection of where and how it was produced. Local food connects us to the people in our community and the land around us. Come enjoy an afternoon of stories from some of the farmers and chefs in our community at Field Notes: An Afternoon of Storytelling. Ever wonder what it’s really like to be a farmer? Curious about what goes on behind closed doors at your favorite restaurant? These stories give us a glimpse into the lives of the people who produce our food. Academy of Music Theatre. 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA ($)

Sunday, November 18, 2:30-3:15pm
PUPPET SHOW/CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
The Matryoshka or nesting doll, is a distinctly Russian handicraft. Incorrectly referred to as “babushka dolls,” matryoshka were first created by Russian craftsmen in the late 19th century, and often portray characters from Russian folklore or Soviet history. It is unknown where the inspiration for the doll originally came from, though the first matryoshka artists were heavily influenced by traditional crafts and dolls from China and Japan. The Japanese, Seven Lucky Gods nesting doll, for example, may be an early instance of the matryoshka. This Sunday, the Picture Book Theatre will be bringing the children’s book The Littlest Matryoshka to life with large string puppets. Don’t miss it! The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 125 West Bay Road, Amherst, MA ($)

Sunday, November 18, 4:30pm
STORYTELLING
Human beings understand themselves and the world through stories. What better way to celebrate this universal practice than by sharing it with the whole world. The Sunday before Thanksgiving, storytellers from all around the world, on every continent but Antartica, will join together for an evening of storytelling! There is something incredibly inspiring about knowing that our community will be joined with countless others taking part in the timeless practice of storytelling. Mill 180. 180 Pleasant Street, Easthampton, MA (FREE)

Sunday, November 18, 7-8:30pm
DANCE STUDIES/PERFORMANCE
Belly dancing has a long and rich history dating back to the ancient Middle East. The dance first became popular in the United States after the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, where a group of Egyptian dancers stole the show. Following the Fair, imitators began popping up all over the country and the dance became popularly known as the ‘Hoochie Coochie.’ Thomas Edison immortalized some of the most popular belly dancers of the day in a series of films during the late 1890s and early 20th century. Sahina Bellydance will be performing the 7th annual Dancing into the Dark Student Showcase, this Sunday! Florence Community Center. 140 Pine Street, Florence, MA ($)

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Monday, November 19th, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

Storyhour & Playgroups: East Longmeadow, Pelham & Whately

Monday, November 19, 7-8:30pm
LOCAL HISTORY/PHOTOGRAPHY
The Northampton State Hospital, or Old Main, as it was commonly known, was constructed in 1856 to be a retreat for the mentally ill. Among the picturesque fields and farms of the Pioneer Valley, Old Main was designed to provide a peaceful setting for recovery and healing. Unfortunately, the noble aspirations of the founders were undermined by overcrowding and lack of funds and Old Main fell into disrepair. The buildings themselves were finally demolished in 2006. Join local author Mark Roessler for the launch of his new book A Panoramic Tour of the Northampton State Hospital. Featuring more than 50 panoramic photographs of Old Main, this book preserves the legacy of this important piece of local history. Florence Civic Center. Florence, MA (FREE)

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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

Storyhour & Playgroups: Agawam, Amherst, Belchertown, Cheshire, Easthampton, Florence, Gill, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hatfiled, Huntington, Lanesborough, Lee, Ludlow, New Salem, North Adams, Sheffield, Sunderland, Turners Falls, Ware & West Springfield.

Tuesday, November 20, 7:30-10:30pm
POETRY/OPEN MIC
Former Poet Laureate W.S. Merwin wrote in his 1967 poem “For the Coming Extinction”: “Gray whale / Now that we are sending you to The End / That great god / Tell him / That we who follow you invented forgiveness / And forgive nothing”. Merwin’s poetry draws heavily from Buddhist philosophy and the principles of deep ecology and remains influential due to its engagement with pressing contemporary concerns. Poetry is a powerful way to express feelings and comment on the world around us. Enjoy an evening of local poetry at Northampton Poetry Open Mic night. Northampton Poetry. 50 Conz Street, Northampton, MA ($)

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Wednesday, November 21st, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

Storyhour & Playgroups: Amherst, Athol, Becket, Belchertown, Bernardston, Cummington, Deerfield, East Longmeadow, Erving, Granby, Greenfield, Huntington, Leverett, Monson, New Marlborough, North Adams, Northampton, Sheffield, Shelburne Falls, South Deerfield, Springfield, Turners Falls, Wendell, West Springfield, and Williamsburg.

Wednesday, November 21, 6-7pm
PLACEMAKING/TREE LIGHTING
The custom of the Christmas tree is originally derived from Northern European pre-Christian tree worship. Among the ancient Scandinavians, Celts, and Germans, trees were venerated as sacred to particular deities and their holy groves are thought by historians to pre-date the earliest temples. After Northern Europe was Christianized during the Middle Ages, this ancient practice was preserved in the custom of the Christmas tree. This Wednesday, come celebrate the Annual North Adams Tree Lighting, with live music and a visit from Santa! Downtown North Adams. North Adams, MA (FREE)

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Thursday, November 22nd, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

Storyhour & Playgroups: Agawam, Amherst, Athol, Belchertown, East Longmeadow, Florence, Gill, Greenfield, Hatfield, Huntington, Lee, Lenox, Millers Falls, Montague, Northampton, Sheffield, South Hadley, and Turners Falls.

Thursday, November 22, 9:30am
PLAYGROUP/EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT
 Making time to socialize is important for young children and their parents! Playgroups are a great opportunity for children to play with each other and for parents and caregivers to connect with others and share experiences. This Thursday Parent/Child Playgroup features games, songs, and snacks for children from birth to five and their parents and caregivers. CFCE of the Mohawk Trail and Hawlemont Regional School District. 24 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA (FREE)

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Friday, November 23rd, 2018

Click HERE to discover classes. Click HERE to find out about other community events. Click HERE to leave a comment about upcoming events.

Storyhour & Playgroups: Amherst, Belchertown, Cummington, East Longmeadow, Easthampton, Florence, Granby, Great Barrington, Greenfield, Hadley, Housatonic, Longmeadow, Monson, Northampton, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Stockbridge, and Sunderland.

Friday, November 23, 10am-4pm
THANKSGIVING/HISTORY
This Friday, come enjoy a day full of Thanksgiving farm fun at the Hancock Shaker Village! All the farm animals will be out and about, including the farm’s heritage breed turkeys. Woodworking and blacksmithing demonstrations will be available all day, as well as arts and crafts activities. Learn all about what Thanksgiving meant to the Shakers. For a full list of activities, please visit Thanksgiving on the Farm. Hancock Shaker Village. 1843 West Housatonic Street, Pittsfield, MA (FREE W/MUSEUM ADMISSION)

Friday, November 23, 5pm
PLACEMAKING/FESTIVAL
From Hanukkah to Diwali and Christmas, communities all over the world mark the coming of winter with a festival of lights. There is something deep and powerful about creating light in the midst of the darkness and it is no surprise that this ritual inspires such faith and hope to people around the world. This holiday season, Naumkeag in Stockbridge will be illuminated by thousands of shimmering lights and displays. Come embrace the holiday spirit and the continued presence of light amidst the darkness with an evening of music, community cheer, and fun children’s activities. Naumkeag. 5 Prospect Hill Road, Stockbridge, MA ($)

Friday, November 23, 5:30-7pm
ORNITHOLOGY/OWLS
Night is often the best time to observe animals in the wild. This is especially true for the majestic owl. It can be easy to forget that owls are all around us save for the occasional mournful hoot one hears late at night in the depths of the forest. This moonlight owl prowl will explore fields, forests, and wetlands, in search of owls and other nocturnal creatures. Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley. 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA ($)

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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Belchertown, Buckland, Chicopee, Hadley, Plainfield, Shelburne, Westhampton, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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