Hilltown Families 
55 Suggested Events in Western MA: February 9-15, 2019
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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.
Awarded the “Essential Agent of Change Award” by the MDPH’s Massachusetts Essentials for Childhood, Hilltown Families is recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting “positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness.” Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families continues to support the development and enhancement of our local economy and community. Local businesses, farms, individuals, schools, and non-profit organizations are invited to partner with Hilltown Families through advertising and sponsorship. With over 8,000 opt-in subscribers and 2.5+ million visits to our web site alone, Hilltown Families can deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout the four counties of Western MA! Find out about our affordable advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by contacting us at info@hilltownfamilies.org.
Bulletin Board
Feb 2-9
WinterFest Amherst 2019 returns with a week-long schedule of venues and events for the whole family, February 2-9. They’ll kick off the festivities with the Luminaria on the Town Commons, a public display of over 1,500 flickering luminarias, and end the week with their signature Grand Finale including our fan-favorite events such as the Best-in-Snow Dog Show. Keep an eye on their online calendar that’s packed with 35+ more events including ice skating performances, hockey games, sledding, live music events, art classes, and much more! Produced by Amherst Leisure Services and Friends of Amherst Recreation. Presented by local sponsors.
Children only get one preschool experience. Experience The Common School in Amherst. The Common School, serving children ages 3-12 years, has two preschool classrooms for children ages 3-5 years. These classrooms provide strong student/teacher ratios, a diverse and inclusive community, opportunities for experiential learning, a stellar social and emotional curriculum, environmental awareness, play based learning, significant time spent outdoors and many resources, such as an extensive library, music and movement class. Call for a tour 413-256-8989 and visit the website at www.commonschool.org.
Feb 18-22
Let your imagination soar at the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks, CT during February School Vacation Week! Explore three exhibit hangars filled w/over 60 historic aircraft & experience the wonders of flight through daily hands-on activities including Build & Fly Challenges, interactive Flight Science Demos and computerized Flight Simulators. Visitors can also take to the skies at the museum’s Virtual Flight Center using advanced, three screen yoke & pedal flight simulators (ages 10w+). Additional learning opportunities include a Model Airplane Workshop (Feb 18), LEGO Flying Machine Contest (Feb 19), Foam Flyer Challenge (Feb 20), Fun with Constellation Viewers (Feb 21) and Straw Glider Challenge (Feb 22). More info at www.neam.org.
Feb 18-22
During February School Vacation Week, children ages 4-12 will be joining Multi-Arts in Amherst & Northampton for an exciting artistic journey, tapping into creativity and broadens horizons. Multi-Arts is a non-profit arts program dedicated to educating, inspiring, and delighting youth in the performance and visual arts. During the week of Feb18-22, six professional artists will be working with participating children, sharing their talents, and inspiring them to immerse themselves in art, theater, music, dance, miming, and more. Join in for 1 or 2 days, or the entire week. Full day & two half day options available. Financial aid is available. For more info, visit www.multi-arts.org, email info@multi-arts.org or call 413-584-7951. Space is limited.
Feb 19-22
Whole Children is pleased to offer a February School Vacation Program with two separate sections for school age kids ages 7 to 12 and for teens ages 13 to 17. The program will be offered Tuesday through Friday, February 19-22 from 9 am to 3 pm. Come experience 4-days of fun games and activities! There will be a mix of everything “Whole Children” at this camp – board games, gym games, video games, Pokémon, LEGO and K’nex Building, Manga, Anime, karaoke, cooking, and a movie! Enjoy your favorites or try something new! There will be free-choice and opt-out/quiet time opportunities too! Price: $195, Franklin/Hampshire DDS Price: $150. To register, visit http://bit.ly/WCFebRegistration or call 413-585-8010.
Accept- ing New Students
Valley Guitar and Music Lessons with Zak Trojano: Zak Trojano is now accepting guitar & music students around the Pioneer Valley. While working as an internationally acclaimed performer and songwriter for over 15 years, Zak has been teaching people of all ages and skill levels here in Western MA. Graduating with a BS in music from Skidmore College, with a focus on music theory and composition, Zak is a patient, inspiring teacher, well loved by his students. Zak offers lessons in guitar, music theory, composition, and songwriting. He is fluent in most American musical styles including Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, and Jazz, with a particular interest in fingerstyle guitar. More info at www.valleymusiclessons.com or email info@zaktrojano.com.
The Northampton Public Schools Preschool is a play-based, child-centered, integrated preschool open to families living in Northampton, Florence & Leeds. Their half-day program runs 4 days a week, Mon-Thurs for 2.5 hours a session (morning or afternoon). Children attend in 2 locations (Bridge Street School & Leeds School) with outdoor play each day. Children who turn 3 by Aug 31 are eligible to start in Sept. Two acceptance lotteries are held (early Feb & late May), followed by rolling admissions. There is a limited full-day option for children who will be 4 by Aug 31, chosen by lottery. For more info or an application, contact earlychildhood@northampton-k12.us, call 413-587-1471 or visit Northampton Preschool to download forms.
MARKET YOUR SUMMER CAMP: In an effort to connect families with summer camps & programs in the region, Hilltown Families is offering camps and programs a chance to partner with us in their online marketing with a special enhanced publicity offer. On Wednesday, March 6th, 2019, Hilltown Families will be featuring summer camps and programs in the region on Hilltown Families with a special directory: 2019 Summer Camps and Programs in Western MA. Find out more about this targeted marketing opportunity HERE.
Hilltown Families Preschool Directory: Are you looking for a preschool that fits your child’s personality and reflects your family’s values for next year? Check out our Preschool Directory, which features preschools and programs across Western MA., Find the perfect place for your young one! ♦ If you have a school or program you would like to add to our directory, contact us at info@hilltownfamilies.org for more information on how you can be added at any time.
ADVERTISE HERE: Want to reach thousands of families living across Western MA? See your community event, after-school program, summer camp, class, school, open house, audition, homeschool program, workshop, volunteer opportunity, wellness program, local business, fundraiser, or non-profit featured here in the Bulletin Board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and in our weekly eNewsletter! Find out about our affordable advertising options and how you can partner with Hilltown Families in your online marketing by contacting us at info@hilltownfamilies.org.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
February 9-15, 2019
Saturday • Sunday
Monday • Tuesday • Wednesday • Thursday • Friday
Suggest an Event | Cultural Itineraries | Forecast | Museum Passes | Weekly eNewsletter | Farmers’ Markets | Storyhour & Playgroups| Advertise/Sponsorship | en Español
Events Happening in the Hilltown
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2019
Saturday, February 9, 9-10am – Hilltown Family Variety Show. Commercial-free family radio. Let’s add music and story to our winter fun! Join HFVS guest DJ, Flor Bromley as she takes us on an adventure through her favorite winter songs. She will share music and stories about playing in the snow, learning about migration and hibernation, and dancing to keep ourselves warm. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Click here select from over 12 years of archived shows!
Saturday, February 9, 10-11am – Tracks, Traces, and Trails Family Science Series at Hitchcock Center for the Environment. 413-256-6006, 845 West St, Amherst, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 10am-12noon – Saturday Morning Music Party at Flywheel. Hilltown Families and Flywheel Arts Collective’s beloved ‘Saturday Morning Dance Party’ series with a breakfast bash featuring food, dancing, and diversions for kids! Flywheel Arts Collective. 43 Main St, Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 10am-5pm – Easthampton WinterFest: City-Wide Festival. Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 10am-5pm – Opening day of Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion at the Berkshire Museum. Experience the genius of artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci as forty full-size, true-to-design, working models of his Renaissance inventions, and the 500-year-old drawings used to construct them, fill the galleries. Visitors of all ages are invited to test Leonardo’s inventions, step inside a wooden battle tank, discover his flying machines including the ornithopter and flying bicycle, and more. On view through Sunday, May 5, 2019. Check out a free museum pass from your local library. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 11am-1pm – Easthampton WinterFest Chili Cook-Off at Easthampton High School Cafeteria. Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 12:45-3pm – Monthly Creative Writing Drop-in Workshop for Teens at the East Longmeadow Public Library. East Longmeadow, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 1pm – Our native flora is full of amazing things! Did you know that big-leaf aster was once known as lumberjack’s toilet paper or that the berries of poison ivy are loved by birds? How about that the berries of chokeberry contain seven times more antioxidants than lowbush blueberries or that Jack in the pulpit can change sexes? From unique flavors to hilarious names to the oddest survival strategies there are strange and noteworthy plants right outside our back doors if we simply know where to look. Join Dan Jaffe, author and photographer of Native Plants for New England Gardens, to learn about all of these oddities and more at this winter lecture, Adventures with Oddities: Strange and Noteworthy Natives. Space is limited. Call to register. Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-267-9654. 30 Peck Rd, Wales, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 2-4pm – 3D Printing: An Introduction at Make-It Springfield. Springfield, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 3-4pm – Chess Club. Learn the art of chess in a relaxed atmosphere. Each session of the club begins with Chess lessons, and concludes with the chance to play against your peers. All ages welcomed. Sunderland Public Library. 20 School Street, Sunderland, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 3pm – Pablo Picasso is one of the greatest artists of all time – and right up until his death in 1973 he was the most prolific of artists. Many films have dealt with these later years – the art, the affairs and the wide circle of friends. But where did this all begin? What made Picasso in the first place? Too long ignored, it is time to look at the early years of Picasso; the upbringing and the learning that led to his extraordinary achievements. The Clark Art Institute will screen Young Picasso, a film by Exhibition on Screen. Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St, Williamstown, MA.
Saturday, February 9, 3-6pm – Family Valentine’s Party at Look Memorial Park! This is Look Park’s version of the traditional Father/Daughter, Mother/Son dance … but for everyone! Grab the whole family, even your grandparents, for an evening of fun. DJ Suspence get everyone dancing. Grab some candy from the candy bar while you make Valentine cards or stop by the cookie decorating station to make yourself a treat. They’ll have games, a photo booth and refreshments as well. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2019
Sunday, February 10, 6am-2pm – Tri-Lakes Annual Ice Fishing Derby at Lake Metacomet. Metacomet St., Belchertown, MA.
Sunday, February 10, 7-8am – Hilltown Family Variety Show. Commercial-free family radio. Let’s add music and story to our winter fun! Join HFVS guest DJ, Flor Bromley, as she takes us on an adventure through her favorite winter songs. She will share music and stories about playing in the snow, learning about migration and hibernation, and dancing to keep ourselves warm. Tune in on your FM dial, or listen live via streaming audio at www.valleyfreeradio.org. Click here select from over 12 years of archived shows!
Sunday, February 10, 4-5:30pm – Parenting Workshop: Picky Eating from Toddlers to Teens. Don’t want to raise a picky eater? Then start early! Already have a picky eater? Then join this workshop to discover what steps to take to get kids to eat healthier foods in an age appropriate and supportive way. Facilitated by Ana Maria Moise, MS CNS LDN, Michele LaRock, MS RDN LDN and Kristen Deschene, MD. Childcare will be provided but must be reserved: 413-517-2226 or contactus@napeds.com. Northampton Area Pediatrics. 413-584-8700193. Locust St., Northampton, MA
Sunday, February 10, 5-7:30pm – Screening of “Intelligent Lives,” a story that follows three individuals with intellectual disabilities who challenge perceptions of intelligence as they navigate the world. Following the screening, there will be a panel discussion and reception. This is a Pathlight and Whole Children event happening at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019
Monday, February 11, 10:30am – Harmonious Happenings with award-winning singer Renee Coro. Perfect for children birth to age 3. East Longmeadow Public Library. 413-525-5432. 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA.
Monday, February 11, 1-4pm – Basic Nature Drawing Skills at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Easthampton, MA.
Monday, February 11, 3-4pm – Teen Arts Program at the Forbes Library. PAINT! Are you more of a Renoir or a Picasso? Is your best friend Bob Ross? Come explore your painting instincts, no matter your painting experience in the Childrens’ Department at the Forbes Library. Snacks and materials always provided, no sign-up required. This program is for teens only. Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
Monday, February 11, 6-7:30pm – Love to cook? Want to learn to cook? Want to share your skills with others, young and old? Did you know that the Storrs Library has a cookbook club? Pick up a copy of this month’s cookbook, Naturally Nourished by Sarah Britton at the library, select a recipe to prepare at home, and then bring it in for a taste testing and book discussion. This popular cookbook club meets monthly; new members and novice cooks are welcome. Register online at Storrs Library. 413-565-4181. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2019
Tuesday, February 12, 2:30-4pm – Maker’s Lab at the Hatfield Library: Valentines! The library will have supplies for making your tokens of friendship and kindness. All ages welcomed to this drop-in event. Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.
Tuesday, February 12, 5pm – For African American culinary historian Michael W. Twitty there was a giant hole in the story of American cooking as big as the one in the story of most African American families. Putting the microscope on himself, Michael decided to fully trace out his family history through the story of Southern and American food. Using genetic research, historic interpretation, nature study, heirloom gardening, and interviews wiafth contemporary voices in food, his journey led him back to his family’s origins in West and Central Africa and a front ring seat in the debate over race and food in American life. Join him for “The Cooking Gene: Tracing My African American Story Through Food” at UMass, a talk followed by a reception featuring his recipes prepared by UMass Dining Services at Honors College Events Hall. 157 Commonwealth Avenue. UMass. Amherst, MA.
Tuesday, February 12, 6-8pm – Learn how to identify tree species in urban spaces. Winter and summer methods for identification will be introduced during the interactive sessions. All materials, resource books and tools will be supplied free of charge. Greenleaf Community Center. 1188 Parker Street, Springfield, MA.
Tuesday, February 12, 6:30-8pm – Explore Shakespeare’s Hamlet with Bay Path Professor of English, Lisa Ruch. Storrs Library. 413-565-4181. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA.
Tuesday, February 12, 7-8:30pm – Pilobolus: Come to Your Senses, a performance at the Deerfield Academy. Originally formed over 30 years ago, Pilobolus continues to wow audiences with one of the most popular repertoires in dance. With unparalleled physical ability, the remarkably athletic dancers of Pilobolus push the human body to its outermost limits. Artfully combining movement, acrobatics, and innovative, outside-of-the-box invention, the company erects human kinetic structures on stage that are “closer to sculpture than dance” (Newsweek). Deerfield Academy. 413-772-0241. 7 Boyden Lane, Deerfield, MA.
Tuesday, February 12, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm – Make Your Own Valentines Glass Heart at Battat Glass. Holyoke, MA.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2019
Wednesday, February 13, 12noon-3pm – The Mending Café, hosted by Art & Soul and First Churches of Northampton. The Mending Café follows in the story-cloth making traditions of African-American, Native American, Hmong, Mexican, Amish, and Hawaiian women. Quilting expert, Sherril Willis, will work with all levels of experiences to design and make a unique story cloth using a wide variety of fabrics and textiles. RSVP: artandsoul.wm@gmail.com or call/text 413-348-2385. First Churches of Northampton. 129 Main St, Northampton, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 1-2:30pm – Hands-On STEM activities for homeschoolers of all ages at the Carnegie Library. Call to register. Carnegie Public Library. 413-863-3214. 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 3:30-5:30pm – After School Anime in Children’s Room at Greenfield Public Library. Greenfield, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 3:30-4:15pm – Are you an aspiring writer? Join the Forbes Library in their Children’s Department for their monthly Writing Club. They’ll warm up with a few writing prompts, have some snacks, and get writing! If you feel comfortable sharing your work, we’ll have time for that at the end of the meeting. Feel free to bring writing projects you’re currently working on! For writers ages 8 and up. Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 4:30-5:30pm – Storyhour that includes a reading of Iggy Peck’s Architect, followed by an architecture project challenge. The challenge is to make at tower/bridge using toothpicks and marshmallows. Ages 5-8. East Longmeadow Public Library. 413-525-5432. 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 5:30pm – Community meal! The Interfaith Council of Franklin County presents: Who is Our Neighbor? As part of the Interfaith Council of Franklin County’s monthly gathering theme “Who is Our Neighbor?” this month the focus will be on our non-human neighbors. Who are the species we live amongst, what are their challenges and needs, and how may we proactively affect their well-being? Gathering begins with a 5:30pm potluck and is followed by a program at 6:15pm. Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 5:30-7:30pm – Drones! Drones are increasingly an important form of co-robotics, working with people to provide all sorts of services including photography and videography, marketing, surveying and mapping, remote sensing, inspection, monitoring, and security. As autonomous flight technology continues to improve, we will see drones finding more and more useful roles. Learn to fly a drone, avoid obstacles, and record photos and video with Holyoke Codes. Participants will also learn to control the drone with code, programming your own autonomous flights. Ages 10+. Holyoke Codes. Massachusetts Green High Performance Computing Center. 100 Bigelow St, Holyoke, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 6:30-7:30pm – Living history at the library! History will be made (and discussed!) on when President James Madison visits. The 4th President of the United States will speak on the issues of 1776 and how they influenced the creation of the Constitution and the country we have today. Storrs Library. 413-565-4181. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA.
Wednesday, February 13, 6:30-8:30pm – Forbes Library Zine Club. Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2019
Thursday, February 14, 1:30-2:30pm – Valentine’s Day Talk: Illustrating Love at Norman Rockwell Museum. Stockbridge, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 3:15-4pm – Discover geometry through origami while making tokens of friendship and kindness to give to others at the Storrs Library! Their local origami expert will teach participants how to make a heart and a flower from origami paper. All ages. Storrs Library. 413-565-4181. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 3:30-4:15pm – Comics Club at the Forbes! Join Callie in the Children’s & YA Department for a monthly meeting to come up with ideas, make your own books and talk about your favorite comics. Intended for elementary and tween readers. Forbes Library. 413-587-1011. 20 West St, Northampton, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 5pm – Kitchen chemistry at the library! Teens are invited to a Candy-Making Workshop. Registration is required. Berkshire Athenaeum. 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 5:30-6:30pm – Join with fellow meditators to practice mindfulness-awareness based sitting and walking meditation. Brief instruction is available. Open to all. Free to attend, donations are welcomed. Pioneer Valley Shambhala Center. 191 Main Street, Northampton, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm – Make Your Own Valentines Glass Heart at Battat Glass. Holyoke, MA.
Thursday, February 14, 6:30pm – Movie night at the library! Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Bad Movie Club at the Gaylord Library returns with Teenagers from Outer Space! Will teen love prevail in this 1959 flick? Or will aliens take over Earth, using it to farm the giant, lobster-like creatures that are a culinary delicacy on their home planet? Join your neighbors for this romantic, nonsensical nailbiter to find out the answer! Essential movie snacks will be provided. Gaylord Memorial Library. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019
Friday, February 15, 9:30-11:30am – Winter Preschool Day: Slip, Slide Ice and Snow! at Hitchcock Center for the Environment. 413-256-6006, 845 West St, Amherst, MA.
Friday, February 15, 10:30–11:30am – Kidleidoscope Story Hour: Porcupines. Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. Meet in the Great Hall. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
Friday, February 15, 5:30-7:30pm – Ten Days of Play Free Community Night at Berkshire Museum. Families are invited to explore this year’s engaging, exciting, child-directed Ten Days of Play activities, free of charge. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
Friday, February 15, 6:30-8pm – Family concert: Mister G: Mas Fuertes Juntos Stronger Together. Join Latin Grammy Award Winner; Mister G at Holyoke High as he shimmys and shakes to kick off winter break! Holyoke High. 500 Beach St, Holyoke, MA.
Friday, February 15, 8-10pm – Film studies at the Berkshire Museum! Don’t miss your annual chance to see all of the Oscar-nominated Shorts: Live Action nominees in one venue and predict the winners! Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Bernardston, Chester, Hatfield, Heath, Montgomery, Rowe, Russell, South Hadley, and Springfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
