Hilltown Families 
100+ Suggested Events in Western MA: October 12-25, 2019
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 collaborate with Hilltown Families in their community outreach. With over 9,000 opt-in subscribers and 2.6+ 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… and scroll down to discover community-based educational events and community building opportunities happening this weekend and next week in Western MA!
SUBSCRIBE to our eNewsletter to stay up-to-date!
Bulletin Board
Oct 16 – Dec 18
“Sense of Place: Life Reflections Through the Seasons” an autumn writing workshop series with Hilltown Families founder, Sienna Wildfield. Understanding how we are a part of our changing landscape year after year as we move through the seasons strengthens our sense of place. Our experiences of autumn in New England as a child, teenager, young adult, parent, and grandparent are very different. Connecting our stages of life experiences through the seasons give us a better understanding of who we are in relation to where we are in the world. This intergenerational 8-week series will be held every Wed at 6pm at the Senior Center Café in Williamsburg. Classes begin Oct 16 and run through the end of the year. RSVP: 413-268-8407. Cost: $10/class.
Oct 19 & 26
All aboard, paranormal enthusiasts! Berkshire Scenic Railway’s Spirit Trains will be departing North Adams for a lantern-lit walk through Southview Cemetery with psychic medium Julie MacDonald on October 19th & 26th. The 2-hour train ride leaves promptly at 5:30pm from the platform near the Adams Visitor Center. Passengers are advised to dress weather appropriately; reservations required! Tickets can be purchased online at www.berkshiretrains.org. Be sure to check out the many other seasonal train rides offered throughout the year! Board a one-hour, round-trip excursion in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western MA and learn about the rich railroad history of the region and see the Berkshires from a unique new vantage point.
Oct 20
Lightwire Theater: DINO-LIGHT. Sunday, October 20, 2pm, UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall in Amherst, MA. A famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. Hailed by Rolling Stone as “absolutely incredible, this glow-in-the-dark adventure has been praised for its cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance by audiences all over the world. Family Fest in the lobby starting at 1pm. $15-$35; Youth 17 & Under: $10-$15. Family Pack: $75 (2 adults, 2 youth). @ 1 hour. Appropriate for all ages. More at fineartscenter.com/dinolight or call 800-999-UMAS
Oct 12
Saturday, October 12th 10am to 4pm, come enjoy a family friendly fun-filled fall day at Look Park Pumpkin Festival. Bounce houses, carnival games, pumpkin painting and a great juggling and variety show by Steve Corning! Wristbands for unlimited carnival games and a pumpkin to paint: $10. Individual Tickets: $.50 cents each. Visit www.lookpark.org or call 413-584-5457 for details.
Oct 12
Piti Theatre & PVMA bring the 3rd annual Great Greenfield DinoFest back to the Second Congregational Church, 16 Court Square and Hawks & Reed, 289 Main Street in downtown Greenfield on Saturday, October 12. Blending science, arts, and local dino-themed food, DinoFest 2019 features Piti’s musical “Greenfield’s Grumpiest T-Rex, Episode 2: Very Big Sister Blues” at 11am, a Dino Parade, DinoMovies with Live Music, interactive dino exhibits, games and more. You can even check out some of the local fossil finds and learn more about local paleontology pioneer Dexter Marsh at the Greenfield Historical Society from 2-5pm. Events kick off at 9:30am downtown outside the Second Congregational Church. Admission is free. More at www.ptco.org/dino.
Oct 12 & 27
Amherst Leisure Services 50th Annual Halloween Fest happens on Sunday, October 27th starting at 12noon with downtown trick-or-treating. In addition to providing a family-friendly program and showcasing downtown Amherst, all proceeds raised will be used for youth program scholarships. Halloween Fest 2019 includes traditional Downtown Trick-or-Treat, a Halloween Parade, Live Entertainment, Anniversary Scavenger Hunt and Pharaoh’s Haunted Tomb! Halloween Window Painting happens on Saturday, October 12th from 9am-1pm. Bring the fall festivities to life by painting one of the generously donated windows of a Downtown Amherst business. Register today! $5 per person.
Oct 13
Join OnTrend Crafts for their Fall Craft Fair on Sunday, October 13 at the beautiful Hadley Farms Meeting House in Hadley, MA. They’ll have 60 the region’s top crafters and makers selling their high-quality handmade goods. You’ll find jewelry, paper goods, wood crafts, housewares, ceramics, knitted apparel, and much more. Free admission; 10am to 4pm. For more information, visit ontrendcrafts.com or email Jennifer at jennifer@ontrendcrafts.com.
Oct 19
The Common School will hold its annual Children’s Carnival, open to the wider Pioneer Valley community, on Saturday, October 19, from 10am-2pm, on the school’s campus at 521 South Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA. Open to the community, the Children’s Carnival will offer old-fashioned activities, games, and entertainment, including a bounce house and live music. Admission to the carnival is free. Games and activities have a small fee. Breakfast, hearty lunches, and treats such as cotton candy, homemade baked goods, and smoothies will be available for purchase. This event will happen, rain or shine! For more information, call 413-256-8989 or go to www.commonschool.org.
Open House: Oct 20 & Dec 8
The Academy at Charlemont (1359 Route 2 in Charlemont, MA) will host two Admissions Open House events for interested families on Sunday, October 20, and Sunday, December 8, with presentations starting at 1pm. Meet students, teachers, and current parents, and get a feel for their creative and rigorous academic programs and warm and inclusive community. The Academy offers vibrant arts, athletics, and an emphasis on critical thinking and ethical leadership. The Academy offers generous financial aid and daily round trip bus service from Greenfield, Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns. Imagine loving school every day. Details at www.charlemont.org.
Western Massachusetts is rich in learning opportunities to supplement the interests of children, teens, and lifelong learners! Hilltown Families Class Directory features classes, lessons, enrichment programs, and membership opportunities across Western Massachusetts and throughout the year. Our Class Directory makes it easier to find these gems while connecting families with resources that support their interests and education, including theater, music, dance, art, and much more. — Have a class, private lesson, or program you’d like to include in our directory? More Information. | Reserve a spot. | Submit your listing.
LIST OF WEEKLY SUGGESTED EVENTS
October 12-25, 2019
Saturday, Oct 12 • Sunday, Oct 13
Monday, Oct 14 • Tuesday, Oct 15 • Wednesday, Oct 16
Thursday, Oct 17 • Friday, Oct 18
Saturday, Oct 19 • Sunday, Oct 20
Monday, Oct 21 • Tuesday, Oct 22 • Wednesday, Oct 23
Thursday, Oct 24 • Friday, Oct 25
Subscribe to Our Weekly eNewsletter ♦ Advertising & Partnership Opportunities
Class Directory ♦ Preschool Directory ♦ Birthday Party Venue Directory
Cultural Itineraries ♦ Museum Passes ♦ Farmers’ Markets ♦ Storyhour & Playgroups
Suggest an Event ♦ en Español
The events below are shared as a courtesy. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm date, time, place, age appropriateness, registration requirements, and costs before attending.
Events Happening in the Hilltown
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 12
Saturday, October 12, 9-10am – FAMILY RADIO/INSPIRATION: In this episode, join Hilltown Family Variety Show Inspiration Episode with Guest DJ, Jamie Broza. Jamie will get your kids curious about inspiration. What is it? Where does it come from? What inspires us to make music? In this episode of the HFVS, Jamie Broza takes us through a diverse array of fantastic songs and singers that have inspired him to make music, and hopefully will inspire some of our listeners to start writing their own songs! Click here select from over 13 years of archived shows! It’s better than Saturday morning cartoons and commercial radio! ♥ Hilltown Families eNewsletter subscribers are invited to an exclusive sneak peak every Thursday of the upcoming show. Check your eNewsletter to listen any time. Not a subscriber?Click here to subscribe to our free Weekly eNewsletter!
Saturday, October 12, 10-11am – ZOOLOGY/BATS: Saturday Family Science: Going Batty. Get cozy with the only mammal that can fly! Found on every continent except Antarctica and in a variety of ecosystems, bats are as fascinating as they are numerous. Learn about these wonderful creatures and how they benefit our environment. Designed for children with their parents, this program explores cool topics in nature. Hitchcock Center for the Environment. 413-256-6006, 845 West St, Amherst, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10am-12:30pm – LOCAL FOOD/VEGETARIAN: The Vegetarian Food Tour of Northampton. Explore the culture of the city and the rich history of small farms and seasonal produce in the region. With local produce available year-round, Northampton’s shops and restaurants are full of imaginative vegetarian dishes. Taste seasonal soups, tarts, and savory pies, as well as locally made kombucha, specialty teas, and chai. With a superb selection of vegetarian restaurants, natural food stores, and artisanal food producers, Northampton is a mecca for vegetarians and lovers of farm-fresh produce. Pioneer Valley Food Tours. Northampton, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10am-1pm – GUIDED PADDLE/SENSE OF PLACE: Canoers with some experience are invited to take a leisurely paddle along the Mill River with staff from the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Participants may see the river’s resident beavers and a number of bird species, too! Wear sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes if you have them. Registration required. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10am-4pm – FOLK TRADITIONS/COOPERING: Visitors to Historic Deerfield will meet talented craftspeople and observe their work up close at this Historic Trade demonstration, including Coopering with Neil Muckenhoupt. Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10am-5pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: Harvest festivals celebrate the bounty of fall. Combined with tag sales, they can be opportunities for collaborative consumption as well as placemaking. The annual Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival is one of the Berkshire’s most iconic fall celebrations which spreads across their 20-acre Garden campus. The Festival, brimming with activities for kids, is a great introduction to this amazing community-based educational resource for families with young children. Adults love it too! Great food, live entertainment, regional artisan vendors, farmers’ market, tag & plant sales, and educational opportunities throughout this two-day event. All proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Garden’s education program. Berkshire Botanical Garden. 413-298-3926. 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10am-6pm – ARTS AND CRAFTS/FESTIVAL: Come celebrate autumn, community, and the arts at the Annual Paradise City Arts Festival. This beloved local event brings together 250 artists and craftspeople from around the country for a three day festival, featuring delicious food, workshops and demonstrations, and lots of fun activities for kids! This is a great time to enjoy the stunning fall foliage and give thanks for our community’s passion and commitment to the arts. Find inspiration, talk with artisans about their craft, learn new techniques, and leave with a handmade treasure from an artisan to give or keep. Three County Fairgrounds. 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10:30am-12noon – NATURE-BASED LEARNING/STORY & ART: “Art Naturally: Discover Nature Through Story and Art,” a water-themed program featuring stories and art, soaking up the natural world as we go. The storybook pages from A Drop of Water by Gordon Morrison are on display. Make a small nature-weaving using plants and grasses like those living near our ponds, streams, marshes, and swamps. For ages 6 and up, accompanied by an adult. Teens and adults are welcome too! Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 10:30am-1pm – FIBER ARTS/FELTING: Learn to make felted Pumpkins & Jack-o’-Lanterns with Andrea Allees, just in time for Halloween! All materials will be provided. This intergenerational workshop is open to kids & teens ages 10 & up and is limited to 10 participants, so please sign up in advance. Pelham Library. 413-253-0657. 2 S Valley Rd, Pelham, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 12noon-4pm –LOCAL FOOD/DAIRY: Do your kids know how the milk for their ice cream, cereal, cheese, and butter are derived and where it comes from? Introduce them to the source of this creaminess by learning about contemporary methods of milk production and the traditional skill of milking a cow at Cook Farm during the Flayvors Fall Festival. The Cook family originally took ownership of their Hadley farm in 1909. Five generations later, the Cook family continues to care for the herds of Jersey and award winning Holstein cows. Since Cook farm opened their ice cream and dairy store in 1998, it has become an important part of the community. This annual afternoon of family fun will include many family activities, live music, milking demonstrations, wagon rides, and great food! Flayvors of Cook Farm. 129 S Maple St. Hadley, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 12-5pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: Easthampton Parks & Recreation Department hosts their Annual Harvest Fest. Pumpkin carving contest: bring your best carved pumpkin to win a trophy and prize! Also featuring live music, food trucks, inflatable slide and games for kids and adults, face painting, craft/artist vendors and horse drawn wagon rides. Nonotuck Park. 1 Daley Field Rd, Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 1-3pm – CULINARY ARTS/BUTCHERY: Pork Fabrication Class, an interactive, butcher-led demonstration. Participants will break one side of a locally raised pig, have questions answered, identify and discuss the attributes of each cut of meat, and receive pointers on how to best prepare them. In addition to instruction on seam butchery technique and whole muscle utilization, each student will take home a generous supply of mixed pork cuts. Must preregister to reserve limited space. Best for lifelong learners. Sutter Meats. 413-727-3409. 65 King St, Northampton, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 3pm & 7:30pm – TONY AWARD NOMINEE/DRAMA: This play was written by Donald Margulies, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, and tells the story of Sarah Goodwin, a famed war photographer. In Sarah’s work, she has mastered the ability to stop time, to freeze horrific scenes within a frame. And, in doing so, she has exacted some control over the chaotic events around her and made an impact on the world. Until she is injured and sent home. Back in NYC, in her ‘normal’ life with her partner James, Sarah attempts to master a similar control. As she heals, she tries to foster a need to stay comfortably in place. But the pain and drama of forging an everyday life can bring their own struggle, their own war. Particularly, when an internal drive and the wider world are calling. Time Stands Still does a brilliant job of encompassing universal issues and personal problems with compassionate insight. Performances will be held in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company. 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA.
Saturday, October 12, 4:30: SURREALISM/EXPERIENTIAL THEATER: Folklorists have argued that the medieval British custom of the Lord of Misrule dates back to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia, or Winter Solstice, involved choosing a man to rule as king for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, on the Solstice eve, the man would be sacrificed upon an altar to Saturn, the Roman god of renewal, wealth, and fertility. Anthropologist James Frazer demonstrated that these rituals, which persisted throughout Europe until the so-called Enlightenment in the 16th and 17th centuries, symbolically celebrated the passing of the seasons, the transition from darkness into light, and from death into life. The trope of the sacrificial king globally appears in folklore and is generally linked to agriculture and the concept of the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the community. While more recent customs around the Lord of Misrule seem not to have included the element of ritual death, the figure eventually evolved into mummery shows, in which community members dressed in costumes, took on the roles of gods and heroes, and enacted myths and legends. Many of these shows continue to revolve around a murder, in this case symbolic, to mark the passage of the seasons and other transitions. Evoking the mummery show aesthetics and earth-based spiritual philosophy, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret leads audiences on an enchanted dream journey through the field and wood, conjuring images of death and rebirth, land and spirit. This is an absolutely one of a kind show, and it is not to be missed. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 13
Sunday, October 13, Dawn-Dusk – SCULPTURE/AGRICULTURE: Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton is home of “Art in the Orchard,” a biennial orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family from dawn to dusk any day of the week. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of dozens of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Sunday, October 13, TBA: RURAL HERITAGE/CORN MAZE: Corn mazes are classic New England traditions that transform cornfields into community building experiences. Before we had corn mazes, corn has been a staple in the diet of countless cultures for thousands of years. Today, corn is the largest produced crop in the world, and can even be a source of adventure as played out in corn mazes. There are a few in Western MA you can check out with your family, including Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm in Sunderland Hicks Family Farm Corn Maze in Charlemont, and Meadow View Farm Corn Maze in Southwick. Many of these mazes offer a fun and challenging outdoor adventure for families of all ages, along with other activities and farm-fresh produce and perennials. Let the adventure get your kids curious about corn and it’s variety history and many uses. Educators can use this teacher-friendly guide to the evolution of maize to help get kids interested in learning more!
Sunday, October 13, 9am-12noon – GUIDED PADDLE/SENSE OF PLACE: Canoers with some experience are invited to take a leisurely paddle along the Mill River with staff from the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Participants may see the river’s resident beavers and a number of bird species, too! Wear sunscreen, a hat, and water shoes if you have them. Registration required. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 10am-12noon – HABITAT/BOGS: Hawley Bog in the Fall. Hawley Bog is a unique bog that resembles those in Canada. Located at an elevation of 1,800 feet, it contains all three of the state’s carnivorous plants – sundews, pitcher plants, and bladderworts, as well as other unusual plant species. Self-directed teens and lifelong learners who are interested in nature and plants will enjoy walking around this beautiful and unique site as they explore and learn about bogs with Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Registration required. 413-584-3009. Hawley, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 10am-4pm – FOLK TRADITIONS/MEDICINE & BLACKSMITHING: Visitors to Historic Deerfield will meet talented craftspeople and observe their work up close at these Historic Trade demonstrations, including Early 19th Century Medical Practice with Jack Richman and Blacksmithing with Rick Martin. Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 10am – 5pm – ARTS AND CRAFTS/FESTIVAL: Come celebrate autumn, community, and the arts at the Annual Paradise City Arts Festival. This beloved local event brings together 250 artists and craftspeople from around the country for a three day festival, featuring delicious food, workshops and demonstrations, and lots of fun activities for kids! This is a great time to enjoy the stunning fall foliage and give thanks for our community’s passion and commitment to the arts. Find inspiration, talk with artisans about their craft, learn new techniques, and leave with a handmade treasure from an artisan to give or keep. Three County Fairgrounds. 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 10am – 5pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL: Harvest festivals celebrate the bounty of fall. Combined with tag sales, they can be opportunities for collaborative consumption as well as placemaking. The annual Berkshire Botanical Garden Harvest Festival is one of the Berkshire’s most iconic fall celebrations which spreads across their 20-acre Garden campus. The Festival, brimming with activities for kids, is a great introduction to this amazing community-based educational resource for families with young children. Adults love it too! Great food, live entertainment, regional artisan vendors, farmers’ market, tag & plant sales, and educational opportunities throughout this two-day event. All proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Garden’s education program. Berkshire Botanical Garden. 413-298-3926. 5 West Stockbridge Road, Stockbridge, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 11am-4pm – ARTS AND CRAFTS/SCARECROW WORKSHOP: On the Japanese island of Shikoku there is a strange little village called Nagoro, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The village has only 35 inhabitants but over 350 scarecrows, many of which are shockingly lifelike. For years, villager Tsukimi Ayano has been making lifelike scarecrows of deceased villagers and placing them around the village in realistic poses. At a bus stop, for instance, one may see a group of huddled figures seated on a bench. In the abandoned schoolhouse, a roomful of children. Additionally, many of the scarecrows are wearing the actual clothes of the people they are meant to represent! Make your own scarecrow at Atkins Market and who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to make an entire village full of them. Atkins Farms Country Market. 413-253-9528. 1150 West St. Amherst, MA.
Sunday, October 13 , 12-2pm – LOCAL HARVEST/APPLES: Valley Apple and Harvest Tour. Enjoy the exceptional color and flavor of autumn in New England on this seasonal walking food tour of downtown Northampton. Taste local specialties, recipes, and beverages produced with ingredients from local farms at the height of the fall harvest. Pioneer Valley Food Tours. Northampton, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 2-4pm – SOCIAL MIGRATION: Understanding who we are and where we are underscores the value of a “sense of place.” Gathering with those who have migrated to a region while celebrating the natural diversity of our region strengthens the social fabric of our communities. Awareness and celebration deepen our human relationships and our connection to place through seasonal patterns. The Annual Migrations Festival celebrates this diversity of the upper Connecticut River Valley and the Americas through music, art, and food. Come enjoy music by the youth of Musica Franklin, traditional Central and South American music by Juan-Carlos Carpio, light refreshments and art from Central America. Free and open to everyone. Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
Sunday, October 13, 3pm – THEATER STUDIES/DRAMA: This play was written by Donald Margulies, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright, and tells the story of Sarah Goodwin, a famed war photographer. In Sarah’s work, she has mastered the ability to stop time, to freeze horrific scenes within a frame. And, in doing so, she has exacted some control over the chaotic events around her and made an impact on the world. Until she is injured and sent home. Back in NYC, in her ‘normal’ life with her partner James, Sarah attempts to master a similar control. As she heals, she tries to foster a need to stay comfortably in place. But the pain and drama of forging an everyday life can bring their own struggle, their own war. Particularly, when an internal drive and the wider world are calling. Time Stands Still does a brilliant job of encompassing universal issues and personal problems with compassionate insight. Performances will be held in the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre at Shakespeare & Company. 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, MA
Sunday, October 13, 4:30 – SURREALISM/EXPERIENTIAL THEATER: Folklorists have argued that the medieval British custom of the Lord of Misrule dates back to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia, or Winter Solstice, involved choosing a man to rule as king for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, on the Solstice eve, the man would be sacrificed upon an altar to Saturn, the Roman god of renewal, wealth, and fertility. Anthropologist James Frazer demonstrated that these rituals, which persisted throughout Europe until the so-called Enlightenment in the 16th and 17th centuries, symbolically celebrated the passing of the seasons, the transition from darkness into light, and from death into life. The trope of the sacrificial king globally appears in folklore and is generally linked to agriculture and the concept of the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the community. While more recent customs around the Lord of Misrule seem not to have included the element of ritual death, the figure eventually evolved into mummery shows, in which community members dressed in costumes, took on the roles of gods and heroes, and enacted myths and legends. Many of these shows continue to revolve around a murder, in this case symbolic, to mark the passage of the seasons and other transitions. Evoking the mummery show aesthetics and earth-based spiritual philosophy, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret leads audiences on an enchanted dream journey through the field and wood, conjuring images of death and rebirth, land and spirit. This is an absolutely one of a kind show, and it is not to be missed. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 14
Monday, October 14, 10am – 4pm – ARTS AND CRAFTS/FESTIVAL: Come celebrate autumn, community, and the arts at the Annual Paradise City Arts Festival. This beloved local event brings together 250 artists and craftspeople from around the country for a three day festival, featuring delicious food, workshops and demonstrations, and lots of fun activities for kids! This is a great time to enjoy the stunning fall foliage and give thanks for our community’s passion and commitment to the arts. Find inspiration, talk with artisans about their craft, learn new techniques, and leave with a handmade treasure from an artisan to give or keep. Three County Fairgrounds. 54 Old Ferry Road, Northampton, MA.
Monday, October 14, 4:30pm – LANGUAGE ARTS/WORD GAMES: It is speculated that the highest possible scoring word in Scrabble has probably never been successfully played. If situated correctly, the word “OXYPHENBUTAZONE,” could theoretically score 1778 points! A far more realistic, and still highly effective word, is “ZA,” a recognized slang term for pizza, which can still get you 60 points or so. If you love Scrabble, joing the Scrabble Club for a monthly meet-up and game of Scrabble! Open to everyone, fun is the primary goal. Lily Library. 413-587-1500.19 Meadow Street, Florence, MA.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15
Tuesday, October 15, Dawn-Dusk – SCULPTURE/AGRICULTURE: Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton is home of “Art in the Orchard,” a biennal orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family from dawn to dusk any day of the week. Bringing “Culture into Horticulutre,” the orchard features the work of dozens of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Tuesday October 15, 10am-4pm – BOTANY: The Durfee Conservatory, located on the University of Massachusetts Amherst campus and established in 1867, has a rich history. Tucked away in a hustling and bustling campus of over 25,000 students, this greenhouse complex is a sanctuary of calm and serenity. Greenhouses include Bonsai-Camellia, Epiphyte/Vine, Tropical, and Succulents. Durfee Conservatory. 413-545-5234. 210 Stockbridge Road. Amherst, MA.
Tuesday October 15, All Day – SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING/HERBARIUMS: Wondering what an herbarium is? Herbariums are collections of preserved plants and are fun ways for families to preserve summer memories while supporting an interest in botany and local habitats. Learn more about whys you can engage in this activity with your family in our post, Pressing Plants and Flowers Supports Nature-Based Learning through the Generations. — Want to dive deeper? In the video, What in the World is an Herbarium, tour the New York Botanical Garden for a glimpse into one of the world’s largest herbaria, a collection that contains millions of specimens.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16
Wednesday, October 16, 6pm – HISTORY/APPLES: A Brief History of Apples: From 1620 to Now. Russell Steven Powell, executive director of the New England Apple Association, will present a brief history of apple growing in New England featuring several varieties, old and new, followed by questions, and sampling of the apples. Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.
Wednesday, October 16, 6-7:30pm – AROMATHERAPY/PERFUME: In this Perfume-Making with Essential Oils class, Nora Zinan will talk about the historical use of essential oils for both health and perfume-making. Participants will learn the properties of the oils and their blending companions, and then blend the oils that are most appealing to them, making their own personal perfume. Registration required. Call the library or come in to sign up. Emily Williston Memorial Library. 413-527-1031. 9 Park Street. Easthampton, MA.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17
Thursday, October 17, 2-4pm – CRAFTS/AUTUMN: Maker Lab: Leaf Crafts. Gather leaves to make your beautiful cards. Or try your hand at making a bouquet of roses from leaves! Drop-in. All ages.. Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.
Thursday, October 17, 5-7pm – HALLOWEEN/TRICK OR TREAT: The Halloween custom of trick-or-treating has ancient roots but was not a common practice in the United States until after the 1940s. As a matter of fact, before the 1930s, the custom of children going door-to-door to ask for treats was actually associated with Thanksgiving, rather than Halloween. It seems clear, however, that the origins of trick-or-treating derive from the medieval European custom of mummery, in which people would dress up in costume and go door-to-door singing songs and performing plays in exchange for food or drink. Halloween, of course, began as the Celtic holidays of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf. During this time, ancient Celtic peoples believed that the boundary between the human world and the otherworld was at its thinnest. According to custom, by disguising oneself as a spirit, one might be protected from them. Additionally, one might accept offerings on behalf of the spirits to gain their favor and blessings. This Thursday evening, come trick-or-treating in downtown Pittsfield! For a full list of participating businesses, visit Downtown Pittsfield. Downtown Pittsfield. Pittsfield, MA.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18
Friday, October 18, 10:30-11:30am – ANIMAL STUDIES/BATS: Kidleidoscope Story Hour. Come learn about our wildlife neighbors who share our home in8the Connecticut River Watershed. The program includes a story, interactive games, and a craft to introduce young children to wildlife along the river. 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, October 18, 4:30 – SURREALISM/EXPERIENTIAL THEATER: Folklorists have argued that the medieval British custom of the Lord of Misrule dates back to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia, or Winter Solstice, involved choosing a man to rule as king for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, on the Solstice eve, the man would be sacrificed upon an altar to Saturn, the Roman god of renewal, wealth, and fertility. Anthropologist James Frazer demonstrated that these rituals, which persisted throughout Europe until the so-called Enlightenment in the 16th and 17th centuries, symbolically celebrated the passing of the seasons, the transition from darkness into light, and from death into life. The trope of the sacrificial king globally appears in folklore and is generally linked to agriculture and the concept of the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the community. While more recent customs around the Lord of Misrule seem not to have included the element of ritual death, the figure eventually evolved into mummery shows, in which community members dressed in costumes, took on the roles of gods and heroes, and enacted myths and legends. Many of these shows continue to revolve around a murder, in this case symbolic, to mark the passage of the seasons and other transitions. Evoking the mummery show aesthetics and earth-based spiritual philosophy, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret leads audiences on an enchanted dream journey through the field and wood, conjuring images of death and rebirth, land and spirit. This is an absolutely one of a kind show, and it is not to be missed. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19
Saturday, October 19, 10am-12noon – HOROLOGY/HISTORY: Hour in the Tower at Holyoke City Hall a once in a lifetime Holyoke adventure. Climb the stairs and reach the top of the Holyoke City Hall Clock Tower. Get up close and see the newly repaired clock as well as the 2.5-ton bell which were installed in 1875. If you are brave, you can climb a bit higher and take pictures of Holyoke and beyond. Attendees must be 17 or older. Holyoke City Hall. 536 Dwight Street. Holyoke, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 10am-2pm – FUNDRAISER/MINI-GOLF: Experience Look Park’s Mini-golf course like never before at the Puttin’ Pumpkins, mini-golf to benefit Northampton Parents Center. (Rain date Sunday, October 20.) Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 10am-2pm – NATURE STUDIES/BIODIVERSITY: Nature Festival at Laughing Brook. Celebrate the wonders of nature with walks, stories, live animals, crafts, and games. Autumn’s crisp air and changing leaves make it a fantastic time to enjoy a hike along the sanctuary’s trails. Search for signs of wildlife, listen for birds, and watch chipmunks and squirrels gathering nuts in preparation for winter. Wildlife rehabilitator Tom Ricardi will provide a live bird of prey demonstration, and there will be stories written by Thornton Burgess, the naturalist, and author who lived at Laughing Brook. Laughing Brook. 413-584-3009. Main St. Hampden, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 12-6pm: HARVEST FESTIVAL: The celebration of the fall harvest has been one of the most important cultural occasions in communities all over the world. Particularly in the Northern Hemisphere, the fall harvest was doubly significant because it supplied the necessary rations for surviving the long cold winters. The folkloric figure of the Corn Mother demonstrates the incredible cultural significance of the fall harvest in Northern Europe. Made from the last sheaf of wheat to be harvested in the autumn, the Corn Mother, or Corn Maiden sits inside the house all winter long and is then plowed into the first furrow the following spring. This custom reminded traditional people of the cycles of life and death, decay, and restoration. As the family protected the Corn Mother throughout the winter, so too would She protect the community with a bountiful harvest in the following season. This Saturday, Simple Gifts Farm will be hosting the North Amherst Harvest Festival, a celebration of the bounty and blessings of the earth and harvest. Simple Gifts Farm. 413-230-3262. 1089 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 12noon-6pm – TOWN FESTIVAL/PLACEMAKING: Westfield on Weekends Annual PumpkinFest. Pumpkins for the kids to carve/decorate and activities, including Trunk or Treat, live performances, Big Rig showcase with enormous trucks, Harvest Marketplace, and Artwalk. Park Square. Westfield, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 2-9pm – HALLOWEEN/PLACEMAKING: Called “pompions” by the first European colonists, pumpkins were a food essential to winter survival – and they were grown in many more varieties than they typically are today. The custom of carving pumpkins into Jack O’Lanterns was introduced to American culture by Irish immigrants, influencing our cultural landscape to this day. Traditionally carved from root vegetables, including turnips and potatoes, new hybrids of pumpkins are grown specifically for carving. Annual October events that bring communities together through the lens of food (pumpkins) and culture (Halloween) includes the annual Great Falls Festival (formerly known as Pumpkinfest)! This all ages event will feature live local music and dance all day long, as well as a pumpkin judging contest. This fun placemaking event brings alive a downtown district for a seasonal celebration (go in costume!). Before the event, carve a pumpkin or five and donate it (then see if you can find it during the night of). Put this one on your bucket list! 413-485-8627. Avenue A (free shuttle from Turners Falls High School and Sheffield School). Turners Falls, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 4pm, 5pm, 6pm – LOCAL HISTORY/CEMETERY: As summer turns to fall and winter is right around the bend, this is a perfect occasion to ruminate on mortality and the passage of time. In Percy Bysshe Shelley’s 1818 poem “Ozymandias,” the poet writes of a traveler who comes upon the fragments of an ancient monument, deep in the desert. Upon the ruins are inscribed these words: “My name is Ozymandias, king of kings; / Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!” Shelley invites his reader to observe that ultimately, no matter what we have achieved in life, we end up the same. Put another way: “time is the great leveler.” Join the Wistariahurst Museums for History Lives in Forestdale Cemetery: A Walk Amidst the Gravestones, a guided walk through a local cemetery discovering all about the lives of some of Holyoke’s most illustrious families. Wistariahurst Museum. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot St, Holyoke, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 4:30: SURREALISM/EXPERIENTIAL THEATER: Folklorists have argued that the medieval British custom of the Lord of Misrule dates back to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia, or Winter Solstice, involved choosing a man to rule as king for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, on the Solstice eve, the man would be sacrificed upon an altar to Saturn, the Roman god of renewal, wealth, and fertility. Anthropologist James Frazer demonstrated that these rituals, which persisted throughout Europe until the so-called Enlightenment in the 16th and 17th centuries, symbolically celebrated the passing of the seasons, the transition from darkness into light, and from death into life. The trope of the sacrificial king globally appears in folklore and is generally linked to agriculture and the concept of the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the community. While more recent customs around the Lord of Misrule seem not to have included the element of ritual death, the figure eventually evolved into mummery shows, in which community members dressed in costumes, took on the roles of gods and heroes, and enacted myths and legends. Many of these shows continue to revolve around a murder, in this case symbolic, to mark the passage of the seasons and other transitions. Evoking the mummery show aesthetics and earth-based spiritual philosophy, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret leads audiences on an enchanted dream journey through the field and wood, conjuring images of death and rebirth, land and spirit. This is an absolutely one of a kind show, and it is not to be missed. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 5:30-7:30pm- PARANORMAL/TRAIN RIDE: All aboard, paranormal enthusiasts! Berkshire Scenic Railway’s Spirit Trains will be departing North Adams for a lantern-lit walk through Southview Cemetery with psychic medium Julie MacDonald on October 19th & 26th. The 2-hour train ride leaves promptly at 5:30pm from the platform near the Adams Visitor Center. Passengers are advised to dress weather appropriately; reservations required! Tickets can be purchased online at www.berkshiretrains.org. Be sure to check out the many other seasonal train rides offered throughout the year! Board a one-hour, round-trip excursion in the beautiful Berkshire Hills of Western MA and learn about the rich railroad history of the region and see the Berkshires from a unique new vantage point. Adams Visitor Center. North Adams, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 6-8pm – CORN MAZE: Flashlight Night in The Corn Maze. BYO flashlight to the maze. The Apple Place. 540 Somers Road/ Route 83, East Longmeadow, MA.
Saturday, October 19, 7-10pm – DATE NIGHT/LIVING HISTORY: Old Town Hall Ball. Step back in time and experience the future at Old Town Hall Ball, a celebration of 150 years of Easthampton in the ballroom of Eastworks. This epic building turns 150 years old, and guests are invited to an evening with music performances, dancing, and historical installations. Get gussied-up in the era of your choice, past, present, or future, show off your time machine elegance, and dance to timeless music. Clink your glasses with the ghosts of the past that built Old Town Hall and toast to the next 150 years. Guests will enjoy an evening of passed hors d’oeuvres, special Old Town Hall prizes, and a night to remember. Eastworks.116 Pleasant St. Easthampton, MA.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 20
Sunday, October 20, Dawn-Dusk – SCULPTURE/AGRICULTURE: Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton is home of “Art in the Orchard,” a biennal orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family from dawn to dusk any day of the week. Bringing “Culture into Horticulutre,” the orchard features the work of dozens of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Sunday, October 20, TBA: RURAL HERITAGE/CORN MAZE: Corn mazes are classic New England traditions that transform cornfields into community building experiences. Before we had corn mazes, corn has been a staple in the diet of countless cultures for thousands of years. Today, corn is the largest produced crop in the world, and can even be a source of adventure as played out in corn mazes. There are a few in Western MA you can check out with your family, including Mike’s Maze at Warner Farm in Sunderland Hicks Family Farm Corn Maze in Charlemont, and Meadow View Farm Corn Maze in Southwick. Many of these mazes offer a fun and challenging outdoor adventure for families of all ages, along with other activities and farm-fresh produce and perennials. Let the adventure get your kids curious about corn and it’s variety history and many uses. Educators can use this teacher-friendly guide to the evolution of maize to help get kids interested in learning more!
Sunday, October 20, 10am-1pm – HARVEST FESTIVAL/SUKKOT: Sukkot Harvest Festival at Abundance Farm! Celebrate the harvest with a puppet show by Page to Stage, apple cider pressing, pizza baking in a cob oven, nature crafts, the Holyoke Hummus Truck, and live klezmer music. Rain or shine! Suggested donation: $5.00. See their Facebook Event for more information or email info@abundancefarm.org. Abundance Farm. 413-584-3593. 253 Prospect St. Northampton, MA.
Sunday, October 20, 10am-2pm – DENDROLOGY/PLACEMAKING: The Great Tree Bicycle Tour: A Community Bicycle Tour of Northampton’s Extraordinary Trees. An 8-mile, self-guided, community bike tour of Northampton’s most extraordinary trees. This is a self-guided tour, allowing participants to ride at their own pace and to take their time at the ten stops. Organizers will provide a brochure with map and tour details. Tour begins anytime between 10am and 11 am. The tour builds upon the “TreeSpeak” model of the Smith College Botanic Garden. Each tree will have an associated QR code that, when accessed on the tour map/brochure by a smartphone, will take the participant to an audio recording about that particular tree. Recordings include fascinating history, botanical facts, and some broader lessons about tree threats and care. The 8-mile tour will begin at Pulaski Park in downtown Northampton and end at Maine’s Field in Florence with lunch, music, and family-friendly activities. Tour begins at Pulaski Park in downtown Northampton. Ends at Maine’s Field in Florence.
Sunday, October 20, 10am-4pm – LITERARY STUDIES/LANGUAGE ARTS: The incredibly rich tradition of Yiddish literature was in danger of vanishing without a trace in the 1980s when Yiddish Book Center founder and president Aaron Lansky first began to collect books written in Yiddish. Lanksy realized that the younger generations of European Jewish families couldn’t read the language anymore and were getting rid of them. So Lansky organized a program to salvage as many Yiddish books as he possibly could. At the time, scholars estimated there were no more than 70,000 existing Yiddish books. To date, the Yiddish Book Center has collected more than one million volumes. The Yiddish Book Center is a true cultural treasure, and this Sunday is the perfect opportunity to explore, with a community open house event, featuring tours, lectures, concerts, and much more! Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
Sunday, October 20, 11am-4pm – ARTS AND CRAFTS/SCARECROW WORKSHOP: On the Japanese island of Shikoku there is a strange little village called Nagoro, which attracts thousands of visitors every year. The village has only 35 inhabitants but over 350 scarecrows, many of which are shockingly lifelike. For years, villager Tsukimi Ayano has been making lifelike scarecrows of deceased villagers and placing them around the village in realistic poses. At a bus stop, for instance, one may see a group of huddled figures seated on a bench. In the abandoned schoolhouse, a roomful of children. Additionally, many of the scarecrows are wearing the actual clothes of the people they are meant to represent! Make your own scarecrow at Atkins Market and who knows, maybe you’ll be inspired to make an entire village full of them. Atkins Farms Country Market. 413-253-9528. 1150 West St. Amherst, MA.
Sunday, October, 20 12:30pm – CULTURE STUDIES/POLISH: Have you ever wondered how parks get their names? Take Pulaski Park in Northampton. Did you know it’s named after General Casimir Pulaski, an American Revolution hero, and Father of the American Cavalry? Every year the Polish Heritage Committee of Northampton celebrates General Casimir and Polish heritage with their annual Pulaski Day Parade. Join in as a volunteer or march in Polish costume or colors. The Parade begins at 12:30pm, followed by programs at Pulaski Park. Pulaski Park. 413-587-4900. 240 Main St, Northampton, MA.
Sunday, October, 20 2pm – PERFORMANCE ART/GLOW-IN-THE-DARK: Lightwire Theater: DINO-LIGHT. A famous scientist with magic powers brings a friendly dinosaur to life. When the dinosaur wanders away from home, he discovers a wonderful world full of creatures that light up the darkness and help him find the true meaning of love. Hailed by Rolling Stone as “absolutely incredible, this glow-in-the-dark adventure has been praised for its cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance by audiences all over the world. Family Fest in the lobby starting at 1pm. $15-$35; Youth 17 & Under: $10-$15. Family Pack: $75 (2 adults, 2 youth). @ 1 hour. Appropriate for all ages. 800-999-UMAS. UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. UMass. Amherst, MA.
Sunday, October 20, 3-5pm – DANCE STUDIES/INTERGENERATIONAL: The October Amherst Family Dance! The Amherst Family Dance is fun for all ages – infants through grandparents. Live music from Cedar Stanistreet (fiddle) and Arthur Davis (piano) and Caller Andy Davis. All dances taught by the caller. Bring your own snacks & water bottle. The Common School. 413-256-8989. 521 S Pleasant St. Amherst, MA..
Sunday, October 20, 3-5pm – IMMIGRATION/SOCIAL JUSTICE: Immigrant Stories of Challenge and Success in U.S. Culture. In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to learn about some of the challenges immigrants face integrating into US culture. For some workshop participants, this may be the first time they hear directly about what life is like for immigrants who come to this country. Come with questions, and be ready to share, and to engage in deep listening. The workshop will also cover ways for people to be active and involved in immigration issues and support. A free class, but registration is required. Hosted by Sojourner Truth School for Social Change at The Churches at Island Pond (Bethesda Lutheran Church). 455 Island Pond Road. Springfield, MA.
Sunday, October 20, 4:30: SURREALISM/EXPERIENTIAL THEATER: Folklorists have argued that the medieval British custom of the Lord of Misrule dates back to ancient Rome, where the Saturnalia, or Winter Solstice, involved choosing a man to rule as king for thirty days. At the end of the thirty days, on the Solstice eve, the man would be sacrificed upon an altar to Saturn, the Roman god of renewal, wealth, and fertility. Anthropologist James Frazer demonstrated that these rituals, which persisted throughout Europe until the so-called Enlightenment in the 16th and 17th centuries, symbolically celebrated the passing of the seasons, the transition from darkness into light, and from death into life. The trope of the sacrificial king globally appears in folklore and is generally linked to agriculture and the concept of the sacrifice of the individual for the good of the community. While more recent customs around the Lord of Misrule seem not to have included the element of ritual death, the figure eventually evolved into mummery shows, in which community members dressed in costumes, took on the roles of gods and heroes, and enacted myths and legends. Many of these shows continue to revolve around a murder, in this case symbolic, to mark the passage of the seasons and other transitions. Evoking the mummery show aesthetics and earth-based spiritual philosophy, the Royal Frog Ballet’s Surrealist Cabaret leads audiences on an enchanted dream journey through the field and wood, conjuring images of death and rebirth, land and spirit. This is an absolutely one of a kind show, and it is not to be missed. You will remember this experience for the rest of your life. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21
Monday, October 21, 10-11am – HEALTH/QI GONG: Qi Gong literally translates to “life energy cultivation.” This unique practice resembles tai chi, in its mixture of relaxed, slow moving poses, breath work. Qi Gong can be seen as a form of meditation, self healing, even self defense. Originating in ancient Chinese daoist exercises, Qi Gong is now practiced by millions in China and around the world and is the subject of numerous medical research trials, investigating the impact of Qi Gong on pain, hypertension, even cancer. Practitioners of all levels are invited to attend this weekly community practice of Qi Gong. Sunderland Public Library. 20 School Street, Sunderland, MA.
Monday, October 21, 12:30-2pm – NATURAL HISTORY/DINOSAURS: Following Lightwire Theater’s production of Dino-Light at 10am at UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, a special education day for Dino-Light attendees will take place at the Amherst College Beneski Museum of Natural History. Student docents will be on hand to guide homeschool visitors on tours and answer questions. Located just off College Street with free parking in close by lots, the Beneski Museum is one of New England’s largest natural history museums. It has three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. For information about the museum visits and parking, please email Fred Venne at avenne@amherst.edu. So see the Dino-Light performance at the Fine Arts Center, have lunch on campus or at one of the many establishments in downtown Amherst, and then enjoy your special Beneski Museum visit between 12:30 and 2 p.m. For information or tickets to the Monday, October 21, Dino-Light performance at UMass Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at 10 a.m. please call the Global Arts office at 413-545-2116 or to learn more about Dino-Light. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22
Tuesday, October 22, 6:30pm & 7:30pm – MUSEUM ADVENTURES/NIGHT TOUR: Darkened Hallways: A Nighttime Tour of Wistariahurst Museum. Wistariahurst’s nighttime candlelit tours of the historic mansion offer a special chance to explore the house at night! Creep through the darkened hallways and rooms of the spooky Skinner Mansion. Explore the home by candlelight and feel the energy of those who lived here and those who worked here. Learn about the Skinner family, how the house came to Holyoke, and how silk, wisteria, and antique musical instruments transformed the building. Listen to stories of happenings in this house sure to make you shudder. This evening tour is a rare opportunity for a guided tour at night. Reservation is strongly encouraged. Inquire about age appropriateness for younger children. Wistariahurst Museum. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot St, Holyoke, MA.
Tuesday, October 22, 6:30-8pm – HEALTH CARE/DIGESTION: Real Solutions to Heal your Gut. Are you finding your food sensitivities annoying to deal with, especially with foods you want to eat? Are you struggling to figure out what to eat or what to cook? Do you end up regretting what you ate? Address the healing of the gut lining, cooling down inflammation, and understanding your food reactions. In this talk, you will learn about herbs and foods to heal your gut lining; what to do when you have a gut flare-up; and how the 9 step Gut Healing protocol could be right for you to address your digestive issues. Dr. Nitya Jessica Eisenheim, ND is a Naturopathic physician who has had the opportunity to treat hundreds of patients in all stages of Lyme disease. Pre-registration required. Best for self-directed teens and lifelong learners. River Valley Co-Op. 413-584-2665. 330 N King St, Northampton, MA.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23
Wednesday, October 23, Dawn-Dusk – SCULPTURE/AGRICULTURE: Park Hill Orchard in Easthampton is home of “Art in the Orchard,” a biennal orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family from dawn to dusk any day of the week. Bringing “Culture into Horticulutre,” the orchard features the work of dozens of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
Wednesday, October 23, 5:30-6:30pm – GEOMETRY/ORIGAMI: Origami class at the library. Takes place on the 2nd & 4th Wednesday of every month. All materials are included. Call to register. Holyoke Public Library. 413-420-8101. 250 Chestnut Street. Holyoke, MA.
Wednesday, October 23, 6:30pm & 7:30pm –MUSEUM ADVENTURES/NIGHT TOUR: Darkened Hallways: A Nighttime Tour of Wistariahurst Museum. Wistariahurst’s nighttime candlelit tours of the historic mansion offer a special chance to explore the house at night! Creep through the darkened hallways and rooms of the spooky Skinner Mansion. Explore the home by candlelight and feel the energy of those who lived here and those who worked here. Learn about the Skinner family, how the house came to Holyoke, and how silk, wisteria, and antique musical instruments transformed the building. Listen to stories of happenings in this house sure to make you shudder. This evening tour is a rare opportunity for a guided tour at night. Reservation is strongly encouraged. Inquire about age appropriateness for younger children. Wistariahurst Museum. 413-322-5660. 238 Cabot St, Holyoke, MA.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24
Thursday, October 24, 6pm – TRIVIA/FUNDRAISER: Did you know that Joshua Abraham Norton, a homeless, failed businessman, declared himself to be Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico in San Francisco in 1859? Emperor Norton I marched through the streets of San Francisco wearing his imperial regalia, which included a hat made out of a beaver, inspecting the city’s infrastructure, and making disparaging comments on the appearance of local police officers. He also printed and circulated his own currency, which was accepted at select businesses. Frustrated by the corruption and incompetence of the US government, the Emperor abolished the Congress and ordered the US military to disperse it by force. These orders were not followed. He likewise issued pronouncements abolishing both the Democratic and Republican parties and forbidding any conflict between different religions. Perhaps most notably, the Emperor called for the creation of an international governing body, predating the establishment of the League of Nations by some sixty years. Norton was beloved by the people of San Francisco. When he was arrested for vagrancy, the police were forced to release him following massive public outcry. And when the Emperor was laid to rest in 1880, a public fund was established to pay for his funeral, even though he had no more than a few dollars to his name. More than 10,000 people attended his funeral. If you love obscure bits of information, you won’t want to miss the Annual Trivia Bee! Watch youth and adult teams battle it out and test your knowledge in the audience round. Donations benefit the Amherst Education Foundation. Amherst Regional Middle School Auditorium. 17 Chestnut Street. Amherst, MA.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25
Friday, October 25, 7-7:30pm – HALLOWEEN/ANNUAL PARADE: Everyone loves a parade! Come on out for the annual Pittsfield Halloween Parade. Celebrate the spookiest time of the year and the Pittsfield community, with local schools and community groups participating. These annual celebrations that utilized third spaces like Main Streets and town commons are the types of events that bring us together and create shared traditions, which contribute to our sense of place. Hosted by Pittsfield Parks Recreation. Tyler Street, Pittsfield, MA.
Friday, October 25, 7-8:30pm –LOCAL HISTORY/STONE WALLS: Stone Walls of New England. Stone walls, fascinating in their own right, provide clues to past land uses. This presentation will go over who built stone walls, why they were built, and how they were used. There will be a discussion on how to recognize the many different kinds of stone walls and their different functions in the lives of New Englanders. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Bernardston, Chester, Heath, Montgomery, Pelham, Rowe, South Hadley, Amherst, Hatfield, Russell, Shutesbury, and Springfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
