Weekly Suggested Events for June 12-18, 2021

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Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking curriculum ideas and online opportunities for learning at home? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support your interests and the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and events for all ages, each week!

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking curriculum ideas and online opportunities for learning at home? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support your interests and the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and events for all ages, each week!

Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support self-directed learning. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!

COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

LITERACY: Berkshire Athenaeum. 1 Wendell Ave, Pittsfield, MA.

ART STUDIES: Chesterwood. 413-298-3579. 4 Williamsville Rd, Stockbridge, MA.

CREATIVE FREE-PLAY: Energy Park. 50 Miles St, Greenfield, MA.

ANIMAL STUDIES: The Zoo in Forest Park & Education Center. 413-733-2251. 293 Sumner Ave. Springfield, MA.

BOTANY: Bridge of Flowers. 22 Water St, Shelburne Falls, MA.

CREATIVE ARTS: The LAVA Center. 413-376-8118. 324 Main St, Greenfield, MA.

Graphic for 2021 Summer Camp Directory
FEATURED EVENT: First Day of Summer In downtown Amherst!

Amherst Downtown invites families to celebrate the first day of summer in downtown Amherst on June 20 while supporting local small businesses! Every $20 spent at a participating local business between now and the first day of summer will receive a green ticket. Save up tickets & bring them to a live drawing on the Common at 12noon on June 20 for a chance to win cash prizes! This will be a festive event with horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, and giant puppets parading through the Common. Remember, every $20 spent at a participating downtown business through June 20 is worth one green ticket. Spend $40 and receive two green tickets. A $100 is worth five tickets. And so on. Save your tickets & see you in downtown Amherst on June 20!

The Campus School in Northampton, MA, is pleased to announce that due to a growth in enrollment, they will be adding a second kindergarten class for the 2021-22 school year.
FEATURED SUMMER CLASSES WITH WHOLE CHILDREN: July 6-August 21, 2021

Whole Children is pleased to offer a Virtual & In Person Summer Program for school age kids. The 7-week program will be offered Monday through Saturday, July 6-August 21. We are excited to offer a full roster of virtual classes and a selection of in person classes, including photography, theater, Joyful Chorus, Friendship Band and more! Price: $150 for 7 weeks of unlimited classes! https://bit.ly/3fOLWXd or call 413-585-8010. Whole Selves is also offering two clinics this summer, including a focus on Puberty and Social Media. Price: $350 for non-Whole Children members or $100 for current registered Whole Children members. Register here: https://bit.ly/3paygtO 

FEATURED EVENT
11th Annual Will Bike 4 Food

Ride & Seek Community Challenge on June 26!

The 11th Annual Will Bike 4 Food brings us safely back together on Sept 26, along with a new way to participate in the months leading up to this fun & meaningful cycling event. Help raise funds for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts to support our neighbors in need for Hunger Action Month. To get an early start, on June 26, join the Ride & Seek Community Challenge, which will direct you to local businesses along bikeable trails & roads in pursuit of a chance to win prizes. Visit www.WillBike4Food.org for more details, register as an individual/team, or sign-up to volunteer. Proceeds go to The Food Bank to provide healthy & nutritious meals to families & individuals facing hunger. For inquiries, email Cheyenne: cheyenneb@foodbankwma.org

FEATURED OPPORTUNITY
Hilltown Sleddogs
West Chesterfield, MA

www.hilltownsleddogs.com
hilltownsleddogs@gmail.com
413-296-0187

Hilltown Sleddogs is home to a team of 16 Alaskan Husky Sled Dogs here in Western MA. The past 2 winters, the team was in Alaska doing the Serum Run Expedition 2020 & Summit Quest Race 2021. Musher, Marla BB has many stories to share. (Stay tuned for a children’s book about it all!) Summer Sled Dog Camps are full except for the last week in August. Each child gets their own sled dog & each dog gets their own kid for the week! Dog Yard Tours & Hikes with a Husky family-friendly fun is available on weekends all summer long. Rig Rides & Dog Yard Tours new this Fall is for all ages. Hilltown Sleddogs can teach classes on Cani-Cross, Bikejor, & Scooter with a clients’ dog. Birthday parties, festivals & educational demonstrations are offered too.

FEATURED SUMMER CAMP
Edge Soccer Academy Summer Camp
Holyoke & Wilbraham, MA

Outdoors.

Dates: Jun 28-Jul 2 & Jul 24-30, 2021
Age Range: 5-15yo
Contact: kevon.isa@aic.eduwww.edgesocceracademyinc.com

Edge Soccer Academy Summer Camp 1 June 28th – July 2nd, 2021 Full Day Option (8-15 yr olds): Monday-Thursday: 9am-4pm; Friday, 9am-12pm $250 Half Day Option (5-8 yr olds): Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm $150 Location: Roberts Field (Holyoke High School Turf Field) 500 Beech Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 Edge Soccer Academy Summer Camp 2 July 26th – 30th, 2021 Full Day Option (8-15 yr olds): Monday-Thursday: 9am-4pm; Friday, 9am-12pm $250 Half Day Option (5-8 yr olds): Monday-Friday, 9am-12pm $150 Location: Spec Pond (Wilbraham, MA) 45C Post Office Park, Wilbraham, MA 01095

Partner with HIlltown Families!

SEE YOUR AD HERE

Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 25,000 subscribers, web visitors, and social media followers, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of readers in Western MA who are committed to their community and willing to support one another in times of need. In-person and virtual event organizers, local and online businesses, virtual and local service providers, non-profit organizations, and individuals are encouraged to reach out to find out about our affordable advertising options and marketing packages. To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact Sienna at swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org.

Class Directory

Class Directory

Discover virtual & adapted programming in our Class Directory for Western MA

Preschool & Daycare Directory

Preschool Directory

Discover local options in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA

List of Weekly Suggested Events

SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
The Campus School in Northampton, MA, is pleased to announce that due to a growth in enrollment, they will be adding a second kindergarten class for the 2021-22 school year.

HIKING. Sunrise-Dusk. The Wahconah Falls Brook flows over several smaller falls before ending in the 40-foot Wahconah Falls. The cascade is scenic any time of year but is especially impressive during the spring runoff. Visitors can also relax, picnic, or fish in the shade of the northern hardwood forest. Hike their half-mile loop along the upper falls. Dogs welcomed. 413-442-8992. North Street, Dalton, MA. 

SENSORY-FRIENDLY. 9-11am. The Springfield Museums offers Sensory Friendly Saturdays, the second Saturday of each month. Sensory Friendly Saturdays provide less noise, less bright light, and cool-down spaces for those who have sensory sensitivity. Sensory-friendly crafts for all ages will be available too. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA. 

ART STUDIESTake a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.) 

FIBER ARTS. 9am-12pm. It’s World Wide Knit in Public Day! Join other seasoned and new knitters outside of WEBS, spending the morning knitting together. Learn, connect, and share over the clatter of knitting needles and laughter! WEBS – America’s Yarn Store. 800-367-9327. 75 Service Center Rd, Northampton, MA. 

FARMERS’ MARKET. 9am-1pm. There are so many lessons to be learned and information to share at a farmers’ market. Every Saturday is the Pittsfield market, the first teen-run market in the region. Get curious (and hungry) and bring the kids! Pittsfield Farmers’ Market. First Street Common. Pittsfield, MA. 

FUNDRAISER/SUSTAINABILITY. 9am-1pm. Today, the Northampton Parents’ Center annual tag sale is held on the front lawn of the Unitarian Society on Main Street. Northampton, MA. 

FUNDRAISER/LITERACY. 9am-1pm. Book and Plant Sale for the Grace Hall Memorial Library. 1 Pitcher Street, Montgomery MA. 

ART STUDIES. 10am-5pm. Inspired by the exhibition On the Move with Eric Carle, create a transportation network and explore paper in three dimensions The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.  

ART STUDIES/STORYTELLING. 10am-5pm. Opening Weekend for the exhibit, “Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration.” Fictional worlds of magic and adventure come to life through fantasy illustration. Myths, legends, fables, romance, and epic battles involving swords and sorcery occur in a world unfamiliar to us. Unlike science fiction, which is based on fact, fantasy presents an imaginative reality built on universal themes—heroes defeating fire-breathing dragons, angels and demons engaging in combat, and mythological tales of love and loss. See the exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum, now through Oct. 31, 2021. Glendale Rd, Route 183, Stockbridge, MA. 

INTERGENERATIONAL. 10am. Join the Meekins Library to play board games on their patio. Game players of all ages (3 – 103) are welcome. If you prefer to stay remote, or the weather is terrible, contact Naomi at kmit@cwmars.org for the links to join online. Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA. 

BOTANY. 10am-12pm.  Boreal Spruce-Fir Forest, flower, plant, tree, and wild edibles hike at Tamarack Hollow Nature & Cultural Center. Learn about the unique fauna and flora of high elevation fields and forests. aimee@gaiaroots.com. 1515 Savoy Hollow Rd, Windsor, MA. 

PERFORMANCE ART/COMEDY. 10am. Young at Heart: Roger the Jester at Dewey Memorial Hall. 413-229-2357. 91 Main Street, Sheffield, MA. 

FIBER ARTS/PLACEMAKING. 10am-12pm. Worldwide Knit in Public Day at the Tilton Library. Join this social knitting idea, started in 2005, that has spread worldwide (57 countries in 2016)! The mission is: “Better living through stitching together!” Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA. 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT/PLACEMAKING. 10:30am. Getting vehicles in and out of Springfield versus a walkable “live, work, play” downtown — learn about Complete Streets, Shared Streets, Pedestrian Safety Countermeasures, and other initiatives that are changing Springfield’s streets. Learn more with the Springfield Preservation Trust at the Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA. 

NATURE JOURNALING. 12pm. Nature Journaling Workshop: Galls, Small Homes for Tiny Creatures. What are those odd lumps and bumps on plants? Find out by following along with a naturalist to create journal pages focused on galls and the creatures within. All levels welcome from beginner to advanced. There’s always room to learn as long as you have curiosity and interest!. (Virtual) 

FIBER ARTS. 12:30-4:30pm. Needle Felted Landscape. Make a painterly needle felted landscape. Participants will learn how transfer an image from a photograph, blend wool colors, and techniques to achieve certain effects. Takes place at Wool-ology. 413-350-5158. 242A Greenfield Rd. South Deerfield, MA. 

NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 2pm. A Taste of Latin American Heritage (Bilingual) with the Culinary Literacy Center. This class features recipes that blend food traditions of four cultures: the indigenous people (Aztecs, Incas, Mayans, and other Native Americans), continental Africans, the Spanish, and Portuguese. (Virtual) 

NATURE-BASED LEARNING/MINDFULNESS. 2-3pm. Drawing from Nature is a three-week drawing class for kids ages 8-12. Drawing offers us an opportunity to connect with the world around us. In this three-week series of outdoor classes, participants will use their powers of observation to look more closely and describe, through drawing, what they see. With warm-ups, guided practices, and basic drawing tools, they will learn techniques using line, shape, value (dark and light), texture, and pattern that they can take with them to continue to develop their drawing and observation skills. This 3-week course takes place on Saturday, May 29, June 5, and June 12 for kids ages 8-12. Registration is required, and class size is limited. Register by emailing leverett@cwmars.org. Leverett Library. 413-548-9220. 75 Montague Rd, Leverett, MA. 

PLACEMAKING. 3pm. Fresh Paint Block and Paint Party. Mason Square Branch Library. 413-263-6853. 765 State St, Springfield, MA. 

PASTRY ARTS. 7:30pm. Learn to make Kuih Seri Muka with Tradition Kitchens. Kuih Seri Muka is a sweet Malaysian dessert made from a layer of glutinous coconut rice and topped with a layer of gelatinous coconut custard flavored with Pandan leaves. (Virtual)

Naturally Curious : A Photographic Field Guide and Month-By-Month Journey Through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England

SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
Graphic for 2021 Summer Camp Directory

HIKING. 9am-4pm. The 3,000-acre Mount Holyoke Range State Park features a 7-mile mountain ridge line. The park also includes streams, wetlands, woods, and thickets. Visitors can explore more than 30 miles of blazed trails. 413-253-2883. 1500 West St., Amherst, MA.

ART STUDIESTake a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 10:30-11:15am, 11:30am-12:15pm, & 1-1:45pm.  Guided Garden Tours at Naumkeag. Mabel Choate inherited Naumkeag in 1929, and for the next 30 years, worked with landscape architect Fletcher Steele to create the magnificent gardens for which Naumkeag is now known, including the world-famous Blue Steps. The story of Naumkeag and its spectacular gardens come to life as you stroll the grounds on a 45-minute guided tour with one of our veteran tour guides. Naumkeag. 413-298-3239. 5 Prospect Hill Rd, Stockbridge, MA.

FUNDRAISER/LITERACY. 10am-3pm. M. N. Spear Memorial Library tag sale to benefit the Friends of the Library. Shop a huge selection of donated goods, books, toys, tools, household items, clothing, and more! M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 413-259-1213. 10 Cooleyville Rd, Shutesbury, MA.

ART STUDIES. 12-5pm. Inspired by the exhibition On the Move with Eric Carle, create a transportation network and explore paper in three dimensions. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.

AGRICULTURE. 2-3pm. Learn the basis and importance of grapes and grape growing that make great wine! Tour a working vineyard and learn how grapes hold a sense of place. Black Birch Vineyard. 413-247-3300. 108 Straits Rd, North Hatfield, MA.

ART STUDIES. 2pm. Color & Sound at the Becket Arts Center. Come learn how to paint with watercolors using European landscapes as inspiration. We will explore and create color-mixing, line, shape, dimension, and depth. Becket Arts Center. 413-623-6635. 7 Brooker Hill Rd, Becket, MA.

OUTDOOR CONCERT. 3:30pm. Music outdoors under the tent, where families can dine and listen at a safely-distanced table in the dining terrace at the corner of Housatonic and Church streets. Lenox, MA.

NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY. 3:30pm. Taste of Egypt. Join Cultured Kids Cuisine for a live cooking class where you will how to cook the Egyptian staple, Tamiyaby. Cultured Kids Cuisine is a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate children about culture through food and cooking (Virtual) 

MEDICINE HISTORY. 7:30pm. The Early History of Vaccination: A Guided Tour of Dr. Jenner’s House. Dr. Jenner’s House is the former home of vaccine pioneer Edward Jenner, the place from which he encouraged the world to practice vaccination against smallpox. This disease has now been eradicated. Take a virtual tour of the house and its exhibitions, showing how this first vaccination changed the world. (Virtual)

Natural History: The Ultimate Visual Guide to Everything on Earth

MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MAWilliamsburg & Ware, MA.

GEOLOGY. 9am-8pm. With many hiking trails and breathtaking views of the Connecticut River Valley, take a self-guided geology walking tour at Skinner State Park. 413-586-0350. 10 Skinner State Park Road, Hadley, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 10am. Pick-up playgroup at Stanley Park’s sandbox area. Make not only sandcastles but also new friends at this weekly self-directed playgroup. Stanley Park. 413-568-9312. 400 Western Ave, Westfield, MA. 

LIBRARY CELEBRATION. 10am. Tails and Tales Summer Reading Program begins at the Adams Free Library! Sign up to keep track of your reading, win badges and brag tags, and collect raffle tickets to win great prizes at the end of the summer! Paper reading logs will also be available at the library. Adams Free Library. 413-743-8345. 92 Park Street, Adams, MA. 

LIBRARY CELEBRATION. Discover Your Summer Kickoff at the Springfield Central Library. 413-263-6828. 220 State Street. Springfield MA. 

PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Outdoor Story Time at the South Hadley Public Library. 413-538-5045. 2 Canal St, South Hadley, MA. 

LIBRARY CELEBRATION. 11am. Summer Program Sign-ups at the Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA. 

FOOD HISTORY. 7-8:15pm. The History of Ice Cream! I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! From satisfying the sweet tooth of our first Commander in Chief to its role during Prohibition, ice cream and America go hand-in-cone — especially when it comes to New York. Are you ready for the inside scoop on one of America’s favorite desserts and how it took the country — and New York City — for a churn? Join the Sharon Historical Society as they explore New York’s extensive role in the history of ice cream and how this sweet treat evolved from a delicacy for the wealthy in colonial America into a staple of American culture. (Virtual) 

SPORTS/PHYSICS. 7:30-9pm. Join SheJumps for a free online event discussing everything you need to know about getting started in the activity of skateboarding, a great sport based on the laws of physics! (Virtual)

Salamander Dance by David FitzSimmons

TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021
Logo for Oak Meadow, K-12 curriculum and distance learning. oakmaedow.com

BIKE RIDING. Sunrise-Sunset. Ride down the Norwottuck Rail Trail and enjoy the scenic views along the way. Level paths allow you to enjoy the trail no matter your abilities. The trail is also open to walking and rollerblading. 413-586-8706 x3. 446 Damon Rd., Northampton, MA. 

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MAGranby & Ware, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 10am. Russell Playground. Chesterfield, MA.  

CULINARY ARTS. 10am. What’s Cooking Cookbook Club with the Springfield City Library (Virtual) 

PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org (Virtual) 

LIBRARY CELEBRATION. 10:30am. Summer Reading Drive-Though Sign Up at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA. 

PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Outdoor Rhyme Time at the South Hadley Public Library. 413-538-5045. 2 Canal St, South Hadley, MA. 

LIBRARY CELEBRATION. 12:30pm. Hula Hoops and Ice Cream at the Dickinson Memorial Library. 413-498-2455. 115 Main Street. Northfield, MA. 

FARMERS’ MARKET. 1:30-6:30pm. Northampton Tuesday Market is a vibrant downtown market with the best in local fruits and vegetables, local prepared foods, and the occasional local craft. Entertainment most weeks. Northampton Tuesday Farmers’ Market. 413-320-4799. 1 Kirkland Ave, Northampton, MA. 

ART STUDIES/ANIME. 3pm. Outdoor Anime Club at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA. 

ARTS & CRAFTS. 4:30pm. Enchanted Crafternoon: Make a Fairy or Gnome Craft with the Agawam Family and Community Program. School Street Park. Agawam, MA.

TEENS. 6:30pm. Escape Room: Escape from the Mythical Monster Menagerie with the Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual) 

FOOD STUDIES. 7pm. Growing & Cooking Edible Flowers with UF/IFAS Extension gardening and nutrition experts. Learn which flowers are edible, how to grow them, and how you can use them in your cooking. (Virtual) 

FOOD SCIENCE. 7:30pm. Learn how to make homemade ice cream with Tradition Kitchens. (Virtual) 

FOOD SCIENCE. 7-9pm. You are probably familiar with the four basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, and bitter, but there is a fifth, more mysterious, and more complex taste to define… umami! In this class, “Exploring the Fifth Taste: Umami,” learn several recipes using ingredients that are rich with umami. (Virtual) 

EDUCATION. 8pm. Author Talk: Education: Learning Inspired by Mister Rogers with Authors Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewsk (Virtual)

The Science of Good Cooking: Master 50 Simple Concepts to Enjoy a Lifetime of Success in the Kitchen

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021
The Campus School in Northampton, MA, is pleased to announce that due to a growth in enrollment, they will be adding a second kindergarten class for the 2021-22 school year.

HIKING. 9am-Sunset. The summit of Mt. Sugarloaf offers amazing views of the Connecticut River Valley. The park is great for picnics, hiking, and mountain biking. 413-665-2928. 300 Sugarloaf St., South Deerfield, MA.

WATER PLAY. 10am-6pm. Water spray park at Look Park! Cool off in their 5000+ square foot Spray Park complete with ground jets, bucket dumps, water umbrellas, and more. Changing areas and lockers are available. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA.

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MABelchertown, Easthampton, Southampton, Amherst, MA.

PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington 

ART STUDIES. 10am. Let’s Paint a Field of Flowers: Art Workshop. Imagine walking along a lovely farm road, and in front of you is a field full of bright, beautiful flowers, blowing gently in the warm summer breeze. Your senses are engaged! Colors, smells, the quietness of each flower. In this workshop, be guided in painting a field of flowers to capture a sense of place through color. (Virtual) 

PLAYGROUP. 10:30am. At the Conant Park Playground Pavilion. Southampton, MA 

PLAYGROUP. 2-4pm. Pick-up playgroup at Peskeumskut Park. Grab a treat from the farmers’ market happening simultaneously and share with new friends at the playground. Peskeomskut Park. Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA

PreK LITERACY. 4pm. Cushman Library Story Hour with the Cushman Library (Virtual) 

FOOD STUDIES. 6pm. Cultures in Culture: Kombucha and Tapai with the Culinary Literacy Center. This class puts two chefs in dialogue about the fermentation process and its cultural significance in their respective culinary traditions. Participants will learn the history and science behind fermentation through demonstration, preparation, and conversation facilitated by a microbiologist. Learn how to make kombucha and tapai and how the ancient process of fermentation is practiced and enjoyed in Siberian and Malaysian cultures. (Virtual)

What It’s Like to Be a Bird

THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021

HIKING/SWIMMING. Sunrise-Sunset. Located deep in the rolling hills of the Berkshires, Windsor State Forest is known for its beauty. Visitors can experience the cascading waterfall at Windsor Jambs, and the Windsor Jambs Brook winds through a wide gorge with 80-foot granite walls. Enjoy hiking and swimming, and bring a picnic to enjoy along with scenic views. Dogs welcomed. 413-339-5504. River Road, Windsor, MA. 

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MAHatfield & South Hadley, MA.

PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual) 

ART STUDIES. 10am-4pm. Inspired by the exhibition On the Move with Eric Carle, create a transportation network and explore paper in three dimensions. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA. 

ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA. 

ART STUDIES. 12pm. Modernist artist, innovative printmaker, talented horticulturalist, ambitious garden designer, and committed conservationist Nikolai Astrup (1880–1928) devoted his career to celebrating a relatively remote region of Western Norway. Enthralled by the majesty of its mountainous landscape, its lush vegetation, its folk, and mythic traditions, and its distinct atmosphere, seasons, and light, Astrup drew upon childhood memory, acute observation of nature, and European modernisms to forge his own visual language that spoke to a sense of Norwegian identity. This opening lecture for the exhibition Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway at The Clark, introduces Nikolai Astrup, his art, horticultural exploits, and his commitment to environmental issues. (Virtual) 

THEATER STUDIES. 3pm. Title and Deed with Chester Theatre Company at Hancock Shaker Village. 413-443-0188. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA. 

HEALTH & WELLNESS. 4pm. Join the Adams Free Library to learn how to make sunburn gel and tick repellent. (Virtual) 

LAWN CONCERT. 6-8pm. The Franklin County Musicians’ Cooperative hosts weekly outdoor concerts. Pack a picnic and bring the kids! Energy Park. 50 Miles St, Greenfield, MA. 

CULINARY ARTS. 7pm. Learn to make a classic Haitian dish, Pain Patate, a Haitian Sweet Potato Bread Pudding. (Virtual)  

LAWN CONCERT. 7pm. West Springfield Summer Concert Series. Bring blankets or folding chairs to relax or move and groove whenever the mood strikes. Morgan Road Pavilion. 413-781-3020. 459 Morgan Road, West Springfield, MA. 

BIOLOGY/ASTRONOMY. 7pm. Learn about astrobiology with the Royal Astronomical Society during this online science cafe. This informal talk will cover many topics, including: a review of astrobiology; life in the universe; and space microbiology. (Virtual)

What is a River?

FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021
“Go Green!” Wondering how you can play a role in addressing climate change? Curious about how to smoothly transition yourself and your family into new habits? Cooler Communities provides a free virtual platform for like-minded people to share ideas and accomplishments.

SWIMMING/HIKING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mohawk Trail State Forest is one of the most scenic woodland areas in Massachusetts. It covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods, and it is home to a variety of plant and animal life. 413-339-5504. Cold River Road, Charlemont, MA. 

NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 9:30am-5pm. Home School Days at Old Sturbridge Village. Families can explore the Village and participate in activities. From games to woodworking to nature exploration, this is a great opportunity for kids to gain exposure to many aspects of 1830s New England life in an interactive way. Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA. 

PLAYGROUP. 10am.  Pick-up playgroup at the Dow Pavillion playground. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Look Memorial Park. 413-584-5457. 300 N Main St, Florence, MA. 

ART STUDIES. 10am-4pm. Inspired by the exhibition On the Move with Eric Carle, create a transportation network and explore paper in three dimensions. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA. 

PreK LITERACY. 10am. Virtual Story Hour with Greenfield Public Library (Email for Zoom link) librarian@greenfieldpubliclibrary.org 

PreK LITERACY. 10am. Sunshine Storytimes at the Springfield Central Library. 413-263-6828. 220 State Street. Springfield MA. 

PreK LITERACY. 10:30am. Storytime with the Lenox Library (Virtual) 

PreK MUSIC GROUP. 11am. Sing & Play with Jeannie outside of the Great Barrington Library. Bring instruments and be ready to sing. Mason Public Library. 413-528-2403. 231 Main St, Great Barrington, MA. 

MOVEMENT. 11am. Hoop dance is the fusion of dance, exercise, creative movement, and play. In in to “Dancin’ with Hoops” at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA. 

PARENTING CLASS. 11am. Infant and Toddler First Aid for Parents and Caregivers with the Northampton Parents Center (Virtual)  

PICNIC PLAYGROUP. 11am-1pm. Pick-up picnic playgroup at Childs Park (Prospect Street side). Pack a basket lunch and picnic blankets, and head to the park to round off the week with outdoor time with family and new friends. Childs Park. 413-584-1991. 71 N Elm St, Northampton, MA.

GARDENING. 12pm. Gardening Workshops with the Springfield City Library. This review of standard gardening techniques, including weeding without harming the soil; vegetable pruning; companion planting techniques, and planting to deter pests, helping gardeners get started with the basics. (Virtual) 

COMMUNITY CELEBRATION. 7pm. 33 Outside. The Northampton Center for the Arts invites families to come dance the pandemic blues away at this community dance party in 33 Hawley’s new outdoor courtyard featuring local DJs. Northampton Center for the Arts. 413-584-7327. 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA. 

THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. Title and Deed with Chester Theatre Company at Hancock Shaker Village. 413-443-0188. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA.

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Online and in-person events and resources shared above are done so as a courtesy and not as an endorsement. While we do our best to share accurate and up-to-date information, please take the time to confirm information, age appropriateness, registration requirements, safety protocols, and associated costs.

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Hilltown Families’ list of Suggested Events is supported in part by grants from the Agawam, Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont/Hawley, Chester, Chesterfield, Chicopee, Colrain, Dalton, Deerfield, Easthampton, Gill, Goshen, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Tyringham, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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