Weekly Suggested Events for June 12-18, 2021

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!
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
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.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities


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!

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

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

Dates: Jun 28-Jul 2 & Jul 24-30, 2021
Age Range: 5-15yo
Contact: kevon.isa@aic.edu ♦ www.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

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List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021

ART STUDIES. Take a self-guided tour of outdoor public art The Clark Art Institute, MASS MoCA, and WCMA (Northern Berkshire Cty.)
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.
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.
PLACEMAKING. 3pm. Fresh Paint Block and Paint Party. Mason Square Branch Library. 413-263-6853. 765 State St, Springfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
FIBER ARTS
Sat., Jun 12 @ 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)! Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street.
South Deerfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
WORLD CUISINE
SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021

ART STUDIES. Take 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.
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)
Self-Directed Learning:
NUTRITIONAL ANTHROPOLOGY
Sun., Jun 13 @ 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)
Self-Directed Learning:
MEDICINE HISTORY
MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA. Williamsburg & Ware, 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.
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)
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY
Mon., Jun 14 @ 7-8:15pm. The History of Ice Cream! Are you ready for the inside scoop on one of America’s favorite desserts? Join the Sharon Historical Society as they explore the history of ice cream. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS/SPORTS
Mon., Jun 14 @ 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)
TUESDAY, JUNE 15, 2021

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 MA. Granby & 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 SCIENCE. 7:30pm. Learn how to make homemade ice cream with Tradition Kitchens. (Virtual)
EDUCATION. 8pm. Author Talk: Education: Learning Inspired by Mister Rogers with Authors Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewsk (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD SCIENCE
Tues., Jun 15 @ 7:30pm. Learn how to make homemade ice cream with Tradition Kitchens. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD SCIENCE
Tues., Jun 15 @ 7-9pm.“Exploring the Fifth Taste: Umami,” learn several recipes using ingredients that are rich with umami. (Virtual)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 2021

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA. Belchertown, Easthampton, Southampton, Amherst, MA.
PLAYGROUP. 9:30-11:30am. Preschool Play Program in Great Barrington
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)
Self-Directed Learning:
ART STUDIES
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD STUDIES
Wed., Jun 16 @ 6pm. Kombucha and Tapai with the Culinary Literacy Center. Learn about the fermentation process and its cultural significance in their respective culinary traditions, the history and science behind fermentation, and how to make kombucha and tapai, an ancient process of fermentation practiced and enjoyed in Siberian and Malaysian cultures. (Virtual)
THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA. Hatfield & South Hadley, MA.
PreK DEVELOPMENT. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn Weekly Group with Hubbard Memorial Library (Virtual)
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
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)
Self-Directed Learning:
ART STUDIES
Thurs., Jun 17 @ 12pm. Artist, Nikolai Astrup devoted his career to celebrating a remote region of Norway. This lecture for the exhibition Nikolai Astrup: Visions of Norway at The Clark, introduces Astrup, his art, horticultural exploits & commitment to environmental issues. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
ASTRONOMY/BIOLOGY
FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

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.
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.
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.
THEATER STUDIES. 7:30pm. Title and Deed with Chester Theatre Company at Hancock Shaker Village. 413-443-0188. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
LIVING HISTORY
Fri., Jun 18 @ 9:30am-5pm. Families can explore the Village and participate in games to woodworking to nature exploration, gaining exposure to aspects of 1830s New England life. Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
PHYSICS OF MOVEMENT
Fri., Jun 18 @ 11am.
Hoop dance is the fusion of dance, exercise, creative movement, and play.
In to “Dancin’ with Hoops” at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.
Weekly eNewsletter
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.