Weekly Suggested Events for September 18-24, 2021

Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
NATURE-BASED LEARNING – Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-267-9654. 30 Peck Rd, Wales, MA.
AGRICULTURE – Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
GEOLOGY – Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
LITERACY – Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

FEATURED BEGINNER MUSIC CLASSES
Community Music School of Springfield
Springfield, MA

Community Music School of Springfield offers safe, weekly, in-person music classes for your youngest musician! Babies & toddlers and their parents/caregivers will love Little Notes, a class designed for bonding, brain development, fun, and musical connection with others. For your preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten music lover, CMSS offers beginner classes in guitar, piano, Suzuki violin, and bucket drumming. No instruments or experience is required as your child is introduced to the instrument while collaborating and having fun with the others in their small group. Each class is taught by expert musicians committed to helping your little one develop a lifelong love for music and creativity. Enrolling is easy, and payment plans are available.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Music School is enrolling for the fall 2021 semester! Take a private lesson or Community Group Class in-person at BMS’s historic campus or online. Private lessons are offered in any orchestral or band instrument as well as voice & theory. Lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, 60, or 90 minutes each week to meet the needs of the individual student and may begin at any point during the year. Online lessons are conducted via Zoom, FaceTime, or Skype, and students should have access to a computer or iPad with internet connection. BMS’s fun Community Group Classes are offered on a pay-what-you-can basis, with suggested tuition listed for each course. For more information: cpearson@berkshiremusicschool.org; 413-442-1411; www.berkshiremusicschool.org
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA

Bement School LIVE Virtual Tours. Join the admission office for a LIVE virtual campus tour. These LIVE virtual tours will give you the opportunity to learn a bit more about Bement and see their students and faculty. Throughout September and October, they are offering one-hour campus tours and Q&A sessions on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-9:30am. Registration is required. Participants will receive a Zoom invitation. Bement School is accepting applications for fall 2022. Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or to register for one of their virtual tours. The Bement School is a co-ed and boarding school for K-9 in Deerfield, MA. www.bement.org
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Miss Leticia Music School
Amherst, MA

Ukulele, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Rock Band, and Voice in person and online for all ages. Beginning Groups include Beginning I & II Ukulele/Guitar, Bass, Drums, or Voice. Intermediate and advanced groups include Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Drums, Rock Band, and Voice. Adult Guitar, Ukulele, and Rock Band Groups are offered. Teachers include: Miss Leticia (guitar, ukulele, rock band, voice); Rusty Daniels (guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, rock band); Rhys Davies (adult rock band). After school, evening, and weekend classes. For more information: missleticia@missleticia.com; 413-246-7338; missleticia.com.
FEATURED TEEN PROGRAM
Circles for Jewish Living Teen Programs
Northampton, MA

Circles for Jewish Living’s two new monthly teen programs provide a safe space for teens to explore the world they live in and discover who they want to be in that world. Their programs build community, trust, and strong Jewish identity, with resources to stimulate connections between the world teens navigate and leadership that inspires. For more information: cjl.alisonmorse@gmail.com; 413-559-9208; www.circlesforjewishliving.com
FEATURED MUSICAL THEATER CLASSES
The Academy of Music Theatre
Florence & Holyoke, MA

Register now! Youth Fall Classes at the Academy of Music Theatre are open for enrollment. Come sing and dance in musical theater classes for ages 6-8, 9-11, and 13-18.
Classes will be held at Pine Box Studios in Florence and at El Mercado in Holyoke on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings starting October 19th.
For more information, visit www.aomtheatre.com.
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 each week, Hilltown Families can bring your message to thousands of families in Western Massachusetts. Serving the region since 2005, Hilltown Families is an award-winning, online communication network, recognized as a leading family strengthening initiative in the region, promoting “positive parenting through the social norm of community social connectedness.” A trusted partner in your online marketing! To find out how we can partner together in your online marketing and outreach, contact us for info on our affordable options and packages: swildfield@hilltownfamilies.org. Have an event, resource, or opportunity you’re ready to promote? Click HERE to submit your information.

Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 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.
ORNITHOLOGY. 8am. Saturday Morning Bird Walk at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
BOTANY/WILDFLOWERS. 9am. Asters and Goldenrods at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
INVASIVE SPECIES/COMMUNITY SERVICE. 9am. Removal of Water Chestnut from the Lake at the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. 61 N Farms Rd, Northampton, MA.
SUSTAINABILITY/TEXTILES. 9am. Clothing Drive at the M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 413-259-1213. 10 Cooleyville Rd, Shutesbury, MA.
ARTISAN SKILLS/CRAFT FAIR. 10am-4pm. Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair on the lawns of Memorial Hall Museum. 8 Memorial Street, Deerfield, MA.
ANIMAL STUDIES/MIGRATION. 10am. Hawks and Butterflies at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 789 Main St, Hampden, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. Silly Seussian Celebration at the Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
ECOLOGY/HABITAT. 10am. Guided walk through woodlands and habitats. Approximately 3 miles. Best for older students and lifelong learners. Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-267-9654. 30 Peck Rd, Wales, MA.
ECOLOGY/DENDROLOGY. 10am-12pm. Is it a red oak or a white oak, an eastern hemlock or a white pine, a shagbark hickory or a yellow birch? Learn about local trees and shrubs at the Fitzgerald Lake Conservation Area. 61 N Farms Rd, Northampton, MA.
INTERGENERATIONAL/PLAY. 10:30am. Outdoor Games at the Gaylord Memorial Library. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.
STORYTIME. 11am. Outdoor Storytime with Cadence the Dog at the Springfield City Library: Sixteen Acres Branch. 413-263-6858. 1187 Parker St, Springfield, MA.
NEW ENGLAND TRADITIONS/CORN MAZE. 11am-6pm. Corn Maze Opening Day at the The Apple Place. 413-348-9628. 540 Somers Road/Route 83, EastLongmeadow, MA.
ART STUDIES/COLLABORATIVE CONSUMPTION. 12-3pm. Art Materials Swap! North Adams’ first official art supplies + materials exchange! This is a one-day event where fellow artists meet to either give away or sell art materials and equipment that they no longer need. Takes place at the American Legion Post #125. 91 American Legion Drive. North Adams, MA.
FOOD FESTIVAL. 12-6pm. First Annual Springfield Fall Food Festival. 1365 Main St, Springfield, MA.
BENEFIT CONCERT. 1-10pm. One Roof Festival, a benefit concert for the homeless of western Massachusetts featuring Lit, Marcy Playground, The Motels, When In Rome, and more at the Three County Fair. Northampton, MA.
FILM STUDIES/SCI-FI. 2-4pm. The Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema returns with an exciting series of classic sci-fi films – from beloved blockbusters to cult classics. In September, don’t miss Back to the Future (1985). Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ANIMAL STUDIES/MIGRATION
Sat., Sept. 18 @ 10am. Hawks and Butterflies at Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 789 Main St, Hampden, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
BOTANY/WILDFLOWERS
Sat., Sept. 18 @ 9am. Asters and Goldenrods at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2021
MECHANICS. 9am. 5th Annual Tractor Show at Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
LOCAL FOOD. 10am–2pm. Easthampton Farmers’ Market. 2350 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/SALE. 10am-4pm. Northampton Record Fair. 1 Kirkland Ave. Northampton, MA.
ARTISAN SKILLS/CRAFT FAIR. 10am-4pm. Old Deerfield Fall Craft Fair on the lawns of Memorial Hall Museum. 8 Memorial Street, Deerfield, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/FOLK MUSIC. 11am. Third Annual Arcadia Folk Festival at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
FALL FESTIVAL. 11am-3pm. Fall Festival hosted by the Erving Recreation Commission at Veterans Memorial Field, Moore St, Erving MA.
APPLE FESTIVAL. 12-3pm. Apple Festival at the Outlook Farm Barn & Eatery. 413-539-9388. Rte 66, 136 Main Rd. Westhampton, MA.
OUTDOOR MUSIC/PICNIC. 3:30-5:30pm. September Outdoor Music at Earthdance. BYO blanket & picnic dinner. 413-634-5678. 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, MA.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2021
LANGUAGE ART/POETRY. 2021 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival with the Emily Dickinson Museum. (Virtual)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2021
LANGUAGE ART/POETRY. 2021 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival with the Emily Dickinson Museum. (Virtual)
CULINARY ARTS. 10am. What’s Cooking Cookbook Club, hosted by the Springfield City Library. (Virtual)
LITERACY. 10am-6pm. Downtown Literacy Scavenger Hunt in Northampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/PRESCHOOL. 10:30am. Weekly preschool music program at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.
LITERACY. 10:30am. If You Give a Mouse A Library Card at the Springfield Central Library. 413-263-6828. 220 State Street. Springfield MA.
PARENT GROUP. 11am. Outdoor Parent Group with It Takes a Village. 420 Main St, Ashfield, 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.
STEM. 4pm. STEAM Crafternoon with Agawam Family and Community Program at the Agawam Spray Park. Agawam, MA.
LAWN CONCERT. 6pm. School St Park Concert with the Bad News Jazz & Blues Orchestra at School Street Park. Agawam, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
AGRICULTURE/APPLES
FEATURED APPLE ORCHARD: Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
FOOD HISTORY/APPLE PIE
FEATURED APPLE ORCHARD: Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampt.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2021
HIKING/BIRDWATCHING. Sunrise-Sunset. Mount Tom features wonderful views of the Pioneer Valley in west-central Massachusetts. The area is also a great place to bird-watch, especially for hawks and self-guided hikes. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
LANGUAGE ART/POETRY. 2021 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival with the Emily Dickinson Museum. (Virtual)
STORY & LEARNING/PRESCHOOL. 9:15-11am. Story & Learning Time at the Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA.
GARDENING. 9:30am-4:30pm. Learn about the Native American practice of planting corn, beans, and squash together at the Native American Three Sisters Garden at Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
LITERACY/PRESCHOOL. 10:30am. Library Storytime at the Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
LITERACY/TRANSPORTATION. 10:30am. Transportation & Vehicle Stories at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.)
ART STUDIES/METALWORKING. 3:30pm. Metalworking Workshop for Teens at the Milne Public Library. Learn how to make and etch a copper bookmark with Heather Beck, a metalworker and jeweler. 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street. Williamstown, MA.
LITERACY/STORYTIME. 4pm. Storytime for School-Aged Kids at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.
PSYCHOLOGY/MAGIC. 4pm. Magical Moments with Ed Popielarczyk with the Springfield City Library at the East Forest Park Branch Library, 136 Surrey Rd, Springfield, MA.
CULINARY ARTS. 7pm. The Art of Stir Fry & Sauté, hosted by River Valley Co-op. (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Self-Directed Learning:
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2021
LANGUAGE ART/POETRY. 2021 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival with the Emily Dickinson Museum. (Virtual)
PLAYGROUP. 9:30am. Grow Play & Learn, weekly outdoor playgroup at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.
PreK 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.
LITERACY/STORYTIME. 10:30am. Storytime with Ms. Mary at the Westfield Athenaeum. 413-568-7833. 6 Elm Street, Westfield, MA.
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/ART STUDIES. 12pm. Interpreting Natural History through Art at the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
PLAY/PHYSICS. 4:30pm. Hooping for All Ages at the Tilton Library. 413-665-4683. 75 North Main Street. South Deerfield, MA.
COMMUNITY SERVICE/SEWING. 6pm. Bagshare Community Sew at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
HEALTH & WELLNESS. 7pm. Yoga, Meditation & Gentle Movement for Pain Relief with River Valley Co-op (Virtual)
PARENTS GROUP. 8:30pm. Post Bedtime Parents Group with It Takes a Village (Virtual)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
LANGUAGE ART/POETRY. 2021 Tell It Slant Poetry Festival with the Emily Dickinson Museum. (Virtual)
LITERACY/STORYTIME. 10:30am. Outdoor Story Time at the Gaylord Memorial Library. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/BLUEGRASS. 5pm. FreshGrass Music Festival at MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
SUKKOT. 5:15pm. Tot Shabbat Sukkot at Beit Ahavah, The Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton. 413-587-3770. 130 Pine St, Florence, MA.
OUTDOOR MOVIE/PLACEMAKING. 7:15pm. Movies Under the Stars at Colegrove Park screens “The LEGO Movie” at Colegrove Park. Colegrove Park is located on north Church Street between Main St. and Route 2. North Adams, 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, Hinsdale/Peru, Holyoke, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mt. Washington, New Salem, Northern Berkshire, Northfield, Palmer, Pelham, Plainfield, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Southampton, Springfield, Tolland, Tyringham, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.