Weekly Suggested Events for September 25 – October 1, 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!
SUGGESTED EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 25 – OCTOBER 1, 2021
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
GARDEN-BASED LEARNING: Stanley Park. 413-568-9312. 400 Western Ave, Westfield, MA.
ART STUDIES: Artspace Community Arts Center. 413-772-6811. 15 Mill St., Greenfield, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY/ARCHITECTURE: Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES: Mount Greylock Visitor Center. 413-499-4262. 30 Rockwell Road, Lanesborough, MA.
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities


Buxton School is a small, progressive, and diverse boarding and day college preparatory school nestled in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. Since 1928, their faculty and staff have delighted in welcoming students in grades 9-12 to their egalitarian community to inspire and nurture their academic, artistic, and social growth. Buxton is an all-gender college preparatory school in Williamstown, MA, and is hosting an Admissions Open House on Monday, October 11 at 10am for prospective families to learn more. RSVP: admissions@buxtonschool.org or call 413-458-3919. For more information about Buxton School, visit them online at buxtonschool.org.
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 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.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Stoneleigh-Burnham School
Greenfield, MA

Founded in 1869, Stoneleigh-Burnham School (SBS), an independent boarding & day school for girls in grades 7-12, has been a part of the Pioneer Valley for more than 150 years. SBS attracts dynamic students from more than 12 states and over 12 countries and is known for its powerful academics, debate & public speaking, performing & visual arts, and equestrian programs. SBS was the first girls’ school in New England to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and is the only secondary school in the U.S. to offer the British Horse Society Certification program. SBS’s boarding tuition is now 10% less than the national average while their day tuition is 17% less than the national average. For more information: 413-774-2711; sbschool.org.
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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 25, 2021
ORNITHOLOGY/MIGRATION. 9am. Hawk Watch with Southwick Public Library at Blueberry Hill in Granville, MA
ORNITHOLOGY. 9-11am. Birding with Berkshire Natural Resources Council at Basin Pond. Lee, MA.
ANIMAL STUDIES. 9am-3pm. Annual National Alpaca Farm Days at Forever Free Alpaca Farm. 110 Powell Rd, Cummington, MA.
FALL FESTIVAL. 9am-6pm. Fall Festival at The Apple Place. 413-348-9628. 540 Somers Rd. Rt. 83, East Longmeadow, MA.
HERITAGE/LIVING HISTORY. 9:30am-5pm. Fall Folks Festival at Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA.
BOOK SALE/FUNDRAISER. 9:30am. Book Sale at Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
CRITICAL THINKING/PLAY. 10am. Boardgames on the Patio at the Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.
ORNITHOLOGY/MIGRATION. 10am. Hawk Migration at Blueberry Hill with Mass Audubon Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Blueberry Hill, Granville, MA.
FAMILY GAMES. 10:30am. Outdoor Games at the Gaylord Memorial Library. 413-538-5047. 47 College Street. South Hadley, MA.
FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT/MAGIC. 10:30am. Jungle Jim’s Tales from the Balloon Magic Show at the Hubbard Memorial Library. 413-583-3408. 24 Center St, Ludlow, MA.
SHAKER HERITAGE. 11am-6pm. Country Fair. Hancock Shaker Village. 413-443-0188. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA.
NEW ENGLAND TRADITIONS. 11am-6pm. Corn Maze at the The Apple Place. 413-348-9628. 540 Somers Rd. Rt. 83, East Longmeadow, MA.
INTERGENERATIONAL/UPCYCLE. 11am. Recycled Art Workshop at the Milne Public Library. 413-458-5369. 1095 Main Street. Williamstown, MA.
COMMUNITY CELEBRATION. 12-6pm. Celebrate East Longmeadow at Leahy Field, East Longmeadow, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/UKULELE. 1pm. Learn to Play Ukulele at the Sunderland Public Library. 20 School Street, Sunderland, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/DRUMMING. 1pm. Drum to the Beat with Otha Day at Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/WIND ENSEMBLES. 2pm. Bandtoberfest: Wind Ensembles Family Concert with UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance on the Amherst Common. Amherst, MA.
ECOLOGY/GARDENING. 3pm. Pollinator Garden Tour of The Spruces Pollinator Plantings with members of Bee Friendly Williamstown, hosted by Milne Public Library. Williamstown, MA.
ART STUDIES/COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. 3-8pm. Florence Night Out. North Main Street. Florence, MA.
ANIMAL STUDIES. 4pm. Learn about Eurasian Eagle Owls, Armadillos, and Kinkajous at the Animal Adventures Program at the Eastfield Mall. 413-543-8000. 1655 Boston Rd, Springfield, MA.
SUKKAH. 5:30pm. Juggling in the Sukkah Party at Beit Ahavah, The Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton. 413-587-3770. 130 Pine St, Florence, MA.
ANIMAL STUDIES/ECOLOGY. 6:30-8pm. Signs of Beavers at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES. 7pm. A Night of Rock, Folk, and Jazz at the Palmer Historical Cultural Center. 413-289-9295. 2072 Main St, Three Rivers, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ECOLOGY/GARDENING
Sat., Sept 25 @ 3pm. Pollinator Garden Tour with members of Bee Friendly Williamstown.
Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY/MIGRATION
Sat., Sept 25 @ 9am. Hawk Watch with Southwick Public Library at Blueberry Hill in Granville, MA
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2021
COMMUNITY SERVICE. 9am-12pm. Clothing Drive at the M. N. Spear Memorial Library. 413-259-1213. 10 Cooleyville Rd, Shutesbury, MA.
ANIMAL STUDIES. 9am-3pm. Annual National Alpaca Farm Days at Forever Free Alpaca Farm. 110 Powell Rd, Cummington, MA.
LOCAL FOOD. 10am–2pm. Easthampton Farmers’ Market. 2350 Payson Ave., Easthampton, MA.
SHAKER HERITAGE. 11am-6pm. Country Fair. Hancock Shaker Village. 413-443-0188. 1843 W Housatonic St, Pittsfield, MA.
NEW ENGLAND TRADITIONS. 11am-6pm. Corn Maze at the The Apple Place. 413-348-9628. 540 Somers Rd. Rt. 83, East Longmeadow, MA.
ORNITHOLOGY/BIRDS OF PREY. 12pm. Tom Ricardi’s Birds of Prey at Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
LIBRARY/OPEN HOUSE. 1pm. Celebration Open House at the Erving Public Library. 413-423-3348. 2 Care Dr, Erving, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY. 1-4pm. The Shelburne Historical Society museum, library, and archives are housed in the architectural gem that was the Arms Academy in the historic district of Shelburne Falls. The Museum houses collections and exhibits pertinent to Shelburne, the Mohawk Trail, the industrial history of the Falls, and more. Support learning about local history with this seasonal resource located at 33 Severance Street. Shelburne Falls, MA.
MINDFULNESS. 3pm. Ways of Knowing Through the Senses: A Nature Experience at the W. E. B. Du Bois Library. 413-545-2623. 154 Hicks Way, Amherst, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/JAZZ & BLUES. 4pm. Live concert at the Hatfield Town Hall Park 59 Main St, Hatfield, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ANIMAL STUDIES
Sun., Sept 26 @ 9am-3pm. Annual National Alpaca Farm Days at Forever Free Alpaca Farm. 110 Powell Rd, Cummington, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
ORNITHOLOGY/BIRDS OF PREY
Sun., Sept 26 @ 12pm. Tom Ricardi’s Birds of Prey at Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
GEOLOGY/LOCAL RESOURCES: There are several local resources for learning through geology for junior geologists and their parents. Read all about it in our post, 4 Outdoor Adventures for Exploring Geology and Local History.
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.
PreK PLAYGROUP. 10am. Join the Easthampton Family Center at Nonotuck Park. 1 Daley Field Rd, Easthampton, MA.
HOMESCHOOL SOCIAL. 11am. Pick-up playgroup and social hour for homeschool families. Dufrenes Park. Taylor St, Granby, MA.
COMICS/TEENS. 3:45pm. Comics Club for Teens with the Springfield City Library (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
BOTANY/PHYSICS
Self-Directed Learning:
BOTANY/PUMPKINS
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2021

PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western 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.
GRAPHIC NOVELS/LITERATURE. 4pm. Youth Graphic Novel Book Club at the Lenox Library. 413-637-0197. 18 Main Street. Lenox, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY/INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES. 6:30pm. “All His Land Is To Be Mine”: Norwottuck Leader Umpanchela and the 17th Century Connecticut Valley, hosted by the Storrs Library (Virtual)
CULINARY ARTS. 6:30pm. Cookbook Club: “In the Green Kitchen” by Alice Waters at the Southwick Public Library. 413-569-1221. 95 Feeding Hills Road. Southwick, MA.

Springfield, MA

Pittsfield, MA
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PreK LITERACY/STORYTIME. 10:30am. Storytime at the Westhampton Public Library. 413-527-5386. 1 N Rd, Westhampton, MA.
HOMESCHOOL SOCIAL. 2pm. Pick-up playgroup and social hour for homeschool families. Groff Park. 83 Mill Ln, Amherst, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Self-Directed Learning:
LOCAL FAUNA
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western 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.
ARTS & CRAFTS. 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. 4pm. Berkshire Natural Resources Council will share trails and reserves you can visit during the 2021 harvest and foliage season, including a few can’t-miss longtime beloved spots for autumn outings. (Virtual)
CLIMATE CHANGE. 7pm. The Agawam Public Library will host a Panel Discussion: Resilience and Preparedness in a Changing Climate (Virtual)
Self-Directed Learning:
LEGOS
Self-Directed Learning:
NATURAL HISTORY
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2021
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Western MA
PreK/MUSIC STUDIES. 10:30am. Sing With Your Little Ones at Pelham Library. 413-253-0657. 2 S Valley Rd, Pelham, MA.
HOMESCHOOL SOCIAL. 12:15pm. Pick-up playgroup and social hour for homeschool families. Stanley Park. 413-568-9312. 400 Western Ave, Westfield, MA.
POETRY. 6pm. Carol Purington Poetry Collective at the Griswold Memorial Library. 413-624-3619. 12 Main Rd. Colrain, MA.
OUTDOOR FILM. 6:30pm. Outdoor Movie: Jurassic Park at the Storrs Library. 413-565-4181. 693 Longmeadow Street, Longmeadow, MA.
Self-Directed Learning:
BOTANY/PUMPKIN
Self-Directed Learning:
OCEANOGRAPHY
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.