Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities

The 27th Annual CiderDays will celebrate all things cider, apples, and orchards with the 2021 CiderDays Cider Trail, featuring local orchards and cideries in Western Massachusetts that you can drive to in the safety of your car. With over 20 venues on the trail, some will have special offerings, including cooking demos at Clarkdale Fruit Farms, apple and cider tastings at various orchards, special cider blend sale for hard cider making at Pine Hill Orchards, spectacular views, tastings and picnicking at West County Cider and New Salem Preserves and Cider, campfire and warm mulled cider at Cameron’s Winery and so much more. CiderDays takes place November 6-7, 2021. Check CiderDays.org often for new activities being offered.

The Hartsbrook School in Hadley, MA. Imagine a school that values and encourages the unique qualities of your child: The Hartsbrook School provides just that, with warmth and attentiveness. Beautiful outdoor classrooms, storytelling, music, and creative problem-solving lay the foundations for future learning and deep social connection. Children’s imagination and empathy are awakened through the rich curriculum. Walks in the woods, visits to the school’s farm animals, and tending the gardens develop an awareness of, and care for, the natural world. PreK thru high school. Begin your exploration with an individual Zoom meeting. Call 413-586-1908 x116 to schedule your appointment and imagine the potential for your child. Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-6yrs. For more information: admissions@hartsbrook.org; 413-586-1908; www.hartsbrook.org.

In June of 2021, the Center School moved to a beautiful brand new building, situated on 30 acres of land to explore. Admissions season is underway, and the school is booking more tours than ever. Valley families are drawn to the Center School’s approach– weaving justice, joy, collaboration, innovation, and love into a unique educational experience. If you’re looking for a school where kids are immersed in 21st Century curriculum and in the timeless world of nature and play that is so essential to childhood, visit www.centerschool.net to learn more and to book an in-person tour today! Please email Lauren Obregón, Director of Admissions and Outreach, at l.obregon@centerschool.net with any questions.

List of Weekly Suggested Events

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Self-Directed Learning: Apple Cider Donuts

Nothing says autumn in New England than apple cider donuts! Get curious about this autumnal food tradition, and let it lead your learning about pastry arts and food history!

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Self-Directed Learning: Daylight Savings

Guided by the expression, “Spring ahead, fall back,” daylight saving time has again dictated that we change our clocks by an hour. Examining the history of daylight saving time illuminates that this worldwide practice is closely tied to human history. Exploring the reasons behind the changes in sunlight that drive daylight saving time can lead to new understandings in history, economics, and horology (study and measurement of time).

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Self-Directed Learning: Bread & Butter

Warm bread straight out of the oven with a generous schmear of butter is comfort food for many. Learning how to bake your bread and make your butter takes this comfort food and elevates it to much more. Full of embedded learning opportunities, baking bread and making butter can support learning about food history, pastry arts, science, world culture, nutrition, and much more!

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Self-Directed Learning: Peanut Butter

November is National Peanut Butter Month! Using this opportunity to support learning, this national observation can support interests in nutrition, botany, agriculture, manufacturing, history, pastry arts, nutrition, and much more!

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Self-Directed Learning: Cruciferous Plants

After the first frost, brussels sprouts, kale, and cabbage are tasty cruciferous plants we find in abundance in our food co-ops and farmers’ markets. Seek out locally grown varieties and get curious in the kitchen with your kids. Ask questions and look online for answers to support your learning. Questions like: “How do brussels sprouts grow?” “Why is kale sweeter after the first frost?” “What are the different types of cabbage?“

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Self-Directed Learning: Veterans Day

November 11th is Veterans Day, a national holiday that honors American veterans of all wars. The original date has great historical significance – the armistice that ended World War I was on November 11th, 1918. Today, Veterans Day honors all those who have dedicated themselves to serving our country in the armed forces. Given Massachusetts’ rich history and role in the formation of the United States from colonial and Revolutionary War times to our contemporary society today, this is a day to remember the soldiers from the past as well as those today who serve our nation. Let this annual day of remembrance support learning and interests in music, history, and community service.

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Self-Directed Learning: Nuts & Seeds

Your multigrain toast with a schmear of almond butter, that bowl of cornflakes with a splash of soy milk, and your favorite cup of joe are all examples of how seeds are a part of most meal. Wheat, nuts, corn, beans, even coffee and chocolate, are all seeds and they have had a significant  social impact (think coffee shops, chocolate birthday cake, movie popcorn). You can see their influence along roadside stands at the end of the summer, and with family recipes passed down through generations and featured during holiday meals. Read more in our post, Mindful Engagement through the Seasons: Seeds.

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.