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
SUGGESTED EVENTS: NOVEMBER 12-18, 2022
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Sunday, November 13, 2022
Monday, November 14, 2022
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
Wednesday, November 16, 2022
Thursday, November 17, 2022
Friday, November 18, 2022
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities Join The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for two Family Music Concerts on Saturday, November 12 ! Tom Knight and In the Nick of Time come together to celebrate the release of new music, with a family concert at 10:30 am and then again at 1:00 pm. Guaranteed to be a rockin’ good time for all! Cost: $8 / $7.50 Museum Members. Then, on Saturday, November 19 , the Happier Family Comedy Show will perform at 3pm. Geared for kids ages 5-12, this program is high-energy and family-friendly. Cost: $10 Adults ($9 Museum Member) $5 Youth ($4.50 Museum Member) Children under 5 are free. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is located at 125 W. Bay Road in Amherst, MA. Purchase tickets for both events at www.carlemuseum.org
Smith Vocational High School in Northampton offers a FREE training program in Culinary Arts students over 18yo to work in the restaurant industry as entry-level prep cooks or line cooks. Students will also complete a 40-hour paid externship. Possible employment opportunities will exist in area restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, and other environments where food prep is required. To qualify, students must be unemployed/underemployed, complete all required documentation with Smith Voc Career Center, pass a CORI/SORI test, and be a resident of Western MA. Classes begin January 17 & end June 13, 2023. Open house November 16 & December 14 from 4-5:30pm. Contact Lorena Turner, Adult Ed Director, for more info 413-587-1414 x3530.
It’s that time of year again! Join Hilltown Land Trust for the 18th annual Gorge après Gorge 5k Trail Run and Free Family Fun Walk on Sunday, November 27, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, at the Chesterfield Gorge in West Chesterfield . Runners & walkers use a well-marked course with a beautiful view of the Westfield River. Hot beverages round off this event, which awards handmade hats to the winners & a locally baked cookie medal to all race participants. Family Fun Walk begins at 9:30am (Suggested donation: $15). 5k Trail Run begins at 10:30am [$25 ($30 day of)]. Discounts are available for Hilltown Land Trust members, Trustees members, and families! Free for runners under 10. Learn more & register: www.hilltownlandtrust.org/gorge-apres-gorge
On Thursday , December 8 at 9:30am , the Smith College Museum of Art , partnering with Northampton Public School’s Early Childhood Center , is pleased to offer this second in a series of thematic stroller tours. The December 8 Stroller Tour theme is LIGHT . This event, for caregivers with infants in tow, is designed to connect caregivers and build community through art. Register here: https://bit.ly/3haOmnq . Drop-ins welcome . Smith College Museum of Art . 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA. [Image: James Wells Champney, Boon Companions (detail), 1879. Painting.]
In June of 2021, the Center School in Greenfield , MA, moved to a beautiful brand new building, situated on 30 acres of land to explore. Valley families are drawn to the Center School’s approach, weaving justice, joy, collaboration, innovation, and love into a unique educational experience. Admissions season is underway, and the school is booking more tours than ever. If you’re looking for a school where kids are immersed in 21st Century curriculum and the timeless world of nature and play that is essential to childhood, visit www.centerschool.net book an in-person tour today! For more information , email Lauren Obregón, Director of Admissions and Outreach, at l.obregon@centerschool.net with any questions.
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 all lay the foundations for future learning and deep social connection. Children’s imagination and empathy are awakened through the rich curriculum. Walking in the woods, visiting the school’s farm animals, and tending the gardens develop an awareness of, and care for, the natural world. Begin your exploration with a tour to learn more about their early childhood program.Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-6yrs admissions@hartsbrook.org ; 413-586-1908 x116; www.hartsbrook.org .
The Movement Observation in Children and Adolescents (MOCA) and miniMOCA studies are research projects to improve the measurement of physical activity using wearable sensors. Participation is easy. Your child does their normal activities while they wear two small activity trackers, and researchers record them with a video camera during four 1-hour sessions. UMass MOCA research staff comes to participating families and works around their schedules. Anyone from 6 months to 20 years old can participate. Receive a $40 to $60 Target Gift Card for participating. Contact John Sirard on how to get involved . Email: jsirard@umass.edu . Phone: 413-545-7898. Or, scan the QR code or click HERE for the study description and eligibility questions.
Nikki Gardner Photography is offering a 1-day Pop-Up fundraiser event —featuring fun 15-minute Holiday Family Sessions . Think family portraits full of personality and connection photographed on a snow-white background. Check family portraits and holiday gifts off your list now. When: Saturday, November 12 , 9am-4pm, 15-minute sessions Where: Anne T. Dunphy School (inside the school gym), 1 Petticoat Hill Road, Williamsburg , MA. Cost: $175 and include five digital files: A non-refundable deposit of $50 saves your session date/time, and $125 is due at the session. To book your session, visit www.nikkigardnerphotography.com/holiday-family-session-pop-up , or email nikki@nikkigardnerphotography.com
The Bement School Applications for fall 2023 are being accepted now. Concerned about cost? Learn about financial aid on November 22 and how to apply for aid. Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions and to receive the Zoom link for the seminar.
Try something new this fall! Explore your creativity with music lessons at the Berkshire Music School . Take a private lesson in person at BMS’s historic campus in Pittsfield or online from the comfort of your home. Private lessons may be arranged for 30, 45, or 60 minutes each week to meet the individual student’s needs. BMS private lessons are for students of all levels and ages. Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires’ “After-School Program.” For more information on registering, visit the BMS website: www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org .
There’s still time to enroll your little one in an exceptional arts education offering an innovative and engaging curriculum for preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten age students. Prelude Preschool of the Arts, an arts-integrated preschool in Springfield, MA , provides a nurturing environment for children and families to explore, learn, and create. Offering a flexible, arts-centered preschool programming for ages 2.9-5 , children are cared for by a dedicated team of expert artists, musicians, and educators within the walls of the treasured Community Music School of Springfield. To learn more, call 413-732-8428, or visit online at www.communitymusicschool.com .
Celebrate the whole child! The Giving Tree preschool program is thoughtfully designed to support young children’s social-emotional growth, problem-solving, and conflict resolution skills. Students enjoy ample outdoor exploration and playtime each day in their rambling and rugged Outdoor Classroom. Only 15 minutes from downtown Greenfield, set among the woods and pastures of Gill. Giving Tree is committed to fostering active, hands-on early learning experiences that are playful and purposeful, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of learning. Licensed by EEC and accredited by NAEYC & HighScope. Sliding scale tuition..
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Partner with Hilltown Families in your online advertising! Delivering your message each week to over 35,000 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.
List of Weekly Suggested Events
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2022
Join The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for two Family Music Concerts on Saturday, November 12 ! Tom Knight and In the Nick of Time come together to celebrate the release of new music, with a family concert at 10:30 am and then again at 1:00 pm. Guaranteed to be a rockin’ good time for all! Cost: $8 / $7.50 Museum Members. Then, on Saturday, November 19 , the Happier Family Comedy Show will perform at 3pm. Geared for kids ages 5-12, this program is high-energy and family-friendly. Cost: $10 Adults ($9 Museum Member) $5 Youth ($4.50 Museum Member) Children under 5 are free. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is located at 125 W. Bay Road in Amherst, MA. Purchase tickets for both events at www.carlemuseum.org
Nikki Gardner Photography is offering a 1-day Pop-Up fundraiser event —featuring fun 15-minute Holiday Family Sessions . Think family portraits full of personality and connection photographed on a snow-white background. Check family portraits and holiday gifts off your list now. When: Saturday, November 12 , 9am-4pm, 15-minute sessions Where: Anne T. Dunphy School (inside the school gym), 1 Petticoat Hill Road, Williamsburg , MA. Cost: $175 and include five digital files: A non-refundable deposit of $50 saves your session date/time, and $125 is due at the session. To book your session, visit www.nikkigardnerphotography.com/holiday-family-session-pop-up , or email nikki@nikkigardnerphotography.com
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 7:30am-1:30pm. Amherst Farmers’ Market – Town Common. Amherst, MA.
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE . 8am-1pm. Northampton Farmers’ Market – Gothic Street. Northampton, MA.
📻 FAMILY RADIO SHOW/ BILINGUAL. 9-10am. HFVS Bilingual Family Music Episode with Guest DJs, Blanca Cecilia González and Jesse Elder of Musiquita – Join Musiquita, a bilingual family music band out of Queens, NY, as Guest DJs of the Hilltown Family Variety Show. In this episode, the wife/husband duo will share with listeners some of their family’s favorite music in Spanish and English, as well as some originals. This music collection has played a significant role in their family’s growth, and evolution as a bilingual family in the USA. Listen live via your FM dial to 103.3FM, streaming audio at www.ValleyFreeRadio.org, or anytime to the podcast at www.HilltownFamilies.org. (Airwaves/Podcast)
LOCAL FOOD/ AGRICULTURE. 9am-1pm. Great Barrington Farmers’ Market – Lots of vendors. Freshly grown and produced foods, ready to eat or take home, flowers, plants, and more! 18 Church Street. Great Barrington, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
🛍 SHOP LOCAL/ HANDMAD E. 10am-4pm. Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour – Colrain, MA, is one of the last “undiscovered” places. Tucked in the Hilltowns of Western MA, beneath the VT state line and above the Deerfield River, Colrain has long been a refuge for creative people looking for a beautiful place to do their artwork while appreciating and preserving the area’s pastoral past. This year explore the studios of 22 craftspeople and artists during Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour Veterans Day Weekend! Many new items will be seen that weekend for the first time. Colrain, MA.
🛍 CRAFT FAIR. 10-4pm. Annual Seconds Sale at Snow Farm-New England Craft. 413-268-3101. 5 Clary Rd, Williamsburg, MA.
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 10am-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-5pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 10am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – A museum devoted to the art of picture books, especially children’s books. The Carle’s picture-book exhibitions showcase various artists, themes, and styles. Their three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new! In addition to exploring art in the galleries, drop into the art studio to experience the creative joy of making art; explore new picture books, and rediscover old ones in their library. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
LITERACY/ STORYTIME . 10:30am. Library Storytime – Story and craft activities. Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
🦫 LIVING PRESENCE. 11am-2pm. Full Beaver Moon Gathering – Great Falls Discovery Center. 413-863-3221. 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.
🎅 SANTA/ TREE LIGHTING. 11am – 6pm. Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting with Santa – Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Kids can enjoy Story Time with Santa at 1:15-2pm & Cookie Decorating with Mrs. Claus at 2:30-3:30pm! Tree Lighting with Santa at 5pm. Kringle Candle Company. 220 South Street. Bernardston, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
🥣 FOOD HISTORY/ SOUP . 12-4:30pm. Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Time for Soup – Learn about history through the lens of soup! As the days get shorter, gather by the fire as an open hearth cook makes a pot of hot bubbling soup using seasonal ingredients and a recipe from the 18th century. Takes place in the historic kitchen at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern. Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
🤹♂️ CIRCUS ARTS/ PHYSICS . 1-4pm. NOHO Flow & Juggle – Join the playful festival atmosphere of learning, teaching, and playing! If you like juggling, flow arts, skill toys, dancing, or any movement or prop manipulation that brings your joy, then come share at NOHO FLOW! and no worries if you don’t know how to juggle yet; there are workshops! Props will be available for everyone! Childs Park. 71 N Elm St, Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 1-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
🎲 COOPERATIVE PLAY. 1pm. Board Games and Puzzles – Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.
🎨 ART STUDIES. 1pm. Tempera Paint Making Demonstration – Get a first-hand look at some of the materials and techniques artists used to carve and paint the sculptures on view in “Brought to Life” with local artist Jeremiah Patterson. This hour-long demonstration will highlight paint-making, wood preparation with gesso, and gilding. Stick around afterward to ask questions and try out some materials. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
ICE SKATING. 4-5:50pm. Public Ice Skate – Ice skating sessions for the public at UMass Mullins Center. Skate rentals are provided. Great opportunity to get moving on cold New England days! UMass Mullins Center. 413-545-3040. 200 Commonwealth Ave. Amherst, MA.
🥾 OUTDOOR ADVENTURE/ HIKE. 5:30-7pm. Moonlight Meander – Bring your family for a walk in the woods and fields of Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary at night. Participants will take a walk outdoors, doing different activities to learn about the phases of the moon and nocturnal animals’ adaptations to being active at night. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. 413-584-3009. 127 Combs Rd, Easthampton, MA.
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2022
📻 FAMILY RADIO SHOW/ BILINGUAL. 7-8am. HFVS Bilingual Family Music Episode with Guest DJs, Blanca Cecilia González and Jesse Elder of Musiquita – Join Musiquita, a bilingual family music band out of Queens, NY, as Guest DJs of the Hilltown Family Variety Show. In this episode, the wife/husband duo will share with listeners some of their family’s favorite music in Spanish and English, as well as some originals. This music collection has played a significant role in their family’s growth and evolution as a bilingual family in the USA. Listen live via your FM dial to 103.3FM, streaming audio at www.ValleyFreeRadio.org, or anytime to the podcast at www.HilltownFamilies.org. (Airwaves/Podcast)
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 9:30am-4:30pm. Historic Deerfield – Founded in 1952, Historic Deerfield is an outdoor museum that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850 and explore world-class collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display in the authentic period houses; as well as the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a state-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions and a visible storage area. Support interests in history through the lens of architecture, New England antiques, arts and crafts needlework, ironware and basketry, cooking and baking, gardening, textiles, fashion, furniture, and much more! Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
🛍 CRAFT FAIR. 10-4pm. Annual Seconds Sale at Snow Farm-New England Craft. 413-268-3101. 5 Clary Rd, Williamsburg, MA.
🛍 SHOP LOCAL/ HANDMAD E. 10am-4pm. Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour – Colrain, MA, is one of the last “undiscovered” places. Tucked in the Hilltowns of Western MA, beneath the VT state line and above the Deerfield River, Colrain has long been a refuge for creative people looking for a beautiful place to do their artwork while appreciating and preserving the area’s pastoral past. This year explore the studios of 22 craftspeople and artists during Crafts of Colrain Open Studio Tour Veterans Day Weekend! Many new items will be seen that weekend for the first time. Colrain, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES . 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.
LITERATURE/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Emily Dickinson Museum – The collection at the Museum contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including family objects such as artwork, textiles, furniture, dinnerware, and other household items. Comprised of two historic houses in the center of Amherst, the Museum is associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and family members during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through primary source material, support an interest in this local author, sparking a deeper understanding of her life and landscape. Emily Dickinson Museum. 413-542-8161. 280 Main St, Amherst, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-5pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
🎅 SANTA/ TREE LIGHTING. 11am – 3pm. Holiday Open House & Tree Lighting with Santa – Visit Santa & Mrs. Claus and take your own photos. Enjoy and shop the Crafters Holiday Winter Market 11am-4pm & The Kringle Kids Craft Table: Make a natural ornament 12noon – 3pm. Kringle Candle Company. 220 South Street. Bernardston, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 11am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 12-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
🥣 FOOD HISTORY/ SOUP . 12-4:30pm. Hearth Cooking Demonstration: Time for Soup – Learn about history through the lens of soup! As the days get shorter, gather by the fire as an open hearth cook makes a pot of hot bubbling soup using seasonal ingredients and a recipe from the 18th century. Takes place in the historic kitchen at the Visitor Center at Hall Tavern. Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 12-5pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – A museum devoted to the art of picture books, especially children’s books. The Carle’s picture-book exhibitions showcase various artists, themes, and styles. Their three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new! In addition to exploring art in the galleries, drop into the art studio to experience the creative joy of making art; explore new picture books, and rediscover old ones in their library. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
🎭 THEATER STUDIES/ LIVING PRESENCE. 1-3pm. The Living Presence of Our History – This conversation will have a panel with Native American scholars, playwrights, and actors on the importance of seeing our narratives on stage and screen. Ohketeau Cultural Center. Ashfield, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 1-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
ART STUDIES/ GALLERY . 2-5pm. Hampshire College Art Gallery – The Hampshire College Art Gallery is a dynamic space for contemporary art and collections-based exhibitions, uniting innovative curatorial approaches with a focus on teaching and learning. Families can visit the gallery to check out traditional exhibitions, along with more interactive programs. Many objects in their small, eclectic permanent collection were donated when founders first built the college, so there are among them some quintessentially “’60s” artworks, alongside fine art photography. The gallery is located in the Harold F. Johnson Library Building, Ground Floor, on the campus of Hampshire College. 893 West Street. Amherst, MA.
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Self-Directed Learning: Native American Heritage Month nativeamericanheritagemonth.gov to discover many events, resources, and opportunities for learning and participating during National American Indian Heritage Month, including educator guides , audio/video , and featured exhibits & collections .
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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2022
PLAYGROUP . Northampton Parents Center .
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Home. City. Families. in Springfield
PLAYGROUP . 10-11am. For ages 0-5 at the Meekins Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, 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.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
ART STUDIES/ GALLERY . 10:30am-4:30pm. Hampshire College Art Gallery – The Hampshire College Art Gallery is a dynamic space for contemporary art and collections-based exhibitions, uniting innovative curatorial approaches with a focus on teaching and learning. Families can visit the gallery to check out traditional exhibitions, along with more interactive programs. Many objects in their small, eclectic permanent collection were donated when founders first built the college, so there are among them some quintessentially “’60s” artworks, alongside fine art photography. The gallery is located in the Harold F. Johnson Library Building, Ground Floor, on the campus of Hampshire College. 893 West Street. Amherst, MA.
🍽 COMMUNITY MEAL. 4-7pm. Otto’s Community Dinner – We are not members of a community. We ARE the community. Join Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort for food and friendship. Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort will serve a free, plated dinner for anyone who wants or needs it, a regular monthly event. No cost to eat, though donations are accepted. Otto’s Kitchen & Comfort. Pittsfield, MA.
🌟 ARCHITECTURE/ COLLEGIATE GOTHIC. 6:30pm. Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges & Universities: The Grotesque 10 – Armed with only a camera, a sense of humor, and a host of frequent flyer miles, Mathew Duman embarked on a “grotesque safari,” traveling to 10 universities around the country to photograph the unique grotesques and gargoyles roosting on their academic buildings. Mathew found that this type of sculpture makes its home within a style of architecture known as Collegiate Gothic, which was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. He has collected his findings in his book called: “The Grotesque 10: Amazing Architectural Sculpture from Ten American Colleges and Universities “. This program will feature photos from his book and stories about the sculptures. East Longmeadow Public Library. 413-525-5432. 60 Center Square, East Longmeadow, MA.
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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Self-Directed Learning: Wool & Fiber Art local history , the science of wool , shearing , manufacturing , and fiber arts through the lens of wool.
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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2022
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP . Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Home. City. Families. in Springfield
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 9am-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
PLAYGROUP . 9:30-11:30am. School-readiness program for ages 3-4yo + caregiver. Engagement with young children is modeled through songs, books, circle time, literacy activities, StoryWalks, crafts, STEM activities, free play, cooperative games, take-home activities, and outdoor play. Hilltown Family Center. 9 Russell Road. Huntington, MA
PLAYGROUP. 10am Pick-up playgroup at Kendrick Park. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Kendrick Park. E Pleasant St, Amherst, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-3pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-4pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES . 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.
LITERATURE/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Emily Dickinson Museum – The collection at the Museum contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including family objects such as artwork, textiles, furniture, dinnerware, and other household items. Comprised of two historic houses in the center of Amherst, the Museum is associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and family members during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through primary source material, support an interest in this local author, sparking a deeper understanding of her life and landscape. Emily Dickinson Museum. 413-542-8161. 280 Main St, Amherst, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 10am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
PLAYGROUP . 10:30am. For ages 0-5 at the Edwards Public Library. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 30 East Street, Southampton, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 11am-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
STE(A)M/ PreK . 1pm. Pre-School STEAM Program. Learn how to inspire your kids to engineer, create, design, explore, and build at home. Becket Athenaeum. 413-623-5483. 3367 Main St, Becket, MA.
GRANDPARENTING SUPPORT . 4-6pm. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group – A group for grandparents actively parenting their grandchildren. A safe and confidential space to share similar experiences with other grandparents. All groups are on the 1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month. Free pizza and childcare provided. Questions or to register: 413-663-7588. Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. 61 Main Street. Ste 218. North Adams, MA.
🦃 ANIMAL HUSBANDRY/ HISTORY . 7pm. It’s Almost Thanksgiving, and It’s for the Birds – Learn about Pelham poultry farmers of the last century who carved out a living without the aid of 21st-century machinery and technology. The Adriance and Hall chicken and egg farms and the nationally known Shaw turkey farm will be featured. Pelham Library. 413-253-0657. 2 S Valley Rd, Pelham, MA.
⛑ FIRST AID/ PARENTING. 7-8:30pm. Infant and Toddler First Aid for Parents and Caregivers – Learn skills such as choking relief, bleeding control, soft tissue injuries, management of severe allergies, treating tick bites, identifying and treating heat exhaustion, and lots of Q&A! Presented by Northampton Parents Center. (Virtual )
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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Self-Directed Learning: Storytelling Songlines , “the labyrinth of invisible pathways which meander all over Australia […] are known to Europeans as ‘Dreaming-tracks’ or ‘Songlines’; to the Aboriginals as the ‘Footprints of the Ancestors’ or the ‘Way of the Lore’. Aboriginal Creation myths tell of the legendary totemic being who wandered over the continent in the Dreamtime, singing out the name of everything that crossed their path – birds, animals, plants, rocks, waterholes – and so singing the world into existence.” Thus, telling the songs and stories, which identify and affirm the land and the spirits, is meant to keep the world together. In contemporary times, we may ask ourselves what kind of world our stories create. Get curious with your family and share stories this holiday season and beyond!
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2022
Smith Vocational High School in Northampton offers a FREE training program in Culinary Arts students over 18yo to work in the restaurant industry as entry-level prep cooks or line cooks. Students will also complete a 40-hour paid externship. Possible employment opportunities will exist in area restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, and other environments where food prep is required. To qualify, students must be unemployed/underemployed, complete all required documentation with Smith Voc Career Center, pass a CORI/SORI test, and be a resident of Western MA. Classes begin January 17 & end June 13, 2023. Open house November 16 & December 14 from 4-5:30pm. Contact Lorena Turner, Adult Ed Director, for more info 413-587-1414 x3530.
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP . Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS . South Berkshire County.
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County.
PLAYGROUPS . Home. City. Families. in Springfield
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 9am-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 9:30am-4:30pm. Historic Deerfield – Founded in 1952, Historic Deerfield is an outdoor museum that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850 and explore world-class collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display in the authentic period houses; as well as the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a state-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions and a visible storage area. Support interests in history through the lens of architecture, New England antiques, arts and crafts needlework, ironware and basketry, cooking and baking, gardening, textiles, fashion, furniture, and much more! Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, 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.
PLAYGROUP . 10-11am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – A museum devoted to the art of picture books, especially children’s books. The Carle’s picture-book exhibitions showcase various artists, themes, and styles. Their three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new! In addition to exploring art in the galleries, drop into the art studio to experience the creative joy of making art; explore new picture books, and rediscover old ones in their library. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-4pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES . 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.
LITERATURE/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Emily Dickinson Museum – The collection at the Museum contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including family objects such as artwork, textiles, furniture, dinnerware, and other household items. Comprised of two historic houses in the center of Amherst, the Museum is associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and family members during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through primary source material, support an interest in this local author, sparking a deeper understanding of her life and landscape. Emily Dickinson Museum. 413-542-8161. 280 Main St, Amherst, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 10am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
NEW PARENT GROUP . 10:30am & 1pm. Beyond Birth groups meet weekly. New babies birth-6mos are at 1pm and older babies 6mos-1 yr are at 10:30am. Amherst, MA.
🎶 MUSIC STUDIES/ PreK . 11am. Music Class with Mr. Liam – South Hadley Family Center. 413-283-7594. 7 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 11am-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
ICE SKATING. 11:30am-12:50pm. Public Ice Skate – Ice skating sessions for the public at UMass Mullins Center. Skate rentals are provided. Great opportunity to get moving on cold New England days! UMass Mullins Center. 413-545-3040. 200 Commonwealth Ave. Amherst, MA.
PLAYGROUP . 3:30-4:30pm. For ages 0-5 at Goshen Town Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 42 Main St., Goshen, MA.
🎭 THEATER STUDIES/ HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. 6:30-8:30pm. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, presented by the Holyoke High School Theater Company – Who wouldn’t want to join Charlie Bucket in his adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s world-famous Chocolate Factory? Now is your chance! Come see Augustus Gloop (Jayden Lopez), Violet Beauregarde (Molly O’Donnell), Veruca Salt (Nevaeh Lopez), Mike Teavee (Michael Rivera Pagan), Grandpa Joe (Shane Bourgeois), Willy Wonka (Devonny Lopez), and Charlie (Camryn Rist) himself come to life. The entire production is smoothly tied together by an energetic and personable Narrator (Aidan Fontanez-Courchesne), who effortlessly bridges time and excites the audience with creative anticipation. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits you! Following each of the three performances will be a post-show discussion with the cast and crew. All performances will be staged in the John F. Sears Auditorium at Holyoke High School, 500 Beech Street. Holyoke, MA.
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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Self-Directed Learning: Games
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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2022
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP . Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Home. City. Families. in Springfield
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 9am-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 9:30am-4:30pm. Historic Deerfield – Founded in 1952, Historic Deerfield is an outdoor museum that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850 and explore world-class collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display in the authentic period houses; as well as the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a state-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions and a visible storage area. Support interests in history through the lens of architecture, New England antiques, arts and crafts needlework, ironware and basketry, cooking and baking, gardening, textiles, fashion, furniture, and much more! Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
PLAYGROUP . 10am. For ages 0-5 at St. Philip’s Church Parish Hall. Call to register: 413-345-6015. 126 Main St., Easthampton, MA.
PLAYGROUP. 10am Pick-up playgroup at Kendrick Park. Great for kids ages 2-5 to meet up with other families and to make new friends. Kendrick Park. E Pleasant St, Amherst, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-4pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-4pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – A museum devoted to the art of picture books, especially children’s books. The Carle’s picture-book exhibitions showcase various artists, themes, and styles. Their three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new! In addition to exploring art in the galleries, drop into the art studio to experience the creative joy of making art; explore new picture books, and rediscover old ones in their library. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES . 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 10am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
LITERATURE/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Emily Dickinson Museum – The collection at the Museum contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including family objects such as artwork, textiles, furniture, dinnerware, and other household items. Comprised of two historic houses in the center of Amherst, the Museum is associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and family members during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through primary source material, support an interest in this local author, sparking a deeper understanding of her life and landscape. Emily Dickinson Museum. 413-542-8161. 280 Main St, Amherst, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
NEW PARENT GROUP . 10:30am & 1pm. Beyond Birth groups meet weekly in both Northampton (Thurs) and Amherst (Wed)! New babies birth-6 mos are at 1pm and older babies 6 mos to 1 year are at 10:30am. Northampton & Amherst, MA.
ARTS & CRAFTS . 11am & 2pm. Crafts at Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 11am-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
🪨GEOLOGY. 2pm. Geology of the Berkshires and Beyond – Join this online event hosted by Berkshire Natural Resources Council to learn about the geological pasts of the Hudson Valley, the Taconic Mountains, and the Berkshires from local experts and authors Johanna and Robert Titus. They will take us back in time to long ago mountain building events and the more recent ice age. (Virtual )
🎄 TREE LIGHTING. 5-7pm. Annual Tree Lighting – Experience the wonder of holiday lights at this annual Tree Lighting event. Festivities begin with live music. Santa will light the tree at 6pm. Yankee Candle Village. 877-636-7707. 25 Greenfield Rd, South Deerfield, MA.
🌱 GARDENING. 5:30pm. Winter Sowing – What is Winter Sowing? Join the Greenfield Garden Club to learn about the advantages of starting your seeds in late winter. Bring your curiosity and enthusiasm for gardening. Gill Town Hall, 325 Main Rd, 2nd Floor, Gill, MA.
🎭 THEATER STUDIES/ HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. 6:30-8:30pm. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, presented by the Holyoke High School Theater Company – Who wouldn’t want to join Charlie Bucket in his adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s world-famous Chocolate Factory? Now is your chance! Come see Augustus Gloop (Jayden Lopez), Violet Beauregarde (Molly O’Donnell), Veruca Salt (Nevaeh Lopez), Mike Teavee (Michael Rivera Pagan), Grandpa Joe (Shane Bourgeois), Willy Wonka (Devonny Lopez), and Charlie (Camryn Rist) himself come to life. The entire production is smoothly tied together by an energetic and personable Narrator (Aidan Fontanez-Courchesne), who effortlessly bridges time and excites the audience with creative anticipation. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits you! Following each of the three performances will be a post-show discussion with the cast and crew. All performances will be staged in the John F. Sears Auditorium at Holyoke High School, 500 Beech Street. Holyoke, MA.
🌟 PARENT WORKSHOP . 7pm. Parent Workshop, Toddler Time! with Scott Noyes – Join South Berkshire Kids from the comforts of your home for this Zoom Parent Workshop with Scott Noyes. This session is for all those toddler parents out there! This presentation discovers why toddlers can be exciting and baffling, from toilet training to temper tantrums! By looking at the complex child development issues that occur from nine months to 3 years, we begin to understand the stress and wonderment this age group has around their “emergence of self.” (Virtual )
ROLLER SKATING . 7-9:30pm. Interskate 91. 413-586-8344. 367 Russell Street, Hampshire Mall, Hadley, MA .
🎶 MUSIC STUDIES/ MIDDLE EASTERN. 7:30pm. Middle Eastern Music Ensemble – The Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, newly sponsored by the Music Department, explores vocal and instrumental traditions rooted in centuries of musical practice. The group meets weekly to play repertoire that spans a wide geographic, historical, and cultural terrain, including folk, classical, and popular styles from around the Middle East. 413-597-3131. Brooks-Rogers Recital Hall. Williams College. Willilamstown, MA.
🎥 FILM STUDIES/ ART STUDIES. 7:30-9pm. Film and Art: F for Fake – Trickery. Deceit. Magic. In F for Fake (1975, 88 minutes), a free-form sort-of documentary by Orson Welles, the legendary filmmaker (and self-described charlatan) gleefully reengages with the central preoccupation of his career: the tenuous lines between illusion and truth, art and lies. Beginning with portraits of the world-renowned art forger Elmyr de Hory and his equally devious biographer, Clifford Irving, Welles exposes and revels in fakery and fakers of all stripes—not the least of whom is Welles himself. F for Fake is an inspired prank and a clever examination of the place of duplicity in cinema and art. Clark Art Institute. 413-458-2303. 225 South St., Williamstown, MA .
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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Self-Directed Learning: Cutlery The History of Spoons, Forks, and Knives to discover the history of cutlery, and get curious about the origins of your utensils!
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2022
PLAYGROUPS. Family Centers & Playgroups in Hilltowns & Pioneer Valley
PLAYGROUP . Northampton Parents Center
PLAYGROUPS. Family Center & Playgroups in Franklin County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in south Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Family Center & Playgroups in north Berkshire County
PLAYGROUPS . Home. City. Families. in Springfield
CREATIVE FREE-PLAY/ INTERACTIVE MUSEUM . 9am-4pm. The Children’s Museum – Dedicated to enhancing children’s educational and cultural awareness through the arts, sciences, and the world around them. The Museum’s participatory exhibits and educational programming invite children and adults to interact and enjoy learning and self-discovery while at play. Young children almost always want to start on the Curvy Climber. And then, throughout the Museum, there are several other activities that older children might spend more time with, including the Legos Table, The Magna Tile Table, Maxi Rollways, and the Imagination Playground. There is also a state-of-the-art World of Motion room that stimulates children and adults’ curious minds. This room is STEM-based and encourages learning and play. Discover more at The Children’s Museum at Holyoke. 413-536-7048. 444 Dwight St, Holyoke, MA.
NEW ENGLAND HISTORY. 9:30am-4:30pm. Historic Deerfield – Founded in 1952, Historic Deerfield is an outdoor museum that interprets the history and culture of early New England and the Connecticut River Valley. Visitors can tour twelve carefully-preserved antique houses dating from 1730 to 1850 and explore world-class collections of regional furniture, silver, textiles, and other decorative arts on display in the authentic period houses; as well as the Flynt Center of Early New England Life, a state-of-the-art museum facility featuring exhibitions and a visible storage area. Support interests in history through the lens of architecture, New England antiques, arts and crafts needlework, ironware and basketry, cooking and baking, gardening, textiles, fashion, furniture, and much more! Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, 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.
🛍 CRAFT FAIR. 10-4pm. Annual Seconds Sale at Snow Farm-New England Craft. 413-268-3101. 5 Clary Rd, Williamsburg, MA.
MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum – Ventfort Hall is an imposing Jacobean Revival-style mansion built in 1893 for Sarah Morgan, the sister of J. P. Morgan. It was one of the approximately seventy-five so-called “Cottages” built in Lenox in the late 19th century when the village became a popular Gilded Age resort. The museum can support interests in history and architecture, photography, film, art, and botany. Photography and film students can test their skills in the house, finding interesting areas to photograph. Art students are welcome to find a spot they enjoy and sketch, paint, and/or interpret the site as it fits their interests and studies. History classes may compare and contrast the architectural elements of Ventfort Hall with observations in their community. Botany students can investigate and identify trees and plants on the property that are of the era. And much more! Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum. 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA.
JEWISH CULTURE/ HISTORY. 10am-4pm. Yiddish Book Center – Learning about Jewish culture and history often leads parents and children to conversations about their family’s history, culture, and traditions. Part of The Center’s mission is to offer engaging learning opportunities for curious visitors of all ages who come to the expansive, sunny museum designed to resemble a shtetl (Eastern European Jewish small town), which sits in an apple orchard adjacent to the Hampshire College campus. Visitors don’t need to be able to read or speak Yiddish to enjoy the Center—although, by the visit’s end, they’ll realize they probably knew more Yiddish words than they thought (nosh , schmooze , and shlep are all Yiddish words commonly used in English), and leave knowing even more. Yiddish Book Center. 413-256-4900. 1021 West Street. Amherst, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY/MUSEUM ADVENTURES : 10am-4pm. The Beneski Museum of Natural History – One of New England’s largest natural history museums, featuring three floors of exhibits with more than 1,700 specimens on display. Step inside the museum, and you’ll find: Dramatic displays of fossil skeletons, from fish to dinosaurs to Ice Age megafauna, an extraordinary collection of local dinosaur footprints, geological specimens and immersive exhibits that tell the history of the local landscape through geologic time, including when dinosaurs inhabited the area, and dazzling mineral specimens from around the world and meteorites from beyond Earth. Beneski Museum of Natural History. 413-542-2165. Amherst College. 11 Barrett Hill Dr, Amherst, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-4pm. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art – A museum devoted to the art of picture books, especially children’s books. The Carle’s picture-book exhibitions showcase various artists, themes, and styles. Their three galleries host six original shows a year, so there is always something new! In addition to exploring art in the galleries, drop into the art studio to experience the creative joy of making art; explore new picture books, and rediscover old ones in their library. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. 413-559-6300. 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA.
ENTOMOLOGY/ BUTTERFLIES . 10am-4:30pm. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory – An 8000 square-foot tropical conservatory with nearly 4000 free-flying tropical and native butterflies from all over the world. Learn about butterflies along with exotic reptiles, frogs, fish, birds, and insects! Ask about their guided tours. Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory. 413-665-2805. 281 Greenfield Road. South Deerfield, MA.
MUSEUMS ADVENTURES . 10am-5pm. Springfield Museums – The Springfield Museums uses art, history, science, and Dr. Seuss to explore our shared connections and unique perspectives to promote engagement, literacy, and learning. Located in the heart of downtown Springfield, the Springfield Museums offer access to five world-class museums, including the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, all under a single admission. The museums are community-based educational resources that can support interests and education in art studies, natural history, STEM, astronomy, zoology, geology, paleontology, ecology, history, and, of course, Dr. Seuss. Springfield Museums. 413-263-6800. 21 Edwards Street, Springfield, MA.
LITERATURE/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-5pm. The Emily Dickinson Museum – The collection at the Museum contains more than 8,000 artifacts, including family objects such as artwork, textiles, furniture, dinnerware, and other household items. Comprised of two historic houses in the center of Amherst, the Museum is associated with the poet Emily Dickinson and family members during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Through primary source material, support an interest in this local author, sparking a deeper understanding of her life and landscape. Emily Dickinson Museum. 413-542-8161. 280 Main St, Amherst, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ SCULPTURE. 10am-6pm. Art in the Orchard – Easthampton is home to “Art in the Orchard,” an orchard-based gallery of outdoor sculptures and installation art to peruse with family. Bringing “Culture into Horticulture,” the orchard features the work of artists whose work is brought to life amongst the apple trees and changing landscape as we move from summer to fall. The trail is an excellent destination for a family visit. Walking in the good air, high-minded sculpture, exceptional views, pick-your-own apples. Many people make an afternoon of it, bringing a picnic basket and lounging among the trees. Park Hill Orchard. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES. 10am-6pm. The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) – One of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA embraces all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. MASS MoCA offers various participatory learning opportunities, including hands-on art-making classes and docent-guided tours. A must-visit for families is Kidspace, a child-centered art gallery and hands-on studio that offers in-depth art education. Visit the ArtBar, a hands-on studio space in Kidspace, to make art or take a project home with you. MASS MoCA. 413-662-2111.1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA.
🌸 BOTANY/ CHRYSANTHEMUMS. 10am-8pm. The colors might start to fade outdoors, but in the annual Fall Mum Show, you’ll find an extraordinary display of Chrysanthemums in various shapes and hues. In addition to the Fall Mum Show, there is much to see at the Smith College Botanic Garden. You can spend many hours exploring the Lyman Plant House exhibitions, the Lyman Conservatory plant collections, the Campus Arboretum, and Campus Gardens. The Botanic Garden of Smith College. 413-585-2740. 16 College Lane. Northampton MA.
🎶 MUSIC CLASS. 10:30am. Caregiver & Child Music Class at the Meekins Library. 413-268-7472. 2 Williams St, Williamsburg, MA.
ART STUDIES . 11am-4pm. Smith College Museum of Art (SCMA) – SCMA is recognized as a leading academic museum. Their collection comprises 27,000+ objects, representing the diversity of art and material culture across periods and geographies. Visitors can discover artworks from across periods and geographies in their permanent collection galleries and temporary exhibitions, engaging people with first-hand experiences of art, artists, and museum practice. The museum’s collection ranges from ancient Greek vases to contemporary video art. The works in their permanent collection galleries are regularly rotated, so there’s something new to see each time you visit. Special exhibitions highlight a dynamic range of artworks and artists. Smith College Museum of Art. 413-585-2760. 20 Elm Street at Bedford Terrace. Northampton, MA.
ART STUDIES/ MUSEUM ADVENTURES . 11am-5pm. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum – Located on the Mount Holyoke College campus, this Museum is one of the oldest teaching museums in the country, dedicated to providing firsthand experience with works of significant aesthetic and cultural value. The Museum offers pre- and post-visit educational materials designed for kids of all ages to maximize their learning potential while exploring the galleries and connecting art with their personal experiences, including walking and activity guides and educator resources. Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 413-538-2245. 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA.
GRANDPARENTING SUPPORT . 1pm. Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Tea Time, every 1st & 3rd Friday of the month, with Community Action’s Family Center. 413-475-1555. 90 Federal Street , Greenfield, MA .
🧩 PUZZLE. 3pm. How to Solve a Rubik’s Cube – Bring a cube if you have one! If not, the Hatfield Public Library will have some available. They will go over the basics and send participants home to practice. Hatfield Public Library. 413-247-9097. 39 Main Street, Hatfield, MA.
🎭 THEATER STUDIES/ HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL. 6:30-8:30pm. Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, presented by the Holyoke High School Theater Company – Who wouldn’t want to join Charlie Bucket in his adventurous tour of Willy Wonka’s world-famous Chocolate Factory? Now is your chance! Come see Augustus Gloop (Jayden Lopez), Violet Beauregarde (Molly O’Donnell), Veruca Salt (Nevaeh Lopez), Mike Teavee (Michael Rivera Pagan), Grandpa Joe (Shane Bourgeois), Willy Wonka (Devonny Lopez), and Charlie (Camryn Rist) himself come to life. The entire production is smoothly tied together by an energetic and personable Narrator (Aidan Fontanez-Courchesne), who effortlessly bridges time and excites the audience with creative anticipation. The delicious fun of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory awaits you! Following each of the three performances will be a post-show discussion with the cast and crew. All performances will be staged in the John F. Sears Auditorium at Holyoke High School, 500 Beech Street. Holyoke, MA.
MUSIC STUDIES/ DRUMMING . 6:45pm. The Hilltown Intergenerational Drum Circle – All ages and beginners are welcome to this biweekly drum circle, led by Rosie Fanale. Call to confirm before heading over. Shelburne Senior Center. 413-625-8470. Shelburne Falls, MA.
MORE EVENTS : Discover more events on Hilltown Families’ Facebook page.
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Self-Directed Learning: Pies different apples we could select for dessert. Not all apples are the same. Why? What’s different? Why are some better for pies and others for eating out of hand? Learn about the varieties of apples and which ones would be better for your pie… and why! Also, sweet potatoes and pie pumpkins make delicious pies for the holidays!
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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, Becket, Bernardston, Buckland, Chester, Chicopee, Colrain, Cummington, Easthampton, Goshen, Granby, Greenfield, Hadley, Hatfield, Heath, Hinsdale/Peru, Huntington, Leyden, Montgomery, Mount Washington, Northern Berkshire, Orange, Otis, Palmer, Pelham, Rowe, Shelburne, Shutesbury, South Hadley, Tolland, Tyringham, Westhampton, Windsor, and Worthington Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
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