Hilltown Families 
Award-winning musician and long-time friend of HFVS, Steve Weeks, is our Guest DJ this week! Join him in his woodshop as he works on his bike and shares a few family-friendly tunes.
HFVS Fall Bike Tune Up Episode
w/Guest DJ, Steve Weeks
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SUGGESTED EVENTS: NOVEMBER 26 – DECEMBER 2, 2022
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
The Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Annual Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights begins Nov 25 and will be held from 5-9pm on Fri-Sun nights through Dec 23. Additionally, the Museum will be open from Dec 26-30. Halls are decked both inside & outside. Trolley cars transport guests down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas Carols with their trolley car operators. For an open-air view of the “Tunnel of Lights,” enjoy a sleigh car lit up with holiday lights. The Visitor Center is decorated as a Winter Wonderland with model train layouts & lights galore. Admission: $15-$20. Ticket sales must be made in advance: www.ct-trolley.org. Other events include Picture with Santa on 11/25 & Storytime Trolley with Santa & his Elf on 12/3 & 12/10.
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.]
Valley Playwright Mentoring is an afterschool theatre program for teens ages 13 & up. Starting with improv games and moving on to story prompts and devised theatre techniques, teens develop a repertoire of scenes based on stories from their lives and then decide which ones to make into their own show! Remote and in-person options. No previous theatre experience is required. Participants create a performance or podcasts based on stories from their lives and share them with the community. Listen to actors talk about their experiences and hear their podcasts at ptco.org/vpm. Teens who complete the program receive a $200 stipend. Space is limited to 12 participants per group. Questions? Email Jonathan at jonathan@ptco.org or call 508-439-2069.
FEATURED EVENT
Christmas by Candlelight
Old Sturbridge Village
Experience old cherished traditions and create new ones as you celebrate the season during Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village! Explore the beautifully decorated Village, watch a nightly lighting ceremony, stroll through the Christmas Tree Trail and Christmas Wish Bridge, watch demonstrations of classic Christmas projects, visit with Santa, taste samples of sweet treats, enjoy live music and storytelling, and so much more. Visit osv.org to learn more and purchase your tickets in advance.
FEATURED EVENT
Hancock Holiday Nights
Hancock Shaker Village
Hancock Holiday Nights are back with more nights, lights, and wonder. Stroll outdoors across the farm at Hancock Shaker Village to view artist Joe Wheaton’s stunning video projections on several historic buildings, including the iconic Round Stone Barn and Brick Dwelling in Pittsfield, MA. Enter the kitchen of the Brick Dwelling and the Round Stone Barn to see stabled farm animals reminiscent of the first Nativity. Shop for holiday gifts, make simple crafts, and gather for festive spirits by the fire. See the season, and Hancock Shaker Village, in a whole new light. Takes place on select evenings throughout December from 5-8pm. Member discounts and free for children five and under. For info and to buy tickets, visit their website.
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA
The Academy at Charlemont is a community-oriented independent day school for grades 6-PG. For over 40 years, Academy students have become engaged learners and articulate leaders through small classes, rigorous coursework, diverse electives in the arts and beyond, inclusive athletics, personalized advising, and student leadership. Visit The Academy’s campus along the Deerfield River and learn more from students and faculty at their Open House on Sunday, December 4th, from 1-3pm. Generous financial aid and daily round-trip bus service from Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns are available. Ready to learn more about The Academy family for your family?
Preregister for their Open House online: www.charlemont.org/open-houses-2022
FEATURED EVENT
Pioneer Valley Ballet
Northampton, MA
Celebrating its 50th year, Pioneer Valley Ballet presents The Nutcracker, an annual favorite at The Academy of Music in Northampton. Each year, PVB’s Nutcracker is reinvented by Artistic Directors Maryanne Kodzis and Thomas Vacanti, celebrating the history of the company and the tradition of Clara’s magical story. In addition to PVB dancers and local community members, this year’s performance will feature guest artists from Carolina Ballet for the first time since 2019. Join them as they celebrate 50 years of Pioneer Valley Ballet! On Friday, December 9, there will be a Sensory Safe performance at 4pm and PVB’s 50th Anniversary Performance at 6:30pm. Weekend Performances December 10 & 11 at 1pm & 4:30pm Purchase tickets at aomtheatre.com.
FEATURED COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA
Students interested in saving time and money can earn three college credits in just 11 days during the Holyoke Community College Wintersession. Wintersession is the perfect opportunity to complete college prerequisites and lighten spring course loads for students who want to earn college credit during the January break. Registration is due by Dec. 28, 2022, for classes that begin on Dec. 29. Holyoke Community College credits are affordable, and you can take your credits with you. (Many of their classes easily transfer to other institutions. Check-in with your receiving college or university for details.) hcc.edu/wintersession
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
Todd’n’Tina (toddntina.com) guest DJ the Hilltown Family Variety Show with an hour of family fun and share their collective knowledge of “all things agriculture!” Tina shares stories about growing up on a farm in Illinois, while Todd tells “tall tales” about his pet pig and (unproven) theories on gene splicing. It’s another “can’t miss” episode of the Hilltown Family Variety Show!
HFVS with Guest DJs, Todd’n’Tina
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
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 at www.carlemuseum.org
The Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Annual Winterfest & the Tunnel of Lights begins Nov 25 and will be held from 5-9pm on Fri-Sun nights through Dec 23. Additionally, the Museum will be open from Dec 26-30. Halls are decked both inside & outside. Trolley cars transport guests down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas Carols with their trolley car operators. For an open-air view of the “Tunnel of Lights,” enjoy a sleigh car lit up with holiday lights. The Visitor Center is decorated as a Winter Wonderland with model train layouts & lights galore. Admission: $15-$20. Ticket sales must be made in advance: www.ct-trolley.org. Other events include Picture with Santa on 11/25 & Storytime Trolley with Santa & his Elf on 12/3 & 12/10.
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
Smith Vocational High School in Northampton offers a FREE training program in Culinary Arts to prepare 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 on December 14 from 4-5:30pm. Contact Lorena Turner, Adult Ed Director, for more info 413-587-1414 x3530.
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.]
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
For more information: 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.
Valley Playwright Mentoring is an afterschool theatre program for teens ages 13 & up. Starting with improv games and moving on to story prompts and devised theatre techniques, teens develop a repertoire of scenes based on stories from their lives and then decide which ones to make into their own show! Remote and in-person options. No previous theatre experience is required. Participants create a performance or podcasts based on stories from their lives and share them with the community. Listen to actors talk about their experiences and hear their podcasts at ptco.org/vpm. Teens who complete the program receive a $200 stipend. Space is limited to 12 participants per group. Questions? Email Jonathan at jonathan@ptco.org or call 508-439-2069.
FEATURED EVENT
Pioneer Valley Ballet
Northampton, MA
Celebrating its 50th year, Pioneer Valley Ballet presents The Nutcracker, an annual favorite at The Academy of Music in Northampton. Each year, PVB’s Nutcracker is reinvented by Artistic Directors Maryanne Kodzis and Thomas Vacanti, celebrating the history of the company and the tradition of Clara’s magical story. In addition to PVB dancers and local community members, this year’s performance will feature guest artists from Carolina Ballet for the first time since 2019. Join them as they celebrate 50 years of Pioneer Valley Ballet! On Friday, December 9, there will be a Sensory Safe performance at 4pm and PVB’s 50th Anniversary Performance at 6:30pm. Weekend Performances December 10 & 11 at 1pm & 4:30pm Purchase tickets at aomtheatre.com.
FEATURED COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Holyoke Community College
Holyoke, MA
Students interested in saving time and money can earn three college credits in just 11 days during the Holyoke Community College Wintersession. Wintersession is the perfect opportunity to complete college prerequisites and lighten spring course loads for students who want to earn college credit during the January break. Registration is due by Dec. 28, 2022, for classes that begin on Dec. 29. Holyoke Community College credits are affordable, and you can take your credits with you. (Many of their classes easily transfer to other institutions. Check-in with your receiving college or university for details.) hcc.edu/wintersession
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA
The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, is a day and boarding school serving 220 students in kindergarten through grade 9. 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.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
The Giving Tree
Gill, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5
For more information: givingtreeschool.org, admin@givingtreeschool.org, or call 413-863-9218.
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..
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
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.
HFVS Bilingual Family Music Episode
with Guest DJs, Blanca Cecilia González and Jesse Elder of Musiquita
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
FAMILY MUSIC. Hilltown Family Variety Show
LANGUAGE ARTS. Literary Guides
PLACE-BASED LEARNING. Learning Ahead: Cultural Itinerary for Western Massachusetts
CLASSES. Western MA Class Directory
NATURE-BASED LEARNING. Nature Tables
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 to prepare 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 to learn more and 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
For more information: 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.
FEATURED FAMILY PORTRAITS
Nikki Gardner Photography
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
with questions.
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA
The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, is a day and boarding school serving 220 students in kindergarten through grade 9. 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.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
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.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
The Giving Tree
Gill, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5
For more information: givingtreeschool.org, admin@givingtreeschool.org, or call 413-863-9218.
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..
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
In this episode of the Hilltown Family Variety Show, Kid Pan Alley features songs from their album, “Best Friends,” as well as songs from some of their favorite children’s music artists about this very subject. Tune in and feel inspired and rejuvenated with a collection of great songs to enjoy with your family and friends.
HFVS Best Friend Episode with Guest DJ, Kid Pan Alley
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
ART STUDIES: R. Michelson Galleries. 413-586-3964. 132 Main St, Northampton, MA.
SPORTS/ ICE SKATING: Smead Arena. 413-781-2599. 1780 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA.
EARLY CHILDHOOD: South Hadley Family Center. 413-283-7594. 7 Woodbridge St, South Hadley, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY: Storrowton Village Museum. 413-205-5051. 1305 Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Pajama Night returns to Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, on Friday, November 4, from 5:30-7:30pm! Authors, artists, educators, and community members share stories at this FREE National Family Literacy Month celebration. Children and their families are invited to listen as adults, and kids read aloud, go for a story walk, and choose a free book to take home. Pajama Night is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
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
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 to learn more and 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.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Campus School of Smith College
Northampton, MA
Campus School of Smith College will hold an open house on Thursday, November 3, from 8:30-10:30am. At the lab school of Smith College, hands-on learning sparks intellectual engagement, research findings inform modern methods, and transformative relationships enrich masterful teaching. Campus School of Smith College is a kindergarten through sixth-grade elementary school located in the heart of Northampton, MA. Affordable tuition and financial aid are available. RSVP 413-585-3270 or call to schedule a visit. Learn more at campus-school.smith.edu.
It’s harvest season! Come to CISA’s Making Food Fun event on Saturday, November 5, 10am-12pm at Forest Park, where learning, food, and fun intersect in an event for all ages. CISA is teaming up with the Winter Farmers’ Market at Forest Park to offer fall treats at the season’s opening. Enter the park from Sumner Ave., Springfield, and follow market signs to the Bright Nights’ storage building. Personal chef & cooking instructor, Bella Foodie, will be on hand to show children how to assemble harvest ingredients into a tasty snack. Red Fire Farm will offer apple tasting, where families can use a worksheet to track data on multiple kinds of apples. There will be a station for kids to decorate & take home small pie pumpkins from Red Fire Farm.
FEATURED FAMILY PORTRAITS
Nikki Gardner Photography
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
with questions.
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA
The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, is a day and boarding school serving 220 students in kindergarten through grade 9. Applications for fall 2023 are being accepted now. Attend an open house to learn more about the school! Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or schedule a campus tour.
FEATURED EVENTS
River Valley Co-Op
Northampton & Easthampton
River Valley Co-op is offering a wide range of FREE community workshops and classes this Fall. Most of these will take place virtually, but they will hold a number in person at one of their locations in the Pioneer Valley. Hosted by various western MA teachers, business owners, authors, and community leaders, classes cover a range of topics such as time management, fermenting your own veggies, soil ecology, yoga, and much more! There are even workshops and classes designed specifically for families with young children – yoga for kids, pumpkin seed savings, natural dyes, and more. To see the complete list of workshops and to register, visit www.rivervalley.coop.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
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.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
Eric Herman spins a web of spooky Halloween tunes, with some “help” from an alien and a demon, who have taken up space in his brain.
HFVS Halloween Episode with Guest DJ, Eric Herman
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SUGGESTED EVENTS: OCTOBER 29-NOVEMBER 4, 2022
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
It is MICAfest time! Tickets are on sale now. Catch three days of live performances of dance, music, poetry, comedy, theater, and more! See local favorites Rythea Lee, Lisa Bastoni, Happier Valley Comedy, Christa Joy, Sherine Khatoun, and Rebirth. 40+ artistic mothers performing and showcasing visual artwork by artists such as Angela Zammarelli, Loretta Kane, and Procheta Olsen. Celebrating the creativity of mothers and primary parents, this year’s inaugural MICAfest takes place at Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley from October 28-30, 2022. Plus! All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to pay artist stipends and fund future programs to support amazing mom-artists. Get your tickets now! Questions? Email hello@experiencemica.org
Pajama Night returns to Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, on Friday, November 4, from 5:30-7:30pm! Authors, artists, educators, and community members share stories at this FREE National Family Literacy Month celebration. Children and their families are invited to listen as adults, and kids read aloud, go for a story walk, and choose a free book to take home. Pajama Night is sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union. Berkshire Museum. 413-443-7171. 39 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
Hilltown Sleddogs is home to a team of Alaskan Husky Sled Dogs in Western MA. The past three winters, they lived in Alaska, mushing the 750-mile Serum Run Expedition in 2020, 300-mile Summit Quest Race 2021, and winter camping on the Skwetna River & Denali Highway in 2022. Marla BB has stories to share at School, After School & Homeschool Programs, Demonstrations, and Festivals! She wrote a storybook about her travels w/her team. Sign up for Vacation Day & Summer Sled Dog Camps now. Each child gets their own sled dog & each dog gets their own kid! Dog Yard Tours & Rig Rides are available Fall & Spring. Clinics on “How to Mush” are offered with your dog or theirs. Learn to Cani-cross, Bikejor, Scooter & Skijor. They do Birthday Parties too!
on Saturday, November 12, 5:30-9pm in Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, celebrates the opening of Winter Festival: Solstice Celebration! from Nov 12-Jan 8, featuring a performance by award-winning musician Paul Winter on Saturday, November 12. The concert begins at 5:30pm in the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema. Premium tickets include reserved theater seating in prime locations. General admission tickets include access to available theater seats upon arrival. Doors open at 5pm. Following the concert, join others in the second-floor galleries in the Winter Festival exhibits for a reception. See Santa Classics by Philadelphia-based artist Ed Wheeler and Hoots Holiday: A Solstice Tale! Reserve your tickets online at berkshiremuseum.org.
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
For more information: admissions@hartsbrook.org; 413-586-1908 x116; www.hartsbrook.org.
FEATURED SCHOOL
Campus School of Smith College
Northampton, MA
Campus School of Smith College will hold an open house on Thursday, November 3, from 8:30-10:30am. At the lab school of Smith College, hands-on learning sparks intellectual engagement, research findings inform modern methods, and transformative relationships enrich masterful teaching. Campus School of Smith College is a kindergarten through sixth-grade elementary school located in the heart of Northampton, MA. Affordable tuition and financial aid are available. RSVP 413-585-3270 or call to schedule a visit. Learn more at campus-school.smith.edu.
FEATURED EVENT
CISA’s Making Food Fun
Springfield, MA
It’s harvest season! Come to CISA’s Making Food Fun event on Saturday, November 5, 10am-12pm at Forest Park, where learning, food, and fun intersect in an event for all ages. CISA is teaming up with the Winter Farmers’ Market at Forest Park to offer fall treats at the season’s opening. Enter the park from Sumner Ave., Springfield, and follow market signs to the Bright Nights’ storage building. Personal chef & cooking instructor, Bella Foodie, will be on hand to show children how to assemble harvest ingredients into a tasty snack. Red Fire Farm will offer apple tasting, where families can use a worksheet to track data on multiple kinds of apples. There will be a station for kids to decorate & take home small pie pumpkins from Red Fire Farm.
FEATURED FAMILY PORTRAITS
Nikki Gardner Photography
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
with questions.
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA
The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, is a day and boarding school serving 220 students in kindergarten through grade 9. Applications for fall 2023 are being accepted now. Attend an open house to learn more about the school! Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or schedule a campus tour.
FEATURED EVENTS
River Valley Co-Op
Northampton & Easthampton
River Valley Co-op is offering a wide range of FREE community workshops and classes this Fall. Most of these will take place virtually, but they will hold a number in person at one of their locations in the Pioneer Valley. Hosted by various western MA teachers, business owners, authors, and community leaders, classes cover a range of topics such as time management, fermenting your own veggies, soil ecology, yoga, and much more! There are even workshops and classes designed specifically for families with young children – yoga for kids, pumpkin seed savings, natural dyes, and more. To see the complete list of workshops and to register, visit www.rivervalley.coop.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
HFVS Haunted Halloween Episode with guest hosts Mr. Singer and his 10-year-old nephew, Connor Thomas Martin, is an hour of fun. These silly, spooky songs celebrate a favorite holiday, HALLOWEEN! Mr. Singer plays original spooky tunes and reads a story about Mary Shelley, the teenaged author of Frankenstein. Connor tells personal stories and gives a little tutorial on the eery-sounding musical saw. It’s a rock-n-roll Halloween radio fun show that will get the whole clan psyched about HAAALLLLLOOOOWWWEEEEENNNN!!!
HFVS Haunted Halloween Episode
with Guest DJ, Mr. Singer of the Sharp Cookies
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
Suggested Events: October 22-28, 2022
Community-Based Education Resources
THEATER STUDIES: Berkshire Theatre Group. 413-997-4444. 111 South St, Pittsfield, MA.
ECOLOGY. Chester-Blandford State Forest. 413-354-6347. 800 US-20, Chester, MA.
TRANSPORTATION HISTORY. Chester Railway Station. 413-354-7878. 10 Prospect St, Chester, MA.
ART STUDIES. Cottage Street Studios. 413-527-2711. 1 Cottage St. Easthampton, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
It is MICAfest time! Tickets are on sale now. Catch three days of live performances of dance, music, poetry, comedy, theater, and more! See local favorites Rythea Lee, Lisa Bastoni, Happier Valley Comedy, Christa Joy, Sherine Khatoun, and Rebirth. 40+ artistic mothers performing and showcasing visual artwork by artists such as Angela Zammarelli, Loretta Kane, and Procheta Olsen. Celebrating the creativity of mothers and primary parents, this year’s inaugural MICAfest takes place at Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley from October 28-30, 2022. Plus! All proceeds from ticket sales go directly to pay artist stipends and fund future programs to support amazing mom-artists. Get your tickets now! Questions? Email hello@experiencemica.org
on Saturday, November 12, 5:30-9pm in Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, celebrates the opening of Winter Festival: Solstice Celebration! from Nov 12-Jan 8, featuring a performance by award-winning musician Paul Winter on Saturday, November 12. The concert begins at 5:30pm in the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema. Premium tickets include reserved theater seating in prime locations. General admission tickets include access to available theater seats upon arrival. Doors open at 5pm. Following the concert, join others in the second-floor galleries in the Winter Festival exhibits for a reception. See Santa Classics by Philadelphia-based artist Ed Wheeler and Hoots Holiday: A Solstice Tale! Reserve your tickets online at berkshiremuseum.org.
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
For more information: admissions@hartsbrook.org; 413-586-1908 x116; www.hartsbrook.org.
Hilltown Sleddogs is home to a team of Alaskan Husky Sled Dogs in Western MA. The past three winters, they lived in Alaska, mushing the 750-mile Serum Run Expedition in 2020, 300-mile Summit Quest Race 2021, and winter camping on the Skwetna River & Denali Highway in 2022. Marla BB has stories to share at School, After School & Homeschool Programs, Demonstrations, and Festivals! She wrote a storybook about her travels w/her team. Sign up for Vacation Day & Summer Sled Dog Camps now. Each child gets their own sled dog & each dog gets their own kid! Dog Yard Tours & Rig Rides are available Fall & Spring. Clinics on “How to Mush” are offered with your dog or theirs. Learn to Cani-cross, Bikejor, Scooter & Skijor. They do Birthday Parties too!
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA
The Academy at Charlemont is a community-oriented independent day school for grades 6-PG. For over 40 years, Academy students have become engaged learners and articulate leaders through small classes, rigorous coursework, diverse electives in the arts and beyond, inclusive athletics, personalized advising, and student leadership. Visit The Academy’s campus along the Deerfield River in Charlemont, MA, and learn more from students and faculty at their Open House on Sunday, October 23rd, from 1-3pm. Generous financial aid and daily round-trip bus service from Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns are available. Ready to learn more about The Academy family for your family? Pre-register for their Open House on their website: www.charlemont.org
FEATURED SCHOOL
Campus School of Smith College
Northampton, MA
Campus School of Smith College will hold an open house on Thursday, November 3, from 8:30-10:30am. At the lab school of Smith College, hands-on learning sparks intellectual engagement, research findings inform modern methods, and transformative relationships enrich masterful teaching. Campus School of Smith College is a kindergarten through sixth-grade elementary school located in the heart of Northampton, MA. Affordable tuition and financial aid are available. RSVP 413-585-3270 or call to schedule a visit. Learn more at campus-school.smith.edu.
FEATURED EVENTS
River Valley Co-Op
Northampton & Easthampton
River Valley Co-op is offering a wide range of FREE community workshops and classes this Fall. Most of these will take place virtually, but they will hold a number in person at one of their locations in the Pioneer Valley. Hosted by various western MA teachers, business owners, authors, and community leaders, classes cover a range of topics such as time management, fermenting your own veggies, soil ecology, yoga, and much more! There are even workshops and classes designed specifically for families with young children – yoga for kids, pumpkin seed savings, natural dyes, and more. To see the complete list of workshops and to register, visit www.rivervalley.coop.
FEATURED FAMILY PORTRAITS
Nikki Gardner Photography
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
with questions.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Bement School
Deerfield, MA
The Bement School, founded in 1925 and located in Deerfield, is a day and boarding school serving 220 students in kindergarten through grade 9. Applications for fall 2023 are being accepted now. Attend an open house to learn more about the school! Contact the admission office at admit@bement.org with questions or schedule a campus tour.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
Guest DJs Amyliza de Jesus and Marla Vannucci of Brighter Light Brigade talk about all the different ways you can “Express Yourself!” As moms, mental health providers, and musicians/artists, they illustrate how important it is to show others how you feel and to let your inner light shine in whatever ways are uniquely you. Amy and Marla share the Peter H. Reynolds story The Dot and some of their favorite songs. They encourage and guide listeners to reflect on the story’s lessons and the messages in these songs and incorporate them into their own lives.
HFVS Express Yourself Episode with Guest DJ, Brighter Light Brigade
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
FALL HARVEST. Atkins Farms Country Market. 413-253-9528. 1150 West St.Amherst, MA.
LIVING HISTORY. Old Sturbridge Village. 800-733-1830. 1 Old Sturbridge Village Rd, Sturbridge, MA.
AGRICULTURE/ ART. Park Hill Orchard. 413-527-6186. 82 Park Hill Road. Easthampton, MA.
CULINARY ARTS/ HEALTH & WELLNESS. River Valley Co-Op. 413-584-2665. 330 N King St, Northampton, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Family Program: Follow the Flow happens on October 16, 2022, 1–3pm at Smith College Museum of Art in Northampton, MA. Free admission. Explore rivers in art with SCMA Student Museum Educators in the galleries, paint watercolor droplets to take home or add to our collaborative river, discover the historic Mill River flood through the eyes of a fish, and learn about the Mill Riverwalk kits created by educators Karen Bryant and Wendy Stein, available for loan from Forbes Library. Pick up self-guided sample activities from the kits, ready to be tried out with your family along our own Paradise Pond, designed for ages 4-12 and their caregivers. Activities are ongoing at SCMA from 1–3pm. Click to learn more: https://bit.ly/3RFpGQa
Sign up to schedule a free consult and to learn more about their programs.
InfinityEd is an instructional organization devoted to providing students with what they need to succeed by providing an education that goes beyond the limits of the public school system. By fostering an environment that encourages discussion-based learning over lectures, InfinityEd nourishes a student’s love of learning and promotes a deeper understanding of content. Click here to schedule a free trial/consultation and intro lesson for the program of your choice. They offer programs via multiple formats: remote, in-office (Amherst, MA), and in-center (Hampden, MA). Prospective students also have the choice of individualized, one-on-one instruction or working within a small group of similar-minded students. Remember: education makes life better! Learn more at infinityed.us.
on Saturday, November 12, 5:30-9pm in Pittsfield, MA
Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, celebrates the opening of Winter Festival: Solstice Celebration! from Nov 12-Jan 8, featuring a performance by award-winning musician Paul Winter on Saturday, November 12. The concert begins at 5:30pm in the Berkshire Museum’s Little Cinema. Premium tickets include reserved theater seating in prime locations. General admission tickets include access to available theater seats upon arrival. Doors open at 5pm. Following the concert, join others in the second-floor galleries in the Winter Festival exhibits for a reception. See Santa Classics by Philadelphia-based artist Ed Wheeler and Hoots Holiday: A Solstice Tale! Reserve your tickets online at berkshiremuseum.org.
FEATURED EVENT
Common School Children’s Carnival
Amherst, MA
The Common School will hold its annual Children’s Carnival on Saturday, October 15, from 10am-3pm., (rain or shine) on the school’s campus at 521 South Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA. Open to the community, the Children’s Carnival will offer old-fashioned activities, games, and entertainment with local children’s musician, Latin Grammy award winner Mister G. Admission to the carnival is free. Games and activities have a small fee. Breakfast, hearty lunches, and treats such as cotton candy, homemade baked goods, and smoothies will be available for purchase. For more information, call 413-256-8989 or go to www.commonschool.org
FEATURED SCHOOL
The Academy at Charlemont
Charlemont, MA
The Academy at Charlemont is a community-oriented independent day school for grades 6-PG. For over 40 years, Academy students have become engaged learners and articulate leaders through small classes, rigorous coursework, diverse electives in the arts and beyond, inclusive athletics, personalized advising, and student leadership. Visit The Academy’s campus along the Deerfield River in Charlemont, MA, and learn more from students and faculty at their Open House on Sunday, October 23rd, from 1-3pm. Generous financial aid and daily round-trip bus service from Amherst, Northampton, and the Hilltowns are available. Ready to learn more about The Academy family for your family? Pre-register for their Open House on their website: www.charlemont.org
FEATURED EVENTS
River Valley Co-Op
Northampton & Easthampton
River Valley Co-op is offering a wide range of FREE community workshops and classes this Fall. Most of these will take place virtually, but they will hold a number in person at one of their locations in the Pioneer Valley. Hosted by various western MA teachers, business owners, authors, and community leaders, classes cover a range of topics such as time management, fermenting your own veggies, soil ecology, yoga, and much more! There are even workshops and classes designed specifically for families with young children – yoga for kids, pumpkin seed savings, natural dyes, and more. To see the complete list of workshops and to register, visit www.rivervalley.coop.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
Start the new school year off on the right note with 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. Interested in taking a music class with others? Try their fun Community Group Classes, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis! BMS private lessons and Community Group Classes are for students of all ages and levels. Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “After-School Program.” For more info on how to register & class offerings, visit the BMS website:
www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
The Giving Tree
Gill, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5
For more information: givingtreeschool.org, admin@givingtreeschool.org, or call 413-863-9218.
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..
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
Daniel Martin and Stefani Rose are a husband and wife Kindie-Music duo better known as Martin and Rose Music. As this week’s Guest DJ, Stefani will focus on social-emotional learning and discuss how music, dancing, singing, and songwriting can help us understand our “Big Feelings.” She will share songs that have helped her and Daniel and their four kids boost the mood in their home and connect deeper as a family.
HFVS Big Feelings Episode with Martin and Rose Music
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
DANCE STUDIES: Earthdance. 413-634-5678. 252 Prospect Street, Plainfield, MA.
NATURAL HISTORY. Glendale Falls. Clark Wright Road, Middlefield, MA.
LOCAL HISTORY: Historic Northampton. 413-584-6011. 46 Bridge Street. Northampton, MA.
PERFORMING ARTS: Ja’Duke Theater. 413-863-0001. 110 Industrial Blvd, Turners Falls, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Inspired academics, gifted teachers, music and art in everyday learning, active land stewardship, and a culture of compassion: this is the Hartsbrook School. Whether exploring the nearby fields and stream or delving into deep inquiry, Hartsbrook students develop foundational learning skills that last a lifetime. Discover how meaningful a school experience can be, and enjoy a vibrant, active parent community. Now accepting applications for 2023-24, pre-K thru high school! For more information, call 413-586-1908 x116 to begin your exploration. Visit the school online at www.hartsbrook.org. Hartsbrook School is located at 193 Bay Road in Hadley, MA.
Sign up to schedule a free consult and to learn more about their programs.
InfinityEd is an instructional organization devoted to providing students with what they need to succeed by providing an education that goes beyond the limits of the public school system. By fostering an environment that encourages discussion-based learning over lectures, InfinityEd nourishes a student’s love of learning and promotes a deeper understanding of content. Click here to schedule a free trial/consultation and intro lesson for the program of your choice. They offer programs via multiple formats: remote, in-office (Amherst, MA), and in-center (Hampden, MA). Prospective students also have the choice of individualized, one-on-one instruction or working within a small group of similar-minded students. Remember: education makes life better! Learn more at infinityed.us.
FEATURED EVENT
Common School Children’s Carnival
Amherst, MA
The Common School will hold its annual Children’s Carnival on Saturday, October 15, from 10am-3pm., (rain or shine) on the school’s campus at 521 South Pleasant Street in Amherst, MA. Open to the community, the Children’s Carnival will offer old-fashioned activities, games, and entertainment with local children’s musician, Latin Grammy award winner Mister G. Admission to the carnival is free. Games and activities have a small fee. Breakfast, hearty lunches, and treats such as cotton candy, homemade baked goods, and smoothies will be available for purchase. For more information, call 413-256-8989 or go to www.commonschool.org
FEATURED EVENT
The 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering
October 7-9, 2022
Leapfrog Programs presents, the 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering – Earth Living Skills Rendezvous on October 7-9, 2022, in the Hilltowns! Get outdoors with nature immersion opportunities this fall during this ancestral skills gathering
in Montgomery, MA. Participants will come together on the land to learn and share timeless skills practiced by people on all continents, including animal tracking, hide tanning, friction fires, storytelling, and more! Leapfrog Programs also offers after-school and homeschool programs for K-8. Experience nature immersion and connection, learn foundational skills and routines, and begin a lifelong, meaningful relationship with many species and the land. To register or to learn more, visit leapfrogprograms.org.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
Start the new school year off on the right note with 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. Interested in taking a music class with others? Try their fun Community Group Classes, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis! BMS private lessons and Community Group Classes are for students of all ages and levels. Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “After-School Program.” For more info on how to register & class offerings, visit the BMS website:
www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
The Giving Tree
Gill, MA
Preschool ♦ Ages 2.9-5
For more information: givingtreeschool.org, admin@givingtreeschool.org, or call 413-863-9218.
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..
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
Autumn means harvest time in the northeastern United States. But what are people harvesting in other parts of the country, and around the world? Join guest DJ Story Laurie for some lively songs (including two that were written by elementary school kids!); a crazy tale about a girl sailing around the world on a cabbage; and we’ll even check in with some folks in the Philippines, Finland, and Korea about what they’re harvesting right now.
HFVS Harvest Episode with Guest DJ, Story Laurie
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
MUSEUM ADVENTURES: Amelia Park Children’s Museum. 413-572-4014. 29 S Broad St, Westfield, MA.
AGRICULTURE: Apex Orchards. 413-625-2744. 225 Peckville Rd. Shelburne, MA.
HERBALISM: Blazing Star Herbal School. Conway, MA.
LIVING HISTORY: Historic Deerfield. 413-774-5581. 84 Old Main St, Deerfield, MA.
HIKING: Mt. Tom State Reservation Stone House Visitor Center. 413-527-4805. 125 Reservation Rd, Holyoke, MA.
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Inspired academics, gifted teachers, music and art in everyday learning, active land stewardship, and a culture of compassion: this is the Hartsbrook School. Whether exploring the nearby fields and stream or delving into deep inquiry, Hartsbrook students develop foundational learning skills that last a lifetime. Discover how meaningful a school experience can be, and enjoy a vibrant, active parent community. Now accepting applications for 2023-24, pre-K thru high school! For more information, call 413-586-1908 x116 to begin your exploration. Visit the school online at www.hartsbrook.org. Hartsbrook School is located at 193 Bay Road in Hadley, MA.
FEATURED EVENT
The 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering
October 7-9, 2022
Leapfrog Programs presents, the 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering – Earth Living Skills Rendezvous on October 7-9, 2022, in the Hilltowns! Get outdoors with nature immersion opportunities this fall during this ancestral skills gathering
in Montgomery, MA. Participants will come together on the land to learn and share timeless skills practiced by people on all continents, including animal tracking, hide tanning, friction fires, storytelling, and more! Leapfrog Programs also offers after-school and homeschool programs for K-8. Experience nature immersion and connection, learn foundational skills and routines, and begin a lifelong, meaningful relationship with many species and the land. To register or to learn more, visit leapfrogprograms.org.
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
FEATURED EVENT
Housatonic Heritage Walks
Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT
Housatonic Heritage Walks are FREE, guided interpretive walks to the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural, and scenic sites in Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT. These family-friendly free walks are offered on autumn weekends throughout September and early October. Explore with knowledgeable & local historians, naturalists, and environmentalists at sites within the Housatonic River Valley: tours of historic buildings and town centers, trail hikes, walks through industrial heritage sites, a canoe paddling trip on the Housatonic River, bike rides on quiet country roads that have a history, behind-the-scenes tours at performing arts venues, and strolls through formal gardens and estates. All ages & all people are invited. More info: Heritage-Hikes.org.
FEATURED EVENT
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival
Orange, MA
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival returns Oct 1 & 2! This popular family-friendly weekend is back and not to be missed. Held on a historic farm amid fall foliage, celebrate community and local living with two days of peace, love, and garlic! Fabulous music & performance on three stages; over 80 exhibitors featuring art, agriculture, healing arts, and local organizations; a terrific kids art tent & games for all ages; glorious garlic cuisine and chef demos; ample inspiration & workshops for a hopeful future. Family-friendly inflation-busting weekend admission! $10 adults, $5 students, seniors, EBT, kids 12 & under FREE! Visit www.garlicandarts.org for parking, shuttle, & full schedule of events. No pets. Follow on FB and Instagram.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
Start the new school year off on the right note with 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. Interested in taking a music class with others? Try their fun Community Group Classes, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis! BMS private lessons and Community Group Classes are for students of all ages and levels. Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “After-School Program.” For more info on how to register & class offerings, visit the BMS website:
www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
The season of fall is the topic of the day. Two happy Dads from the Minneapolis-based group The Jolly Pops are our Guest DJs for an hour of family music this week. They chat up their favorite things about this time of year and spin a set of songs that will make you want to jump into a leaf pile.
HFVS Fall Family Fun Episode with Guest DJ, The Jolly Pops
Are you looking for things to do in western Massachusetts? Seeking place-based learning ideas? Are you a self-directed, life-long, and/or experiential learner? Are you curious or wanting to support the interests of your family? Our weekly Suggested Events list includes suggested learning ideas, resources, and fun events for all ages, each week!
Scroll down to discover featured events, learning opportunities, and educational videos to support learning from home. And be sure to subscribe to our free weekly eNewsletter so you never miss out!
SUGGESTED EVENTS: SEPTEMBER 24-30, 2022
SELF-DIRECTED LEARNING IDEAS
COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
Featured Events, Resources, & Opportunities
Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor, CT, will hold their popular Pumpkin Patch event starting Sept 24 and runs every Sat & Sun, including Monday, Oct 10 until Oct 30. Pumpkin Patch is a family fun-filled adventure where families ride on a trolley car out to the pumpkin patch field, and each child can pick out a FREE sugar pumpkin. Back at the Museum, they can decorate pumpkins, enjoy hands-on crafts & the outside play area with SPOOKTACULAR Halloween activities. Tickets are also good for the Fire Truck Museum, housed on the same property as the Trolley Museum. Visit www.ct-trolley.org for hours of operation & to book your tickets. Admission is $14/adults, $13/seniors, $13/ages 12-17, $11/ages 2-11, and under 2 is free.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County is taking over the parking lot at Lia Toyota of Northampton at 280 King Street on Sunday, September 25th, 11am- 3pm for the 3 Ring Ruckus Home, Car, & Family Spectacular! This community event brings together home vendors highlighting their offerings, family entertainment featuring the Pioneer Valley Jump Rope Team, juggling from VillageWise, corn shucking contest, bubble zone, bike safety rodeo for kids (bring your tike’s bike/helmet), chalk art, pumpkin painting, and much more. Live music by Rosie Porter & The Neon Moons, Local Burgy and Ginger Love Café food trucks, 3 types of raffles, and a New England car show round up the three-ring event. (Severe weather postpones until early summer 2023).
Will Bike 4 Food, presented by Stop & Shop, returns for its 12th year on Sunday, September 25, 2022, at the Lion’s Club Pavilion in Hatfield, MA! For The Food Bank’s 40th Anniversary, the goal is to raise $250,000, which will provide ONE MILLION healthy and nutritious meals to neighbors throughout Western Massachusetts in need of food. Sign up as an individual or team for a 10-, 25-, 50-, or 100-mile bike ride through the Pioneer Valley. Each cyclist gets a WB4F t-shirt and an all-access pass to the CE Floyd After Party with food, craft beverages, live music, and more! Visit www.willbike4food.org for more information, sign-up, or donate to a team.
FEATURED EVENT
Housatonic Heritage Walks
Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT
Housatonic Heritage Walks are FREE, guided interpretive walks to the most interesting historic, cultural, industrial, natural, and scenic sites in Berkshire County, MA, & Litchfield County, CT. These family-friendly free walks are offered on autumn weekends throughout September and early October. Explore with knowledgeable & local historians, naturalists, and environmentalists at sites within the Housatonic River Valley: tours of historic buildings and town centers, trail hikes, walks through industrial heritage sites, a canoe paddling trip on the Housatonic River, bike rides on quiet country roads that have a history, behind-the-scenes tours at performing arts venues, and strolls through formal gardens and estates. All ages & all people are invited. More info: Heritage-Hikes.org.
FEATURED EVENT
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival
Orange, MA
The North Quabbin Garlic and Arts Festival returns Oct 1 & 2! This popular family-friendly weekend is back and not to be missed. Held on a historic farm amid fall foliage, celebrate community and local living with two days of peace, love, and garlic! Fabulous music & performance on three stages; over 80 exhibitors featuring art, agriculture, healing arts, and local organizations; a terrific kids art tent & games for all ages; glorious garlic cuisine and chef demos; ample inspiration & workshops for a hopeful future. Family-friendly inflation-busting weekend admission! $10 adults, $5 students, seniors, EBT, kids 12 & under FREE! Visit www.garlicandarts.org for parking, shuttle, & full schedule of events. No pets. Follow on FB and Instagram.
FEATURED EVENT
The 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering
October 7-9, 2022
Leapfrog Programs presents, the 5th Annual Groundnut Gathering – Earth Living Skills Rendezvous on October 7-9, 2022, in the Hilltowns! Get outdoors with nature immersion opportunities this fall during this ancestral skills gathering
in Montgomery, MA. Participants will come together on the land to learn and share timeless skills practiced by people on all continents, including animal tracking, hide tanning, friction fires, storytelling, and more! Leapfrog Programs also offers after-school and homeschool programs for K-8. Experience nature immersion and connection, learn foundational skills and routines, and begin a lifelong, meaningful relationship with many species and the land. To register or to learn more, visit leapfrogprograms.org.
FEATURED PRESCHOOL
Prelude Preschool of the Arts
Springfield, MA
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.
FEATURED MUSIC SCHOOL
Berkshire Music School
Pittsfield, MA
Start the new school year off on the right note with 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. Interested in taking a music class with others? Try their fun Community Group Classes, offered on a pay-what-you-can basis! BMS private lessons and Community Group Classes are for students of all ages and levels. Check out why Berkshire Music School was named the Berkshire Eagle’s 2021 Best of the Berkshires “After-School Program.” For more info on how to register & class offerings, visit the BMS website:
www.BerkshireMusicSchool.org
FEATURED COUPLES THERAPY
Couples Therapy, Inc.
Cummington, MA
We are living in historically stressful times. Unfortunately, many families and marriages have struggled to navigate these difficult times. But did you know that science-based couples therapy is 70-92% effective for most motivated couples? Daniel Dashnaw is a Marriage and Family therapist AND one of the founders of www.couplestherapyinc.com, the most extensive science-based couples therapy practice in the United States. Daniel has been a Hilltown resident for over 20 years. Couples from around the world visit his secluded sanctuary in the deep woods of Cummington to roll up their sleeves and turn their marriages around. We live in tough times. Intimacy is hard. Can science-based couples therapy help your marriage? Email Daniel at daniel@couplestherapyinc.com to learn more.
See Your Ad Here
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.
Preschool Directory
Find what you’re looking for in our Preschool & Daycare Directory for Western MA
