Hilltown Families

Your Daughter’s Halloween Costume: Tips for Dads The search for your daughter or stepdaughter’s Halloween costume can be treacherous, filled with over-sexed and stereotyped “choices.” Here are some healthy ideas from...

The culinary experience of exploring food customs from around the world can bring families an integrated course of study on cultural traditions and arts! Check out our archived DIY post...

SUGGEST AN EVENT If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An...

Click HERE for the 2010 4th of July Schedule 2009 Fireworks & More in Western Massachusetts Here is a schedule of firework displays and parades happening in Western Massachusetts.  Click on...

Kathy McMahon of Cummington, MA writes: We are going to be in the CHESTERFIELD 4TH OF JULY PARADE! We invite all the little vegetables and fruits in our Hilltowns to show...

Nicolas Frischer of Chesterfield, MA writes: “Let Freedom Ring” will be the theme of this year’s July 4th parade and promises all the fun and family attractions that have made this...

Eco-Savvy Basket for Spring Celebrate Green by making an easy Easter basket that can become an heirloom This basket is simple to make and as cute as they come. Children as...

Passover 2009 In 2009, Passover is observed from sundown April 8 to sundown April 15. Annually, Passover starts at sundown on the 15th day of the Jewish lunar month Nissan, which...

Notes from Nan: Help Support the Elmer’s Ball Point Pen Drive! BY HF Contributing Writer, Nan Parati Every morning we start out with a stack of ballpoint pens for the waitresses...

Will You Be Mine? An Exhibition of Early Valentines An Exhibit, Ground Floor of Dwight Hall at Mount Holyoke College February 3 – February 22, 2009 Each year, the Mount Holyoke...

Anderson also writes, "The groundhog tradition stems from similar beliefs associated with Candlemas Day and the days of early Christians in Europe, and for centuries the custom was to have the...

I Have A Dream Of Unity: A Change Embraced A Community Gathering honoring the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY Northampton, MA, January 19,...

Brandon Deroche of Causecast writes: In celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the inauguration of President Elect Obama, Causecast has produced a video to push and inspire people to...

Communities Gearing Up for Massive Day of Service on King Holiday Communities and nonprofits across the country are gearing up for a record number of volunteers on the Martin Luther King...

City School and Country School Honor The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Through Community Engagement in Western Mass In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., students at The...

TIME TO LOOT THE TREE! by Sienna Wildfield St. Knut’s Day is fast approaching (Tuesday), which means it’s time to let the kids loot the Christmas Tree! Traditionally in Sweden, Christmas...

President-elect Barack Obama Issues National Call to Service on MLK Day of Service President-elect Barack Obama is calling on Americans across the nation to volunteer in the January 19, 2009 Martin...

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. “I Have A Dream” Speech Families interested in discovering more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement with their children might enjoy the following...

Happy New Year! How does your family ring in the New Year? First Night Northampton 2007 First Night Northampton 2007 This coming week we welcome in another new year!...

How It All Got Started Long before the advent of Christianity, plants and trees that remained green all year had a special meaning for people in the winter. Just as people...

“This is an old black & white presentation of the holiday classic that was originally produced by Castle Films in 1946. This video was transferred from an 8mm print of the...

Happy Winter Solstice, Chanukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and all other seasonal celebrations! SUGGEST AN EVENT If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to...

St. Nicholas Center: Discovering the Truth About Santa Claus Material about St. Nicholas, “lover of the poor and patron saint of children.” Features background about this 4th-century saint, illustrated descriptions of...

The Snowman One my favorite films to watch during the holidays is The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, a 23 minute pencil-drawn animation. It’s the purity of The Snowman that I enjoy...

SUGGEST AN EVENT If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An...

I have an extra copy of Joan Nathan's The Children's Jewish Holiday Kitchen that I wanted to offer. This is a great recipe book for any family to have, ...

SUGGEST AN EVENT If you have a family-friendly event or educational program happening in Western Massachusetts that you’d like to let us know about, post your event on our “Suggest An...

If you were asked to describe the ideal holiday season, what would you say? [Newdream.org] Perhaps you would include the company of loved ones, good food, fun and relaxation… maybe an...

Eco-Family Annual Winter Fair As an alternative to traditional holiday buying, the Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School will host their annual family book and “green” craft fair on Saturday December 6,...

Every year I send my parents a gingerbread house for their solstice dessert party, complete with their last name iced on the front door. The door with their name is left...