Hilltown Families 
The water is warmer and the ponds, lakes, and rivers are often swelling with water from summer thunderstorms. Whether it’s in a kayak or a canoe, paddling on the open water...
Season of Berries Summer is the season of berry picking and canning! It’s the time of year when pies are baked and fruit is canned to enjoy during the colder months....
While winter in New England brings Nor’easters and blizzards that cover Western Massachusetts in deep snow, summer brings thunderstorms that soak the soil and bring a deep intensity to the summer's...
Summertime in Western Massachusetts brims with opportunities to spend time outdoors and gather in community spaces to listen to live music, discover new musical genres, and share musical interests while...
While visitors to Eastern Massachusetts can walk the Freedom Trail, learn about the Boston Tea Party, or tour the home of Paul Revere, folks in Western Massachusetts can explore the history...
“The Berkshires” refers to the highland region of Western Massachusetts west of the Connecticut River and lower Westfield River. The region is bordered by the Taconic Mountains, the valleys of the...
Think about this:
- How have Berkshire County’s diverse communities and rich history inspired an interest in art, literature, history, and the outdoors?
- Read William Cullen Bryant’s “Monument Mountain.” Notice...
The local woods and trails in Western Massachusetts were common destinations for 19th-century hikers and fueled the creative genius of many writers. Engage with local history and experience the landscape from...
Think about this: How has the Western Massachusetts natural landscape inspired writers and artists of the past? Why do you think nature writing was so...
This Father's Day, explore our scenic byways here in Western MA while reflecting on family stories. Capture moments with images and keepsakes while traveling around the region then capturing your stories...
Think about this: Unlike major highways, how do our scenic byways foster a sense of place and allow us to discover new and hidden places in our communities? What Father’s Day...
In New England, spring ephemerals and beautiful woodland wildflowers appear throughout the spring, lasting only a short while during this fleeting season. During this time of year, our fields and...
Artist Georgia O'Keeffe was inspired by spring wildflowers. Poet John Greenleaf Whittier was inspired by the traditions associated with keeping honeybees. The honeybee and the wildflower inspire one another! And around...
Think about this: What were some early American uses for honey? What other sweeteners might have been present or absent from their diets? How does...
Did you know that Western Massachusetts was once considered the “asparagus capital of the world?” Our region is known for this late spring harvest that still grows profusely in Western...
Interested in cooking up the spring harvest at home? Spring crops to include in your recipes this time of year include fiddleheads, ramps, rhubarb, strawberries, and asparagus. By keeping ourselves in...
Think about this: By eating seasonally, how do we keep ourselves in sync with nature? Why do you think it is important to support local...
For some, Memorial Day is a deeply personal holiday, a day for remembering those who have served the people of our country. Participating in these Memorial Day celebrations and ceremonies can...
Think about this: How does Walt Whitman’s poem “Ashes of Soldiers” attempt to honor those fallen soldiers who may no longer be remembered? Why did Whitman write this...
The beauty of New England living is that each season offers a new way to learn and engage in our communities. Locally grown and produced food is a community-base resource that...
Community meals and family suppers connect us through the sharing of food and stories. Add a trip to the local farmers' market to select seasonal produce grown locally and add another...
The act of cooking calls upon centuries of cooking methods, ingredients, spices, and flavors that have shaped our distinct cultures and traditions. Within our families, recipes are passed down and certain...
The act of growing food, the experience of living on a farm, and the process of cooking have all inspired writers to ponder how the cultivation of land has influenced the...
Think about this: How do recipes unfold the stories of our ancestors? What do they say about our agricultural practices and the places from which our families came? ...
The second Sunday in May brings us Mother's Day, an annual holiday to mark the season while spending time with your favorite mother(s), or mother figure, in your life. Use this...
Our parks are rich in history, botanical beauty, and inspiration! Why not visit one of these local treasures on Mother's Day? Pack a picnic or plan a hike. Parks, trails, and...
Poetry Explorations for Mother's Day
2002 Poet Laureate Billy Collins has been described as “the most popular poet in America” by the New York Times. Collins’ poetry is rich with human...Think about this:
- How does Billy Collins’ poem, "The Lanyard," use humor as a way to highlight the immense gratitude the poet feels towards his mother?
- What non-commercial gifts...
Sheep-shearing is a great place to begin the conversation with your children about the influences sheep has upon our culture here in New England. Seeing sheep being shorn with traditional tools...