Hilltown Families 
Yesterday would have been Bob Marley’s 62nd birthday. Many of Marley’s songs have a very positive message that young and old enjoy, including songs like “One Love/People Get Ready,” and “Get Up, Stand Up” to name a couple. The political message may be missed by the little ones but the simple ones (like love and understanding) won’t be. With the lively rhythms of Reggae music, many of Bob Marley’s tunes make a wonderful musical selection for kids. Putumayo puts out a CD titled Putumayo Kids Presents: Reggae Playground that has many additional favorite reggae artists.
Homeschooling: Key Facts and Resources
Have you ever thought of teaching your children at home? More American families are choosing to homeschool their children every year.
There are some surprising facts about the typical homeschool parents and reasons why they homeschool their children … it’s a mixed bag! Read More
Gusterfer Yellowgold comes to the Pioneer Valley with a performance at the Flywheel in Easthampton, MA (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
On Saturday morning Gustafer Yellowgold performed Gustafer Yellowgold Wild Wide World at Flywheel in Easthampton, MA, a family concert much supported and organized by Bill Childs of Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child. A fun weekend performance for families with kids preK-3rd grade and early enough to get out afterwards to enjoy the first significant snow fall!
Preceeding the performance, families were served pancakes and the Pink Panther played on the big screen … all this before the invasion of a melancholic yellow alien from the sun – Gustafer Yellowgold – in a weekend morning music show!
The New York Times described Gustafer Yellowgold Wild Wide World as a cross between “Yellow Submarine” and Dr. Seuss, filtered through the lens of the Lower East Side, and after seeing this performance you may just find yourself concurring with this analogy.
VALENTINE’S DAY 2007
Happenings in the hilltowns and beyond for Valentine’s Day. Discover upcoming events and links for your family that are Valentine-ish, including dances, crafts, chocolate and more…
Tips for Dads & Daughters Watching the Super Bowl Together
Dads & Daughters watching TV sports together–one of life’s pleasures. But what about those moments (like during some commercials) when you want to cover her eyes with your hands?
Here are a few simple tips from the national nonprofit Dads & Daughters for fathers and stepfathers watching the Super Bowl (and other TV sporting events) with their daughters.
Happy February! Friday marks the halfway point between Winter & Spring. In the States we acknowledge this point with Groundhog Day. No matter if you see your shadow or not, we’re halfway to spring!
On Thursday, if you’re traveling down from the hills to the valley in the morning, stop by Bread Euphoria in Haydenville for a coffee break with other hilltown parents. Wednesday is National Girls and Women in Sports Day. There are a couple of events taking place over this weekend for school aged girls to participate in. Check out the suggested events to follow …
This year’s slogan for the National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is “Throw like a girl – Lead like a champion!” NGWSD is a day that acknowledges the positive influence participation in sports can have in a young girl’s life. It is also a day to honor sports achievements while working towards equality and accessability for women in sports.
In honor of this national day there are several free clinics being sponsored by area colleges for young girls to participate in and learn more about sports, including Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and Smith College.
Families feeling adventurous to take a day trip up to North Adams can enjoy a free family day at MASS MoCA, or journey over to Amherst to the Eric Carle Museum for music and art this weekend. The Meekins Library in Williamsburg and the Forbes Library in Northampton both offer free museum passes to check out for the whole family, just don’t wait until the last minute to check one out.
A couple of activities hosted by hilltown parents this weekend include a French rendezvous in Ashfield and a Mom’s self defense class in Cummington. If you are a Hilltown Families parent and wish to host, sponsor or suggest an event for other area families with grade school children, email swildfield@juno.com or post your suggestion in the comment field on the Suggest a group/activity event page.
Greenfield Center School
Family Contra Dance 2007
Wild Asparagus whoops it up at the Greenfield Center School Family Contra Dance. (Photo Credit: Sienna Wildfield)
On Sunday afternoon, Wild Asparagus whooped it up at the Guiding Star Grange in Greenfield, MA. The Greenfield Center School held their annual Family Contra Benefit Dance and the dance hall was filled with families from all over Western Mass. This festive social dance was for families with kids of all ages.
Families learned easy contras, square dancing, and movements to Jump-Jim Joe, Ride Sally Ride and Sasha. Ann Percival of Wild Asparagus lead the crowd along with her five-person band. The band uses a unique blend of talents to pack a punch of a performance, presenting traditional dances and music of New England folk heritage.
The proceeds went to benefit the Greenfield Center School, an independent day school for students K-8th grade. GSC is known for integrating social and academic learning in every aspect of the school day, while emphasizing the building of community and celebration of the individual. This benefit dance let that spirit of the GSC really shine through by warmly welcoming the larger community to celebrate with them, and empowering the older students who ran the bake sale and silent auction during the dance.
Old students from the GCS ran a bake sale and silent auction downstairs while families jumps and swung around upstairs. (Photo Credit: Sienna Wildfield)
If you’ve been to a contra dance you know how much fun they can be for the whole family. If you’ve been missing out, not to worry, there are a plethora of contra dances to fill your calendar, including:
- Feb. 10th – Valentine Family Contra Dance w/ Diane Sanabria and Friends in Ashfield, MA.
- March 4th – Family Contra Dance w/Wild Asparagus in Greenfield, MA.
- June 3rd – Family Contra Dance w/Wild Asparagus in Greenfield, MA.
A good way to keep up with contra dances happening in our area is the Pioneer Valley Contra Dance e-mail group.
Other interesting links to visit on Contra Dances:
Hilltown parents, learn how and why we crave sweets, how to reduce these cravings without feeling deprived and much more. The more we know about nutrition and wellness, the better we can serve our families. There will be a free lecture in Northampton, MA.
WHAT: Sugar Blues
WHERE: Forbes Library, Noho, MA
WHEN: 01/29/07, 6:30pm-7:30pm
About the presenter: Sandra Guarrera is a certified personal trainer & holistic health counselor. Sandra is certified as a personal trainer through the American Council on Exercise and graduate of the Integrative Institute of Nutrition, where she studies all of the dietary theories in the world.
This event is free and open to all. For more information, please call (413) 587-1011. Programming at Forbes Library in Northampton, MA, is supported by the Friends of Forbes.
Discovering Colonial America in Deerfield
Faith Deering demonstrating a variety of natural fibers used in Colonial America. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Weaving on a loom. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Faith Deering did a wonderful sewing demonstration for small groups of families. She present a variety of natural fibers that were used to sew with, including wool, cotton and flax. Children were shown how to card wool, got to see how cotton was grown and view flax before it was processed into fiber.
Families also had the opportunity to see how wool was spun on a spinning wheel. The process of shearing sheep and explanations on why some wools were different colors was shared, and many questions answered. Once the steps from wool to yarn were completed, children got the chance to weave finished threads on a real loom. Samples to take home were passed out.
Cooking demo over an open heart fire. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Participants also had the opportunity to learn about quilting and make their own small quilt to take home. Fabric was available to paint followed by a demonstration on assembly and sewing. Kids loved making their own special quilts for their dolls or stuffed bears at home.
Around lunchtime a cooking demonstration over an open-hearth was offered. Kids watched how cooks made gingerbread, pies and soups over an open fire. Everyone had a chance to make their own gingerbread cookies to cook in the fire.
Musician Tim Van Egmond performed winter-themed songs and told stories. Encouraging audience participation, Tim sang folk songs, played a variety of instruments, including the hammered dulcimer, and told engaging tales.
The day was well spent in Historic Deerfield. Families were engaged the whole day through and children were afforded a wonderful opportunity to look at the ways of life for early New Englanders. The next family activity that will be offered at Historic Deerfield is All About Maps on March 31st, 2007. This will be a workshop for families, offering map-related activities, including how to make your own map.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Spelling instruction at your child’s school may look different from what you remember of your school days. Click here for a guide to what you might see and why things have changed.
Share your comments with us on Hilltown Families! Don’t be shy. Make suggestions, post announcement, organize yourselves … Hilltown Families is a resource for you. Use it well! And be sure to subscribe to our email news feed and to our private email discussion group too.
For a week of suggested events for hilltown families, read on … Read More
African-American Soul Food for Martin Luther Kig, Jr. birthday at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Hilltown families enjoyed African-American soul food during the “I Have a Dream” community celebration at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA, on Monday, January 16th, honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.
The “I Have A Dream” celebration was kicked off at 1 p.m. with a reading from King’s famous speech, followed by a performance by the popular Pittsfield step dance troupe, Youth Alive. Youth Alive is a troupe of young dancers from Pittsfield, who perform Hip-Hop, African, and Modern dances using their bodies as musical instruments to create a mix of sounds through feet stomping, hand clapping, and body movement.
Making "I Have a Dream" posters. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
A sampling of African-American soul food was offered to visitors following the performance. Children and parents enjoyed free samples of cornbread, collard greens seasoned with pork, and sweet potato pie.
Children sat around tables and on the floors in the upstairs gallery to make “I Have A Dream” posters to be displayed around the gallery for the day or to take and hang at home. Statements like “Use your own mind and listen to yourself,” and “Speak up when you know you should,” were written along with illustrations. Wise words for such young minds!
Kids marvel at the Savage Ancient Seas exhibit. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
Currently on view at the museum is the exhibit Savage Ancient Seas, which presents the many gigantic forms of life that populated the prehistoric waters at the same time dinosaurs roamed the earth. The gallery is lit in hues of blue and green, creating an underwater ambience.
Exploring undersea world of the late Cretaceous Period at Berkshire Museum. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
The exhibition explores the undersea world of the late Cretaceous Period, filled with huge carnivorous marine reptiles with double-hinged jaws and teeth in the middle of their palates, gigantic flesh-eating fish big enough to swallow an adult human whole, and more. With voracious appetites, incredible teeth, and gaping jaws, these creatures are unlike anything known in today’s world. Highlights include an Elasmosaur with a 30-foot long neck, the toothy scowl of a giant carnivorous fish (Xiphactinus), and the jaws of a Megalodon, or giant shark, along with other skeletons, fossils, and life replicas.
Several hilltown families have begun to gather for an informal French language learning group with their children. Families from Ashfield, Chesterfield, Cummington and Shelburne Falls participated in the first group gathering this past Saturday. A recent French studies major from Cornell University and local Conway resident lead the group in French songs and conversation.
“I feel it’s important to expose my child to different languages and cultures as a supplement to her education,” commented one parent participant. “I wish our public schools offered exposure to different languages at a much younger age.” Read More
Elizabeth Street did a live family concert this Saturday morning in Florence, performing music from their debut album, Different.
“Sometimes my initial response to new music is, “Wow, that’s really, um, different.” And by different, I mean bad. But sometimes different is good, as in the case of Different, the debut album from Elizabeth Street,” says CoolMomPicks.com
“In kids’ and family music, there are many albums with decent music but with lyrics that are just too… obvious. It is possible, however, to write lyrics that are direct enough for kids that aren’t so obvious as to make the parental eyes roll, and it’s that fine line that [Elizabeth Street] walks on [their] album,” writes Stefan Shepherd on ZooGlobble.com. Read More
LOCAL FOOD & LOCAL DINING
Elmer’s in Ashfield, MA, is the most recent culinary gem to shine in the hills. Every Friday evening they open their doors and invite families and friends in to enjoy a simple and delicious menu.
It’s a treasure to have a place to enjoy a sit-down dinner of free-range chicken, local beef or goat cheese, organic greens from area farms, or fresh organic bread baked down the road?
“I really enjoy bringing my family here for dinner and seeing my community,” commented one of Elmer’s guests. “The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and I love seeing the art of local artists while sharing dinner made with locally grown, clean food.”
Finally … it snowed! Not enough for all those fun outdoor sports, but just enough to give us hope for a possible New England winter performance. Speaking of performance, Elizabeth Street will be a Cup & Top on Saturday. Not to be missed.
Monday is a holiday in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Fortunately the Berkshire Museum has a family event for the afternoon to bring the kids too. There are a lot of good books available to read up and share stories on MLK with the family. Check them out from your local library for a good read. If you have plans on attending the Sushi Making with Kids class, the library also has many good books on sushi and rice to review before going.
For a week of suggested events for hilltown families, read on … Read More
When my daughter first saw this photo she said, “Oooohhhh mommy … I like that one.” What’s not to like? The bright red is eye catching. It makes a vibrant photo, or a pretty still life drawing. But if my daughter were offered such a cupcake in her class to eat, my reaction would not be so pretty. I can only hope that I have taught her what she needs to know to make good choices.
Maybe you wonder why someone would object to the consumption of such a pretty confection? Sugar, trans fats, red dye no. 9, to name a few. I’m open enough to entertain the argument that one cupcake every once in a while won’t kill her. But what about those kids in her class that have allergies to wheat, dairy or artificial coloring?
What’s New In Physical Education?
By Linda Strean, GreatSchools Managing Editor
Elementary school physical education used to be made up of dodge ball and annual fitness tests. At a number of schools today, it’s being reinvented. Read More
After dropping the kids off at school or their homeschool progam, drop on over to Elmer’s and enjoy an informal breakfast, tea or just coffee in the company of other hilltown parents. A good opportunity to meet other parents with grade school children and to discuss the issues around their education and development.
Elmer’s Store is located at 396 Main Street in Ashfield, MA. A warm and inviting place to get together for breakfast and/or conversation.
Next week there will be a great opprotunity for families to support their community while paying their overdue fines at the library. The Forbes Library in Northampton, MA, will be holding a Food for Fines week from Sunday, January 7th to Saturday, January 13th, 2007. During this week, families may pay any overdue fines on their account with a donation of canned goods (please check your expiration dates) or healthy non-perishable food items. All food collected will be given to The Northampton Survival Center for distribution.
The Northampton Survival Center is an emergency food pantry which provides low-income individuals and families in 16 communities in Hampshire County with free food, clothing, household goods, and referrals for emergency assistance. The center serves 16 communities, including Chesterfield, Cummington, Goshen, Plainfield, and Worthington. Read More
Another holiday season has passed and many of us can now take a breather from the hustle and bustle of all that merriment. Now that our New Year’s resolutions have been made, pounds have been gained, schools have restarted and brief reunions with old friends and family fill our memory banks, it’s time to get back to our routines. And while most things are back to normal, there’s oddly one thing missing … SNOW! Good golly … will we ever see that winter wonderland we Hilltowners have come to appreciate? Read More
Hilltown families from Ashfield, Chesterfield, Cummington, Plainfield and Windsor dressed-up in costumes and got silly while gathering in West Chesterfield, MA, for a New Year’s Day Family Pancake Breakfast.
With clear winter skies and no snow in sight, you couldn’t have asked for a better day to explore all the family activities happening on Sunday afternoon for Northampton (Noho) First Night. The day’s program of activities was filled with nearly 40 venues of entertainment, including dance, theater and music at 18 different performance halls, churches and public spaces in Northampton. Well worth the trip down from the hills with something for everyone, especially families!
At twelve noon the festivities kicked off at the Northampton Center for the Arts with a Caribbean Street Carnival, presented by the Enchanted Circle Theater (ECT). ECT has been infusing arts and education for 30 year! At Noho First Night they put on a spirited performance of music, dance and storytelling. Read More
New Year’s Eve is Sunday night and Northampton will be having their 22nd annual First Night Celebration. The city will be filled with events and activities, with many events for families with school age children, several have been suggested below. For parents lucky enough to get a babysitter for the evening, there are many more performances happening after the sun goes down in Northampton on New Year’s eve. Have a safe New Year’s Eve and a Happy New Year. Read More
The Springfield Museum is hosting a Medieval Faire during the winter school break. On Tuesday, Rosalita’s Puppets performed a marionette puppet show. Keeping in theme with the Medieval Faire, the performance was Goldilocks and the Three Dragons and was performed to an interactive crowd in the Davis Auditorium. With an endearing improvisational method, puppeteer Charlotte Anne Dore invoked the crowd of families to participate on cue, while incorporating into the performance suggestions and comments children would shout out from the audience.
All week long families can participate in a variety of craft activities, including medieval mosaics in the G.W.V.S. Art Museum. Mosaic art was very popular during the Renaissance era. Children were given the opportunity to create their own mosaic art while visiting the museum during the Medieval Faire. Read More
Jan Brett offers on-line educational resources.
Local author Jan Brett has a collection of nearly 4,000 teaching aids as free downloads on her website. These teaching aids and activities include beautifully drawn posters, worksheet, coloring pages, visual aids and other projects. Her site is definitely worth your perusal. Teachers, home-schooling families and parents alike will find a wealth of resources to supplement the education of their children. Grade school students are the primary target of this abundant resources; however, older children with learning disabilities will benefit greatly with her beautiful pictures illustrating each resource.
In addition to free downloadable teaching aids Jan Brett’s website (www.janbrett.com) also has a nice collection of on-line video tutorials to teach drawing to children, book character games that include flash cards and sight word lists, a murals to download for a classroom to color.
She also offers a free newsletter that sends out an email letter whenever new activities and projects are added to her site.
THE BENEFITS OF BOARD GAMES
Playing games with your kids is a perfect way to spend time together — and build learning skills at the same time.
By Alvin Rosenfeld
What your child most wants — and needs — is to be with you with no goal in mind beyond the joy of spending time together. S/he wants you to take pleasure in him, play with him, and listen to him. Nothing bolsters his self-esteem more! So why not pull out an old board game tonight? Playing games is an easy and excellent way to spend unhurried, enjoyable time together. As an added bonus, board games are also rich in learning opportunities. They satisfy your child’s competitive urges and the desire to master new skills and concepts …
Winter Solstice Tradition Begins, 2006
By Sienna Wildfield
Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield
ASHFIELD, MA (Dec 23, 2006) – Ancient and modern Winter Solstice traditions were celebrated on the town green in Ashfield, MA this past Friday evening, organized by Ashfield residents, Laura Stravino and Victoria Worth. Wanting to begin a local Solstice celebration tradition they could share with their community inspired Stravino and Worth. With the help of several community members, they successfully put together an inspiring event. Ashfield teachers Edie and Julie joined in with their families under umbrellas as a light freezing rain fell. A beautiful bonfire warmed the crowd and Stephen Worth and Lael Boesel tended to the fire. Elmer’s Store offered hot cocoa and a warm meal and Country Pie was open for oven fresh pizza. Storytelling, songs and dancing filled the darkest night of the year, and families from all over the hills came to celebrate together.
Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield
The Hilltown Children’s Chorus had their debut at the Solstice celebration. Spear-headed by Stephanie Pasternack of Cummington, MA, this new chorus sang This Little Light of Mine, Jingle Bells and Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel, led by blues singer Marla BB of West Chesterfield, MA. Marla also led the crowd in a variety of songs of light as they gathered around the fire.
Morris Dancers arrived after the kids sang. Morris dancing is an English folk dance and is choreographed with rhythmic stepping while wielding wooden swords they’d knock together. Music played and the dancers performed a festive dance around the fire, knocking their swords together and singing out praises.
With children participating, storyteller Rona Leventhal wove together a Native American creation tale about forest animals attempting to retrieve the sun’s light. Only the wise Mother Spider was able to bring the sun’s light back to them.
Toward the end of the celebration, families took part in a candle dedication. Each participant lit candles, offered their own personal message and placed them together with others.
