HILLTOWN FAMILIES EVENT
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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
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"First thing I check in the morning... last thing I check at night.. Hilltown Families is my constant check in to keep me and Za out and about. Its a great way to meet other local families and stay connected with all our friends spread out through these hills. Thanks for all the great ideas and insight." Brehan Bruce of Becket, MA
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If you have any additional events, camps or classes to suggest, please feel encouraged to share on these free bulletin boards, or find out more about our enhanced publicity options.
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SUPPORT
HILLTOWN FAMILIES
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Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit
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Featured on 22News Mass Appeal. Featured on WGBY Connecting Point. Exhibit currently on display at Elmer's Gallery, 396 Main Street, in Ashfield, MA through the month of October 2011.
Next stop, Mocha Maya's in Shelburne Falls, MA. Opening reception, Thursday, Nov. 17th at 7pm. Join us!
Currently booking shows for 2012. Contact us to inquire about hosting this exciting fundraising exhibit for Hilltown Families in your town/venue! |
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HILLTOWN FAMILIES
eNEWSLETTER
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Columbus Day Weekend
in Western MA!
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Ashfield Fall Festival happens Saturday and Sunday every Columbus Day Weekend! (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
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on Columbus Day Weekend. With the smell of pumpkin donuts and hot apple cider wafting through the air, this sleepy little Hilltown comes alive with an iconic New England harvest festival. On the common the community can play games, visit local artisans, watch Morris dancers, while listening to live music. Their annual "Pumpkingames" bring generations together into teams that formed on-the-spot, competing in a variety of games, such as pumpkin bowling and a pumpkin relay race. After dancing and playing games, try some warm homemade soup at the Congregational Church Soup Kitchen. And for dessert in the town hall, the South Ashfield Library serves up slices of homemade apple pie, served with big chucks of Vermont cheddar cheese!
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After a brief absence last year, the "fidget ladder" is returning, so children will again have a chance for one of the "I rang the bell" stickers. There will be a mini-golf game, marble runs, bean bag and coin toss games, and more-all low-cost fun for kids attending the festival. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
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The Ashfield Fall Festival is a great way to celebrate not only fall, but local culture as well! There is a small hill on the town green where parents can sit and relax, enjoying a crisp Autumn day, as they watch their kids master the many games different town groups and individuals have created for the event. Game favorites are Castle Raiders and Cross Ashfield Lake... oh, and the Fidget Ladder. Climb the ladder, ring the bell, and sport an "I Rang the Bell!" sticker with pride for the rest of the weekend!
And while in town, check out Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit. The exhibit will be on display at Elmer's Gallery for the month of October (396 Main Street). Photos in the exhibit tell stories of life in the Hilltowns and illustrate the culture and values of the area. Sales of images from the exhibit benefit Hilltown Families, so pick one out to either give this holiday season or to start your own collection of images from this dynamic traveling exhibit. |
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BULLETIN BOARD
|   The Academy at Charlemont writes, "The Academy at Charlemont will be hosting an Open House Sunday, October 16th from 1 to 3 p.m. The Academy is a coed college preparatory school serving grades 7- 12 and post graduate. We are located along the scenic Deerfield River. Join us for tours of the campus. Meet the faculty, current students and families. Learn about academics, sports, art, music, and drama. We offer safe, civil, round-trip bus service from Amherst, Northampton and Greenfield. Come see for yourself! For more information visit www.charlemont.org. Find your voice. Speak Your Mind."
WOODWORKING CLASS FOR KIDS: After-School Woodworking Classes in Easthampton for 4th - 6th Graders with New England School of Architectural Woodworking (NESAW)! In this 8-week class, students will build a small take-home project while learning how to safely work in a shop environment, measure, calculate cuts, use hand tools (hammer, saw, drill & chisel) and power tools (drill press & scroll saw). Taught by an experienced shop teacher & an assistant on Tues., Oct 25-Dec 13 from 3:30-4:45PM. For safety reasons, class size is limited to 10 students. Parents may stay on-site in a separate classroom while students are in the shop. Cost is $110 (includes $10 in materials). Online registration available www.nesaw.com. NESAW is located at One Cottage Street, Easthampton.
SLEEP SOLUTIONS: Sleep Solutions for Infants and Toddlers workshop, a series led by local social worker and child sleep consultant, Jen Zajac, MSW, LICSW, at Second Chances Kids Consignment Shop in South Amherst, will begin October 17th. Jen Zajac has over 11 years of experience working with children and families in the Pioneer Valley. Topics include current child sleep research, physical and developmental impacts of chronic overtiredness, different sleep training methods including no-cry techniques, as well as discussions regarding co-sleeping and how to ensure that your child stays well rested. Registration is required. Email Jen at Jen@helpingyourchildsleep.com or visit www.shop2ndchances.com.
JEWISH LIVING: The Florence Melton Adult Mini School (FMAMS) exploring Jewish living will return to Northampton on Wed, Oct 26. Thirty week classes will be held at the Lander-Grinspoon Academy on Weds from 7-9pm. Instructors include: Shoshana Zonderman; plus a team of instructors including Rabbi Justin David, Rabbi Riqi Kosovske, Rabbi Devorah Jacobson, Rabbi Amy Wallk Katz & Dalia Davis. Cost is $360 for tuition & materials. Subsidies are available. No prior knowledge is needed; no homework; interfaith family members welcome. To enroll call Lisa at Temple Beth El, 413-733-4149. Watch a video about Melton course at www.facebook.com/FMAMS. Sponsored by Temple Beth El, Jewish Federation of Western MA, Jewish Endowment Foundation & Lander-Grinspoon Academy. CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION: Are you pregnant? Or know someone who is? You can get free childbirth education with Ann Buscemi, certified childbirth educator, sponsored by Hilltown Community Health Centers. Learn about breathing and relaxation techniques, labor and delivery, coping with a C-section, breastfeeding, planning for life after baby, and more. Flexible and convenient scheduling. For more info, call Lee at the Worthington Health Center: 413-238-5511 x155. |
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Sponsorship & Advertising
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 Serving Western Massachusetts since 2005, Hilltown Families supports development and enhancement of our local economy and community! Local businesses, individuals, schools and non-profits are invited to Sponsor and Advertise with Hilltown Families. Let us help get the word out about your class, event, camp, workshop, fundraiser, business or announcement. Deliver your message to thousands of families living throughout Western Massachusetts while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. Email hilltownfamilies@gmail.com for more information, or click here. |
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BEST BETS THIS WEEKEND
| | On Saturday, October 8th & Sunday, October 9th from 10am-5pm in the Hilltowns - ASHFIELD FALL FESTIVAL: The annual Ashfield Fall Festival takes place up and down Ashfield's Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 8, and Sunday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Offers over 50 craft and art exhibits, locally prepared foods and agricultural products, activities for children, Pumpkingames, games, music performances, Morris dancers, and the 4th annual tallest sunflower and heaviest pumpkin competitions. Ashfield, MA (FREE)
On Sunday, October 9th from 10am-5pm in the Berkshires - MEDIEVAL FAIRE: Ventfort Hall hosts the annual Medieval Faire! There will be exciting events happening all day, including displays of armored combat, equestrian demonstrations, medieval arts and crafts, live music, and opportunities to learn about feudalism and medieval society. The fair is fun for the whole family and is also a great way to learn about a fascinating historical era! 413-637-3206. 104 Walker Street. Lenox, MA. ($$)
Later in the day on Sunday, October 9th from 2-5pm in the Pioneer Valley - HARVEST FESTIVAL: Celebrate the fall harvest at Crimson and Clover Farm with Grow Food Northampton! There will be exciting activities all afternoon, including live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, farm tours, a composting workshop, games and other kids' activities, and fresh delicious farm-grown food! 413-584-0081. 215 Spring Street. Florence, MA. ($)
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR
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 On Friday, Oct 14th from 4-6pm in Franklin Co. - ART & PIZZA: Hilltown Families and The Art Garden will be offering a free Design Your Own T-Shirt Workshop & Pizza Party for families. All are invited to come and create t-shirts with affirmative slogans and positive images of self-expression. Bring an old t-shirt and repurpose it into your very own, one-of-a-kind design. Pizza slices will be sold for $1 a slice while supplies last. 413-625-2782. 14 Depot Street. Shelburne Falls, MA (FREE) |
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW
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Mark your calendars! We have many exciting Guest DJ's this fall, including: The Deedle Deedle Dees, Mike Park, Dog on Fleas, Trout Fishing in America, Steve Weeks, Ted Jacobs, Alastair Moock, and The Jimmies!
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Fundraising time at Valley Free Radio continues. Call in during the show and make a donation to support your community radio station. Sienna Wildfield, host of the HFVS, will be taking calls and pledges of support, with a plethora of CD's to giveaway! Call between 9-10am this Saturday (10/8) 413-585-1033.
Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday & Sunday mornings and listen to us live via streaming audio.
On Your FM Dial: Tune in to WXOJ 103.3FM if you live near Northampton, MA.
Podcast: Listen to the most recent episodes of the Hilltown Family Variety Show anytime you wish! Click here to see our current select of episodes, and be sure to subscribe to our podcast too!
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Hilltown Families' Blog was voted as Best Local Blog in the Valley Advocate Best of the Valley Readers' Poll for 2011!
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Hilltown Families is an online grassroots communication network serving thousands of families in the Highlands Region of Western Massachusetts, including the Hilltowns, Pioneer Valley and parts of the Berkshires. Through a dynamic web site, social networking, listserv, podcast, online bulletin boards, and collaborations with civic and nonprofit groups, Hilltown Families connects people and organizations in the widespread communities of the Highlands region. With your support, we help area residents to share ideas, organize activities, support their children's education and increase participation in community life.
Warm regards,
Sienna Wildfield
Founder/Director, Hilltown Families
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