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SUPPORT
HILLTOWN FAMILIES
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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
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"Every Thursday night after my son goes to sleep I take some time to read the Hilltown Families weekly email - there is always at least two events I want to go to and reading what other community members write and share is always fascinating. I appreciate this resource so much!" - Jackie MacNeish (Ashfield, 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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ENTER TO WIN
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HILLTOWN FAMILIES
eNEWSLETTER
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"We love to try out new sugar shacks each year. Our daughter also has a dream of tapping maple trees herself and tried it out last year using a straw and a paper cup.... we have to start somewhere!" - Kristy Dyer of Hatfield (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield)
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While the maples might not be flowing with sap as copiously as they did at the beginning of the season, the pancakes are still flowing out of the kitchens at many sugar shacks through the first week of April.
Over the past couple of weeks several families shared how the harvest of maple syrup gets their family outdoors, participating in the harvest with their community. Many of their stories will be part of a collection of stories and recipes we are putting together for a new project we're working on called Seasons at Our Table.
Stephanie Billings of Florence, MA shared how her childrens' preschool took a school field trip to the Hadley Sugar Shack where they got a tour and learned about the science of maple sugaring through hands-on demos and info. "It's a great way to integrate nature, science, and local food awareness," she writes.
And Rebecca Heath of Pittsfield, MA shared how this year her four year-old daughter helped tap the trees on their property. She writes, "It was amazing to watch her learn which one's were maple trees by the bark they have. She helped use the hammer and hang the bucket and to her surprise sap started flowing immediately."
In addition to these great stories, we're inviting our readers to share their favorite breakfast recipes with us too. And we have a great incentive... find out all the details in our post, In the Breakfast Nook with the Kids.
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BULLETIN BOARD
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 PARENTS' NIGHT OUT: Save the date for ArtSpark, Hilltown Cooperative Charter Public School's annual party & auction at Look Park's Garden House in Florence on Saturday, March 31st at 7 p.m. Music by The O-Tones, food by Bread Euphoria & a cash bar. A good time for a good cause, with auction items at all price points, from a carton of fresh eggs to one-of-a-kind furniture & crafts to a South African Safari. Tickets are $20 apiece, available in advance at local businesses including Bread Euphoria, State Street Fruit Store, Cooper's Corner & The Creamery, or at the door. More info, please call 413-268-3421.
  SUMMER CAMP: Journey Camp returns to Cummington for Hilltown families this summer. The unique camp offers a supportive atmosphere where it's easy to make friends as campers explore nature, dramatics, games, music. Inclusiveness and peace building are hallmarks of Journey Camp. Director Sarah Pirtle, founder of Journey Camp, has won numerous awards for her books & music for children. SESSION ONE, boys & girls ages 7-13, July 2-6, 8:45-4, Woolman Hill, Deerfield. HILLTOWN JOURNEY CAMP, boys & girls ages 7-13, July 16-20, 8:45-4, Taproot Common Farm, Cummington. MOONSEED TEEN LEADERSHIP FOR GIRLS, ages 12-18, July 30-Aug. 2, two overnights & campfires, Woolman Hill. GIRLS WEEKS, ages 7-13, Aug. 6-10 & Aug. 13-17, 8:45-4, Woolman Hill. www.sarahpirtle.com.
  BALLET: Pioneer Valley Ballet presents Cinderella based on the classic fairytale of Cinderella and the Prince, the birth and flowering of love, the obstacles in its path and finally the dream fulfilled. This comic ballet is known for its jubilant music, lush scenery, beautiful dancing and the hilariously wicked stepsisters, more mad than bad in this production. Come experience a beggar turning into a Fairy Godmother, a pumpkin and mice that turn into a coach and coachmen, a glass slipper that makes dreams come true. You will leave the theater laughing, awe-inspired, and believing in "happily ever after!" Shows: March 31 & April 1 at the Academy of Music in Northampton. Visit www.pioneervalleyballet.org or the Academy at 413-584-9032 for tickets.
 ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS: RH Conwell Community School of Worthingon, MA is accepting applications for the 2012-13 school year with openings in all classes from Pre-K through 6th grade. Located in the heart of the Hilltowns of Western MA, Conwell is an affordable private school with a supportive environment, offering a rigorous, encouraging, and developmentally appropriate program to all students. Children are taught to think creatively, read critically, and reason logically. Conwell has a high level of parent and community involvement in both classroom and after school activities where students are valued as individuals and tailor learning plans to their needs and learning styles. For more information visit online at www.conwellcec.org or call 413-238-5856.
 | | Partner with Hilltown Families in the marketing of your local event, class, camp, workshop, open house or service. Click on the banner to find out how to be featured here. |
JOIN OUR TEAM OF CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Interested in becoming a Contributing or Guest Writer for Hilltown Families? We welcome writings that reflect the community building and educational efforts parents, teens, teachers, artists, activists and community leaders work towards and accomplish and how that affects, supports and empowers our families. All writing styles welcomed, including DIY posts, seasonal cooking, and community-based educational opportunities. Send your query to hilltownfamilies@gmail.com.
EARNED PAID SICK TIME: On Saturday, March 23rd from 9am-12:30pm adults can learn about how the Earned Paid Sick Time legislation being currently deliberated will affect families. There are benefits for employers, families, and communities if the legislation passes- find out more today on what it's all about and what it means for you. Representative Ellen Story will speak at the workshop. Takes place at the Kittredge Center at HCC. 303 Homestead Avenue. Holyoke, MA. (FREE)
PREGNANT YOUTH: On Saturday, March 23rd from 9:15am-1:15pm young women up to 21yo are invited to attend a newborn care class at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center. Learn about what to expect, how to feed a newborn, how to care for yourself and how to keep a baby safe. 413-475-1566. The Birthplace, 3rd Floor Classroom. Greenfield, MA (FREE) |
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WEEKEND BEST BETS: March 24th & 25th
| All day onSaturday, March 24th, families can learn all about different types of minerals, jewels, rocks, and fossils this weekend at the Western Mass Mineral, Jewelry, and Fossil Show in Holyoke. The event brings together collectors from all over New England (and beyond!) to share their unique collections and a visit to the show fits into studies of natural history (especially of the Connecticut River Valley) and, of course, geology.
Then in the afternoon the Pioneer Valley Symphony's annual family concert, "A Carnival of Animals," takes place at the high school in Greenfield. On Sunday, March 25th Project Native's annual film festival takes place all day in Great Barrington with special shorts for families (best for kids ages 3-8) in the morning hours. A great opportunity for kids to learn about food production, the role of food in our culture, environmentally friendly daily habits, and more. And in the afternoon in Westhampton, students from Hampshire Regional High School present the classic musical Guys and Dolls! Find out more about this weekend's Best Bets and our full list of events at www.HilltownFamilies.org. |
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MARK YOUR CALENDARS: March 25th & 26th
| Next Saturday, March 31st there will be spring adventures at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton! Families can take a guided tour of the woods to characters who live in the vernal pools at the sanctuary, including frogs, salamanders, fairy shrimp, and more.
And next Sunday, April 1st, the Z-Games, also known as the Northeast Regional Yo-yo Contest, takes place all day in Florence! Kids can learn about the sport of yo-yo-ing and supplement studies of physics by observing performances and thinking about how yo-yos work!
To find out more about these upcoming events and other activities happening in Western MA for families, visit www.HilltownFamilies.org. |
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Guest DJ, Orange Sherbet
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Next week Katherine Dines shares her story in song!
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Tamsen, Jill and Steve from Orange Sherbet guest DJ next weekend, featuring songs that celebrate seasonal foods!
Families have several ways to tune in to the Hilltown Family Variety Show:
Streaming Audio: Surf on over to ValleyFreeRadio.org on Saturday (9-10am) & Sunday (7-8am) 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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Market Your Summer Camp with Hilltown Families
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"Last year a participant from the Boston area found out about my camp through your website and spent a week out here with her daughter just for my camp!" - Beth Fairservis, Puppets in the Woods Summer Arts Camp
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SUMMER CAMPS MARKETING SPECIAL:
In an effort to connect families with summer camps & programs in the region, we're offering camps a chance to partner with Hilltown Families in their online marketing with a special enhanced publicity offer.
This spring we will be featuring camps in the region on Hilltown Families with a special post titled: Summer Camps and Programs in the Western MA Region. Find out more about how your camp can partner with Hilltown Families..
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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. |
HILLTOWN FAMILIES: A TRAVELING PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT
| | "Hilltown Families: A Traveling Photography Exhibit of Life and Landscape in Western MA" goes up for a short stay at the Cummington Community House from March 27th-April 1st, then will return in July along with friends... stay tune for details! - In June Treehouse in Pittsfield hosts the show, and then to the Westhampton Library in August, and River Valley Market Co-op in Northampton in November.
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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 living in the four counties of Western MA. Through a dynamic web site, social networking, listserv, radio show/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. We welcome your participation and feedback at anytime.
Warm regards, |
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