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SUPPORT
HILLTOWN FAMILIES
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COMMUNITY FEEDBACK
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"Hilltown Families lets me know what's going on. Lots of things show up here that I don't hear any where else. The content is consistently entertaining and thought-provoking! Thanks!" - Dennis Caraher (Northampton, 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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SUMMER CAMPS & PROGRAMS IN WESTERN MA
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HILLTOWN FAMILIES SPONSORS
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HILLTOWN FAMILIES
eNEWSLETTER
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Hilltown Families Voted as Best Blog 2nd Year in a Row!
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 We can't thank our readers enough for voting Hilltown Families as the Best Blog for the 2nd year in a row in the Valley Advocate Best of the Valley Readers' Poll for 2012!
Interviewing Hilltown Families founder, Sienna Wildfield, Maureen Turner of the Valley Advocate writes:
When Sienna Wildfield takes her nine-year-old daughter to the Ashfield farmers' market, she doesn't worry about keeping track of her every single second. "Half the people there know her," Wildfield says. "Everyone has an eye on her. It's a safer community for her to be growing up in." That feeling of connection to a community is a big part of what drives Wildfield's "Hilltown Families," winner, for the second year, of the award for Best Local Blog. The site, which Wildfield calls an "online grassroots communication network," has events calendars, essays and art by contributors, podcasts and other goodies, and, its name notwithstanding, covers the four western counties. Readers can easily discern the ethos behind Wildfield's work, with its focus on the local and sustainable, non-commercial and often non-mainstream... But there's something a little less obvious that drives her, too: a desire to help families make real, multi-generational connections to their communities, the way her own child has. Hilltown Families focuses a lot on what Wildfield calls "place-based, community-learning opportunities"... kinds of opportunities can supplement, in really enriching ways, kids' school studies, Wildfield says. But they also help create and reinforce families' connections to the place where they live-something she hopes kids will carry with them as they get older. "If their foundation of what they're learning is coming from where they live, they grow up and become more invested in their community," she says. "They want to protect their environment, they want to keep things local, they want to support their local economy, they are more civic minded." And whether those kids stay in the Valley when they grow up or move elsewhere, Wildfield hopes they'll carry that belief in the importance of community with them. "This isn't a short-term thing," she says. "It's a real investment."
HILLTOWN FAMILIES CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
There are several ♥ amazing folks behind the scenes at Hilltown Families, along with an excellent team of ♥ contributing writers & community correspondents! Check out the side bar for all the terrific columns posted here on Hilltown Families by Sarah, Bill, Amy, Logan, John, Kurt, Daria, Kelly, Amy, Cheli and Carrie!... and post a little love in the comment fields of their posts!
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BULLETIN BOARD
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  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.
 CHILD CARE: Jennifer Van Beckum writes, "There is currently an opening in the Waldorf Childcare Program which I offer in my home in Florence on Mon. and Tues., 1/2 or full day. The program is based on routine and rhythm, which provide the children with a sense of security. During circle time, the children learn songs, rhymes and finger games. Favorite activities include bread-baking, watercolor painting and gardening. Warm, home-made snack and lunch provided. There is plenty of time for play, indoors and out. I have 20 years of experience working in Waldorf early childhood programs. References available upon request. For more info., contact Jennifer Van Beckum at 413-586-0596 or javanbeckum@iglide.net."
 CELEBRATING MOTHER'S: Arts Night Out: A Mother's Day Celebration! Music, art & poetry about motherhood at Northampton Arts Night Out in Thornes Marketplace (2nd Level) on Friday, May 11th from 5-8pm. Come join The Nields as they perform songs from their new CD, The Full Catastrophe. Event to include a curated show of local artists (Donna Estabrooks, Robin Freedenfeld, Katy Schneider and others), poets (Amy Dryansky, Liz Friedman and others) and writers (Avi Nathman, Karen Bayne and others) honoring mothers and their contribution to the arts. Food by Paul & Elizabeth's. Sponsored by Impish and MotherWoman.
FILM FESTIVAL: Out! For Reel LGBT Film Series season Finale, Sat. May 5, 7 pm, presents new comedy "The Perfect Family" (PG) starring Kathleen Turner. Plus inspiration for LGBT youth: "Being Successful AND Being Yourself," prominent leaders including Sen. Stan Rosenberg and Amherst College Pres. Biddy Martin, will talk about their successful careers and being publicly out as LGBT. Northampton High School, 380 Elm St. After Party follows (21+) at Diva's, Northampton, catered hors d'oeuvres, dancing. "The Perfect Family": a devout Catholic mother struggles with homophobia: her daughter is lesbian and about to marry her partner. Very funny, heartfelt story about love and acceptance healing a family. A film everyone can enjoy. Tickets/Trailer: OutForReel.org
 SUMMER CAMP: Are you looking for a great summer experience for your kids? Check out our post Summer Camps and Programs in Western MA which highlights opportunities happening throughout the region. With a great variety of themes, there are many summer camp/programs your family can choose, including: farm & gardening, music, art, technology, nature, personal development, science, theater, sports, ballet, preK, college... as well as a good old fashion summer camp! Discover what's being offered near you, and find out how you can add a camp to this growing list too!
RECYCLED RHYTHMS WORKSHOP: A Recycled Rhythms Workshop with percussionist Scott Kessel from the band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem will take place at 4pm as part of the Hilltown Spring Festival next Sat., May 12th. Some supplies are needed for this workshop, and you can help. Supplies include any recycled item that is not sharp or dirty, such as tin cans, plastic jugs, yogurt cups, spring water bottles, small cardboard boxes. Instead of taking your recycling to the transfer station, save your washed recyclable cans, jugs, bottles and boxes and bring them to Hilltown CDC or to the Hilltown Spring Festival on May 12. In this hands-on workshop kids will recycle rhythms from around the world into beats of our own into a recycled band! This workshop is ideal for 7-11yo kids. Cummington Fairgrounds. Cummington, MA (FREE w/entrance)
 SPONSORSHIP & ADVERTISING: Reach thousands of families in Western MA while supporting the work of Hilltown Families. See your event, camp, workshop, business featured here in the bulletin board section of our list of Weekly Suggested Events and eNewsletter! Find out more about our Enhanced Publicity options and how we can help with your marketing.
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.
USED CLOTHING SALE: S. A. Lewis writes, "Gently used clothing sale to benefit the Friends of Westhampton Public Library to be held on Sat., June 23 from 10AM- 3PM. Accepting donations of Women's, Men's & children's clothing. No tears, stains, missing or broken zippers/buttons. Especially looking for Women's: Dresses, suits, skirts, jackets. Men's: Suits, shorts, summer shirts, Children's: All ages dress clothes and everyday clothes. No accessories, shoes, or boots. Drop off times at Westhampton Public Library: Thursdays May 17 & 31, June 7 & 21 at 3-6pm Also looking for hangers and paper bags. Volunteers are needed, for sorting and organizing. Great opportunity for teenagers looking to do community service projects. Please call Bev Montague at 413-527-1068 to set up schedules."
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| BEST BETS THIS WEEKEND |
On Saturday, May 5th, celebrate the tradition of sheep shearing and fiber arts at the annual Sheep to Shawl festival in the Berkshires, enjoy a family concert with beloved children's musician, Elizabeth Mitchell in Hampshire Co., enjoy a traditional Victorian tea and learn about etiquette at the Wistariahurst Museum in Hampden Co., and in the evening in Franklin Co., stroll through the village of Shelburne Falls and see work made by dozens of local artists and artisans, all while enjoying the gorgeous bridge of flowers and views of the potholes!
And on Sunday, May 6th, travel back to medieval times at the UMass Center for Renaissance Studies' annual Renaissance Festival! Kids can learn about medieval food, dress, traditions, speech, and more.
Find out all the details at www.HilltownFamilies.org.
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| MARK YOUR CALENDARS |
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The Hilltown CDC's 6th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival will be on Saturday, May 12 at the Cummington Fairgrounds! Entertainment will include live music, workshops, artists & artisans, local food, family contra-dance, kids-made craft bazaar, Maypole, Morris Dancers, and much more!
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Saturday, May 12th from 10am-7pm - SPRING FESTIVAL: Hilltown CDC has a fabulous lineup of local and regional musical favorites to perform again this year at the 6th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival! There will be a family concert with Mister G at 11:15am and Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem at 2pm. Also on the stage will be The Primate Fiasco, Misty Blues, The Boxcar Lilies, AstroBeast, Who'da Funkit, Lui Collins and Tony Vacca! There will also be a Maypole dance, Morris Dancers, Pachamama Puppets on the lawn, kids-made craft bazaar, music workshops, family contra dance, local food vendors, artisans and businesses. Proceeds benefit the social service and elder support programs of Hilltown CDC. 413-296-4536 x112 Cummington Fairgrounds. 97 Fairgrounds Rd. Cummington, MA (>$)
Saturday, May 12th from 1-5pm - MUSIC WORKSHOPS: In addition to a great line up of live music on two stages, the Hilltown Spring Festival will feature four interactive music workshops for all ages. At 1 PM, Aimee Gelinas of Gaia Roots will lead an intergenerational, interactive Afro-Caribbean song and drum workshop featuring music from Cuba, Haiti and Puerto Rico. At 2 PM, percussionist Tony Vacca will lead a hands-on session. Learn to play a "World Music" percussion composition by listening and playing back what you hear. At 3 PM, singer and teacher Lui Collins will lead a Family Music Jam! And at 4 PM, in a hands-on workshop, families can make a wooden "harmonica" and a wacky, found-object drum set with percussionist Scott Kessel from the band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem. 413-296-4536 x112 Cummington Fairgrounds. 97 Fairgrounds Rd. Cummington, MA (FREE w/festival entrance)
Saturday, May 12th from 5-7pm - FAMILY CONTRA-DANCE: New this year at the Hilltown Spring Festival is a family contra-dance featuring The Gaslight Tinkers, a new group that includes Peter Siegel and Zoe Darrow. They describe their music as "Afrobeat, Caribbean, breakbeat, funk, and latin grooves meet traditional Northern Fiddle. It's the future of the music of the past; it's a live remix; it'll move your feet and intrigue your mind." Steve Howland will be the caller. 413-296-4536 x112 Cummington Fairgrounds. 97 Fairgrounds Rd. Cummington, MA (>$, kids 12yo & under FREE)
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CALL FOR KID CRAFTERS FOR THE HILLTOWN SPRING FESTIVAL
KIDS-MADE CRAFT BAZAAR
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 | | The Hilltown CDC's 6th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival will be on Saturday, May 12 at the Cummington Fairgrounds! 2,000 people are expected at the Hilltown Spring Festival this year and entertainment will include musical performances and workshops, exhibits by artists and craftspeople, displays by local businesses, food from local vendors, a family contra-dance, kids-made craft bazaar, children's activities and much more. |
The Hilltown CDC's 6th Annual Hilltown Spring Festival is on Saturday, May 12th
at the Cummington Fairgrounds. This will be the 3rd year the Kids-Made Craft Bazaar happens at the festival, spearheaded by Hilltown Families founder, Sienna Wildfield in 2010.
Children up to the age of 12 are invited to sell and bartered their hand-made crafts and arts... and each year it's a huge success! The Kids-Made Craft Bazaar allows children to participate directly in the Festival, rewards them for their creativity, and gives them some real-world experience showing and selling their work.
Kids ages 12 and younger are invited to participate! The Kids-Made Crafts Bazaar will be located in a central covered area on the fairground, and all crafts and art must be hand-made predominantly by children. Children will participate directly in the Festival as vendors, allowing for hands-on experience in showing and selling their crafts. Participants must be pre-registered and be able to bring their own tables (card table size) and chairs. The fee for child artists and crafters is $5. Registration forms must be filled out and returned with registration fee to the Hilltown CDC:
Only a certain number of children can be accommodated, so register early. One adult free pass will be provided for each exhibitor. If there are questions, call Seth Isman at 413-296-4536 x12 or email sethi@hilltowncdc.org.
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Cinco de Mayo Episode with Guest DJ, Sandra from Moona Luna
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Next week Alison Faith Levy (formally from the Sippy Cups) guest DJs the Hilltown Family Variety Show!
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW: Cinco de Mayo Episode with Guest DJ, Sandra from Moona Luna. Moona Luna is the family music project of New York-based songwriter Sandra Velasquez and her critically acclaimed Latin band Pistolera. With her young daughter as inspiration, Velasquez wrote an album's worth of songs geared for families, making the songs bilingual so that the simple messages of joy, discovery and perseverance would reach young ears Velasquez says that Piñata Party is her attempt to re-create the vibe she remembers and treasures from the backyard parties her parents used to throw while she was growing up in San Diego, Calif. Dan Zanes joins the Piñata Party on the song "Brinca, Jump." www.moonalunamusic.com
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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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' Blog was voted as Best Local Blog in the Valley Advocate Best of the Valley Readers' Poll for the past two years in a row! Thank you for your support!
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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 an award winning 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 Western MA. 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.
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ENTER TO WIN
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 This week we're giving away two copies of Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem's newest CD, Some Bright Morning. Their "intoxicating blend of roots music styles, with deep traditional roots and a healthy futuristic outlook" will be a great music addition to any parents' CD collection! Only our subscribers can enter to win by replying to this email with "Some Bright Morning" in the subject line by midnight Sunday, May 6th. We'll randomly select one winner from all who reply.
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