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"I love knowing what is going on that is fun and kid friendly... I don't pick up papers, so getting Hilltown Families eNewsletters in my inbox is great!" - Jaimee Roncone (Westhampton, MA)
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HILLTOWN FAMILIES
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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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GIVEAWAYS
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Ongoing Columns
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| HILLTOWN FAMILIES SPONSORS | |
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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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HILLTOWN FAMILIES
eNEWSLETTER
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23 Smart Reasons to Staycation in Western MA Next Week!
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 | | Families can learn about plants native to the Connecticut River Watershed at the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls during a family workshop on trees, flowers, and other plants found locally on Saturday, July 14th, like Indian Ghost Pipe pictured here. (Photo credit: Sienna Wildfield) |
The learning continues this summer with a plethora of fun community-based educational opportunities happening across the region!
HISTORY: On Saturday, July 14th, it's Fire and Ice Day at Old Sturbridge Village, affording a chance for families to learn about the history of fire fighting and how homemade old fashioned ice cream is made with historical demonstrations and activities. Then on Sunday, July 15th, the Springfield Museums host Indian Day - a celebration of the history of Indian motorcycles, manufactured in Springfield until 1953, playing an important part in the city's history.
NATURAL HISTORY: In Ashfield on Saturday, July 14th, families can explore the Bullitt Reservation on a snake search and frog find, where they will learn how to hunt for and properly handle snakes, salamanders, frogs, and other small creatures. Then on Sunday, July 15th, the Zoo in Forest Park in Springfield celebrates Rainforest Day where kids can meet rainforest animal friends up close, and play fun educational games to learn about the animals and their habitat. -- Northfield is one of the most interesting local places to learn about natural history, and on Tuesday, July 17th, the Northfield Library hosts a program on the stories behind the town's unique landscape, the creation of the Connecticut River, and the natural history of the Pioneer Valley. On Thursday, July 19th, kids can learn about carnivorous plants at the Monson Library during a program on all of the different types of unusual insect eating plants found all around the world!
ENGINEERING & ARCHITECTURE: In addition to great history and nature science opportunities,the Boston Museum of Science brings engineering and physic lessons to Western MA libraries. On Tuesday, July 17th, also at the Northfield Library, the Museum of Science will lead a hands-on engineering program call World of Bridges, and on Friday, July 20th, kids can explore the science behind rocketry at the MN Spear Library in Shutesbury.
MUSIC: The region also hosts terrific summer entertainment series. Last week we highlighted great lawn concerts families can enjoy in the evening hours throughout the summer. This week there's more great music opportunities for families: beloved local children's musician Mister G performs at Look Park in Florence on Tuesday, July 17th; Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley hosts children's performer John Porcino on Wednesday, July 18th, as part of their summer performance series; and the Springfield Museums invites families to come learn about the history and evolution of American Roots Music at Made in the Shade, an interactive educational concert designed to teach kids about music history on Thursday, July 19th. We should also mention that the Green River Festival in Greenfield has a family music stage with a terrific line-up happening this Saturday & Sunday, July 14th & 15th.
THEATER: We wanted to make mention of the theater and puppetry performances happening this week too. In West Springfield the Majestic Theater presents Rumplestiltskin as part of their summer children's theater series running Monday, July 16th-Wednesday, July 18th. In Northampton, Paintbox Theater presents The Princess Knight at Smith College's Mendenhall Center Wednesday, July 18th-Friday, July 20th this next week.
PUPPETRY: This week in our column, Berkshire Family Fun, we tell you about the various marionette performances happening in Berkshire County, and in the Pioneer Valley, families can find a few more puppetry performances: on Saturday, July 14th, celebrate Bearfest puppet-style with a puppet presentation of Goldilocks and the Three Bear at the Easthampton Congregational Church; Sunday, July 15th, Amherst College hosts the annual KO Festival of Performance featuring the Mettawee River Theater Company performance of Communications from a Cockroach on the lawn at the college's observatory; and on Wednesday, July 18th, Circus on a String comes to the Springfield Museums where Robert Rogers presents his circus marionettes who perform vignettes carefully choreographed to music.
Find out more about these events and a many, many others (like Red Gate Farm's community BBQ in Buckland, and Emily Dickinson Museum's 19th-century Children's Circus in Amherst) in our list of Weekly Suggested Events.
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BULLETIN BOARD
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  FAMILY THEATER: PaintBox Theatre is a theatre of improvisation and imagination for the whole family. Start with a children's classic. Add three actors. Add a theatre, the Paintbox stage & a screen. Add artwork (by kids). Add lots of audience participation & improvisation. Stir well. There you go: Paintbox! This season: The Ugly Duckling, July 4-7; The Princess Knight, July 18-21; and Zorro!, August 1-4. All shows are presented in Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Green Street, on the Smith College Campus in Northampton, MA. More information at -413-585-3220 Or online www.newcenturytheatre.org/paintbox.html
 19th-CENTURY CHILDREN'S CIRCUS: It's Circus Time at the Emily Dickinson Museum! On Saturday, July 14, the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst presents "Creatures of Bliss and Mystery: A 19th-Century Children's Circus," from noon to 4 pm. Especially appropriate for children ages 3 to 10, this annual event is free and open to the public. Activities include folksongs and stories with Tim Van Egmond; a performance by Henry the Juggler; a reading of Emily and Carlo by author Marty Rhodes Figley; and the annual Circus Parade. Other activities include "tightrope" walking, ring-toss, and kid friendly crafts. For details and a complete schedule, visit www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/circus. With questions, contact Valerie Gramling, program coordinator, at 413-542-2034.
 JOB OPPORTUNITY: RH Conwell CEC is seeking to employ a certified individual to teach ELA to students in grades K-6. RHC is a small privately funded school, whose staff teaches students to their specific abilities within multi-age settings versus to their age or grade level. RHC staff relies heavily on differentiated instruction and creative hands-on learning, and the staff holds students to high expectations within their individualized learning plans. If you feel you may be a good fit to the team, please apply today. This position is part-time with the possibility of additional hours contingent on enrollment. Flexibility is a must. RHCCEC is an EOE. Send resume packet to: RHC Attn: J. Dupont 147 Huntington Rd. Worthington, MA 01098 or JDupont@rhccec.org
 CALL FOR CRAFTERS: Hilltown Families is a proud sponsor of the Cummington Family Center's 3rd annual Handmade for Kids Holiday Fair. The fair is the center's annual fundraiser and an excellent opportunity for community members to find commercial-free handmade items, many supporting creative free play. This year's fair will be held on November 3rd at Berkshire Trail Elementary School in Cummington, MA. Registration is now open for crafters who make handmade, commercial-free items for kids of all ages. Spaces are also open for anyone interested in leading hour long gift-making workshops for children and/or adults. This is a great family-friendly event. If you are interested in learning more, email Stacey at cummingtonfamilycenter@yahoo.com.
 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!
 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.
Irene Branson writes, "Ashfield Needles and Threads is hosting another Free Clothing Exchange-a community hand-me-around to facilitate Recycling, Reusing, Sharing and Happiness! It's scheduled for Saturday, August 4th from 9am-1pm in the Congregational Church on Main Street. People are invited to drop off clean clothes and shoes in excellent condition-all seasons and sizes- in the foyer of St. John's Church on the corner of Main and South Streets between the afternoon of Sunday July 29th and the night of Friday August 3rd. Remember, folks can come pick out some clothes on Saturday whether they brought any to share or not. Stock up! Everyone is encouraged to bring family and friends and their own reusable shopping bags. Leftover items will be redistributed through Share the Warmth and the Salvation Army."
PARENT AIDES: The Parent Aide Volunteer Program at Berkshire Children and Families has a few openings for moms and dads in Hampshire County who may be interested in having a Parent Aide. Parent Aides are nonjudgmental, supportive, trained volunteers who provide home visiting support to parents who are not involved with the Department of Children and Families. Parents can refer themselves or you can refer families with their permission. Please contact Gail Fries at 584-5690, ext. 114 to make a referral.
Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force writes, "A remembrance event in honor of Jessica Dana who was allegedly murdered by her partner Jeb Daly on June 22 will be held on Monday July 16 at 7pm at Knightville Dam in Huntington. There will be three speakers at the event: Marianne Winters, Executive Director of Safe Passage; Phil Barry, brother-in-law of the late Karen Hart Trudeau from Blandford who was murdered by her estranged husband in 2002, and a family member or friend of the family. Attendees will have the opportunity to write cards to Jessica's children, or write in a memory book for the family. Donations will be accepted on behalf of the family. For more information contact the Task Force at southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com or visit the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force on Facebook."
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| BEST BETS |
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Berkshire Family Fun for Mid-Late July, 2012
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Saturday, July 14th in Worthington, the Hilltown Arts Alive Festival takes place. Highlights include live music with local artists (including jazz with Charles Neville), an art show featuring locally made pieces at town hall, children's activities at RH Conwell School, open houses at local businesses, and more!
Find out more at www.HilltownFamilies.org. |
| MARK YOUR CALENDARS | |
Saturday, July 21st, dig out your kilt and your claymore, have a breakfast of haggis, and head to Look Park for the Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival in Florence. There will be pipe bands and highland dancers, highland games, Scottish food and vendors. Families can celebrate their Scottish heritage or learn about Scottish history and culture!
Sunday, July 22nd, the Buckland Historical Society is hosting an open house. Located in a former schoolhouse, the Historical Society is home to artifacts of local importance - families can learn about the history of their community, and kids can help place their knowledge of American History in the context of their surroundings by learning about the history of their town.
Find out more at www.HilltownFamilies.org.
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HILLTOWN FAMILY VARIETY SHOW:
Dean Jones of Dog on Fleas Guest DJs
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Next week join acclaimed musicianer/songster (that's what they called 'em in the olden days) Randy Kaplan as he guest DJs the Hilltown Family Variety Show. In addition to spinning songs by Bluegrass, Folk, Calypso, and Broadway masters, he'll be introducing his new Country-Blues & Ragtime CD, Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie!
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Dean Jones from Dog on Fleas is our Guest DJ, playing music from "inside his head." Check out his show today, then head to the Green River Festival on Sunday to see him and his band playing live on the River Family Meltdown Stage!
Check out our archives to listen anytime, or tune in this weekend to hear our Summer Essential Episode. 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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| 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.
Warm regards, |
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