Home Valley Advocate VA52-happsETC-2016

VA52-happsETC-2016

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Thursday 12/29 

Knitting: Led by Kathy O’Shea, a graduate of WEBS expert knitting program. All levels. 6 p.m. Free. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St, Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org. 

NAMI Connections Peer-to-Peer Support Group: Supporting adults living with mental health challenges, using a dynamic, informed, compassionate approach. 6 p.m. Free. Easthampton Congregational Church, 112 Main St., Easthampton. (413) 923-8481, [email protected]

Spirit Talk: Readings by Psychic Mark. Learn about loved ones who are on the other side, or about yourself and find your purpose in love and joy. 7 p.m. $20. The Summana Center, 6 Trumbull Road, Northampton. (413) 262.5258, summanacenter.com. 

Tech-Free Games, Lego and Craft Night: 4-8 p.m. Free. Gaylord Library, 47 College St., South Hadley. (413) 538-5047, gaylordlibrary.org. 

Trivia Night: 7:30 p.m. Free. Brew Practitioners Brewery and Taproom, 36 Main St., Florence. (413) 584-2444, brewpractitioners.com. 

Friday 12/30 

Emily Dickinson International Society Poetry Conversation: Monthly discussion of Dickinson’s poetry. Noon. Free. Jones Library, 43 Amity St., Amherst. (413) 259-3223, joneslibrary.org. 

Friday Night Dance Party: 7 p.m. Pulaski Club, 79 Maple St., Easthampton. thepulaskiclub.com. 

It Takes a Village: Free, confidential drop-in circle for mothers of infants and young children. Led by facilitators trained in peer support. Expectant mothers also welcome. Free childcare available for children up to age five. Refreshments served. 10 a.m. Free. St. John’s Corner House, 469 Main St., Ashfield. (413) 650-3640, hilltownvillage.org.

Master Class in Documentary Production: Taught by Larry Hott. Free multi-week runs 7-9 p.m. and begins Jan. 17. For a total of six students. Application deadline Dec. 30. Northampton Community Television, 380 Elm St., Northampton. northamptoncommunitytv.org. 

Saturday 12/31 

Bright Nights: Through Jan. 1. Sunday to Thursday 5 to 9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, and holidays 5 to 11 p.m. $18 per car Monday to Thursday; $21 per car Friday to Sunday and holidays. Forest Park, 300 Sumner Ave., Springfield. (413) 733-3800, brightnights.org. 

Northampton First Night: New Years Eve celebration with family-friendly performances at 20 downtown venues and a fireworks display at 6:15 p.m. The traditional ball-raising from the roof of the Hotel Northampton will cap things off at at midnight. Dec. 31, noon to midnight. Downtown Northampton. firstnightnorthampton.org. 

Northampton Winter Farmers Market: Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free. SNAP accepted and doubled up to $10. Smith Vocational and Agricultural High School, 80 Locust St., Northampton. (860) 481-9807, [email protected]

Starry Starry Night: 20th annual New Year’s Eve celebration. Fun and free, in the heart of downtown Orange, with live performers, hay rides, ice sculptures, a parade, and fireworks. Beginning at 6 p.m. Downtown Orange.

Sunday 1/1 

New Year’s Day Retreat and Potluck: 2-6 p.m. $15-$50 suggested donation. Insight Meditation Center of Pioneer Valley, 116 Pleasant St. Suite 242, Easthampton. (413) 527-0388, [email protected]

New Year’s Day Saturday Morning Music Party: Hilltown Families and the Flywheel Arts Collective sponsor benefit party with pancake breakfast. 10 a.m. to noon. Pay what you can. Flywheel, 43 Main St., Easthampton. hilltownfamilies.org. 

Monday 1/2 

Holyoke Hospice Life Care Virtual Support Group: A new, innovative bereavement support group designed to expand access by introducing alternative forms of connection and communication. Participants will be invited to explore both their grief and their joys on a private, secure website using photography, drawing, and writing. Along with Cary Quigley, HLC’s Bereavement Counselor, the group will explore these visual statements together, in-person — as a group — online, by discussing how this powerful and meaningful expression is contributing to healing. It is not necessary to know computers, photography, writing or drawing. Cary Quigley; Bereavement Counselor for Hospice Life Care, will be available to help you. 1 p.m. Free. Virtual, 575 Beech St., Holyoke. (413) 887-5552, [email protected]

Living Fully, Aging Gracefully: Free discussion group for those journeying through life’s natural process or traveling with someone. 1 p.m. Free. Greenfield Senior Center, 52 High St., Greenfield. (413) 772-1517. 

Northampton Parents Center: 9:30 a.m. Free. Edwards Church, 297 Main St., Northampton. northamptonparentscenter.org. 

Qigong: Led by Dvora Eisenstein, a student of Master Yang Jwing-Ming for 30 years. Mindful light exercise that focuses on calming the mind, improving balance, and enhancing health. Participants are guided through slow movements, breathing techniques, and focused intention. Suitable for all levels of ability and age. Drop-ins welcome. 10 a.m. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org. 

Sunderland Knitting Circle: All levels welcome; no experience needed. Mondays 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.

Tuesday 1/3 

MotherWoman Support Group: Free drop-in support group for pregnant women and mothers up to one year postpartum. Free snacks, parking, and childcare for toddlers and children up to 4 years old. On bus route. 10-11:30 a.m. weekly. Criterion Child Enrichment Center, 228 King St., Northampton. (413) 587-1471, [email protected]

Northampton Poetry Open Mic: Followed by poetry slam. 8 p.m. World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton. northamptonpoetry.com. 

Soul Centered Healing: For emotional and mental health. Open group to deepen awareness to the higher self and develop a greater capacity for harmony, peace and joy. 6-7 p.m. Free. Wellspring, 104 Russell St., Hadley. (413) 687-7748, [email protected]

Tuesdays at Noon Book Discussion Group: Making Sense of God — An Invitation to the Skeptical by Timothy Keller. Books available. Noon. St. Phillip’s Episcopal Church, 128 Main St., Easthampton. stphilipseasthampton.org. 

Writers Night Out: Novelist and poet Jeannine Atkins also teaches writing in the MFA program at Simmons at the Carle. 7-9 p.m. Free. The Basement, 21 Center St., Northampton. (413) 348-7365, [email protected].

Wednesday 1/4 

Benefit for Care for the Troops: 7-9:30 p.m. Majestic Theater, 131 Elm St, West Springfield. (413) 747-7797, majestictheater.com. 

Bridge the Gap — Housing Boost Proposal: Meeting to discuss a completed grant that would allow AAC to provide housing subsidies for 10 individuals struggling with housing insecurity. 10-11:30 a.m. Free. Amherst Community Connections, 121 N. Pleasant St., Amherst. (510) 290-6743. [email protected]

Free Cooking Classes: 5:30-7:30 p.m. First Universalist Church, 31 North Main St., Orange. (978) 544-6501. 

Readers Choice: Join us the first Wednesday of every month for this book discussion. 10-11 a.m. Dickinson Memorial Library, 115 Main St., Northfield. northfieldpubliclibrary.org. 

Speakeasy Toastmasters: 7 p.m.  Free. Elaine Center, 20 N. Maple St., Hadley. (413) 584-5057. 

Tong Ren: Energy healing class combines western knowledge of anatomy and physiology with the ancient principle of “Chi” to create a powerful new healing modality. Noon. Free. Forbes Library, 20 West St., Northampton. (413) 570-3367, [email protected]

Parent-Friendly Events for Kids 

 THURSDAY: Little Roots Music Thursdays: Community music experience for the young child and their caregiver, led by professional musicians Annie Stevenson and Maggie Shar. 3 months to 5 years old. Weekly at 4 p.m. Yoga Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. (336) 407-9074, littlerootsmusic.com. 

Music and Movement: 10 a.m. weekly. Free. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. montaguepubliclibraries.org. 

FRIDAY: Drop-In Playground: For ages 5 and under, and their caregivers. 9:30 a.m. Sunderland Elementary School, 1 Swampfield Dr., Sunderland. (413) 665-1151. 

Hadley Playgroup: For children 5 and under. Weekly. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Whole Children, 41 Russell St., Hadley. (413) 587-1471, [email protected]

Holiday Vacation Week Fun: Springfield Museums, 21 Edwards St., Springfield. springfieldmuseums.org. 

Kids Can Cook!: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Clark Art Institute, 225 South St., Williamstown. clarkart.edu. 

Mother Goose on the Loose: Hands-on early learning with songs, rhymes, and activities geared for the 3 and under crowd. No sign-up needed. Every Tuesday and Friday, 10-10:45 a.m. Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main St., Greenfield. 

Shutesbury Weekly Playgroup: 9 a.m. Shutesbury Elementary School, 23 W. Pelham Road, Shutesbury. (978) 544-5157, shutesburyschool.org. 

South Hadley Family Frolic: Preschooler program with Miss Mary. 10:30 a.m. Free. Gaylord Library, 47 College St., South Hadley. (413) 538-5047, gaylordlibrary.org. 

Story Time: For ages 3-5.11 a.m. Free. Sunderland Public Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665 2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.

Whole Book Approach Storytime: With Megan Dowd Lambert. 10:30 a.m. The Eric Carle Museum, 125 W. Bay Road, Amherst. (413) 559-6300, carlemuseum.org. 

SATURDAY: First Night Junior: New Years Eve celebration. Admission to the Children’s Museum and Volley Ball Hall of Fame, unlimited rides on the Merry-Go-Round, magic shows, musical performers, and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. $8. Holyoke Heritage State Park, 221 Appleton St., Holyoke. (413) 538-9838. 

Sunderland Lego Club: Weekly club for ages 4 and up. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Free. Sunderland Library, 20 School St., Sunderland. (413) 665-2642, sunderlandpubliclibrary.org.

MONDAY: Shutesbury Weekly Tales and Tues: Free weekly group for ages 5 and under. 9:30-11 a.m. M.N. Spear Library, 10 Cooleyville Road, Shutesbury. (978) 544-5157, mnspear.org. 

TUESDAY: Craft Time: For children of all ages. 3:30 p.m. Free. Carnegie Library, 201 Avenue A, Turners Falls. (413) 863-3214, montaguepubliclibraries.org. 

Lego Club: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Free. Meekins Library, 2 Williams St., Williamsburg. (413) 268-7472, meekins-library.org. 

Mother Goose on the Loose: See Friday’s listing. 

Preschool Storytime: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Lilly Library, 19 Meadow St., Northampton. lillylibrary.org. 

WEDNESDAY: Little Roots Music Wednesdays: Community music experience for the young child and their caregiver, led by professional musicians Annie Stevenson and Maggie Shar. 3 months to 5 years old. 9:30 a.m. Yoga Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St., Easthampton. (336) 407-9074, littlerootsmusic.com. 

Story Hour and Play Time: For ages 7 and under. 10:30 a.m. Free. Edwards Library, 30 East St., Southampton. (413) 527-9480, southamptonlibrary.org. 

Westhampton Storytime: Open to all children and caregivers to enjoy songs and stories, snacks, and a craft. 10 a.m. to noon. Free. Westhampton Public Library, 1 North Road, Westhampton. (413) 527-5386, [email protected].