Tag Archives: western massachusetts

❄️ Sledding Hills in Western MA ❄️

Over the years we’ve been welcoming recommendations for sledding hills across the region from our reader to help connect families with community-based activities Check out these reader recommendations and share your own recommendation in the comment field below. Kelly recommends: Frog Hill in Grenville Park in Ware is a huge hill and great for sledding. […]

8 Family-Friendly Farms for Pumpkin Pickin’ in Western MA

QUESTION AND ANSWERS Where’s a good place to pick pumpkins with the kids in Western MA? Patricia McCarthy Krutiak recommends, “Whitney’s Farm Stand. Route 8. Cheshire, MA.” (Berkshire Co.) Heather Dunham Katsoulis recommends, “Westview Farms Creamery in Monson (Hampden Co.); Austin Brothers Valley Farm in Belchertown (Hampshire Co.); and Fletcher Farm in Southampton (Hampshire Co.). […]

Suggested Events for March 18th – March 24th, 2017

Family-friendly events in the Pioneer Valley and Hilltowns for March 18-24.

Banner artist and vintage photo dealer to share Easthampton storefront

‘BannerQueen’ Johnquest and ‘PhotoWench’ Waldman will open Spot 22 on Cottage Street.

Amy Johnquest and Stacy Waldman have known each other about three years, and are familiar faces within the Easthampton arts and culture scene.

Now the two friends are opening a quirky storefront gallery and studio on Cottage Street. Spot 22 will merge BannerQueen, Johnquest’s art and design studio, with House of Mirth Photos, the vintage photograph and ephemera business run by Waldman.

The type of work we do really complements each other,” said Waldman, who has been collecting and selling vintage photographs for over 16 years. Work from her collections can be found in vernacular photography coffee table books, museum shows and collections worldwide.

Johnquest is known for her carnival-like, sideshow-style banner art and illustration. “My work is strictly low-tech with a quasi-folk art bent,” she said. “I like to play with words, double entendres, curiosities, and curly-Qs.”

The two met at a collage party at Waldman’s home. “I was immediately influenced by Stacy’s photo collection, and wowed by her discard photo box,” said Johnquest. “I started painting on them, and one thing led to another.”

Waldman said people who wish to sell old photo collections should come see her. Johnquest said she looks forward to having a “fabulous storefront window” for installations.

Spot 22 will host a public grand opening on Friday, Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. The Holyoke Hummus food truck, hand-painted by Johnquest, will be parked out front for the dinner crowd.

Mary Serreze can be reached at mserreze@gmail.com

High Tech Planetarium Takes Us to the Stars

Milham Planetarium at Williams College is an incredible high-tech resource for Western Mass. Astronomy students in the area always seem to want to open up the planets for the rest of us. All through the Fall they will host free shows for the general public. There is something scientifically hypnotic about a planet show, and it can be a great “hook” for kids who are interested in the stars. Read on & reserve your spot in what will be a very popular show series.

Suggested Events for September 12th-18th, 2015

“Hilltown Families is my go-to place to look for upcoming family activities in my community (and the surrounding communities). I truly appreciate this site and all of the work that’s put into it!” – Renee H. (Easthampton, MA) … Continue reading →

What to do with Fiddleheads?

Fiddleheads are an enigma. These unusual looking greens when handled properly in the kitchen can unleash a joyous culinary moment! Read on and see about the Fiddlehead Arugula Salad that YOU can make for your family, getting your kids excited about eat…