Looking forward to saying goodbye to 2016? Then you may want to ring in the New Year with a warm and welcoming gathering designed to raise your spirits, share good food, enjoy live entertainment, and help those in need all at the same time.
On Sunday, Jan. 8, at 2 p.m., residents from throughout the Hilltowns and beyond are invited to celebrate the coming of the New Year with a wide selection of homemade international foods and live music provided by James Kitchen and Friends, at this year’s Second Annual International Food Potluck.
This festive, family-friendly, intergenerational community event is being hosted by the Chesterfield Council on Aging and held at the Chesterfield Community Center.
Attendees are asked to bring their favorite international dish to share. This includes items of any country or region, from your favorite cuisine to those long-cherished family recipes.
Organizers ask that food brought to the celebration be labeled as to its ingredients.
As well as providing an opportunity for people to share good times with old friends and new acquaintances, this event is also a benefit for the Hilltown Food Pantry.
Located in Goshen, the Hilltown Food Pantry is a program of the Northampton Survival Center and serves eligible residents of Chesterfield, Cummington, Middlefield, Peru, Plainfield, Goshen, Haydenville, Huntington, Westhampton, Williamsburg, and Worthington.
Over 350 individuals, representing more than150 families, share in the monthly distribution of emergency supplemental foods from the Hilltown Food Pantry.
Any honoraria or donations received at this event will all go directly to the food pantry.
The Chesterfield Community Center is at 400 Main Road.
The Second Annual International Food Potluck is funded in part by a multigenerational grant from Highland Valley Elder Services to the Chesterfield and Westhampton COAs, Chesterfield Public Library, CFCEs of Westhampton and Chesterfield, Davenport Childcare, and New Hingham PTO.
To kick off the New Year in the beauty of nature in all of its winter glory, the Williamsburg Woodland Trails Committee is offering a scenic hike on Sunday Jan. 1.
Hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those who just want to get out of the house for a winter trek can enjoy this 1.5-mile scenic walk to the overlook at the Briar Hill Conservation area.
Once an old wood road, the trail begins in a young hardwood forest, crosses Cold Brook and climbs through stands of hemlock, oak, and hickory, culminating in a vista overlooking the northern parts of Williamsburg.
The walk will start at noon. Participants should park at the kiosk and trailhead on Briar Hill Road.
For more information call 268-7523. If weather conditions on the day of the walk are questionable, check Williamsburgwoodlandtrails.org to see if the event is still taking place.
There will be a special town election in Plainfield on Saturday, Jan. 7, for a seat on the Select Board left open by Phil Lococo who is resigning from the board.
Two candidates, Ron Weeks, of Grant Street, and Winton Pitcoff, of Union Street, are running to fill the remaining term of the open seat, which ends in 2019.
Voting will take place at the Town Hall from noon until 6 p.m.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at: Fryan.gazette@gmail.com