October 4th – Ecotarium   Meet at Price Chopper at 9:30 to carpool to The EcoTarium – a unique indoor-outdoor museum in Worcester, MA. Set in an urban oasis, the EcoTarium offers a chance to take a thrilling multimedia journey through the galaxy at a digital planetarium, meet wildlife, stroll nature trails, ride a narrow-gauge railroad, and get hands-on with family-friendly exhibits. Pack a lunch to eat there and be prepared with $7 (this cost is $3 less than originally anticipated – thanks to the fine folks in Mass) to cover the admission cost. STAFF IS FREE!!! If you need help with this cost please contact me personally so we can make the proper arrangements. No worries. Note: $7 just covers the cost of general admission – the planetarium is an additional $5 – the Explorer Express Train $3 Of course if you’d like to browse the gift shop and such you should be prepared with spending money.

October 11th – What’s up with Down’s Syndrome?   In preparation for the Buddy Walk taking place on Saturday Oct. 15th let’s talk about Downs Syndrome and the Who’s What’s and Why’s of the disorder. Thanks to BW and KB for putting this presentation together. We also will be carving pumpkins and celebrating LB’s BIRTHDAY!!

October 13th – BAKEOFF!!   I know it’s a Thursday but I appreciate everyone going with the flow. I’d like to invite folks to join me at the Farm for a BAKEOFF from 1-3p.m. Bring a recipe, some ingredients, and help me prep for our Vending Spot at the Buddy Walk.

October 15th – Annual Buddy Walk   Please join friends at 11a.m. at the Brattleboro Common to educate the public about Downs Syndrome and to raise some funds for the Winston Prouty. Check out www.brattleborobuddywalk.org – you may even see some pictures of your friends.

October 18th-Witches And Pirates in Salem, Mass   A trio of spooktacular museums await us in the nations most notorious Witchy town, Salem! The Witch History Museum, New England Pirate Museum, and the Witch Dungeon Museum all await us. Families First is taking care of half of the admission cost so please come prepared with $9.50 (staff is fully covered for this trip). Cost covers admission to all three museums! Pre-registration is REQUIRED and you must prepay. Clifford is fully occupied at this point by folks who have preregistered. If you are wondering if you are on the list simply ask. Meet at Price Chopper at 8:30AM. Open to all.

October 25th – Spooktify the Farm   – visit me at Wild Hopes (1-3p.m.) to spooktify the farm with creepy crawlies, eerie music, and whatever else our creative minds conjure
in preparation for the evenings Halloween bash. I promise to have sweet apple cider to keep you motivated. Clifford will depart from 26 at 12:15

October 25th – Halloween Costume Party and Dance At Wild Hopes Farm.   Witches hair and eyeballs (spaghetti and meatballs) served at 6PM, dance from 7-8:30. Bonfire, friends, costume contests and dancing all await us! Pre-registration REQUIRED for the witches hair and eyeball feast.

November 1st – ????    Do you have a topic you’d like to present on? Maybe you could help teach your peers a new skill, maybe you’ve done some research lately that you’d like to share, or maybe you could just lead a discussion on current events in our area and around the world. If you have something in mind please let me know so I can put you on
the schedule. Thank you in advance for your help.

November 8th -  Vermont Country Store    Get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with a trip to the Vermont Country Store in Weston. “Take a journey into the general store of yesteryear with The Vermont Country Store. As the purveyors of practical and hard-to-find products, we offer you a host of quality merchandise from around the block and around the world.” www.vermontcountrystore.com Meet at 26 at 11:00 to carpool with Clifford. If you have certain time restraints please consider taking your own car.

November 15th – ????    As Thanksgiving approaches it may be a good time to speak of the holidays traditions, where they come from, and how they originated. If you’d like to
help with this presentation please let me know so we can get you on the schedule. Thanks!

November 22nd – Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Feast   Bring a favorite dish to share with friends. Remember how large a crowd this meal draws – we all need to pitch in. Lunch starts at NOON Location: TBA Of course we can’t forget the recognition of NP and EC’s BIRTHDAYS as well.

November 29th – ????   If you haven’t done a Peer Presentation I’d like to encourage you to take the initiative and share with your friends. It could be anything – a trip you took,
a new recipe you learned to cook, suggestions for healthy eating, a skit you’ve been working on. You could even pair up with a friend if you’d like. Please let me know so I can put you on the schedule. I look forward to hearing from you.

December 2nd (Friday) – Hockey Game!!   Meet at Price Chopper at 5:15 to carpool – details to follow

December 6th – Holyoke Mall    Get some of your holiday shopping done with a group trip to the mall. Meet at the Price Chopper parking lot at 10:00 to commute down together. If you have time restraints you may want to consider bringing your own vehicle.

December 13th – Spreading Holiday Cheer   Let’s write holiday cards to include in the Meals On Wheels delivery, bring food to the Drop-in Center, or collect toys for a local
family. Any day is a good day to give to others, but this seems to be especially true during the holiday season when we are reminded of those who are less fortunate than ourselves. There’s always something we can do to help. If you have an idea please feel free to share.

December 20th – Annual Holiday Potluck Feast   Bring a favorite dish to share with friends. If we each contribute something we’ll have quite the spread to enjoy. Lunch starts at NOON Location: TBA

Please note that Families First offices will be closed Monday October 10th in recognition of Columbus Day and Friday November 11th for Veterans’ Day

Also, this schedule does not need to be set in stone. I’m very open to suggestions, ideas, new outings. I’d love to hear about them.

Thus far, each suggestion provided has become a Peer Group agenda item. One thing, in particular I’d really like to get more involved in are our local theaters. If you know of a play, musical, or poetry reading that may be taking place in our area – please share. Even if it doesn’t fit into our Tuesday group, we can still spread the word in hopes of supporting the arts and each other.

Thanks and I look forward to the coming months and changing of seasons. Hope you are too. -Natasha