As I write this, I am having my first taste of turkey this fall. This early Thanksgiving treat came courtesy of my mother, who cooked a 16-pound bird for the potluck dinner for the residents of the apartment building she lives in. When she offered me some of the leftovers, I eagerly accepted, not only because it was my roasting pan she had borrowed to prepare it in so I felt entitled but also because I just love turkey. It's my favorite part of Thanksgiving ­ and the weeks that follow. Turkey soup, turkey tetrazzini, turkey and gravy... yum!

Speaking of food, I also am a big fan of milkshakes. (Nice transition, huh?) So my top family pick of this weekend is a concert at Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams on Saturday, Nov. 23, that features the Grammy­-nominated band Milkshake, which claims to be "on a mission to create great rock music for kids." Led by singer Lisa Mathews and guitarist Mikel Gehl, formerly of the indie rock outfit Love Riot, the band has appeared everywhere from PBS Kids to Nick Jr. to the Emmy Award­-winning cartoon "Todd World." The concert is at 11:30 a.m. and tickets are $8. Click here for details.

 

Keeping on the food theme on Saturday, you will find lots of Polish treats at the annual St. Stanislaus Kostka School Bazaar, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Adams. In addition to the food, there will be auctions, crafts and more, with all proceeds benefiting St. Stanislaus Kostka School. For more information, call Lorry Delomolino at 413­-743-1091. 

 

While I'd love to keep the food theme going, I just can't figure out how to tie in trains with food. That's right, trains. The Norman Rockwell Museum is hosting a family day from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, titled, simply, "Trains." Visitors are invited to celebrate trains and the wonders of rail travel during this afternoon inspired by the museum’s current exhibit, "Wendell Minor’s America." Activities especially geared toward families include "Songs of the Railroad: Music by Gordon Titcomb" at 2 p.m. and the opportunity all afternoon for kids to design their own locomotive with educator Beverly Thompson. All of the activities are free with museum admission; click here for details.

 

One last food note (yep, going back to food here): This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of the Berkshire Grown Holiday Farmers Markets. Everyone is invited to celebrate and buy locally grown and produced foods, including fruits and vegetables, cheese, eggs, meat, poultry, bread, pies, pickles, jams, and more. There also will be lunch food vendors, live music and children's activities. The market runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Monument Valley Middle School in Great Barrington and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Williams College Towne Field House in Williamstown. Click here for details.

 

I bet you will be able to buy a local turkey at one of the farmers markets. If you do, and you have some leftovers, let me know!