Bare Hill Regatta
The Bare Hill Rowing Association and the Bromfield rowing team will host the annual Bare Hill Regatta Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the town beach. A number of local rowing teams that regularly race against Bromfield will be competing. Featured races include middle school, junior varsity, and varsity boys and girls eight- and four-person boats. The public, and their lawn chairs, are welcome. Parking will be in the high school lots, since beach parking will be limited to seniors and those with handicapped plates, as well as vehicles hauling boat trailers. For more information contact Head Coach Pat Scott at 518-727-6562.
Apple-Themed Exhibit at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will celebrate its 95th season with the opening of the exhibit “The Nature of Apples: Art & Memory” April 25 and 26. Continuing through November 2009, the exhibit features artists ranging from Currier & Ives to renowned Provincetown contemporary painter Karl Knaths. An enhancement to the exhibit, “Farmers Voices,” is a collection of oral histories recorded by local farmers and orchard growers, which were collected and produced by exhibit cosponsor Freedom’s Way Heritage Association. Fruitlands Museum is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Geothermal Heating and Cooling Discussion
The Harvard Energy Advisory Committee and Harvard Local will sponsor a talk on geothermal heat pumps Tuesday, April 28, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Volunteers Hall at the library. Martin Orio of Water Energy Distributors will discuss the advantages of using geothermal ground source heat pumps, and homeowners Rene Roy of Harvard and Val Prest from Groton will share their experience with geothermal heating systems in their homes. Registration is not required but would be helpful for planning purposes. To register or for more information contact Rene Roy at 978-456-8858 or Rene-Roy@charter.net.
Art Exhibit at the General Store
The Harvard Public Library will present, in collaboration with the Harvard General Store, a special painting exhibition titled “Agnes Abbot: A Look at the Landscape,” May 1 through 30, upstairs at the General Store. An opening reception will take place Friday, May 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. Organized by independent curator Pamela Clark Cochrane, the exhibition will include 15 watercolors from the library’s collection (available for purchase, proceeds to benefit the library) alongside a collection of Abbot’s paintings borrowed from local public and private collections. Agnes Abbot (1897–1992) lived in Harvard for many years. She is best known for her landscape paintings. A member of the New England Watercolor Society, Pen and Brush, the Guild of Boston Artists, and the National Association of Women Artists, her works are in many private and public collections, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Fogg Museum, and Wellesley College’s Davis Museum. For more information contact Pam Cochrane at pccochrane@gmail.com or 978-456-2349.
Family Movie Night
The Harvard Public Library will host a family movie night Friday, May 1, at 6:30 p.m., when the movie will be The Tale of Despereaux (G). Popcorn and water will be served. Pre-registration is requested to ensure a sufficient supply of popcorn. which will be for sale.
Harvard Schools Trust Dinner-Theater Gala
The Harvard Schools Trust annual Dinner-Theater Gala will be held Saturday, May 2. Community members can choose to attend both the dinner and the drama production, or to attend the drama production only. There are still some tickets and unlimited raffle tickets available. Raffle tickets can be purchased separately; ticket-holders need not be present to claim their prizes.
The play Misconception, an original play written by Bromfield’s advanced acting class, will be performed before dinner, with the curtain scheduled to go up at 6 p.m. in the Cronin Auditorium. For those also attending the dinner, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, and dessert will follow the performance at a number of host homes.
Details about the event and the raffle prizes, as well as ticket order forms, can be found at several locations around town or by visiting www.harvardschoolstrust.org.
Choral Concert
The Congregational Church of Harvard will host a concert by the Allegra Regional Girls Choir of Connecticut Saturday, May 2, at 7 p.m. This group of 50 singers, ranging in age from 6 to 17 years old, is from the United Choir School, one of New England’s most highly acclaimed girls’ choral programs. The concert is free and open to all. For more information call Sharon Schmidt at 978-772-1453 or the church at 978-456-8788.
Bird Walk
Fruitlands Museum invites the public to a morning bird walk Saturday, May 3, led by local birder Pat White. The group will be looking for “local residents” and early arrivals, including eastern towhee, rose-breasted grosbeak, black-and-white warbler, pine warbler, chipping sparrow, veery, blue-headed vireo, and wild turkey. Birders should expect to walk about two miles on trails through meadows and woods, with some steep sections and wet areas, and should bring binoculars, a field guide, and tick repellent. Meet at 6:30 a.m. in the first parking lot at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. Call Pat White at 978-456-8127 for more information.
Organ and Brass Concert
Concerts at the Common will present organ and brass music Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. Performing on the organ will be Paul Cienniwa, who has performed in France, New York, Chicago, and Boston. In addition to leading Newport Baroque, he is director of Sine Nomine choral ensemble and is music director at First Church of Boston, where he can be heard weekly on WERS (88.9 FM) Boston. Another guest performer will be Jim Phelan, an active horn soloist and chamber music performer both in the United States and abroad, who plays in the Massachusetts Symphony and Concord Orchestra. Phelan has invited four brass players to join him for this occasion. Tickets are $18 and can be purchased at the door or by calling 978-779-2876. Free refreshments will be available.
Workshop on Prescription Medications
The Council on Aging will host a workshop on prescription medications Tuesday, May 5, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Hildreth House. The workshop will provide information on devices that help people remember to take medications at the correct times and reliable websites for medication information. Call 978-456-4120 to enroll.
WBN Meeting
The Women’s Business Network (WBN) will hold its May luncheon Wednesday, May 6, at noon in the blossoming gardens of the Healing Garden at 145 Bolton Road. Members should bring their own lunch and are invited to bring a friend, whether she’s in business or not. The cost is a small donation to the Healing Garden—a minimum of $5, payable to the Healing Garden, but sent to WBN member Rosemary Fletcher, P.O. Box 3515, Framingham, MA 01701. Reservations and pre-payment are required. For more information or to register contact Rosemary at 508-877-1299 or rfletcher@msn.com by Thursday, April 30. Contributions to the Healing Garden are tax-deductible.
Art in the Park
The Village Nursery School invites parents and their preschoolers to a free afternoon of play, art, and refreshments Thursday, May 7, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at 40 Poor Farm Road. Children can visit different art stations, such as sculpture, spin art, and artful science, and can make a project with one of the teachers. To celebrate the arrival of spring there will be an ice cream social as part of this open house event. To attend, enroll by May 5 by callling 978-456-3993.
Friends of the Library Book Sale
The Friends Annual Book Sale will take place at the old Harvard library on Fairbank Street Saturday, May 9; Sunday, May 10; and Saturday, May 16. On Saturday, May 9, early-bird admission will be from 8 to 9 a.m. for $10 per person; free admission will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission will also be free Sunday, May 10, when the hours will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, May 16, when the hours will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a preview sale for Friends of the Library only on May 8.
Out of Town
Orchestra of Indian Hill Preview
Orchestra of Indian Hill Artistic Director and Conductor Bruce Hangen presents an exclusive preview of the 2009–2010 concert season at a free performance Sunday, April 26, at 3 p.m. at Indian Hill Music, 36 King St. in Littleton. Light refreshments will be served. To make reservations, call 978-486-9524, ext. 116. For more information visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Hadassah Annual Rummage Sale
Nashoba Valley Hadassah invites the public to its annual Rummage Sale Sunday, April 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Tahattawan Masonic Lodge, 310 King St. in Littleton.
The sale offers great bargains on “gently used” quality clothing and household articles. Proceeds will benefit Hadassah and its causes. For more information contact Judy Salant at 978-266-1139 or jssalant@aol.com or visit www.hadassah.org.
Food Allergy Discussion at NVMC
The Nashoba Valley Asthma and Allergy Educational Support Group will present the program “Food Allergy Update: New Developments and What They Mean for You” Monday, April 27, at 7 p.m. at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road, Ayer. The speaker will be allergist Michael Pistiner, M.D. The event is free; no registration is required. For more information call the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America/New England Chapter at 781-444-7778.
Senior Supper
A senior supper will be held Wednesday, April 29, from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Founders Room at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road in Ayer. The speaker will be orthopedic surgeon Michael Elman, who will discuss the signs of aging and how to cope with aging joints. The cost is $5 per person. Register by calling Rosanna Casavecchia at 978-784-9204 or e-mail rosanna.casavecchia@nashobamed.com.
Forever Plaid Musical Comedy in Acton
Forever Plaid, the story of four singers who get to make a one-time “heavenly” comeback, will be performed May 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 at 8 p.m. and May 3 at 2 p.m. at Acton Theatre III, 250 Central St. in West Acton. This musical production includes such ’50s classics as “Heart and Soul,” “Shangri-La,” “Three Coins in the Fountain,” and more. Forever Plaid is directed by Evan Kelly, musically directed by Gina Naggar and choreographed by James Turner (Bromfield Class of 2005). It stars Dave Carney, Div Slomin, James Turner, and Matt Walsh, all of whom have appeared in many local community theater productions. Tickets can be reserved by calling 978-263-9070 and are also available at www.theatreiii.org.
St. Matthew’s Concert
The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Madrigal Singers and the Canta Mundi Choir from Lexington High School will perform the final concert of the Music at St. Matthew’s Concert Series Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St. in Acton. The Madrigals, under the direction of Jennifer Moss, will present selections of Renaissance and Baroque music. Canta Mundi, under the direction of Brian O’Connell, will perform a selection of sacred music and folk songs from around the world. Tickets will be available at the door for $15; the cost is $12.50 for seniors and students. Childcare will be available and refreshments will be served. For more information call 978-263-2822 or visit www.saint-matthews.org.
Guided Walk to Springdale Mill
The Nashua River Watershed Association will sponsor a free guided walk to the site of the Springdale Mill Sunday, May 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Central Mass Rail Trail in West Boylston. The walk will follow the Quinapoxet River to the ruins of Springdale Mill, a river-powered woolen mill that operated in the late 19th century. Mary Marro, NRWA’s environmental education director, and Jim Lafley, education coordinator for the Department of Conservation and Recreation, will talk about the ecology of the river and the history of the mill. The level trail is suitable for all ages, including strollers and wheelchairs. Registration is required. Call the NRWA at 978-448-0299 or e-mail Mary Marro at MaryM@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
NRWA Hike
Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) Land Programs Director Al Futterman will lead a free “Where the Rivers Meet” walk Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon in the new conservation area that protects the confluence of the Squannacook and Nashua Rivers in Shirley. This hike is part of a series of free programs the NRWA is offering to the public in celebration of its 40th anniversary. To register and receive directions to the meeting place, call the NRWA at 978-448-0299 or e-mail Al Futterman at AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Baby-sitting Class
Nashoba Valley Medical Center (NVMC), 200 Groton Road, Ayer, will offer a baby sitting class Tuesday, May 5, and Thursday, May 7, from 3 to 5:30 p.m. in the Founders Room. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate. The cost is $35; checks should be made payable to NVMC. Registration is required; contact Rosanna Casavecchia to register at 978-784-9204 or e-mail rosanna.casavecchia@nashobamed.com. Light refreshments will be provided.
College Fair for Students with Learning Differences
A college fair focusing on students with learning differences will be held at Nashoba Regional High School, 12 Green Road in Bolton, Wednesday, May 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. More than 20 colleges will have representatives and a panel discussion led by college representatives will cover the continuum of services available, accessing services, how expectations differ from high school to college, and choosing a college program and services. There is no charge; families from all surrounding towns are welcome. For more information visit www.nrsd.net and click on Nashoba Regional High School.
Harvard Pro Musica Concert
Harvard Pro Musica will hold its spring concert Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Church, 435 Central St. in Acton. The program will feature J.S. Bach cantatas and contemporary pieces by Bennett, Lauridsen, and Whitacre. Tickets are $12 for adults, $12 for students, and $10 for seniors. For more information visit www.harvarpromusica.org or call 978-456-5039.
