Volunteers needed to pull weeds at pond
Residents are invited to help in the annual Water Chestnut Weed Harvest Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is the first of three weed pulls sponsored by the Bare Hill Pond Management Committee. The remaining two are scheduled for July 18 and Aug. 8.
The target is the water chestnut, a non-native invasive species of plant that threatens swimming, boating and fishing by crowding the shorelines with a mass of underwater vegetation. The weed pulls are designed to curb the spread of the weeds through removal of as many as possible from shallow areas of the pond. The weeds can be easily eradicated by volunteers who are willing to help out for a couple of hours.
The June 13 weed pull will focus on the area of the pond near Clapp’s Brook, where the significant weed growth can be removed by pulling the plants out of the water from a canoe or small boat. Volunteers should bring their own canoe, boat, or kayak to the town beach. Buckets will be provided, along with instructions on how to remove the weeds. Some town canoes will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. (State law requires all boaters to have safety gear, which includes life jackets and a whistle or other auditory warning device.)
Road race association announces annual race
The Harvard Road Race Association has announced the 32nd running of the Great Harvard Fourth of July Road Race. The 5-mile race will be held Saturday, July 4, at 8:45 a.m., starting and ending at the Bromfield School. The 1-mile Fun Run for children will start at 9:45 a.m. Refreshments and the Fourth of July Parade and Festival will follow the races.
Online registration is available through www.harvardraces.org. Race day registration will be held at the Bromfield School from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Entry fees are $15 for the 5-miler (T-shirts are guaranteed for entries received by June 15), $5 for the 1-miler without a T-shirt, and $13 for the 1-miler with a shirt. Registration for town employees and runners over age 65 is free.\
There will be seven male and female age divisions: junior (age 18 and younger), open (19 to 29), submasters (30 to 39), masters (40 to 49), seniors (50 to 59), veterans (60 to 69) and 70-plus (70 and older). Awards and prizes will go to the first male and female finishers, the top three finishers in each division, and the top Harvard resident finishers. There will also be a $100 cash prize for a new course record. The current record for men is 25:41, set in 2007 by Casey Moulton, and the current record for women is 29:42, set in 2005 by Seana Carmean.
Registration opens for summer programs
Harvard Community Education is accepting registrations for summer programs: Harvard hoops basketball, gymnastics, lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee and jump-start field hockey. For dates and information contact the Community Education office at jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
Pet supplies needed
Girl Scout Troop 30598 is collecting pet supplies and other shelter necessities for the Sterling Animal Shelter. Donation drop boxes are located at Art & Cloth, the elementary school, the library, and Town Hall. Items needed include: cat litter, laundry detergent, paper towels, towels, blankets, dog and cat toys and treats, office supplies, and more (a complete list is attached to each donation drop box). Monetary donations cannot be accepted.
