Artist of the Month
Paintings by For Art’s Sake’s Artist of the Month Lydia Enriquez are now hanging in the second floor gallery of the Harvard General Store. Enriquez grew up in Harvard, graduated from the Francis W. Parker School, and is currently a junior at the Rhode Island School of Design. She paints familiar scenes from Harvard and other of her favorite places.
Healing Garden Walk, Music, and Art
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will offer a special day for families and friends to celebrate nature Saturday, Oct. 17. The day will begin with the Healing Garden Perennial Walk, a 3.5-mile fundraising walk to support many of the programs and services offered to help clients minimize stress and maximize the cancer healing process. The Garden will offer an afternoon program of music and art, “Nature Speaks,” from 1 to 3 p.m. featuring special guest sitarist Alif Laila, classical guitarist Jeremy Milligan, and Japanese storyteller Motoko. All audience members and garden visitors will be invited to create a small hanging art piece to reflect on how nature has spoken to them.
Lego Club
The Harvard Public Library will sponsor a Lego Club for children age 5 and older Saturday, Oct. 17, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Children’s Room. Participants will build Lego creations and should bring their own Lego and/or Duplo bricks. Creative building is encouraged; the library will have various Lego books available for inspiration. Parents may join in the fun and assist with supervision. Enrollment is limited to 15. Preregistration is required and available in the Children’s Room.
‘Thank You, Harvard!’ Community Day
Fruitlands Museum and town merchants welcome Harvard residents to “Thank you, Harvard!” Community Day Sunday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum. The museum and town merchants have enjoyed residents’ patronage this past year and want to say thank you. Their community appreciation day of activities and music will include free admission, free cider, free treats, and a free concert for all Harvard residents. Guests can paint, play bocce, walk the trails, sample fruit and pizza, and listen to the live music of Harvard’s own Friday Night Delight, Ashley Jordan, Helen Batchelder, Pandemonium, and Blue Box Set. For more information visit www.fruitlands.org.
Covered Bridges of New England
The Harvard Historical Society’s “Covered Bridges of New England” exhibit’s last day will be Sunday, Oct. 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society in Still River. The exhibit features the photographs and memorabilia of the late William Maxant, Harvard resident and founder of Maxant Industries. On display are Maxant’s collection of photographs from 1930’s to the present in Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire, and items from his extensive collection of maps, calendars, books, souvenirs, articles, and other covered bridge items. Many of the bridges are no longer in existence but are a celebrated part of New England’s history.
Cello and Harp Concert
The Special Adults, Greener Earth (SAGE) Crossing Foundation will hold a fundraising concert Sunday, Oct. 18, at 3 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. The concert will feature cellist Molly Aronson and harpist Maria Rindenello Parker of Harvard. Though the concert is free and open to the public, tax-deductible donations are requested. Proceeds will be used to help SAGE create a summer farm program in 2010 to benefit young autistic adults.
SEPAC Meeting
The fall meeting of the Harvard Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SEPAC) will be held Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. in the Bromfield School library. The agenda will include a presentation by Pam DeGregorio, Harvard Special Education director, and a discussion of upcoming events.
Halloween Safety Show
The library will host a Spooky, Goofy Halloween Safety Show for children age 3 and older, Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 1:30 p.m. at the library. Magician Greg McAdams (also known as “Professor Readalot”) will present 40 minutes of magic, comedy, puppetry, audience participation, and safety messages. Pre-registration is requested.
Autumn Choral Concert
The Bromfield School choral groups will perform a free “Autumnal Choral Concert” Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at the Cronin Auditorium. The concert will feature performances by the high school concert choir, middle school chorus, and sixth-grade chorus.
Pumpkins, Paint, and Play
The Village Nursery School will host a free Pumpkins, Paint, and Play morning for toddlers and parents Friday, Oct. 23, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at VNS, 40 Poor Farm Road. Children will be able to visit different art stations to decorate a pumpkin for Halloween and participate in a variety of activity centers. To attend, RSVP by Oct. 20 to 978-456-3993.
Puppet Show
For Art’s Sake, in collaboration with the Harvard General Store and the Clark Gallery, will sponsor “Anonymous Nonsense,” a free puppet show by The Bluebird Theatre, Sunday, Oct. 25, at 11:30 a.m., upstairs at the Harvard General Store. The performance by Donald, Isak, and Ole Saaf and Julia Zanes will feature marionettes, shadow puppets, and live music.
Cider Hard & Sweet
Fruitlands Museum will host Ben Watson, author of Cider Hard & Sweet: History, Tradition and Making Your Own, Sunday, Oct. 25, at 2 p.m. at the museum. Watson is a “slow food” proponent and farm activist. He will provide instruction, recipes, and background on cider and cider-making. The event is free with museum admission and includes tastings of local area sweet ciders. For more information visit www.fruitlands.org or by call 978-456-3924.
‘London’s Chelsea Flower Show’
The Garden Club of Harvard will hold a luncheon meeting Monday, Oct. 26, at 11:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish at 15 Still River Road. This month’s program, “London’s Chelsea Flower Show,” will feature guest speaker Maureen Bovet. The presentation will start at 12:15 p.m. Meetings are free and open to the public; new members welcome. For information contact Sue Fitterman at 978-772-1433.
WBN Fall Lunch
The Women’s Business Network will hold its fall luncheon, an informal networking and buffet lunch, Tuesday, Oct. 27, at noon at Fruitlands Museum. Advance reservations are required along with $15, payable to Seasonal Specialties. Checks must be received by Pat Cochrane before Wednesday, Oct. 21. Mail to: Pat Cochrane, 11 Partridge Hill Road, Harvard, MA 01451. For more information e-mail Pat at pac1999@email.com.
Halloween Pumpkin Walk
For Art’s Sake will hold its annual Pumpkin Walk on Halloween. Residents are invited to carve their own creative jack-o’-lantern and bring it to the cemetery wall by 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. For Art’s Sake will put a candle in each pumpkin and light them all en masse.
Historical Society Meeting
The Historical Society’s annual meeting will take place Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. at the Still River meeting house.
OUT OF TOWN
Adult Open Mic
Indian Hill Music School will present “Open Mic and Open Hearts,” an open mic night for adults age 18 and older led by singer/songwriter Nancy Brule Friday, Oct. 16, from 6 to 10 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Folk singers, acoustic guitarists, pianists, and others are invited to perform. The cover charge is $10 at the door; proceeds will benefit the Fight for Dylan Foundation. Call 978-486-9524 to reserve a performance spot. To learn more visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Quilt Exhibit
The Concord Piecemakers quilt guild will sponsor its biannual quilt show, “Basket of Quilts” Friday, Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St. in Acton. The exhibit will feature more than 170 quilts and wearable art pieces by local artists. The show will also include vendors, handcrafted items, a silent auction, homemade cookies for sale, and scissor-sharpening services. Admission is $7. For more information visit www.concordpiecemakers.net.
Coffeehouse Concert
A coffeehouse concert featuring the Rafters will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, at 8 p.m. at the historic Shirley Center Town Hall, to benefit the preservation and upkeep of the building. The Rafters, a married acoustic-pop duo who recently appeared at the Wachusett Folk Festival, will perform an intimate duo set. Elizabeth Lorrey will open. Donation is $10 at the door. Refreshments will be served after the show. B.Y.O.S.C. (bring your own seat cushion).
Freemasons’ Open House
The Caleb Butler Lodge will host an open house and information session on Freemasonry Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 11 Sculley Road in Ayer. The open house will feature tours of the lodge, membership information, and Masonic history, along with refreshments and lunch. Freemasonry membership is open to all men, age 18 and older, and offers opportunities for community service, personal improvement, leadership, and fun. For more information contact Michael Boucher, 508-246-8363 or michaeljboucher@gmail.com.
All-Beethoven Concert
The Orchestra of Indian Hill will perform “Ludwig!” Saturday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Littleton High School, 56 King St. in Littleton. Artistic director Bruce Hangen will conduct the all-Beethoven concert featuring Symphony No. 5 and the Violin Concerto with internationally known guest soloist Bayla Keyes. Keyes is a member of the contemporary music ensemble Boston Musica Viva and the piano trio Triple Helix. Hangen wil give a preconcert talk at 6:45 p.m.. Tickets are $48, $35, $22, $15 (students.) Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Applewild Harvest Fair
Applewild School will host a Fall Harvest Fair Saturday, Oct. 17, at 120 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. Activities at the family event will feature food, fun, games, and storytelling. For information call 978-342-6053, ext. 110, or visit www.applewild.org.
Northeast Kingdom Hike
The Nashua River Watershed Association will sponsor a Northeast Kingdom Hike Sunday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m.to noon in Fitchburg. The hike will cover a portion of the newly protected, 1,700-acre Fitchburg northern water supply land. Fitchburg resident Ralph Baker and NRWA’s Land Programs Director Al Futterman will talk about the ecology of the area and the plants and wildlife that make it their home. The hike will be moderately strenuous, with level and mixed terrain between Scott and Lovel Reservoirs. Participants should park and meet at Ashby West Road at the City Water Dept. gate on Ashby West Road in Fitchburg. Registration requested by calling the NRWA at 978-448-0299.
Blood Drive
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Ayer Town Hall in honor of Dylan Seymour, a 2-year-old boy from Ayer battling leukemia. Appointments are preferred; call 800-GIVE-LIFE.
State Special Education Funding Issues
Massachusetts House of Representatives Rep. Jennifer Benson will address education issues on Wednesday, October 21, at 7:15 p.m., at Nashoba Regional High School in Bolton as part of the Nashoba Special Education Parents Advisory Council (SPED PAC) meeting. Rep. Benson will address funding, possible changes to special education funding, and other issues impacting education. Benson has submitted a bill to study the possibility of altering special education funding. For more information visit the SPED PAC page at www.NRSD.net.
Teen Open Mic
Indian Hill Music School will host “Jammin’ on the Hill,” an open mic night for teens ages 13 to 18, Friday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Local bands and solo acts are invited to perform in a safe, informal setting. Refreshments will be served. Cover charge for audience and performers is $5. Call 978-486-9524 to request a spot. For more information visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Applewild School Annual Rummage Sale
Applewild School will hold its annual rummage sale Friday, Oct. 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the school at 120 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. Shoppers will find outer wear for all ages, games, toys, sports equipment, household and decorative goods. For more information visit www.applewild.org or call 978-342-6053.
Piano Concert
Indian Hill Music will present pianist Randall Hodgkinson in a solo recital featuring works by Beethoven (Sonata Opus 10, #3 in D), Carter (Piano Sonata), and Schumann (Davidsbundlertanse) Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8 p.m. at The Kalliroscope Gallery at 264 Main St. in Groton. Tickets, which include a wine and cheese reception with the artist, are $25 for adults and $15 for students. For information call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Two New Hampshire Hikes
The Nashua River Watershed Association will sponsor two hikes in New Hampshire, Sunday, Oct. 25.
Lauren Parente, NRWA’s eco-adventure coordinator, will lead a family hike from 1 to 2:30 p.m. from Scripps Lane in Mason, N.H. Families can learn to look at fall leaf colors in a new way, understand why trees change in autumn, and play tree games along the way. The trail is flat and wide, suitable for strollers, after an initial small hill to the trail.
Marshall Buttrick, Greenville resident and Conservation Commission member, and Mark Archambault, NRWA’s Smart Growth circuit rider, will lead a No Name Trail hike in Greenville, N.H. from 2 to 3 p.m. The one-mile trail offers an opportunity to learn about local flora and fauna, the importance of land stewardship, and the impact of last year’s ice storms on forest ecosystems. This trail is not suitable for strollers.
Registration is required for each hike. To register contact the NRWA at 978-448-0299, or e-mail PamG@NashuaRiverWatershed.org. Dogs are not allowed.
Children’s Show Benefit
A Children’s Show benefit for Hasi, a child from Sri Lanka who is receiving treatments for cancer at the Shriners Hospital for Children, will be held Sunday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Union Congregational Church, 218 Main St. in Groton. The afternoon will feature children’s performer Wendy Frank, whose interactive style incorporates guitar, puppets, and rhythm instruments, and the New England Sri Lanka Music/Dance Troupe. Suggested donation is $5 per person. Well-wishers can also make a tax-deductible donation with a check payable to Union Congregational Church, P.O. Box 233, Groton, MA 01450 with “Hasi Fund” in the memo line. For more information call Liz Smith at 978-500-1392 or Julie Platt at 978-448-9944.
Food Allergy Talk
Nashoba Valley Asthma and Allergy educational support groups will sponsor “Choosing Foods and Planning Menus for Families with Food Allergies” Monday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at Nashoba Valley Medical Center in Ayer. Registered dieticians will explain the nutritional needs of children and answer questions about how to plan a healthy and appealing diet for children. For more information call the Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America/New England Chapter at 781-444-7778.
