Lego Club
The Harvard Public Library will host a Lego Club for children age 5 and older Saturday, Jan. 16, from 1:30 to 3 p.m at the library. Participants should bring their own Lego and/or Duplo bricks. Creative building is encouraged; the library will have Lego books available for inspiration. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and assist with supervision. Pre-registration in the Children’s Room is requested; enrollment is limited to 20.
Chamber Music on the Common
The Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS) will perform “Winter Romance” Sunday, Jan. 17, at 3 p.m. at Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. A pre-concert talk will begin at 2:30 p.m. The society’s first concert of the new year features soprano Maria Ferrante singing two Mozart arias. Award-winning composer-in-residence, Mark Berger, will join WCMS for a performance of his latest quartet for flute and strings, “Spell.” Ian Watson will be featured in Brahms’ “Piano Quintet” and Mahler’s “Piano Quartet.” Tickets are $20 for seniors, $10 for students, and $25 for other adults. For more information call 978-456-2730 or visit www.worcesterchambermusic.org.
Family Painting Adventure
Fruitlands Museum artist-in-residence Zsuzsanna Szegedi will guide a Family Adventure in Painting session Sunday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the museum. Szegedi will share her process of creating fantastical tree paintings and work with participants to create a canvas to take home. The program is appropriate for ages five and up. All children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 per person.
Girl Scout Cookies for Soldiers
Girl Scout Troop 30744 will collect money to purchase Girl Scout cookies for soldiers serving overseas Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Bromfield election polls. The cookies will be shipped in March. For more information, contact skopalka@aol.com.
Attachment in Parenting
Psychologist and Harvard resident Dr. Georgia Sassen will lead a talk, “Attachment in Parenting – How Much and How To,” Thursday, Jan. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library. Sassen will discuss The Attachment Connection by Ruth Newton and the questions parents ask about attachment issues in raising children. Pre-registration in the Children’s Room is requested.
Warner Free Lecture: Tales of the Blizzard of ’78
The Warner Free Lecture Series will sponsor “Ten Hours Until Dawn: A Blizzard of ’78 Tale of Heroism and Tragedy,” a talk by author and adventurer Michael Tougias, Friday, Jan. 22, at 8 p.m. at Volunteers Hall. Tougias will present a tale of the tragedy that unfolded during the blizzard of ’78 when the Can Do, with five men onboard, sailed from Gloucester on a daring rescue mission.
A book signing will follow the presentation. For information about the author visit www.michaeltougias.com.
The Warner Free Lecture Series is a program of events offered free of charge to the town. For more information on upcoming programs and to be included on the e-mail list, e-mail Rachel Oglesby at Rachel91@charter.net or call 978-456-8865.
First Descents, Film Benefit
A film about First Descents, a nonprofit whitewater kayaking camp for young adult cancer survivors will be presented Saturday, Jan. 23, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society. Brian Wickman, a 1994 Bromfield graduate and a cancer survivor, is a co-producer of the documentary. He will introduce the film and will be available for questions after the viewing. Wickman describes First Descents as providing a source of strength in “an otherwise murky and confusing process of recovery.” Wine and hors d’œuvres will be served. Donations to help support First Descents will be gratefully accepted.
Cider Four-Course Dinner
Fruitlands Museum will host a Cider Four-Course Dinner Saturday, Jan. 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at its Alcott’s Restaurant and Tea Room. Dinner will be $59.95 per person and reservations are required. For more information and the menu visit www.fruitlands.org.
Fruitlands Concert
Fruitlands Museum will host a live concert Sunday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. The musical event will feature musicians performing on guitar and banjo with Harvard’s Maria Rindenello Parker on harp and mandolin. The group will perform a variety of songs and musical genres, including folk and bluegrass. For reservations and information contact 978-456-3924, ext.227, e-mail education@fruitlands.org, or visit fruitlands.org.
Garden Club Meeting
The Garden Club of Harvard will hold a luncheon meeting Monday, Jan. 25, at 11:15 a.m. at Holy Trinity Parish, 15 Still River Road. This month’s program features a presentation by Jeanie Gillis, “Ericaceae: Plants That Don’t Like Lime” (rescheduled from November), and an interactive session about “Our Plant Heritage,” where members and guests discuss special plants and gardens in their families. The presentation starts at 12:15 p.m. The meeting is free and open to the public; new members are welcome. For information contact Sue Fitterman at 978-772-1433.
Rhythm Kids Music Party
The Village Nursery School invites toddler, preschoolers, and their parents to an interactive music party led by Tom Foote, of Rhythm Kids and Music Together, Jan. 28 from 1 to 2 p.m. at 40 Poor Farm Road. The program will feature music that uses multicultural activities like African drumming, dance, and games; space is limited. Register by Jan. 23 by calling 978-456-3993.
Animal World Experience
The Harvard Public Library will host Animal World Experience, a program for all ages, Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 1:30 p.m. The program will feature some of Animal World Experience’s adopted animals, their stories, and why they think adoption is the best option for animals. Audience participation is encouraged. There will be opportunities for volunteers to pet and interact with the animals. Pre-registration is required; call the library at 978-456-4114.
Piano Concert
David Pihl will perform, “Just Before Sunset,” a piano recital featuring the compositions of Steve Peisch, Sunday, Jan. 31, at 4 p.m. in the Harvard Unitarian Church. Pihl is the staff accompanist for the Department of Theatre at the College of the Holy Cross who also accompanies and teaches piano at Lawrence Academy. Singer-songwriter and Still River resident Peisch is music director and arts chairman at Lawrence Academy. He currently performs with the rhythm ’n’ blues trio Blue Box Set. The kid-friendly concert will be less than one hour in length. A reception to celebrate the release of a recording of Peisch’s piano music will follow the concert.
OUT OF TOWN
Indian Hill Art Exhibit
The Gallery at Indian Hill will present hand-colored lithographs of American Indians of the early 1800s by Joseph O. Lewis, on loan from Fruitlands Museum, through March 12 at 36 King St. in Littleton. Exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Admission is free. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org for more information.
Footloose, the Musical
Starz-N-Lightz Repertory Theatre’s Teen Ensemble will present Footloose, the Musical, Friday and Saturday, Jan. 15,and 16, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 17, at 2 p.m. at Littleton High School auditorium, 56 King St. in Littleton. This musical is about a father longing for the son he lost and a young man aching for the father who walked out on him. Tickets, which are $13 for adults and $11 for students and seniors, will be available through MKTix.com, at West Acton Market, and Danny’s Place, and by calling 978-760-3116 or e-mailing Tickets@StarzNLightz.org.
Indian Hill Jazz Jam
Amateur jazz instrumentalists and vocalists are invited to an open jam session led by Indian Hill Music School faculty Friday, Jan. 15, from 7 to 10 p.m. at Indian Hill Music School, 36 King St. in Littleton. Admission is $5 per person. Call 978-486-9524 for more details and to sign up or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Basketball Program for Special Athletes
Nashoba Unified Sports, the local program pairing special athletes with typical age-mates and other student volunteers, launches its second basketball season Sunday, Jan. 17, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. at the Emerson School gym, 100 Mechanic St. in Bolton. The program serves students from Bolton, Harvard, Stow, Lancaster, and surrounding communities to help children build friendships and athletic skills while having fun learning a sport. The season for this free program runs through March and students are welcome to come to some, or all of the sessions. For more information or to register, contact Joan Finger at Joan@ZooterGroupTutoring.com or 978-337-5132, or Bob Moalli at bmoalli@comcast.net. Student volunteers should also contact Moalli or Finger.
Early Learning Skills
The Applewild School’s free speaker series, “Building Educational Success,” will continue with “Early learning: Your child’s developing language, reading and math skills,” a talk by Sarah Wilkins, Thursday, Jan. 21, at 6 p.m. at the Alumni Center for the Performing Arts at 98 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. Wilkins is director of the Beginner Readers Program at the Carroll School. For further information contact Terry Perlmutter at 978-342-6053, ext. 110, or tperlmutter@applewild.org.
‘Bach’s Lunch’ Concert
Indian Hill Music School’s free monthly faculty series will present jazz standards with vocalist Paul Pampinella and guitarist Eric Baldwin Thursday, Jan. 21, from noon to 1 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served; bring a lunch. For more information call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Family Pajama Jam
Indian Hill Music School will sponsor a Family Pajama Jam Friday, Jan. 22, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Indian Hill Music School, 36 King St. in Littleton. Young families are invited to sing, dance, and play musical instruments during the free musical story hour. For more information call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Parker School Applications
The Francis W. Parker Charter Essential School will hold an informational program about the school Sunday, Jan. 24, at 1 p.m. at the school in Devens. The program will offer an overview of the curriculum and Parker staff, with current students and parents on hand to answer questions about the academic program, extra-curricular activities, and student life. All prospective students and their parents must attend an information session as part of the application process. For more information call the school at 978-772-3293 or visit www.parker.org.
Orchestra of Indian Hill
The Orchestra of Indian Hill will perform “Baroque and Beyond!” Sunday, Jan. 24, at 3 p.m. at Littleton High School, 56 King St. in Littleton. Artistic director Bruce Hangen will conduct an afternoon of Baroque hits, including Pachelbel’s “Canon in D,” Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 2,” and Telemann’s “Canary Cantata.” There will be a pre-concert talk at 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $48, $35, and $22, and $15 for students and seniors. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org for more information.
Extended Russian Icons Exhibit
The Museum of Russian Icons will extend the exhibition of its collection of Saint Nicholas icons through Monday, Feb. 1, at the museum, 203 Union St. in Clinton. The exhibition marks the Feast of Saint Nicholas and Orthodox Christmas. The Saint Nicholas icon exhibit is included with museum admission and can be seen during regular gallery hours. For more information and museum hours visit www.museumofrussianicons.org.
Beekeeping Class
The Groton Grange will offer a six-week beekeeping class Thursday evenings, beginning Feb. 25, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Groton Grange, 80 Champney St. in Groton. The cost is $70, which includes a beekeeping manual and a membership to Middlesex County Beekeepers Association. To register, mail a check made out to “Groton #7 Grange” to Al Horton, 30 Oak St., Dunstable, MA 01827. For more information e-mail Al Horton at anhljp@aol.com.
NRWA Animal Tracking Program
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) will host a free afternoon of outdoor exploration Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Row in Groton. Participants will learn the art and science of track identification. Registration is required as space is limited. For more information call Lauren Parente, NRWA Eco-Adventures coordinator, at 978-448-0299, or e-mail LaurenP@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Harvard Artist Exhibits Sculpture
Harvard artist Geoffrey Koetsch’s will exhibit his figure sculpture in “The Human Condition” exhibit Wednesday, Jan. 27, through Thursday, Feb. 26, at the ArtSpace Gallery, 61 Summer St. in Maynard. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. An artist reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 30. For more information visit www.artspacemaynard.com.
Stow Story Slam
A Stow Story Slam will be held Friday, Jan. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the First Parish of Stow and Acton in Stow. The Slam is open to anyone with a yen for a yarn. Ten storytellers will be chosen from those who come to tell a story for five minutes each—any kind of tale of laughter, entrancement, poignant memory, or riveting suspense—in this feast of imagination and the spoken word. No retelling of literary works and no notes or props permitted—just words aloud. Ten volunteers from the audience will be chosen to judge the stories on how well the story is told, how well it is put together, and how it keeps within the time limit. The stories that stay are often the ones that matter from the first line and which have a clear close. The top three winners of the Stow Story Slam will receive gift certificates to Willow Books in Acton. Because the stories are not previewed ahead of time, the evening may not be suitable for young children. The evening will support the Stow Community Chest with a donation at the door. For more information contact Skye Gibson at skyegibson@gmail.com or 978-461-6015.
