Family Movie Night
The Harvard Public Library will host a Family Movie Night Friday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m. at the library. Popcorn and water will be served. Seats are limited; pre-register by calling the Children’s Room at 978-456-2381.
HFA Egg Hunt
Harvard Family Association’s Spring Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 3, at 11 a.m. on the Common. The event, which will also feature games and cookie-decorating, is open to the public, free of charge, and appropriate for children age 5 and younger. Parents should be sure to bring a basket or bag to hold the treats. Because there is no indoor location this year due to construction at the churches, parents and children are advised to dress accordingly.
Last Chance Fruit Sale
The Harvard Lions Club will sell Valencia oranges and Ruby Red grapefruit one last day Saturday, April 3, at the town center and the transfer station until they sell out. The fruit will be available in 20-pound and 40-pound boxes ($24 and $36) on a “cash and carry” basis. A 20-pound orange-and-grapefruit mix will be available for $26. Those who won’t be in town on Saturday can order by contacting rickv@charter.net or call 978-456-8795.
Harvard Woman’s Club Meeting
Club members and their guests are invited to the Harvard Woman’s Club monthly lunch and meeting Monday, April 5, at 11:30 a.m. in Holy Trinity’s Deacon’s Hall. Following lunch, photographer and Harvard resident Ellen Harasimowicz will present a program on the monarch butterfly, including photos of the butterfly’s life cycle and overwintering scenes from Harasimowicz’s trip to Mexico last winter, where about 200 million monarchs overwinter in the mountains, 60 miles west of Mexico City.
Auditions for 2010 Community Talent Show
The Harvard Friends of the Arts will hold auditions for its April 30 talent show Monday, April 5, at 7 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. Auditions are open to any resident of Harvard age 13 or older, and for anyone to watch and enjoy. Participants should prepare a two-minute piece to perform before the HFOA selection committee and the audience in attendance. The stage precludes large groups. For more information contact Di Hall at DianeMarieHall@verizon.net.
Legos Expo at the Library
The Harvard Public Library will host a Lego Expo Saturday, April 10, in the Children’s Room. Times for age groups are: ages 3 to 5, 10:30 to 11:30 p.m.; ages 5 to 9, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.; and ages 9 to 17 and adults (age 18 and older), 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Participants will bring constructions of their own design to the Expo to share with others and be judged. Preregister (required) in the Children’s Room. Due to space limitations, the Lego Expo is only open to Harvard residents.
Harvard Schools Trust Annual Dinner-Theater Gala
The Harvard Schools Trust annual Spring Dinner-Theater Gala will take place Saturday, April 10. The gala will begin at 6 p.m. with a production Defying Gravity by the Bromfield Drama Society at the Cronin Auditorium, directly followed by dinner and dessert at Fruitlands Museum. The gala will feature its popular raffle, including Red Sox tickets, dinner at Not Your Average Joe’s, seasonal wreaths from Nature Contained, and Chef Paul’s famous soups. Tickets are $55 per person. Checks should be made payable to Harvard Schools Trust, P.O. Box 450, Harvard, MA 01451. (Half of the cost of each Gala ticket is considered a tax-deductible donation) For more information contact the Harvard Schools Trust at 978-456-5085, visit www.harvardschoolstrust.org/hst_gala.htm, or e-mail galainfo@harvardschoolstrust.org.
Historical Society Discovery Day
The Harvard Historical Society will hold a free Discovery Day Sunday, April 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Still River meeting house, 215 Still River Road. The Society invites everyone to see the collections, hear the guides, and discover something new about Harvard’s people, places, events, paintings, Shakers, antiques, and lore. For more information call the Society at 978-456-8285 or visit www.harvardhistory.org.
‘For the Birds’ Preview Reception
Fruitlands Museum will host a preview reception for its “For the Birds” exhibit Sunday, April 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Fruitlands Art Gallery. Reception for members will begin at 5 p.m.
Concert at the Common
Concerts at the Common will sponsor L’Estro Armonica playing music of Johann Sebastian Bach, Georg Philipp Telemann, and Domenico Scarlatti Sunday, April 11, at 4 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. L’Estro Armonica features Héloïse Degrugillier on recorder and Paul Cienniwa on harpsichord. (www.paulcienniwa.blogspot.com) Concerts at the Common are sponsored by the Harvard, Bolton, and Stow cultural councils. Checks for tickets ($18) should be made out to Concerts at the Common and mailed to Concerts at the Common, Box 614, Harvard, MA 01451-0614. For more information e-mail eltoth@verizon.net or call 978-779-2876.
Fruitlands Collection Series
Fruitlands Museum curator Dr. Mike Volmar will begin a six-part series on different aspects of the museum’s collections Tuesday, April 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Art Gallery. Each part in the series will include a presentation on the selected topic, followed by object examination and discussion. Preregistered participants will be able to help select objects and discussion topics. This first program will focus on the art collection and the landscapes of Alvan Fisher and Victor DeGrailly. Program fees are $10 for members and seniors, $50 for the series; $15 for nonmembers, $75 for the series.
Author Presentation and Discussion
Harvard resident David Kassel will talk about his new book, Managing Public Sector Projects, A Strategic Framework for Success in an Era of Downsized Government, Thursday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library. The development and construction of the library and refurbishment of the Old Bromfield School are discussed in the book as a case study of the successful completion of a public project. The book also examines a wide range of problematic public projects, including the “Big Dig” in Boston and infrastructure reconstruction projects in Iraq. Kassel’s presentation will be followed by a discussion with Library Director Mary Wilson and with library trustee Peter Jackson, two of the town citizens who managed the Harvard Library project.
Free Apple-pruning Lessons
Fruitlands Museum will offer free apple-pruning lessons Sunday, April 18, from 1 to 3 p.m. Expert Bob Stanley from Shirley will demonstrate how and what to prune. Class size is limited, e-mail lseeckts@fruitlands.org to reserve a space. Participants will need to bring their own saw and ladder. For more information call 978-456-3924.
Ducky Wucky Race
Tickets are on sale now for the 20th Ducky Wucky River Race, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley, and Devens, in conjunction with corporate sponsors Gervais Ford and North Middlesex Savings Bank. The race will be held Saturday, May 8, following the Apple Blossom Festival. The annual race starts with a truckload of rubber-duck racers dumped into the Nashua River from the tank bridge at the Oxbow, off Still River Depot Road, and ends with the holder of the winning duck ticket earning dinner for two anywhere in the world. Tickets are available online at www.AyerRotary.com, from any member of the Ayer Rotary Club, or by calling the Duck Hotline at 978-448-6421. Tickets are from $5 for one duck to $40 for a “box of 13 quackers.”
As an “early-bird special,” ticket holders will also be entered into special drawings in December, February, and April for prizes worth $100. Purchasing tickets guarantees entry into all three drawings, in addition to the May race. For more information and to watch a video of the 2009 race, visit www.AyerRotary.com.
OUT OF TOWN
Local Actors in Lucky Stiff
Mary Helan Turner of Littleton County Road and John Valentine of Old Littleton Road will perform in the musical farce Lucky Stiff at the Cannon Theater in Littleton. Show dates are April 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17 at 7:30 p.m., and April 10 at 1 p.m.. Turner plays several characters, including a British solicitor, a French emcee, and a Texan socialite. Valentine plays casino manager Uncle Anthony. Seating is limited. Contact Rita at cannontickets@gmail.com for more information.
Comedy Performance in Lancaster
Atlantic Union College will present comedian Rich Praytor in a performance to benefit Haiti relief Saturday, April 3, from 8 to 9:30 p.m. at Machlan Auditorium, 338 Main St. in Lancaster. The pre-ordered tickets are $10 for students with student ID, and $15 for all others; children younger than 10 are admitted free. Prices of tickets at the door will be subject to change. To purchase tickets call Kate at 508-451-9774 or stop by the Student Services Department in the Miles building at Atlantic Union College. Tickets can also be purchased online at http://comicreliefauc.blogspot.com/.
Ayer Masonic Breakfast
The Ayer Masonic Association will hold its monthly fundraising breakfast Sunday, April 4, at the Ayer Masonic Center, 11 Sculley Road in Ayer. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 to 10 a.m. The menu will include eggs cooked to order or pancakes with bacon or sausage, potatoes, toast, juice, and coffee.
Growing Places Garden Project Presentation
Growing Places Garden Project (GPGP) will give a free presentation Tuesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. at the Bolton Public Library, sponsored by Bolton Local and the Bolton Garden Club. Refreshments will be served. Founded in Harvard, GPGP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enhance the food security of people with limited economic means by donating vegetable gardens and helping them to grow their own food. The group has already helped more than 200 households in the local area.
Moose in Massachusetts
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) invites the public to a free “Moose in Massachusetts” program Wednesday, April 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the NRWA River Resource Center in Groton. Sonja Christensen, the current Deer and Moose Project leader for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, will talk about moose biology, habitat use, management, and the wildlife conflicts that arise when moose are living in suburban landscapes. The program is appropriate for adults and older children. Preregistration is appreciated. To register or for more information, contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs and outreach director, at 978-448-0299, or e-mail AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Bayard Underwood Exhibit
At the time of his death two weeks ago, longtime Harvard resident Bayard Underwood was anticipating “Drawings of Venice,” an exhibit of his work that will be shown April 9 through May 28 in Groton at Lawrence Academy’s Conant Gallery, Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center. An opening reception will be held Friday, April 9, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Battle of the Bands
Indian Hill Music will hold its sixth annual Battle of the Bands Friday, April 9, from 7 to 10 p.m. at 36 King St. (Route 2A) in Littleton. Local bands (ages 18 and younger) are invited to compete for prizes. Refreshments and snacks will be served. Cover charge at the door will be $10 per person. Bands should e-mail sal@indianhillmusic.org. Learn more at 978-486-9524 or www.indianhillmusic.org.
Spring Pops Concert
The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary will hold its annual Spring Pops Concert Saturday, April 10, at 8 p.m. at the Walden Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. in Concord. The Concord Band will perform a “Swing into Spring” program. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Maryrose Sykes at 978-369-9677 or b_sykes@comcast.net.
Concert of American Composers
The Orchestra of Indian Hill will perform “Made in the USA” Saturday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. at Littleton High School, 56 King St. in Littleton. Artistic Director Bruce Hangen and the orchestra will present works by American composers, including Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” Schuman’s “New England Triptych,” and Bernstein’s “Serenade,” featuring Japanese violin sensation Ryu Goto (brother of Midori). There will be a preconcert talk at 6:45 p.m. Ticket are $48, $35, $22, and $15 for students. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org.
Maharishi Ayurveda Lecture
The Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center will sponsor a free lecture, “Unfolding Our Full Health Potential,” Sunday, April 11, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 679 George Hill Road in Lancaster. Guest speaker Lothar Pirc will discuss Maharishi Ayurveda’s natural approaches to increasing energy, improving immunity, and restoring balance in mind and body. For more information or directions, call 877-890-8600, e-mail info@lancasterhealth.com, or visit www.lancasterhealth.com.
Montessori School Tour
Oak Meadow Montessori School will hold a parent group tour Monday, April 12, from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at 2 Old Pickard Lane in Littleton. Parents of prospective students for the 2010-2011 school year are invited to attended for an overview of the fundamental principles and philosophy of Oak Meadow Montessori School.
Spotlight on the Pavilion Event in Lancaster
The Friends of the Bolton Fair is sponsoring an evening of music and fun at in the pavilion tent at The Fairgrounds at Lancaster Saturday, May 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets, for a $25 per person donation, are available by advance sale only. (A portion of the ticket price is tax-deductible.) The event will feature music by BJ Magoon and Driving Sideways, playing a mix of jazz, swing, rock, and oldies. Light refreshments will be provided by area caterers, Turtle Creek Winery, and Berkshire Brewing. For tickets and more information call 978-365-7206 or e-mail debbie@boltonfair.org.
