Harvard Annual Spring Egg Hunt
Harvard’s annual Spring Egg Hunt, sponsored by the Harvard Family Association, will take place Saturday, April 23, at 10 a.m. on the Common. The festivities will begin with the egg hunt at the base of the hill. Children can turn in their eggs for a special prize. Limit is 10 eggs per child, so there will be enough for everyone. Children should bring their own baskets for the hunt. For those with little ones, there will be a special age-2-and-younger egg-hunt area. Children can also participate in additional games and crafts in the activity area from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public, and is appropriate for children age 7 and younger. In the event of rain, festivities will occur in the Harvard Congregational Church, directly across from Harvard Common. For more information e-mail harvardfamily@yahoo.com.
Bare Hill Regatta
The Bare Hill Regatta will be held Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to noon at the town beach. Bromfield/Acton-Boxborough Crew will race Essex Crew of Methuen in both sweep and sculling events for varsity and novice squads. Spectators and participants are asked to park in the high school lot on Pond Road because of the limited beach parking during the regatta. The beach will be open to residents during the regatta, but the boat launch ramp will be closed from 7:30 to 10 a.m. and again from 10:30 a.m. to noon to ensure the safety of participants during the regatta. Bromfield/Acton-Boxborough Crew is sponsored by the Bare Hill Rowing Association. For more information visit www.barehillrowing.com.
Beginner Birding
Dick and Peg Knowlton will lead a Beginner Birding Walk Saturday, April 23, from 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, beginning at the Still River Depot Road parking lot. Preregister by calling 978-779-2259.
Irises in the Garden
Linda Corapi will share her knowledge and love of irises in a music-and-slide presentation at the monthly meeting of the Harvard Garden Club Monday, April 25, at St. Theresa’s Church. The presentation will begin at approximately 12:15 p.m.., following lunch and a business meeting. All are welcome.
Qigong Classes
Harvard Adult Education will offer a new session of Healing Qigong with Instructor Robin Bonazzoli beginning Monday, April 25. For more information contact Community Education at 978-456-4118 or e-mail jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
Free Workshop for Holders of Conservation Restrictions
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) and Fruitlands Museum will cosponsor a free workshop, “Active Land Management and Stewardship Options and Funding Sources,” for holders of conservation restrictions, Wednesday, April 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at Fruitlands Museum. The evening will include a presentation, field walk, and light dinner. Marianne Piche, from Mass Fish and Wildlife, and Mike Volmar, Fruitlands Museum curator of collections, will discuss two USDA Natural Resources Conservation services: the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program to improve habitat or restore natural ecosystems on conserved land and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to improve natural resources on agricultural and private forest land. An RSVP is required. To RSVP, contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs and Outreach Director at 978-448-0299 or e-mail AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Ashley Jordan Benefit Concert at HES
An Evening With Ashley Jordan will benefit the Hildreth Elementary School (HES) playground fund, Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m. at HES. Jordan, a Bromfield High School senior and former HES student, has a style described as pop-country with a little bit of folk. Tickets are available at the door, at $15 for adults, $10 for high school, and $5 for elementary students. Children under age 5 are admitted free. Refreshments will be sold during intermission, and Jordan’s CD Simple Love will be available for purchase. For more information contact Chris Snell at csnell@psharvard.org or Mary Traphagen at trapday54@msn.com.
Container-planting Demonstration and Wine-tasting
Roanne Robbins of Honeyfield Flowers will be at the General Store Saturday, April 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. for a container-planting demonstration and will sign copies of her book, Continuous Container Gardens. There will also be a wine-tasting during the event.
Sleeping Beauty Marionettes
The Harvard Public Library will host a performance of Sleeping Beauty by the Tanglewood Marionettes for ages 5 and older Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m. at the library. In the retelling of the classic tale, a painted story book opens to reveal each scene. Hand-crafted marionettes are brought to life by a master puppeteer as the dramatic events unfold. Tanglewood Marionettes is a nationally touring marionette theater based in New England. Their repertoire consists primarily of classic tales performed by skilled puppeteers. Seats are limited; preregister in the Children’s Room.
Conservation Trust Tree-for-All
The Harvard Conservation Trust (HCT) will hold its annual Tree-for-All Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Transfer Station and Sunday, May 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by the Harvard General Store. This year’s selection is the high-bush blueberry “Duke.” The seedlings are free to HCT members and are available to nonmembers for $5.
Common Knowledge?
How much do you know about Harvard Common, or about the changes the land and the houses surrounding it have undergone since 1732? The Harvard Historical Society’s Discovery Walk on Saturday, April 30, at 1 p.m. will help participants learn about the structures on the Common today and those that have disappeared, for one reason or another. The walk, led by a member of the Society, will start at the foot of the Common, across from the Harvard General Store. The event is open to children, who can enjoy learning more about the history of Harvard center. If it rains, a later date will be scheduled.
Baseball and Softball Opening Day
The Opening Day parade and cookout for Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball will be Sunday, May 1. The parade will start at noon at Town Hall and proceed to the Hildreth Elementary School, where Opening Day ceremonies will be held. A cookout with fun and games for the whole family will follow. All are welcome to come and celebrate the spring baseball season.
Nature Photography at Oxbow NWF
Nature Photography with Dr. Brown Sunday, May 1, at 3 p.m. at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will show techniques nature photographers use. Preregister by calling 978-779-2259. Meet at the Still River Depot Road parking lot and bring a camera to have a try at the techniques.
Annual Library Book Sale and Book Collection
Friends of the Harvard Public Library (FOHPL) is collecting book donations for its main fundraising event, the annual Book Sale in May. Book collection will take place Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through April 30 at the old library. (Do not drop off books at the new library.) Book sale dates:
- Friday, May 6: Preview sale for Friends of the Library only, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Saturday, May 7: Early bird Admission 8 to 9 a.m., $10 per person. Free admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, May 8: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission
- Saturday, May 14: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free admission
To help with the collection or sale, contact Chris at wildiris1@verizon.net.
Apple Blossom Festivities
The 59th annual Apple Blossom Festival, the Rotary Club’s biggest annual charity fundraiser, will enliven the Harvard Common Saturday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live music, food, children’s games, fire truck rides, craft vendors, and now wild animals. Animal Adventures of Bolton will stage three exotic animal shows at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m. at Fellowship Hall and will host a petting zoo on the Common. The festival is free and open to the public. Tickets to the Animal Adventure shows are $3 in advance at www.AyerRotary.com or $5 the day of the shows.
The festival will be followed by the 21st annual Ducky Wucky River Race at 4:30 p.m. on the nearby Nashua River. The holder of the winning duck ticket wins dinner for two anywhere in the world. The public is invited to watch the race and cheer the ducks on to the finish line. Tickets are available from club members or at the Apple Blossom Festival. For more information visit www.AyerRotary.com. In the event of rain, the festival and exotic animal show will move indoors to the Bromfield High School. Vendors interested in attending can visit www.AyerRotary.com for information on reserving booth space.
Camp Sunshine Benefit Concert
Bear Hill Band will play a benefit concert for Camp Sunshine, a retreat in Casco, Maine, for kids with life-threatening illnesses and their families, Saturday, May 7, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church. All are welcome; admission is $8 per person. Refreshments will be provided; further donations will be appreciated. More information about the local Harvard band can be found at www.myspace.com/barehillmusic and more information about Camp Sunshine can be found at www.campsunshine.org. All the proceeds will be donated to Camp Sunshine.
Have a Jessie Day 5K
The Bromfield School Class of 2012 will honor their late classmate, Jessie Peterson, Saturday, May 21, at 9 a.m. with the second annual Have a Jessie Day road race. Online sign up for the 5K run/walk is available at www.haveajessieday.com. This year the proceeds from the event will be split between the Jessie Peterson Scholarship fund and a donation to the Harvard Schools Trust to sponsor art-related programs in the Harvard Schools.
Artist of the Month
This month internationally recognized wildlife artist and Bromfield graduate Barry Van Dusen is featured as the For Art’s Sake Artist of the Month. Van Dusen has illustrated many publications for the Massachusetts Audubon Society. His bird illustrations have appeared in numerous books as well as magazines, including Sanctuary Magazine, Bird Watcher’s Digest, Birder’s World, Wildlife Art, and Yankee Magazine. Visit the artist of the month page at www.forartssake-harvard.org to see and learn more about his work and inspiration.
OUT OF TOWN
Traditional Irish Session
The Groton Irish Session musicians meet at The Billiards Cafe in Ayer Wednesday nights from 7 to 11 p.m. to play traditional Irish music. Musicians, singers, and listeners are welcome to join in. For more information about weekly sessions contact Aisling at aisling44@verizon.net. The Billiards Cafe, at 39 Main St. in Ayer, can be reached at 978-772-POOL or www.TheBilliardsCafe.com.
Caregiver Support Programs
A series of free education and support programs will be held Tuesdays during April from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Acton Medical Associates, 321 Main St. in Acton. The programs are for those taking care of a spouse, a parent, family member or friend. The next program, on Tuesday, April 26, will be “Sleep Changes As We Age,” presented by Neil Kruszkowski, director of Cardiopulmonary Services at Emerson Hospital. Space is limited. To register, call Allison Galbraith at Acton Medical, 978-263-1131 or e-mail Anne Marie Rowse, Senior Care Advisors, at amrowse@sca-ma.com.
A Conversation Between Two Writers
Renowned authors, Newbery Award-winner Patricia Maclachlan and Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked, will lead a discussion about books, writing, and children’s literacy Wednesday, April 27, at 6 p.m. at the Thoreau School, 29 Prairie St in Concord. A question-and-answer period and reception for the public will follow. Tickets are $18 in advance, $20 at the door, and $10 for university students with an ID. Children are admitted free of charge. All proceeds will benefit the Evergreen Garden Playschool, a Waldorf-inspired preschool and kindergarten in Devens. For more information and tickets, call 978-772-9595 or e-mail sarah@egplayschool.org; www.evergreengardenplayschool.org.
Community Budget Hearings
State Senator Jamie Eldridge will host two community budget hearings for constituents to learn more about the state budget process and to voice their thoughts and concerns. Residents are invited to testify on how state budget programs affect their lives and/or what they would like to see in this year’s state budget. All are welcome. The hearings will take place Wednesday, April 27, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Acton Senior Center living room, 50 Audubon Drive, Acton, and Thursday, April 28, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Employment Options Clubhouse dining room, 82 Brigham St., Marlborough. For more information contact Eldridge’s office by phone at 617-722-1120 or by e-mail at James.Eldridge@state.ma.us; or visit www.SenatorEldridge.com.
Bare Hill Rowing Fundraiser
The Bare Hill Rowing Association (BHRA), sponsor of the Bromfield/Acton-Boxborough High Schools Crew program, has been invited by West Marine to participate in a Cruising for a Cause charity fundraiser Thursday, April 28, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the new West Marine flagship store in Woburn. The evening’s festivities will include a silent and a live auction, music, food, and local community leaders in attendance. Tickets for Cruising for a Cause can be purchased from BHRA for $10 each, with 100 percent of its ticket sales benefiting BHRA. To purchase tickets, contact Tom Cotton at 978-456-8680 or tcotton@barehillrowing.com.
Applewild Art Display
Applewild students, families, and friends will celebrate the arts at Applewild About Arts Thursday, April 28, from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the Marshall Building, 98 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. The public is invited. For more information call 978-342-6053, ext. 110.
Indian Hill Music Summer Preview
Indian Hill Music School’s Early Childhood Department will present an evening of musical activities to introduce its summer classes for newborns through age 7 Friday, April 29, at 6:30 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Admission is free. Learn more at 978-486-9524 or www.indianhillmusic.org.
Piano-Vocal Recital
Indian Hill Music will present a recital by Pianist Jenny Tang and Soprano Gale Fuller performing works by Liszt, Berlioz, Scriabin, and more Saturday, April 30, at 8 p.m. at the Kalliroscope Gallery, 264 Main St. in Groton. Tickets, which are $25 for adults and $15 for students, include a post-concert wine-and-cheese reception with the artists. Call 978-486-9524, ext. 116, or visit www.indianhillmusic.org fro more information.
Rescue Leagues Pet Adoptathon 2011
The Volunteer Humane Society will participate in the Pet Adoptathon 2011, a global event held in conjunction with animal shelters and rescues leagues worldwide, Saturday, April 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Volunteer Humane Society cat shelter, 505 Center Bridge Road in Lancaster. Adoption fees will be reduced. A microchipping clinic will provide microchips for dogs and cats for $10. A pet photographer will be on hand for $30 a sitting. For more information visit at www.vhscats.org.
Dr. Ellen Langer and ‘The Power of Possibility’
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will sponsor Dr. Ellen Langer, professor in the Harvard University Psychology Department, presenting “The Power of Possibility” Saturday, April 30, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Hogan Campus Center Ballroom, College of the Holy Cross in Worcester. Langer will share her knowledge about mindful health and personal control over health and well-being. Cost is $35 per person for nonmenbers; $25 for Healing Garden members. A private VIP reception with Dr. Langer will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The cost of the reception is $100 per person for nonmembers; $95 for Healing Garden members. All proceeds will benefit The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Contact Carole Nathan at 978-456-3532, ext. 1, or carole@healinggarden.org. For more information visit www.healinggarden.net or www.ellenlanger.com/about.
Masonic Breakfast
The Ayer Masonic Association will hold its monthly fundraising breakfast Sunday, May 1, from 7:30 to 10 a.m., at the Ayer Masonic Center, 11 Sculley Road in Ayer. The menu will include eggs cooked to order or pancakes, with bacon or sausage, potatoes, toast, juice, and coffee.
Girl Scout Open House
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts will hold an open house Sunday, May 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Camp Virginia, 96 Hudson Road in Bolton. Girls and their families are invited to tour the camp and learn about programs offered there this summer. For more information visit www.hercamp.org, call 617- 350-8335, or e-mail camp@girlscoutseasternmass.org.
Oak Meadow Montessori School Tour
Oak Meadow Montessori School will hold an Admission Parent Group tour Monday, May 2, from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. at 2 Old Pickard Lane in Littleton. Guests will be presented with an overview of the fundamental principles of the Montessori Method and the philosophy of Oak Meadow Montessori School. To register, call 978-486-9874 ext. 226 or e-mail admissions@oakmeadow.org. Visit www.oakmeadow.org.
Estate Planning for Landowners
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA), North County Land Trust, and AmeriCorps MassLIFT will host a free workshop, “How Estate Planning Helps Every Landowner,” Wednesday, May 4, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Leominster High School cafeteria, 122 Granite St. in Leominster. A light dinner will be provided. George Dresser, Esq., an experienced estate planning attorney, will discuss how an estate plan can ensure that assets—including land—will be distributed in a way that will meet financial and personal needs. Two landowners will share their experience with estate planning and conservation restrictions. Following the presentations, a panel will answer questions. An RSVP is required. To RSVP, contact Cara Sanford, NRWA AmeriCorps Regional conservationist, at 978-448-0299 or e-mail AmeriCorpsCaraS@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Foreign Film Series
The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council will hold its third annual Our World Foreign Film Series featuring classic films from different eras and different countries. The films will be shown on successive Friday nights at 7 p.m. in Room 204 of the Acton Town Hall on Main St., Route 27, in Acton. The films are unrated, but are not suitable for children; adults are recommended to accompany teens. Admission is free. The first film will be Friday, May 6, when the movie will be Battleship Potemkin, a 1925 Russian classic that depicts the events surrounding the mutiny on the battleship in 1905.
Requiem Concert
The Nashaway Philharmonic’s Spring Concert will feature Durufle’s Requiem Sunday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main St. in Bolton. The concert will include the Philharmonic Chorus and Chamber Ensemble with organist William Ness under the direction of Artistic Director Kristjon Imperio, as well as Paul Creston’s “Gregorian Chant for String Orchestra” and Paul Hindemith’s “Trauermusik.” Admission is free; donations are welcome. This program will also be featured in its entirety as a musical vespers service Friday, May 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the College Church of Seventh-day Adventists, 337 Main St. in South Lancaster.
Stow Run for the Woods Early Registration
Early registration for the Sunday, May 22, Stow Run For the Woods 5K will end Saturday, April 30, along with a $10 early registration discount. The race will include four events in one: a 1-mile fun for kids 12 and under, a 5K running road race, a 5K race/walk, and a 5K recreational walk. All 5K finishers will receive a cast medal and kids will earn an athlete’s ribbon. Visit StowConservationTrust.org for three ways to preregister. For more information contact race director Aims Coney at StowRunForTheWoods@gmail.com or 978-562-2805.
Indian Hill Art Exhibit
The Gallery at Indian Hill presents Jigs and Reels: Irish Tunes as Paintings, an exhibit of acrylic paintings by Kim Henry of Groton. The exhibit will be on display Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 36 King St. in Littleton. Admission is free. Call 978-486-9524 or visit www.indianhillmusic.org for more information.
Foreign Film Series
The Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council will hold its third annual Our World Foreign Film Series featuring three classic films from different eras and different countries. The films will be shown on successive Friday nights at 7 p.m. in Room 204 of the Acton Town Hall on Main St., Route 27, in Acton. The films are unrated, but are not suitable for children; adults are recommended to accompany teens. Admission is free. Upcoming films include:
- Friday, May 13: Loves of a Blonde, a classic Czech film that tells the story of a young woman who works in a small Czech factory town where women outnumber men by 16:1.
- Friday, May 20: King of Hearts, a French/British anti-war film that has been one of the most popular foreign films in the U.S.. It is recommended that teens be accompanied by an adult.
Brimfield Antiques Show Bus Trip
Antique-lovers are invited to join Pam Siddiqui of Olive and Branch in Acton for a Flea-and-Find Road Trip to the Brimfield Antiques and Collectibles Show Thursday, May 12. Brimfield is the largest outdoor antique event in New England, with more than 100 acres of flea-market finds and antique vendors. The Flea-and-Find Road Trip is designed for the first-time or seasoned visitor. The bus will leave Acton at 8 a.m. and depart from Brimfield at 5 p.m.. The day trip will include round-trip transportation on a luxury bus, with room for purchases in the bus bay; coffee and breakfast; entrance to the May’s Antique Market (one of the few markets at the Brimfield Fair that is not free); snacks available throughout the day; and celebratory refreshments on the way home. The trip cost is $65. For more information call 1-855-6-FRANCE or e-mail shop@oliveandbranch.com.
NRWA Summer Eco-Adventures
Summer is just around the corner. and the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) is again offering its outdoor Summer Eco-Adventures with NRWA naturalists for children ages 6 to 14. Choose from:
- July 6 and 7: How Do They Build That?!—for ages 9 to 12. Explore the world of nature’s greatest engineers, including the beaver, muskrat, and Baltimore oriole. Take the engineer’s challenge and design and build a shelter using natural materials.
- July 13 and 14: It’s a Bug’s Life—for ages 9 to 12. Children get down and dirty with the world of insects in a variety of water and land habitats using nets, trowels, microscopes, and other fun science equipment to learn about the crafty creatures.
- July 19 to 22: Wilderness Survival Week—for ages 11 to 14. An adventurous four days of hiking, paddling, developing summer survival skills, and exploring the inner world of the local river, woodlands and fields while making new friends.
- July 25 to 28: Wild World of Water Week—for ages 6 to 8. Children can escape the heat of summer with a fun-filled four days all about water. Collect water critters, play water games, do water experiments, make mini-boats to race on mini streams, and have a blast while staying cool.
To register, or for more information, contact Lauren Noone, NRWA Eco-Adventures coordinator, at 978-448-0299, or e-mail LaurenP@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
