Sheep to Shawl
The Harvard Farmers’ Market will feature Sheep to Shawl Wool Day at the market Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to noon. Wool Day will feature sheep from Windsong Farm; local Angora rabbits; demonstrations of shearing, spinning, weaving, and knitting; and vendors with wool products for the chilly days ahead. For more information call Lynn at 978-456-9662 or visit www.harvardfarmersmarket.org.
Native American Month at Fruitlands
Native American Month at Fruitlands Museum will continue with a hands-on, kid-friendly pottery designs workshop Saturday, Oct. 22, from noon to 3 p.m. with Suzanne Hauerstein. Sunday, Oct. 23, curator Mike Volmar will discuss the history of King Philip’s War Club at 1 p.m., and Lorena Novak will conduct a hands-on Eskimo yo-yo workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. All events during Native American Month are free with museum admission. For more information, contact Mary Delaney at mdelaney@fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924, ext. 292.
Historic Town Center Walk
To find out more about Harvard’s Historic Town Center, join the Harvard Historic Commission on a perambulation of the Historical District Sunday, Oct. 23, at 1:30 p.m., beginning at the Old Library. A one-hour guided tour will head out to describe many of the historic treasures in the center and wind up back in the Old Library for cider and refreshments. Bring a snack or dessert to share, or just bring yourself.
WBN Fall Luncheon
The Women’s Business Network will hold its fall luncheon Wednesday, Oct. 26, at noon at Thirty-One Main in Ayer. Preregistration, menu selection, and prepayment are necessary by Friday, Oct. 21, but space may still be available. For more information contact Pat Cochrane at pac1999@email.com or 978-456-3924 ext. 292.
Eat Yourself Healthy
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church is sponsoring a free five-week film and discussion series Wednesdays through Nov. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fellowship Building. Participants may attend any or all of the film/discussion series. There is no charge for attendance. Light refreshments will be provided; advance registration is encouraged but not required. The Oct. 26 screening will be “Forks over Knives,” featuring T. Colin Campbell and Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn. To find out more or to register for one or more evenings in the series, email JohnABall@verizon.net or call 978-456-3552.
Scary Cupcakes
The Harvard Public Library’s Halloween Cupcake Decorating for grades six and up will take place Thursday, Oct. 27, at 3 p.m.
Charting Harvard’s Future
Just Who Are We Anyway?, a forum on the results of the 2010 Census and its potential impact on town services and the 2012 Master Plan, will take place Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m. at Volunteers Hall. The forum will be the first in the 2011-2012 series entitled Charting Harvard’s Future that will focus on long-term planning, in conjunction with the writing of the 2012 Master Plan. Knowledgeable panelists will address the issues and welcome questions.
The new Elizabeth S. May Memorial Lecture Series is inaugurated by the League of Women Voters of Harvard to honor the vision of Elizabeth S. May, Harvard’s 2000 Citizen of Note and a longtime League and community volunteer.
Halloween Parade
The Harvard Annual Halloween Parade will take place Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Harvard Common. The costume parade will be followed by activities and crafts, including pumpkin decorating—bring your own pumpkin—and the famous donut-on-a-string game. The free event for ghosts, goblins, princesses, and pirates up to age 7 is sponsored by the Harvard Family Association. For more information email harvardfamily@yahoo.com.
‘The Phantom of the Opera’ at Harvard Historical Society
The Harvard Historical Society’s second annual Organ Revival Halloween Silent Film Night will present “The Phantom of the Opera” with live, original music Friday, Oct. 28, at 8 p.m. at the former Still River Baptist Church at 215 Still River Road. Jonathan Ortloff, a graduate of Eastman School of Music, and winner of the 2008 Young Theater Organist Competition, will accompany the showing of the famous 1927 version of “Phantom of the Opera” starring Lon Chaney. The event will benefit the restoration of the society’s historic George Stevens organ.
Kicks for a Cure Soccer Game
Bromfield Cares will sponsor a Kicks For A Cure soccer game with the Bromfield boys varsity team playing Hudson on Saturday, Oct. 29. Kick off is at 1 p.m. at McCurdy Park. The Pay to Park fundraiser will benefit 6-year-old Harvard resident Meg James and her fight against leukemia. Donations start at $5.
‘Frankenstein’ at Volunteers Hall
The Harvard Public Library will present the radio play “Frankenstein” on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. The old-time radio production, featuring live sound effects, is directed by Bob Eiland. Performers include Eiland, Bill Cordner, Danno Sullivan, Tim Clark, Didi Chadran, Jamie Allard, Emma Noyes, Becca Morin, and Mary Helan Turner.
Celtic Music Benefit
Alan Reid, one of the initial members of Scotland’s famed Battlefield Band, will be in concert with accomplished guitarist Rob Van Sante Saturday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road. Still River neighbor Chris O’Rourke-Friel and friends will open for the duo. O’Rourke-Friel, a Children’s Hospital oncology nurse who plays cittern, mandolin, and “a bit” of fiddle and guitar, travelled with Battlefield Band back in the day. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15.00 seniors, and $12.00 students. Family discounts are available. Advance tickets are available by mailing a check to the Harvard Historical Society, P.O. Box 542, Harvard, MA, 01451, or email curator@harvardhistory.org to request a reserved seat with payment at the door. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Harvard Historical Society’s Organ Restoration Fund.
Art Workshops at Fruitlands
Jill Pottle will wrap up her year as artist-in-residence at Fruitlands Museum with a Pastel Landscapes and Still Life class Tuesday evenings Nov. 1 through Dec. 13 from 6 to 9 p.m. The class requires drawing experience. She will also host a Collage Workshop Saturday, Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Not Your Average Cause for Meg
Every Tuesday through November Not Your Average Joe’s restaurant will donate 15 percent of a total purchase to the Margaret Ann (Meg) James Leukemia Account. To participate, print a Not Your Average Cause certificate from www.harvardpress.com (click on the “For Meg” ad on the righthand side of the home page) and present it at the restaurant at 305 Main St. in Acton.
Rags or Riches Road Show Appraisal Night
Bring your attic treasures for an appraisal with one of eight experts at the Harvard Historical Society’s appraisal night, Friday, Nov. 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road. $10 for one appraisal with a limit of 3 appraisals per person; $25 for 3 appraisals paid ahead of time by mail or on the website, www.harvardhistory.org. Visit the website for more details and a list of appraisers.
James Family Benefit
Community members are hosting an evening of hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and live entertainment Friday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall to benefit the Margaret James Leukemia Fund. Featured performers will include Black Tea Project, The Rafters, David Gilfix, and duo Joan Eliyesil and Bruce Pacheco. A raffle will award a grand prize of two NESN suite tickets to a Boston Bruins game. Donations will be accepted at the door. Checks may be written payable to Margaret James Leukemia Fund.
OUT OF TOWN
Orchestra at Indian Hill
The Orchestra at Indian Hill will open its 2011-12 season Saturday, Oct. 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, 56 King St. in Littleton. Artistic Director and Conductor Bruce Hangen will lead the orchestra in two works by Liszt: “Piano Concerto No. 2” with guest artist Sergey Schepkin, and “Les Preludes”, as well as Brahms’ “Symphony No. 1”. Tickets are $20 to $45 and $15 for students. Call 978-486-9524, ext. 116, or visit www.indianhillmusic.org to order online.
Concert Series at the Bull Run
The historic Bull Run Restaurant on Route 2A in Shirley continues its concert series with:
- Saturday, Oct. 22: J. Geils and Jeff Pitchell with Texas Flood
- Sunday, Oct. 23: Blues Audience 20th Anniversary All-Star Revue, 6 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 28: Brooks Williams
- Friday, Oct. 28: Shawn Mullins
- Saturday, Oct. 29: Jimmy Webb
- Thursday, Nov. 3: The Tubes with Fee Waybill
- Friday, Nov. 4: Jeffrey Broussard & the Zydeco Cowboys
- Saturday, Nov. 5: Suzy Bogguss
Ticket prices and more information at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Food Allergies at School
Phyllis Lang, RN, at the Nashoba Valley Asthma and Allergy Educational Support Group, will talk on “Food Allergies at School” Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at the Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road in Ayer. The event is free; no registration is required. For more information, call the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America/New England Chapter at 781-444-7778.
Childhood Unbound
The Ayer Shirley Education Foundation will present Childhood Unbound: Saving Our Kids’ Best Selves, Confident Parenting in a World of Change with child-raising expert Dr. Ron Taffel Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. at the Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School Auditorium, 1 Hospital Road in Shirley. The event is free; preregistration is required. Contact ayershirley.edfoundation@yahoo.com.
“Mother Nature’s Child”
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) will host a free screening of “Mother Nature’s Child,” Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St. in Groton. “Mother Nature’s Child” explores nature’s role in children’s health and development through the experience of toddlers, children in middle childhood, and adolescents. After the film, NRWA Environmental Education Director, Mary Marro, and NRWA River Classroom Director, Stacey Chilcoat, will lead a discussion about the importance of connection with nature and outdoor exploration to healthy child development. The one-hour screening is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required by contacting Pam Gill, NRWA development associate, at 978-448-0299 or PamG@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Family Pumpkin Patch
The Sudbury Vallery Trustees will host Pumpkin Patch at Wolbach Farm Saturday, Oct. 29, from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information about the family-friendly Halloween party, visit www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org.
Fall Trail Ride
The Pepperell Horse Owners Association will host a Fall Trail Ride Sunday, Oct. 30, along the scenic Nissitissit River. The annual, unjudged pleasure ride will offer well-marked, 6-, 12-, and 16-mile loops, with coffee and breakfast goodies to start the morning, an on-trail snack, and lunch afterwards. The $25 entry fee will include all meals. Riders are encouraged to come in costume if they want to. For more information about the ride or to request an entry form, contact Kathy Mercurio, 978-314-2260 or katheryn.mercurio@staples.com.
GPGP Celebrates Ten Years
To celebrate their 10-year milestone, Growing Places Garden Project, Inc., will hold a Harvest Gala Thursday, Nov. 3, at The Barn at Gibbet Hill featuring a locally harvested buffet dinner, a silent auction, and a keynote address by Laynee DeMerchant of “The Garden Guys” on Boston Talks 96.9FM. The founders of Growing Places, Cindy Buhner and Kate Deyst, will also be honored. Tickets can be purchased online at www.growingplaces.org or by phone at 978-598-3723.
Long Time Courting at the New Revival Coffeehouse
Long Time Courting will perform at the New Revival Coffeehouse Friday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. at First Parish of Stow and Acton, 353 Great Road in Stow. Tickets are $15 in advance or $18 at the door. For advance tickets or further information, contact Johanna Pyle at 978-274-2593 or johanna.pyle@gmail.com.
Homesteading Seminar
The nonprofit Northeast Organic Farmers Association (NOFA) will host Harvey Ussery, homesteader and author of “The Modern Homestead,” Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Barre Congregational Church, 30 Park St. in Barre. Topics of discussion will include soil care, preventing insect damage to crops through biological diversity, mushroom cultivation, livestock husbandry, natural food storage, and more. For more information on Harvey Ussery visit www.themodernhomestead.us. Registration for the two-day seminar is $150, with a discount for NOFA members. Attendance is limited to 100 people. To register or learn more, visit www.nofamass.org/seminars/fallseminar.php or email ben.grosscup@nofamass.org or call 413-658-5374.
