Family Movie Night
The Harvard Public Library will host a Family Movie Night Friday, Dec. 7, at 6:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. The librarians can’t reveal the title, but a clue is that the movie is the third in a popular series and it features a hippo, lion, giraffe, and zebra who go to Europe. The movie is rated PG and is suitable for all ages. Popcorn and water will be served. Please preregister.
Christmas Pageant and Tree Lighting
The Annual Ecumenical Christmas Pageant, presented by the children of Harvard’s churches—Holy Trinity Parish, the Harvard Congregational Church, and the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church—and their friends, will be held Sunday Dec. 9, at the Unitarian Church at 3:30 and 4:30 p.m.; doors will open at 3:15 p.m. and 4:20 p.m., respectively. Reserved seating for seniors is available at the first performance. There will be hayrides on the Common courtesy of Chris Green of Westward Orchards and Harvard Parks and Recreation starting at 4:15 p.m. Residents are also invited to sing carols and enjoy the music of the Nashoba Valley Concert Band after the 4:30 p.m. performance, followed by the lighting of the tree on the Common at 5:15 p.m. After both performances, all are invited to enjoy cocoa and cookies in the Fellowship Room of the Harvard Congregational Church.
Healthy Steps Demonstration
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will host a free Healthy Steps session Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 9:30 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. as an introduction to two six-week Healthy Steps Series that will begin in January and February. Healthy Steps, formerly the Lebed Method, is a therapeutic exercise and movement program intended to improve overall wellness, range of motion, balance, strength, and endurance. The event is free; the six-week session will cost $60 for Healing Garden members and $75 for nonmembers.
Camp Sunshine Meeting
Students who will be 16 years old by June 30, 2013, may be interested in volunteering at Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families in Casco, Maine. An informational meeting for parents and students will take place Wednesday, Dec. 12, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bromfield library. For questions, email amarowse@charter.net or 8whitelane@charter.net.
Scandinavian Education
Representative Jen Benson will host a public forum Thursday, Dec. 13, in Volunteers Hall to discuss her recent trip to Finland and Sweden. Earlier this fall, Benson, along with nearly 30 education professionals from Massachusetts, traveled to Finland and Sweden on an eight-day educational research mission to study Finnish and Swedish educational policy and practice and how they differ from those in Massachusetts. The primary focus was on Finland, which currently ranks #1 in international educational assessments.
WBN Holiday Meeting
The Women’s Business Network will hold its annual holiday party Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7:15 p.m. at a member’s home in Harvard. Women interested in learning more about the group are invited to attend, get to know WBN members informally, share information, and enjoy the evening. Please bring finger food—a snack, appetizer or dessert—along with business cards and brochures. Membership in the Women’s Business Network is open to women who own or manage a business. RSVP to emh38@yahoo.com. Directions will be sent to members and those who RSVP.
‘3 Ghosts’ at the Cronin
The Bromfield Drama Society will present the musical “3 Ghosts” at the Cronin Auditorium Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14–15 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. The production is a steampunk-style musical based on Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The cast is composed of 6th- through 12th-grade students and features seniors Dan Jackson, Ben Senkowski, and Will Ashley.
Christmas Bird Count
The annual Christmas Bird Count will take place Sunday, Dec. 16, at 8 a.m., beginning at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge parking lot at the end of Still River Depot Road. The Christmas Bird Count, the 113th National Audubon Bird Count, is representative of citizen science throughout North, Central, and South America. Groups of observers will search a given area to find as many species and numbers of birds as possible. Participants are advised to dress for cold weather and to bring binoculars, lunch, and a drink. For more information and to register, contact Rona at 978-779-2259 or Don at 978-897-2259. The program is sponsored by the Friends of the Oxbow NWR.
Annual Community Messiah Sing
The Annual Community Messiah Sing will be held Sunday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church. This will be the 48th presentation of the interfaith event for listeners and singers from Harvard and surrounding towns. Singers may bring their own scores or purchase them at the door. Ted Johnson will direct the community singers and four professional soloists. The chamber orchestra will be enhanced by harpsichord, organ, and tympani. A youth chorus will sing “He Shall Feed His Flock.” Donation is $10.
Winter Choral and Band Concerts at Bromfield
The Bromfield School Music Department will present its winter choral concert on Monday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium featuring the Grade 6 Chorus, the Grade 7–8 Mixed Chorus, and the High School Concert Choir, along with soloists. The music department will also present a band concert on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium featuring the Grade 6 Band, the Grade 7–8 Symphonic Band, the High School Wind Ensemble, and the High School Jazz Ensemble, along with soloists. Both concerts are free to the public. For more information please call Tom Reynolds at 617-529-9402.
Teen Holiday Cookie Crafting
The Harvard Public Library will sponsor a Holiday Cookie Craft afternoon for grades 6 and up Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m.
Well Adult Clinic
Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, in conjunction with the Harvard Board of Health, will hold a Well Adult Clinic Tuesday, Dec. 18, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Hildreth House. Blood pressure reading, pulse screening, and diet teaching are available without an appointment. For more information, call 978-772-3335 or 1-800-427-9762, ext. 333.
Bromfield Early Release Movie
The Harvard Public Library will host an movie for Bromfield students Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 12:30 p.m. The movie is rated PG-13.
Solstice Concert
Solstice Sackbut and Lorraine and Bennett Hammond will perform at the Harvard Public Library Friday, Dec. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in an Eclectic Holiday Concert sponsored by Friends of the Harvard Public Library. Admission is free, though donations will be appreciated. Seating is limited. To reserve a seat call the library at 978-456-4114.
OUT OF TOWN
Concert Series at the Bull Run
Upcoming concerts at the Bull Run Restaurant on Route 2A in Shirley:
• Friday, Dec. 7 Billy Joe Shaver
• Saturday, Dec. 8 Tom Rush
• Sunday, Dec. 9 Honky-Tonk Holiday
• Friday, Dec. 14 The Malone Brothers
• Saturday, Dec. 15 Southside Johnny
• Saturday, Dec. 22 Roomful of Blues
Tickets and information at bullrunrestaurant.com.
‘Baby: The Musical’
Nashoba Players will perform the Tony-nominated “Baby: The Musical” Friday, Dec. 7, and Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. at Parish Center for the Arts in Westford Center. The musical examines how three couples on a college campus experience the highs and lows of impending parenthood. General admission tickets are $25 for adults and $22 for students and seniors. Tickets may be purchased online at www.nashobaplayers.org/performances/winter or by calling 978-427-4551.
Breakfast with Santa
The Stow Women’s Club will sponsor its 29th annual Breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 to 11 a.m. at St. Isidore’s Church in Stow. Admission is $3 per person; maximum of $12 per family. Admission includes a breakfast of pancakes, ham, coffee, and juice. The event will feature photographs with Santa for a small fee, a White Elephant table with inexpensive items for children to purchase, a silent auction, and a children’s craft table. For more information or to donate items for the silent auction, email tlanapol@aol.com or call 978-897-6406.
Natural Decorations Family Workshop
The Nashua River Watershed Association will host Natural Winter Decorations, a family workshop, Saturday, Dec. 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St. in Groton. After a short walk to collect natural items, participants will create ornaments, learn how to make a sparkle tree out of a deciduous branch, and create evergreen door decorations. Families are welcome to bring natural materials from their own yards. The program is appropriate for all ages. Fees are $6 per person or $18 per family for NRWA members and $8 per person or $24 per family for nonmembers. Preregistration is required. Call 978-448-0299 or email MaryM@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Chanukah Carnival and Silent Auction
The Eighth Annual Grand Community Chanukah Carnival and Silent Auction will take place the Sunday of Chanukah, Sunday Dec. 9, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Concord Scout House, 74 Walden St. in Concord. The carnival will feature game booths, arts and crafts, face painting, prizes, juggling performances, a silent auction, Menorah lighting, hot dogs, latkes, drinks, a raffle, music, and more. The $7 per person admission includes all game booths, face painting, arts ‘n’ crafts project, and the juggling performance. For more information, call 978-929-2513 or visit www.ActonConcordChabad.org.
Hospice Program: Grief and Holidays
Nashoba Nursing Service and Hospice will offer “Grief and Holidays,” a presentation during the adult bereavement drop-in groups Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton. For more information, phone 1-800-698-3307, ext. 320.
River Otters and Fishers: A Tale of Two Weasels
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) will offer a free presentation, “River Otters and Fishers in Massachusetts: A Tale of Two Weasels,” Tuesday, Dec. 11, 7 p.m. at the NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St., Rt. 119, in Groton. Trina Moruzzi, a wildlife biologist, will share her knowledge about the basics of river otter and fisher biology and ecology. The presentation is free and open to the public. Preregistration is strongly recommended. To preregister, call 978-448-0299 or email PamG@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Nashoba Valley Concert Band Holiday Performance
The Nashoba Valley Concert Band will perform its annual concert of Christmas and holiday music Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m. inside The Mall at Whitney Field in Leominster. The concert is free and open to the public. The band is composed of more than 50 musicians from many local towns.
Nativity Exhibition
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church’s eleventh annual “In a Manger” Nativity exhibition will be Saturday, Dec. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Parish Hall at 7 Faulkner St. in Ayer. More than 300 Nativity sets from around the world will be on display. The public is welcome to display favorite Nativity scenes and ornaments by dropping them off at the Parish Hall before noon Friday, Dec. 14, with pickup after 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 16. Children and adults are invited to participate in constructing a 7-foot-long representation of Bethlehem at the time of Christ’s birth. Admission is free. For more information call 978-772-2615 or visit www.standewsayer.org.
Walk at Cowdrey Nature Center
The Nashua River Watershed Association will lead a guided trail walk Sunday, Dec. 16, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Cowdrey Nature Center, a 300-acre wooded property owned by the Lunenburg Conservation Commission. The walk, which is free and open to the public, will last approximately one hour and cover roughly two miles. It will proceed in a light rain, but not a heavy storm. The trailhead is located just off Rt. 2A on the eastern side of Lunenburg, where a sign for the Center marks the entrance. A Google map is available at www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org. No dogs, please. Preregistration is encouraged for planning purposes, and for notification in case of inclement weather. To register, call 978-448-0299 or email AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
