Making Peace with Anxiety
Dealing with cancer as a patient, family member, or caregiver can produce tremendous anxiety. A Virginia Thurston Healing Garden workshop Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. will introduce research-based ways to deal with signs of anxiety and show how to turn anxious energy into constructive action. The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, at 145 Bolton Road, provides a community of support, therapeutic services, and education to facilitate healing for those experiencing cancer. Call 978-456-3532 to register. www.healinggarden.net
Community Coffeehouse
A community coffeehouse will offer Harvard a night of celebrating the performing arts Saturday, April 13, at 6:30 p.m. at Volunteers Hall. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The coffeehouse is organized by Bromfield senior Caitlin Marksteiner, with support from the Harvard Friends of the Arts. Admission is free but donations are appreciated and will benefit The Fender Music Foundation (FMF), a music charity whose mission is to strengthen the state of music education and to make music more accessible to everyone. Donations allow FMF to provide instruments to school music classrooms, after-school programs, and music therapy programs.
Trees in Winter Clothing
Arborist and landscaper Denis Wagner will explain uncommon tricks to identify trees and bushes Sunday, April 14, at 1 p.m. at Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, starting in the main parking lot at the end of Still River Depot Road. Clothing and footwear for possibly wet and muddy conditions are recommended, and a notebook or index cards are suggested. The free program is offered by the Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Call Rona at 978-779-2259 or email ada@FriendsoftheOxbowNWR.org if you intend to participate.
Three Centuries of Change in Still River
First in its three-month Thursday Evenings at the Society series, the Harvard Historical Society will host “Trains, Taverns, and Transitions: Three Centuries of Change in Still River” Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at 215 Still River Road. A reception will follow the talk. Thursday Evenings events are free, but a donation is appreciated.
Earth Day at Oxbow NWR
Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate Earth Day with Native American neighbors Saturday, April 20, beginning at 2 p.m. with Micmac Chief Roland Jerome and other members of United Native American Cultural Center. From 2 to 3 p.m., Jerome will lead the drum group Nugumij. Depending on the weather, there will be a display of Native American crafts. Bolton Local will also participate with displays and information about sustainability. Oxbow NWR entrance is at the end of Still River Depot Road.
Holistic Healing Through Feng Shui
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will host “Holistic Healing Through Feng Shui—Your Home Can Help You Heal” Monday, April 22, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at 145 Bolton Road. The Healing Garden provides a community of support, therapeutic services, and education to facilitate healing for those experiencing cancer. To register call 978-456-3532.
Alberta Tar Sands: Views and Voices
Images of the growing Alberta tar sands are easily visible from space, but the changing land and lives nearby are not so easily seen. The Harvard Local Climate Group will show excerpts from Canadian documentaries on the Tar Sands on Earth Day, Monday, April 22, at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library.
Naturally Curious with Mary Holland
Warner Free Lecture and Harvard Conservation Trust will co-sponsor Naturally Curious, an evening with naturalist Mary Holland, Friday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. Holland, a former Harvard resident, is a Vermont naturalist, photographer, columnist, and author with an abiding passion for natural history. She will share some of her knowledge, observations, and photographs that won “Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England” the 2011 National Outdoor Book Award for best nature guidebook. Holland also writes a popular monthly column for the Harvard Press. The program is appropriate for all ages.
OUT OF TOWN
Concert Series at the Bull Run
- Friday, April 12 Aztec Two-Step
- Sunday, April 14 Dala
- Thursday, April 18 Janiva Magness Band
- Thursday, April 18 Jon Vezner with Jeff Gilkinson
- Friday, April 19 Livingston Taylor
- Saturday, April 20 33 Leaves
- Saturday, April 20 Ana Popovic Band
Tickets at bullrunrestaurant.com.
College Day
In celebration of its 50th anniversary, Mount Wachusett Community College will host Free College Day Saturday, April 13, with more than 50 free workshops and classes, 50 door prizes, career and academic resources, tours and other activities. mwcc.edu/50th/freecollegeday
Science of Spring for 7- to 11-year-olds
How plants and animals know it is time to come out of their winter dormancy is just one question Nashua River Watershed Association’s Science of Spring program will try to answer on Saturday, April 13, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at the NRWA Resource Center, 592 Main St. (Route 119) in Groton. Participants will explore the forest and river and observe changes, work to develop an experiment to measure plant growth, and have fun with science friends. Science Saturday is for 7- to 11-year-olds from all communities. The cost is $25 and registration is required by contacting Mary Marro at 978-448-0299 or MaryM@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Animal Tracking and Spring Signs
Naturalists will lead a free afternoon of exploration and discovery Saturday, April 13, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Wekepeke Conservation Lands, Heywood Road, in Sterling. Parking space is limited; additional parking and shuttling will be available at nearby Sholan Farms, 1125 Pleasant St. in Leominster. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early to allow time to park, shuttle, and gather at the trailhead. Registration is encouraged: 978-448-0299 or StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
Outdoor Wellness Walk
Nashua River Watershed Association environmental education director Mary Marro will lead a 45- to 60-minute outdoor wellness walk Saturday, April 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. on the Nashua River Rail Trail, beginning from the Station Avenue kiosk in Groton. To preregister or for more information call 978-448-0299 or email MaryM@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Orchestra of Indian Hill
Maestro Bruce Hangen and the Orchestra of Indian Hill will close the season with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 featuring guest soloist Maxim Mogilevsky Saturday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, 56 King St. in Littleton. Indian Hill student cellist Matthew Gagnon, 15, winner of Indian Hill Music School’s 2013 Student Concerto Competition, will also be a guest soloist, performing Vivaldi’s Cello Concerto in C minor. Tickets are $20 to $48. Prelude Dinner at 5:15, p.m., reservations required, is $35. 978-486-9524, ext. 116, www.indianhillmusic.org.
Evening of Celtic Songs
An evening of Celtic songs with Robbie O’Connell and Aoife Clancy has been rescheduled to Saturday April 13, at 8 p.m. at the historic Groton Grange Hall, 80 Champney St. in Groton. Donations are $20 and partial proceeds will benefit Loaves & Fishes food pantry. For reservations call 978-449-9787. Volunteers from several towns, including Harvard and the Bromfield School, will staff the event.
Spring Pops Concert
The Emerson Hospital Auxiliary will hold its Spring Pops Concert Saturday, April 13, at 8 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St. in Concord. The Concord Band will perform a “Swing into Spring” program featuring guest jazz vocalist/pianist Amanda Carr. Tickets are $30 in advance or at the door. Tickets have sold out in the past. Information about individual sponsorships for the event at different levels: sites.google.com/site/emersonhospitalauxiliary/ or by contacting Jeri Ravis, 978-264-2023 or j.ravis@comcast.net.
Lambs and Patriots at Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village will celebrate Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 15, with a 1775-style muster. During school vacation week, visitors can see the newborn spring lambs, as well as participate in the variety of programs planned for the week. www.osv.org
Superstorm Sandy’s Sister
Storms like superstorm Sandy are increasing in the Northeast with greater intensity, frequency, and duration. How to adapt to the changing weather patterns will be the subject of Bolton Local’s Thursday, April 18, program “Sandy’s Sister is Coming to Town” at the Bolton Public Library, starting at 7 p.m. The program will focus on what the changing weather means and how individuals, businesses, and the community can become more resilient in the face of rising weather-related risks. Speakers will include State Rep. Kate Hogan, Kathleen Baskin, director of Water Policy in the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environment, and Sustainable Lexington leader Mark Sundeen. www.BoltonLocal.org
Family Nature Programs
Sudbury Valley Trustees has several family events planned during the April school vacation week, including Children’s Story Walk at Wolbach Farm, Vernal Pools Kids program, and Woodcock Walk. They also offer a weekly Spring Discovery program every Wednesday for preschoolers. Sudbury Valley Trustees is a regional land trust that conserves land and protects wildlife habitat in the Concord, Assabet, and Sudbury river basin for the benefit of present and future generations. For more information, visit www.svtweb.org
Bach’s Lunch Concert
Indian Hill Music School’s next free monthly faculty concert, Bach’s Lunch, will present “Best of Broadway,” musical theater favorites from 1930 to 2000, with vocalist Mary Crowe and pianist Evelyn Harris. There will be shows at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18, at Indian Hill Music, 36 King St. in Littleton. Coffee, tea, and cookies will be served to accompany attendees’ own lunches.
‘Survivor, the Musical’
Twenty contestants, two tribes, but only one survivor. Mount Wachusett Community College’s Theatre at the Mount performers will compete in a take-off on the popular TV reality show as they try to out-sing, out-perform, and out-shine in musical theater challenges. “Survivor, the Musical” will be on stage Friday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at 444 Green St. in Gardner. Tickets are $20, $10 for students, and available at 978-632-2403 or mwcc.edu/tam/shows.
Applewild Open House
Applewild School will hold a multi-faceted Open House Saturday, April 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at 120 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. Visitors will be able to tour the campus and learn about a variety of programs, including summer programs for all ages and the new Child Development Center, formerly the Burbank Child Development Center. Information on financial aid, transportation options, and AppleCore Scholarships will be available. No RSVP is necessary. 978-342-6053, www.applewild.org
Parker Quartet Concert
Indian Hill Music will present the Grammy-winning Parker Quartet Saturday, April 20, at 8 p.m. at The Kalliroscope Gallery, 264 Main St. in Groton. The group will perform quartets by Beethoven, Debussy, and Ligeti. Tickets are $32 for adults, $15 for students. 978-486-9524, ext. 116, www.indianhillmusic.org
Groton Local Celebrates Earth Day
Groton Local will celebrate Earth Day Sunday, April 21, from 1 to 5 p.m., rain or shine, with a variety of activities inside historic Williams Barn, 160 Chicopee Row in Groton. The gathering will include local environmental groups, craft demonstrations, and artists. A cast of local experts and businesses—Gilson Greenhouses’ vegetable seedlings, Groton Local’s Upcycle Group, Next Step Living, Friends of the Trees, Bliss Bakery, Nashoba Paddler, beekeeper Jen Reed, woodworker Peter Benedict, gemstone expert Steve Harmon, and Jeff Box with a cold frame demo—plus live music and a worm project from Groton Local Kids—will provide something of interest for everyone. Contact: Jim Hubert at j.e.hubert@comcast.net or 978-302-5611.
Jimmy Tingle, Live in Ayer
Jimmy Tingle, a well-known social and political humorist, will be on stage at Ayer-Shirley Regional High School Auditorium Friday, April 26, at 7 p.m. The evening’s program will feature part of Tingle’s “American Dream” documentary, followed by an audience-interactive, stand-up performance by Tingle. “Our goal on April 26 is to raise a lot of money, and, more so, to help inspire the students and attendees to follow their own dreams and aspirations in the arts and beyond,” a press release quotes Tingle saying. The production is free to Ayer-Shirley region’s students. Fundraiser tickets for all others are $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Recommended for ages 10 and up. For tickets and information, call 978-772-2545, email AyerShirleyDrama@gmail.com, or visit www.jacneed.com/ASYD/Tickets.htm.
