Farmers’ Market
The Harvard Farmers’ Market is open every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hildreth Elementary School. Saturday, Oct. 19 is Wool Day at the market. For a list of vendors and events, visit www.harvardfarmersmarket.org.
Stuffed Animal Sleepover at the Library
The Harvard Public Library will host a sleepover for stuffed animals Friday, Oct. 18. Would your stuffed animal like to have an adventure at the library with stuffed animals that belong to other kids? Once the library is closed for the night, they will have a party and explore the library. Photos of the stuffed animals having fun will be posted on the Children’s Facebook and Google+ pages. Drop off animals between Thursday, Oct. 17 and Friday, Oct. 18 at 2 p.m.; retrieve them on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Talk on Native American Rock Structures
The Warner Free Lecture Series and the Harvard Conservation Trust will present a slideshow and talk by Peter Waksman, “Discovering Native American Stone Structures in the Mass. Woods,” Friday, Oct. 18, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library. Waksman will share his discoveries and interpretations of rocks and rock piles in the woods of Massachusetts. Waksman has published on the topic of this lecture in the Bulletin of the Mass. Archeological Society and maintains the blog site http://rockpiles.blogspot.com.
Literary Series at General Store
The Harvard General Store and InkK will present “On the Edge: Madness, Serendipity, and Sudden Surprises,” Saturday, Oct. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Harvard General Store. Writers Lauren Slater, Karen Propp, Sari Boren, and Lisa Perkins will read from their work in the General’s second floor lounge; beer and wine are available for purchase on the first floor. Admission is free, but space is limited. Register for a ticket at FreshInkK.eventbrite.com, www. HarvardGeneralStore.com, or www. inkK.me.
WW I Documentary at Fort Devens Museum
The Fort Devens Museum will present “Model T’s to War: American Ambulances on the Western Front 1914–1918,” Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, third floor, Devens. The film highlights the work of documentarians Ed and Libby Klekowski, who researched the story of the voluntary involvement of some 2,500 American men as ambulance drivers in France before the United States entered the war in 1917. The museum is wheelchair accessible. The program is free. For more information, call 978-772-1286 or email info@fortdevensmuseum.org.
Autumn Choral Concert at Bromfield
The Bromfield School will present its autumn choral concert Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Cronin Auditorium. The grade 6 chorus, grades 7 and 8 chorus, and the high school choir will perform. The concert is free and open to the public.
Great Books Discussion at Library
The Great Books Discussion Group will meet at the Harvard Public Library Thursday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. Two short stories will be discussed: “The Open Boat” by Stephen Crane, and “The Garden of Forking Paths” by Jorge Luis Borges. New members are welcome.
Preschool Pumpkin Party
The Village Nursery School will host a morning of play, art, and refreshments for toddlers and parents Friday, Oct. 25, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at their school at 40 Poor Farm Road. Children will select pumpkins from the school’s pumpkin patch, decorate them, and explore the school’s activity centers and playground. Children are invited to bring a friend. RSVP by Oct. 23 to 978-456-3993 or info@villagenurseryschool.org.
Music and Dinner at Center on Common
The Center on the Common will offer dinner and music by the David Maxwell Blues Trio Friday, Oct. 25, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Center, 7 Fairbank St. The David Maxwell Trio has performed with many blues notables, including Buddy Guy and John Lee Hooker. Dinner will feature soul food; bring your own bottle. Tickets are available at centeronthecommon.org.
Halloween Storytelling Hour
The Harvard Historical Society will present a Halloween storytelling hour, with organ music accompaniment played on the society’s 1870 Stevens & Co. organ, Friday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road. Hear accounts of local ghost sightings and hauntings, classic tales, and ghoulish writings. Mulled cider and devilish treats will be served.
Trail Run at Fruitlands
The Farm League Race Series will sponsor a 5-kilometer race to take place entirely on trails Saturday, Oct. 26, at 8 a.m. Runners should arrive by 7:30 a.m. The course begins and ends at Fruitlands Museum and will pass through dirt, wooded, and pasture trails. Entry fee is $25 before Oct. 26, $30 on race day. For more information visit www.FruitlandsTrailRun.com.
Sign Language for Babies
First Connections, a nonprofit family support organization, will present a program about American Sign Language Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Harvard Public Library. Caregivers will learn about the benefit of using sign language, research on language development, and ways to teach signs to babies. Each family will take home a board book to help them get started. Parents with or without their babies, grandparents, and other caregivers are welcome. Attendance is limited to 25 families. Registration is required through First Connections at lmatthews@jri.org or 978-287-0221.
Halloween Parade and Celebration
The Harvard Family Association will host its annual parade and fun-fest Saturday, Oct. 26, 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 event is free and appropriate for children up to age 7. Donations of food for Loaves & Fishes are welcome. For more information contact harvardfamily@yahoo.com.
Friends of Oxbow Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will take place Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens. The public is invited to attend the meeting, which will feature a talk by archaeologist Suzanne G. Cherau on the Native American and 18th- and 19th- century pioneer settlements of the Nashua River area around Fort Devens. Registration is appreciated at 978-779-2259.
‘Proof of Heaven’ Author Reception and Talk
Dr. Eben Alexander, author of “Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon’s Journey into the Afterlife,” is coming to Harvard on Sunday, Oct. 27, for a presentation to benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Standard tickets are $100 for the presentation at 4:30 p.m. at the Bromfield School. VIP tickets are $250 for a reception with the author from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Healing Garden, followed by the presentation at Bromfield. For each VIP ticket purchased, one ticket will be donated to someone in need. Order tickets at www.healinggarden.net or mail checks payable to VTHG to The Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Rd., Harvard, MA 01451.
Halloween Crafts for Preschool Children
Evergreen Garden Playschool, a Waldorf preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten, will host parents and young children for a morning of Halloween fun Monday, Oct. 28, from 9:15 to 10:45 a.m. at 270 Barnum Rd., Devens. Babies and children to age 5 are welcome. For more information visit www.evergreengardenplayschool.org or call 978-772-9595.
Pilates for Pink
The Bodylines Pilates studio will host a fundraiser for the Simonds-Hurd Complementary Care Center and the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Monday, Oct. 28, at 6 p.m. A $20 donation is requested to benefit the Care Center and Healing Garden. To buy tickets, contact the studio at bodylinespilates@yahoo.com or 978-855-1682.
In-town Courses
- Luminous Autumn Landscape with Marjorie Glick: Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum.
- Collage Workshop with Jill Pottle: Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum.
Save the Dates
- Tuesday, Oct. 29: Music & Movement with Steve Blunt at the library.
- Tuesday, Oct. 29: Treat-making workshop for teens at the library.
- Wednesday, Oct. 30: Early release movie at the library.
- Thursday, Oct. 31: Haunted House at Center on the Common.
- Friday, Nov. 1: Benefit concert at Hildreth Elementary School.
- Sunday, Nov. 10: “Civility Matters” presentation at Center on the Common.
OUT OF TOWN
Concert Series at the Bull Run
At the Bull Run Restaurant in Shirley:
- Friday, Oct. 18 Garnet Rogers
- Saturday, Oct. 19 Peter Yarrow
- Wednesday, Oct. 23 Richard Marx
- Thursday, Oct. 24 VanRet
- Friday, Oct. 25 Alternate Routes
- Saturday, Oct. 26 Bob Martin with Sandy Goulet and John Spano
- Saturday, Oct. 26 Alexis P. Suter Band
- Sunday, Oct. 27 Steve Forbert
Tickets may be purchased at bullrunrestaurant.com.
Applewild Fall Celebration
The Applewild School will present its annual Harvest Fair Saturday, Oct. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on the grounds of the school, 120 Prospect St., Fitchburg. Gift basket raffles, children’s games and inflatables, a bake sale, and lunch will be offered. Tours are available; to arrange one, call 978-342-6053.
Nature Walk in Groton
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) will lead a family walk Saturday, Oct. 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Gamlin Crystal Springs conservation area in Groton. Naturalists will explore questions about the wildlife inhabiting the area, including porcupines, and how the Wisconsin Ice Age shaped the land. Directions and information will be provided upon registration at 978-448-0299 or StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Best of Beethoven Concert
The Orchestra of Indian Hill and Bruce Hangen, artistic director, will present selected works of Beethoven Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, 56 King St. Pianist Victor Rosenbaum will be featured.
Home and Garden Tour to Benefit Healing Garden
A home and garden tour to benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will be held Sunday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 3 p.m. at 588 Main Street, Acton. The featured home is a late 18th-century country estate. Donations to the Healing Garden will be accepted. For more information contact 588MainActon@gmail.com or visit 588MainActon.com.
A Capella Group in Acton
Music at St. Matthew’s will present “A Cappella with Attitude,” featuring local ensemble Custom Blend, Sunday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St., Acton. The group will cover an eclectic repertoire, from ’40s war tunes to pop. Tickets are available at the door.
Free Halloween Program at Old Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village will present “Treats and Tricks” Friday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Village. Admission is free.
Out-of_Town Courses
- Alexander Technique Workshops: “Calming Your Nerves,” Saturday, Oct. 26, for 9 a.m. to noon, and “Performance Skills for Musicians” from 1 to 4 p.m. at Indian Hill Music School, Littleton (www.indianhillmusic.org)
