Half day on Wednesday at the schools
Wednesday, Dec. 4, will be a half day—not the more common early release day—at the Harvard Public Schools. Dismissal time will be 11:05 a.m. at Bromfield and 12:05 p.m. at Hildreth Elementary School. Parent-teacher conferences will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
Register online for spring soccer
The Harvard Soccer Club is accepting registrations for the spring season. To register, visit www.harvardsoccer.org and click on “Register Online.” The registration deadline for Under-10s and older is Dec. 31.
Toys for Tots drop-off at Murphy Insurance and General Store
Murphy Insurance Agency is collecting new, unwrapped toys for the Toys for Tots program. Toys are needed for children from infants through 12 years of age. Gifts for older children are especially needed. Residents can leave donations at the Murphy Insurance office, 276 Ayer Road, or at any of Murphy’s seven other locations. For Toys for Tots gift guidelines and office locations, visit dfmurphy.com/toys. Murphy Insurance will also donate $1 for each new ‘Like’ that the agency receives on its Facebook page by Dec. 13, up to $500, at www.facebook.com/murphyinsurance. The deadline for toy drop-offs at Murphy Insurance Agency is Dec. 12.
A collection box will also be stationed at the Harvard General Store, near the stairs on the first floor. Gifts for children from infants through 15 years of age are welcome. Donations of gifts for young teens, such as soccer balls and other sports equipment, are especially welcome. Contributors are reminded to leave gifts in the box, not outside the store. For more information, call Bonnie Lawrence of Coldwell Banker Realty at 781-728-9968. The deadline for toy donations at the General Store is Dec. 23.
Loaves & Fishes needs donations for ‘Shop for Your Kids Day’
Loaves & Fishes, the largest food pantry in North Central Massachusetts, will host “Shop for Your Kids Day” to allow their clients’ children to receive holiday gifts. The pantry seeks companies, civic organizations, parent groups, and individuals that can hold toy drives for the event, or who might send volunteers to help move the toys, set up for the event, box up leftovers, and clean up afterward.
All gifts should be new and unwrapped, with a value of $20 or less. The gift categories Loaves & Fishes needs are:
- Sports items, particularly for teens
- Toys for toddlers through pre-teens
- Games families can play together
- Puzzles for all ages
- Gift cards ($25 or less) for teens, but no i-Tunes cards
- Books for teenage boys
- Jewelry for teens
“Shop for Your Kids” will be held at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center (formerly the Devens Community Center) on Devens Thursday, Dec. 19. If you can organize a toy drive or volunteer for the event, contact Karen O’Neil or Deb Roufus at LFshop4yourkids@gmail.com or call 978-772-4627.
Weigh in on Town Hall project
The Harvard Board of Selectmen will be seeking public input on the cost-saving measures that will be necessary to proceed with the Town Hall building project within the existing budget. Selectmen will hold two meetings dedicated solely to this topic.
- Where: The Center On the Common (old library)
- When: Thursday, Dec. 5, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 to 11 a.m.
License renewal reminders will resume
Starting in December, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will resume its practice of mailing reminders to drivers whose licenses are about to expire. The reminder postcards will tell drivers whether they are eligible to renew online at MassRMV.com or must visit a registry to get a new photo. Drivers are encouraged to renew their licenses at least seven days prior to their birthdays/license expiration date. To ensure delivery of the reminder, those who have moved recently should update their addresses online at MassRMV.com.
