Kids’ Movie and Games
A game and movie night for kids ages 7 to 14 will take place Friday, May 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Center on the Common. “The Goonies” will be shown. $10 per person, with a small selection of snacks available for purchase.
Pub Night
The Harvard General Store will offer music, food, and beverages Friday, May 23, from about 6 to 10 p.m. For details, visit www.harvardgeneralstore.com.
Equestrian Vaulting
The New England Valkyries Equestrian Vaulting Team will host an equestrian vaulting demonstration Sunday, May 25, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Sheriffmuir Farm, 157 Bolton Road. The team will demonstrate vaulting moves on horseback and then allow participants, aged 5 years and older, a chance to try some moves with assistance. Participant fee is $25. Suggested spectator donation is $10.
Memorial Day Pancake Breakfast
This year’s Memorial Day pancake breakfast will be held Monday, May 26, from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Church Fellowship Building. This marks the 18th year for the breakfast, which features pancakes, sausages, and juice and is served by the church’s Middle School Youth Group. The breakfast is sponsored by the Harvard Unitarian Church with proceeds going to the Loaves & Fishes food pantry. Donations are $8 for adults, $4 for children under 12, and $20 per family.
Memorial Day Parade and Ceremonies
American Legion Post 119 and Harvard’s Office of Veterans’ Services will host Memorial Day ceremonies Monday, May 26, beginning with a parade that starts from Town Hall at 10 a.m. All veterans are encouraged to participate, with or without uniform. Veterans who need to ride in the parade are asked to contact Dennis Lyddy at 978-870-7623 to get a seat in a parade vehicle. More details.
Senior Picnic
The Harvard Police Association will host a picnic for senior citizens Thursday, May 29, at noon at Hildreth House. Participants should sign up for the picnic by noon on Friday, May 23. Hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and cold drinks will be served at this festive annual event.
‘Twelfth Night’ Outdoor Performance
The Bromfield Drama Society will present its final production of the year, Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” in performances on Friday, May 30, Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, on the outdoor stage in front of the Harvard Public Library. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults. Participants should bring lawn chairs or blankets. In case of rain, the performance will be in the Cronin Auditorium at the Bromfield School. The production will feature 1940s swing and big band music, songs, and dance numbers. The Saturday night performance will be preceded by a barbecue by Chef Paul Correnty, $7 per person, at 6 p.m.
Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Festival
The Harvard Firefighters Association will host the 5th Annual Ken Harrod Memorial Bike Festival Saturday, May 31, starting at the Bromfield School and ending at the town center. More details.
Ergathon Fundraiser
The Bromfield Acton-Boxborough rowing team will hold an Ergathon fundraiser Saturday, May 31, from noon to 3 p.m. on the Common. The event will raise money for rowing shells, oars, and other equipment. Five percent of proceeds will be donated to Loaves & Fishes food pantry. For further information or to make a donation, visit www.barehillrowing.com/ergathon.
Congregational Church Auction
The Congregational Church of Harvard, will host a silent and live auction Saturday, May 31, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the church. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be served, but BYOB. Tickets are $25 per person and are available at the church office.
Tree Dedication
The Harvard Conservation Trust will host a ceremony in honor of Elizabeth May Sunday, June 1, at 1 p.m. outside at the Harvard Public Library, or in the foyer if it rains. Hawthorn trees planted on the library grounds will be dedicated to Elizabeth May, a community leader and devoted member and past president of the Harvard Conservation Trust.
Democracy Workshop
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church will host a workshop tracing the evolution of corporate power and the erosion of democracy in the U.S. Sunday, June 1, at 12:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Church Fellowship Building. The workshop will discuss the building of a democracy movement organized by the Move to Amend group. Information is available at 781-894-1179 or www.movetoamend.org.
Civil War Events
A series of events related to the Civil War will be held Friday, June 6, Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8, in and around the town center.
Exhibit: The Harvard Historical Society will create a temporary exhibit of its Civil War artifacts—including uniforms, currency, and letters—Friday, June 6, from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center on the Common.
Monument Re-dedication: Bromfield School history teachers Kristin McManus and Kevin Foster, with the Rev. Gregory Schmidt, will lead a re-dedication of the newly restored Civil War Memorial on the Common Saturday, June 7, at 10 a.m. at the monument.
Living History Tour: With the assistance of the Harvard Historical Society, residents of the Harvard Center Burying Ground (now known as Center Cemetery) will share their stories of courage, triumph, and loss on Saturday, June 7. Tours will run continuously from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Civil War Encampment: Re-enactors from the 28th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment will take up residence on the Common Saturday, June 7, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, June 8, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Save the Date
- June 4: “Awesome Robb Show” at library
- June 8: Harvard Family Association at Fruitlands Museum
- June 14: Citizen input forum on Ayer Road commercial development at library
- June 14: “Transcendental Abstractions” by artist Richard Kattman at Fruitlands Museum
- June 19: “My Year in Rural Russia” at library
- June 22: Benefit Concert at Virginia Thurston Healing Garden
- June 29: Harvard Lions Bare Hill Triathlon
In-Town Courses
- Youth Swimming and Boating Lessons at Town Beach: Three sessions: June 30 – July 11; July 14 – July 25; July 28 – Aug. 8. Registration and information at www.harvardparkandrec.org.
- Youth “Summer Adventure” Program: Harvard Community Education will offer summer day camp, based at HES and incorporating swimming lessons at the Town Beach, for grades 1 – 6. One-week sessions between June 30 and July 26. Register at www.psharvard.org: click on HES, Edline, and Harvard Community Education. Or call Judy Cavanaugh at 978-456-4118.
- Medical QiGong: Thursdays, ongoing, 11 a.m. to noon between June 5 and August 28 at Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Six-class pass available, $60 members, $72 nonmembers. Register at 978-456-3532.
- Practices for Personal Sustainability: Thursday, June 5, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., based on a Marilyn Taylor book, at Virginia Thurston Healing Garden. Free and open to all.
OUT OF TOWN
Youth Orchestra Auditions
Auditions will be held Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, May 28 for the Nashoba Youth Orchestra’s 2014-2015 season. All string musicians through the age of 18 are invited to sign up for an audition at nashobayouthorchestra.org.
Executive Functioning
Peg Dawson, Ed.D. will present a talk, “Smart but Scattered: Strengthening Executive Skills in Children and Adults at Home,” Thursday, May 29, at 7 p.m. at the Sawyer School, 100 Mechanic St., Bolton. Dawson will describe strategies to boost anyone’s ability to get organized, resist impulses, stay focused, use time wisely, and manage emotions. Contact Joan Finger for more information at: Joan@ZooterGroupTutoring.com or 978- 337-5132.
Concerts at the Bull Run in Shirley
- May 29: Shelby Lynne
- May 31: Royal Southern Brotherhood
- June 6: Jeff Pitchell and Charles Neville with Texas Flood
- June 13: Deadbeats
- June 14: Amy Black and Sarah Borges
- June 15: Duncan Sheik
Tickets available at www.bull-runrestaurant.com.
Youth Choir ‘Informance’
Indian Hill Music School will host a demo-performance of its Cantori Scolari, a choir for youth age 8 to grade 12 Friday, May 30, at 7 p.m., at 36 King Street, Littleton. Attendees can learn about the choir program, meet the director, ask questions, and register for summer term. Admission is free. More information at: 978-486-9524
Repair Cafe
Bolton Local will host a repair café Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Parish of Bolton Church, Davis Hall, 673 Main St., Bolton. Knowledgeable volunteers will be available to sharpen knives, scissors, and garden tools and to make repairs to lamps and small appliances, furniture, outdoor power equipment, bikes, and clothes. If volunteers cannot repair an item, they will offer suggestions about where to take it for repair, if repair is possible. (BoltonLocal.org and repaircafe.org)
Isaiah Thomas: Patriot Printer
Freedom’s Way, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Townsend Historical Society will host a performance by actor Neil Gustafson Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at the Harbor Church 80 Main St., Townsend. The actor will portray the path of Isaiah Thomas, who began at age 6 as an indentured apprentice and launched his own newspaper at age 21, and the role he played in the nation’s founding. (www.freedomsway.org)
