Ribbon cutting at Harvard Solar Garden
Join Senator Jamie Eldridge and Representative Jen Benson for a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at the Harvard Solar Garden, 295 Ayer Road. The Solar Garden is located behind 285 Ayer Road, the plaza that houses Sorrento’s Pizza. All are invited to attend the ceremony, which celebrates the first member-owned, community-shared solar garden in the state of Massachusetts.
Grill Night and Music
The Harvard General Store will host Grill Night, with music, Friday, June 27, outside on the picnic tables and on the second floor. Food and beverages will be available starting at 6 p.m. The musical group Time Tunnel will begin playing upstairs at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.harvardgeneralstore.com.
Electronics and Bike Recycling
The Congregational Church of Harvard will host a recycling day for electronics and bicycles Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in its parking lot. Any item with a plug will be accepted: television sets, monitors, computers, printers, and appliances, including air conditioners, washers, and dryers. Lawn mowers, snowblowers, and items with motors will also be accepted. Computers or small electronics cost $5; television sets are $10 to $30 depending on size; appliances are $10. Bicycles will be reused and cost nothing to drop off. For free bicycle pick up, call 508-277-6728.
‘Living Whole’ Talk: Spirit
Psychotherapist and educator Jane Ayres will present an inspirational talk Saturday, June 28, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Center on the Common. The presentation will focus on the effect of one’s values and beliefs and how they can create a foundation for coping with life. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information contact Jane Ayres at 978-256-7603 or janeayres988@gmail.com.
Bare Hill Triathlon
The Harvard Lions Club will host a triathlon Sunday, June 29, starting at 8 a.m. with the swim at Bare Hill Pond and followed by a 10.5-mile bike ride and a 3.2-mile run. The staging area will be on the grounds of the Harvard Public Library. To register and for more information, go to www.barehilltriathlon.com. For traffic information, including the routes of the bike and running races, see Notice Board.
Artist Talk and Demonstration
Fruitlands Museum will host a talk and demonstration by its artist-in-residence, Richard Kattman, Sunday, June 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the museum. He will first talk about his abstract landscape paintings and then demonstrate his techniques, en plein air. Refreshments will be provided. Free with museum admission.
Puppet Band
The Harvard Public Library Trust will present the Toe Jam Puppet Band Wednesday, July 2, at 3 p.m. at the library. Toe Jam offers children’s entertainment that families can enjoy together, with interactive, theatrical musical performances and story-telling. Register at 978-456-2381.
Paws and Read
The Harvard Public Library will offer appointments to read with Winston the Therapy Dog Wednesdays, July 2, 16, and 23 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Reading to Winston is a fantastic way to bolster a child’s reading confidence. Registration is required: call the Children’s Room at 978-456-2381 to make an appointment to read to Winston.
Concord Band Concerts
at Fruitlands
The Concord Band will present family concerts on Thursday evenings through August 7 at Fruitlands. Member admission is $10 per car; nonmember admission is $15 per car. Gates open at 5:30 for picnics; concerts begin at 7:15. The July 3 concert is titled “American Salute;” the July 10 concert is “From Broadway to Hollywood.”
Independence Day Fireworks
Harvard will present its annual fireworks display Wednesday, July 2, at Fruitlands Museum. Festivities begin at 5 p.m. with live music. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. More details.
Great Harvard Road Race
The Harvard Road Race Association will host the Great Harvard 4th of July Road Race Friday, July 4, beginning and ending at Hildreth Elementary School. The 5-mile race will start at 8:15 a.m., and the 1-mile fun run for children will start at 9:30 a.m. More details.
Parade, Flag-raising, and Field Events
Numerous activities in honor of Independence Day will take place in town. More details.
Hike at Oxbow
The Harvard Conservation Commission and Harvard Conservation Trust will host a walk for women Tuesday, July 8, at 9 a.m. at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will meet at the Oxbow parking lot at the end of Still River Depot Road and should bring water to drink, a light snack, binoculars, field guides, and bug repellent. The trail will take hikers along the Nashua River, past signs of beaver activity and oxbows. Registration is suggested so that hikers can be notified of any change in plans. Contact Harvard’s conservation agent Liz Allard at 978-456-4100, ext. 321 or lallard@harvard.ma.us.
Science Stories
To go with the Harvard Public Library’s summer theme of Fizz, Boom, READ!, author and story performer Mark Binder will present a special collection of science stories Tuesday, July 8, at 3 p.m. at the library. Listeners of all ages will enjoy this program, which will keep summer readers laughing and engaged with a fizzy array of energetic stories. Stories range from “How Og Invented Gravity” to Archimedes and other original and traditional stories with a scientific nugget. Registration is required at 978-456-2381.
Hula Hooping
The Harvard Public Library will host Hula Hooping with Pinto Bella Wednesday, July 9, at 3 p.m. The program is suitable for ages 6 and up. Pinto (or Katie) of PintoBellaHoops, a Hoopnotica certified and licensed Hula Hoop instructor, will touch on the emotional, physical, and social benefits of hula hooping, the different types of hula hoops and their purposes, and the history of hooping. After some brief instruction, a demonstration, and a short performance, participants can try hula hooping while Pinto Bella gives pointers. Organized games will conclude the event. Enrollment is limited to 25 children; register now at 978-456-2381.
Free Fun Day
Fruitlands Museum will host a day of free fun, courtesy of the Highland Street Foundation, Friday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day of free admission will feature trail tours, gallery talks, hand-on activities, and live music.
Save the Date
- July 15: Well-Adult Clinic at Hildreth House
- July 17: Historical sword demonstration at library
- July 22: Magic of Bonaparte at library
- Aug. 12: Hike for women at Great Elms
- Aug. 15-17: Central Mass. Longboard Festival
In-Town Courses
- Soccer Camp: The coaches of the Bromfield varsity boys’ and girls’ soccer teams will offer soccer camp for children entering grades 1 to 6. Aug. 11 to Aug. 15. Watch for details at the Harvard Athletic Association’s website, www.harvardsports.org.
- Summer Tennis: Lessons at Bromfield by the Marcus Lewis tennis staff, one-week sessions, Monday through Thursday. Register with Harvard Community Education at 978-456-4118 or jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
- Digital Media Enrichment for grades 7 to 12: At the Bromfield School’s cable studios. July 21 to 25 or July 28 to Aug. 1. 978-456-4118 or jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
- Salsa Dancing Workshop: At Center on Common. Saturday, July 12, 10 a.m. to noon. $35. Register by July 7 at lindsayzdancing@charter.net or 617-549-0511.
OUT OF TOWN
Concerts at the Bull Run
- June 27: Outlaws
- June 28: Al Kooper and Funky Faculty
- July 10: Jim Hurst
- July 11: Zach Deputy
- July 12: Jim Thackery and the Drivers
- July 16: David Lowery and Johnny Hickman
Tickets available at www.bull-runrestaurant.com.
Mount Pisgah Bike Tour
The Sudbury Valley Trustees and the Boston chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club will host a 24-mile bike tour for experienced cyclists Sunday, June 29, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. through the hilly back roads of Northborough, Berlin, and Bolton. Free for SVT and AMC members, $10 for nonmembers. Registration is required at www.svtweb.org or 978-443-5588.
Summer Pops Community Band
Earl Raney of the Atlantic Wind Symphony will direct a community band each Tuesday evening through July 24, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Machlan Auditorium at Atlantic Union College, 338 Main Street, South Lancaster. There are no auditions, and all wind, brass, and percussion players are welcome to build summer chops, play great music, and make new friends.
Out-of-Town Classes
- Nature Programs at Nashua River Watershed Assoc: “All Things Animal” for ages 9 to 11, July 14 to July 17, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Let’s Build It” for ages 6 to 9, July 28 to July 31, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Programs at NRWA Resource Center, 592 Main St., Groton. Register at StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershedAssociation.org or 978-448-0299.
- Northeast Organic Farming Association’s Conference: Aug. 8 to 10, UMass Amherst. Offers workshops and farm tours. www.nofasummerconference.org. Questions: nicole@nofamass.org or 508-450-2441.
