Harvard Farmers’ Market
The opening day of the Harvard Farmers’ Market will be Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hildreth Elementary School. Growing Places will be at the market with its Dirt Truck. Vendors will include Bagel Alley, Balance Rock Farm, C&C Lobster and Fish, and more. (www.harvardfarmersmarket.org)
Learn About the Community Harvest Project
The Community Harvest Project will host a tour of its farm Tuesday, Aug. 18, from 10 a.m. to noon at 115 Prospect Hill Road. Participants are invited to tour the property and learn about this nonprofit organization, which uses volunteer labor to grow food for hunger relief. Participants can learn how they can become involved in the project. Tours will be led by Operations Director Ken Dion and Program Manager Wayne McAuliffe. (For information about volunteering to pick apples at the farm, see Notice Board).
Fruitlands Film Series
Fruitlands will show the film “Greenway Heroes: Profiles in Land Conservation,” Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Local filmmakers Susan Edwards and Joy Reo tell the inspiring stories of three landowners who donated, sold, or set up conservation easements to protect their family land for the common good. The film is a sequel to Edwards’ earlier film called “Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000.” Following the film, Marion Stoddart will lead a discussion about what every property owner can do to protect the local watershed. Admission is free.
Pastel Painting Demonstration
Fruitlands Museum will host a pastel painting demo Sunday, Aug. 23, from noon to 2 p.m. at the museum’s Wayside Visitor Center. Artist Cynthia Crimmin will demonstrate the techniques and approaches she takes with pastels to make artwork that is uniquely her own, transforming a chalky stick of color into a work of beauty. Free with admission.
NOFA Workshop on Organic Apple Growing
Old Frog Pond Farm will host a workshop about organic apple growing Sunday, Aug. 23, from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. Linda Hoffman will discuss her yearly schedule of organic care, show how she has grafted a number of rows to change the inherited Red Delicious trees to new varieties, and share all things practical about planting, staking, and protecting young trees. Information and registration at the NOFA MASS website.
Virginia Thurston Healing Garden to Sponsor Fundraising Bike Ride
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, a cancer support center located at 145 Bolton Road, will host its inaugural “Ride to Thrive” Sunday, Sept. 13, at 8 a.m. Start time for the century ride (60 miles) is at 8 a.m., half-century (30 miles) at 9 a.m. The event will include water stops, end-of-ride refreshments, and prizes for best team spirit and best-dressed. All proceeds will benefit clients of the Healing Garden, which provides support services for cancer patients from greater Boston, MetroWest, and beyond. For more information and to register, go to www.RideToThrive.org.
Plan Ahead for Devens Book Group
The Fort Devens book group will meet Friday, Sept. 25, noon, at the Fort Devens Museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens. The group will discuss “Horse Soldiers” by Doug Stanton, which is about the Special Forces soldiers who secretly entered Afghanistan following 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban. For information, call 978-772-1286 or email info@fortdevensmuseum.org.
In-Town Save the Date
- Aug. 26: Sixth grade and new high school student orientation at Bromfield
- Aug. 31: Popsicles on the Playground for second graders at HES playground
- Sept. 1: Kindergarten picnic at library
- Sept. 2: First day of school at Bromfield and HES
- Sept. 12, 13: Lions Club Fall Festival
- Sept. 13: Harvard Conservation Trust’s Run for the Hills
- Sept. 17: Worcester Chamber Music Society concert with Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome
- Sept. 26: Golf tournament to benefit Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball, Shaker Hills
- Sept. 26, 27: Fruitlands Craft Festival
- Oct. 10: Harvard Flea Market
In-Town Classes
- At Fruitlands Museum: Register at programming@fruitlands.org or 978-456-3924, ext. 239. Pastel painting with Linée Baird. Aug. 25, 10 a.m. $100 members, $125 nonmembers.
- At the Bromfield School: Jump Start Field Hockey. Register at 978-456-4118 or email jcavanaugh@psharvard.org. Aug. 24, 25, 26. Grades 3-12. Half day, $90; full day $130.
Out-of-Town Events
Bolton Fair
The Bolton Fair is a small-town, agricultural fair that will take place Friday, Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 318 Seven Bridge Road, Lancaster. Fair events include animal shows, agricultural exhibits, entertainment, carnival rides, crafts, demonstrations, and educational experiences. For information, schedule, and ticket prices go to www.boltonfair.org.
Trail Walk at Oxbow
The Nashua River Watershed Association will host a free 20-minute guided walk, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 6 p.m., at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Participants will meet in the parking area at the bottom of Still River Depot Road. To register, contact Al Futterman at AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
Youth Orchestra Auditions
Indian Hill Music String Orchestras will host youth orchestra auditions Monday, Aug. 24, and Tuesday, Aug. 25, at Indian Hill Music School, 36 King Street, Littleton. Open to youth string musicians—violin, viola, cello, bass—through pre-college age. Schedule a time at 978-486-9524, ext. 0, or www.indianhillmusic.org.
Paddle by Moonlight
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will host “Paddle by Moonlight” Saturday, Aug. 29, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lake Whitehall in Hopkinton State Park. Participants will paddle around the lake and explore some of the many small islands. Registration required at www.svtweb.org/programs or 978-443-5588 ext. 123. SVT members free, nonmembers $10.
Fishing Clinic
The Trustees of Reservations will host a fishing clinic every Saturday through Oct. 10, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Ranger Station, Tully Lake Campground, 25 Doane Hill Road, Royalston. Participants can join Ranger Keith for lessons on proper fishing techniques, including casting, general fishing tips, fish identification, and catch-and-release. Licenses are required for anyone older than 15. Parental guardian is required for anyone under 13. Free for Trustees members, children under 12; others, $5. Information at 978-249-4957.
Concerts at the Bull Run
- Aug. 20: Backyard Songwriter Series
- Aug. 21: Howie Day
- Aug. 22: Debbie Davies Band
- Aug. 28: A Ton of Blues and Grassroots
Tickets are available at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Out-of-Town Save the Date
- Sept. 12: Open house for children’s music at Indian Hill Music School
- Sept. 18: Open house for adults’ music at Indian Hill Music School
- Sept. 19: Worcester Chamber Music Society, Worcester
