Healing Garden Benefit in Memory of Marilyn Strong
Honky Tonk Masquerade will perform Friday, Sept. 11, from 8 to 11 p.m. upstairs at the General Store. The evening of dancing and music will benefit the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden in memory of Marilyn Strong, who was one of the Healing Garden’s most devoted volunteers. Suggested donation is $15.
Bike to the
Harvard Farmers Market
The Harvard Farmers Market will sponsor Bike Day Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hildreth Elementary School. BikesNotBombs (www.bikesnotbombs.org) will be present with its truck to collect used bikes (no rust), bike tools and parts, and cycling clothing. Craig Kilmer, owner of CK Bikes, will offer complimentary bike check-ups. For information go to www.harvardfarmersmarket.org.
Wine Tasting at General Store
The Harvard General Store will hold a wine tasting hosted by Sue Nordberg Saturday, Sept. 12, from 4 to 7 p.m. Nordberg will pour wines from Italy, Sicily, and the Napa Valley. (www.harvard generalstore.com)
Native Plant Workshop
at Old Frog Pond Farm
Join native plant maven Dr. Nicole Andrade for a tour of the farm’s fields, orchards, and trails Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. Learn about the beneficial plants in our landscape. $10. Register at www.oldfrogpondfarm.com.
Hollywood Nights at Lions Club Fall Festival
The Harvard Lions Club will host its 11th annual fall festival Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., then 5 to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hazel farm, 150 Ayer Road. The theme of this year’s festival is Hollywood Nights. The event will include live music, a craft fair, games, a barbecue cook-off, a classic car show, refreshments, a petting zoo and pony rides, and medieval games. On Saturday night, fireworks (at 8:30 p.m.), a bonfire, and a rock concert with the Bob Seger tribute band will be featured. For a detailed schedule of events, go to www.harvardfallfestival.com.
Register for ‘Ride to Thrive’
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, a cancer support center, will host a fundraising bicycle ride Sunday, Sept. 13, beginning at 145 Bolton Road. Start time for the 60-mile ride is 8 a.m.; the 30-mile ride starts at 9 a.m. The event will include water stops, end-of-ride refreshments, and prizes for best team spirit and best dressed. CK Bikes is donating support services for bikers en route. For information and to register, go to www.RideToThrive.org.
Plein Air Poetry Walk at
Old Frog Pond Farm
Poet and editor Susan Edwards Richmond will lead a poetry walk featuring the work of 13 poets who have been inspired by the farm’s landscape Sunday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. Free. (www.oldfrogpondfarm.com)
Webelos Den 2 Kick-Off
The official den kick-off is Sunday, Sept. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ann Lee soccer field. At this event the boys will work on the Camper adventure, which is one of the seven adventure awards den members will be pursuing this year to earn the Arrow of Light, the highest rank in cub scouting. Sunday’s adventure will end with a Webelos-led campfire program, complete with s’mores.
Over-55 Free Day at Fruitlands
There will be free admission at Fruitlands for everyone older than 55 Monday, Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include a morning birding walk, a lecture and sing-along with Shaker spirituals, a guided trail walk, a collaborative sculpture activity, artist demonstrations, and more. This event is sponsored by RiverCourt Residences and Tufts Health Plan.
Building Dreams
Golf Tournament
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts will hold its second annual Building Dreams golf tournament Tuesday, Sept. 15, at Shaker Hills Country Club, 146 Shaker Road. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 a.m. This fundraiser will support the construction of four homes and the Critical Home Repairs Program. Lunch, a silent auction, raffle, and reception will follow the event. Payment, registration, donation, or sponsoring may be done online at www.ncmhabitat.org. For information call 978-852-7955 or email denisew1123@verizon.net.
Library Advisory Boards
The library will host its Middle School Advisory Board meeting for students in grades 6-8, Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m. in the Teen Room. The Teen Advisory Board, for high school students, will meet later on Tuesday, Sept. 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Teen Room. Students are encouraged to drop by. For information speak with Jill Hayes at the reference desk or email her at jhayes@cwmars.org.
Pastels Class at Fruitlands
Fruitlands will host a six-week pastels painting class with Joelle Feldman Tuesdays, Sept. 15 through Oct. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. Students will experiment with a variety of pastel painting surfaces using different grades and brands of pastel sticks. Register at programming@fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924, ext. 239. Museum members $200, nonmembers, $225.
Harvard musicians perform
in chamber music concert
The Worcester Chamber Music Society (WCMS)will present its 10th anniversary Birthday Bash! concert Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Church, 9 Ayer Road. Guest pianist and Harvard resident Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome and virtuoso clarinetist Julian Milkis will perform with nine core members of the orchestra. Harvard resident and flutist Tracy Kraus is both an orchestra member and the cofounder of WCMS. The orchestra will feature the works of Wolf, Rota, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and Brahms. The concert will be repeated Saturday, Sept. 19, at 8 p.m. at Tuckerman Hall in Worcester. For ticket information go to www.worcesterchambermusic.org.
Decorate Fall Leaf Cookies
The public library will host a Decorate Fall Leaf Cookies program for students in grades 6 and up Thursday, Sept. 17, at 2:45 p.m. Decorate (and eat) fall leaf- and pumpkin-shaped cookies with friends.
Singer-Songwriter Sean Rowe Performs
Harvard residents Sue and Doug Reedich will host singer-songwriter Sean Rowe in a concert Saturday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. at their barn at 6 Partridge Hill Road. BYOB. Home-brew will be available for tasting. $20 will go to the artist. For information email reedich@charter.net.
Hiking Pack Monadnock
with JUMP
Fruitlands will host a hike up North Pack Monadnock with instructors from JUMP (Just Understand My Potential, a program for youth development) Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:30 a.m. This family-friendly hike is moderately difficult and starts at the northern terminus of the Wapack Trail. Space is limited, and it is suggested for children over age 5. Register by email at programming@fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924, ext. 239. Cost for children is $3, adults $5.
Kick-off for Families with Young Children
The Harvard Family Association will host its annual fall kick-off Saturday, Sept. 19, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the library. Families with at least one child under age six are invited to attend. Music Together of Assabet Valley will perform. Members and nonmembers are welcome. For information email harvardfamily@yahoo.com.
Pastels Painting Workshop
Fruitlands will hold a pastels workshop of with Lisa Regopoulos Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will discover how to compose and build a sand dune or achieve the effect of blowing grass using pastels. Register by email at programming@fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924, ext. 239. Member cost $100, nonmembers $125.
Tour de Pond
The second annual Tour de Pond, sponsored by Bare Hill Rowing and the Harvard Parks and Recreation Commission, will be held Sunday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m. on Bare Hill Pond. The event will include a fun, family-friendly oar and paddle race around the pond, a barbecue, and prizes. Canoes, kayaks, singles, and paddleboards are welcome. Boats will be available to borrow. Parent-child teams and costumes are encouraged. Register at barehillrowing.com.
Story Times at the Library
Story times at the Harvard Public Library will resume Monday, Sept. 21. Infants to 2-year-olds (siblings welcome) meet Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. for Mother Goose on the Loose, an early literacy, hour-long program. Story times for children ages 3 to 7 start Saturday, Sept. 26, at 10:30 to 11 a.m. No sign-up is required for either program. Free. For information go to www.harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Yoga for Preschoolers
The library will host a yoga program for preschoolers, ages 3 to 5, Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 10:30 a.m. Children will improve body awareness and increase their attention span, all while nurturing self-esteem and creativity. Leader Mary Lance, Ed.D., is a certified yoga teacher at the Sangha Yoga Center. Register by calling 978-456-2381.
Tie Dye Bonanza!
The public library will host tie dying for all ages Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the field in front of the library. Bring a T-shirt to decorate and rubber gloves (to protect your hands from the dye). Register at 978-456-2381. Volunteers are needed. There is no raindate.
Bubble Show
The library will host Mike the Bubble Man for all ages Wednesday, Sept. 23, at 1:30 p.m. Explore science through bubbles during this interactive 45-minute indoor show. Seating is limited. Register at 978-456-2381.
MCI Shirley Offers Tours of Shaker Buildings
The Massachusetts Correctional Institute in Shirley will be open to the public for tours of its on-site Shaker Village. Tours will be hosted and led by the Shirley Historical Society Sundays, Sept. 27, Oct. 11, and Oct. 25, at 12:30 p.m. Visitors will hear an introduction to the life of the Shirley Shakers, visit the Shaker cemetery, and go inside three of the existing Shaker buildings. For reservations and information mail@shirleyarts.org. Cost is $15.
Secrets of an Old Home
Preservationist Robert Adam will give a talk on clues to finding the secrets of an old house Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road. For the past six years Adam has been working on the Houghton house at 204 West Bare Hill Road, trying to date and understand the house’s construction. He will talk about dating beams through dedrochronology and how knowledge and experience have helped him date items by knowing when hand-wrought nails stopped being used, what jogging was for, and how traces of fasteners and decoration are evidence of a cage bar. For information go to www.harvardhistory.org.
Warner Free Lecture Series 125th Anniversary
The Warner Free Lecture Trust will host Hina Hirayama, visiting fellow at Harvard University, who will discuss the American scientist and collector Edward Sylvester Morse (1838-1925) Friday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the library. Morse came to Harvard in 1891 and was the speaker for the first Warner Free Lecture. For more information go to www.facebook.com/WarnerFreeLecture.
In-Town Save the Date
- Sept. 25: Devens Book Group at Fort Devens Museum
- Sept. 26: Nature walk at the Healing Garden
- Sept. 26: Golf tournament to benefit Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball, Shaker Hills
- Sept. 26, 27: Fruitlands Craft Festival
- Sept. 27: Fanfare home concert
- Oct. 6: Bargains in the Belfry opens, Harvard Unitarian Church
- Oct. 10: 44th annual Harvard Flea Market
- Oct. 24: Harvard Historical Society House Tour
Out-of-Town Events
Red Cross Donations, 9/11
The American Red Cross is partnering with 9/11 Day to encourage people to give blood to help others and commemorate the events of Sept. 11. Nearby donation centers include Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Leominster Elks Lodge in Leominster, 1 to 6 p.m., on Friday, Sept. 11. (www.redcrossblood.org)
Walk in the Desert or Bike Conservation Lands
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will host two events Saturday, Sept. 12. A walk through the desert natural area habitat is from 9 to 11 a.m. beginning at the end of Surrey Lane in Sudbury. A 15- to 20-mile bike tour from 10 a.m. to noon, with short walks on conservation land in Sudbury and Wayland, begins at Wolbach Farm. Limited to 15 riders. Register at www.svtweb.org/programs or 978-443-5588 ext. 123. SVT members free, nonmembers $10.
Explore Instruments and Classes at Indian Hill
Indian Hill Music School will host several free open house events. Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. interested learners of all ages can try instruments, meet faculty, learn about lessons, classes, and ensembles. Friday, Sept. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. adult learners can learn about programs just for adults and sample instruments. Kindermusik class demos for infants through age 8 are Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. To register and for information go to www.indianhillmusic.org.
Hike and Hawk Watch
The Nashua River Watershed Association will lead a hike and hawk watch up Mt. Watatic Saturday, Sept. 12, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. starting at the trailhead in Ashburnham. With binoculars, one may see thousands of hawks riding the thermals of the Wapack Range. The hike is moderately difficult. Children should be old enough to hike on their own and patient enough to spend several hours at the summit. The event is limited to 20 people. To register and for information call 978-449-0299 or email MarkA@NashuaRiverWatershed.org. Raindate is Sunday, Sept. 13.
Community Picnic at Saint Matthew’s Church
Saint Matthew’s Church will host a community picnic Sunday, Sept. 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at 435 Central Street, Acton (between Route 2 and Idylwilde Farms). Festivities include free food, games, contests, an inflatable obstacle course, live music, and professional storytelling. For information, go to www.saint-matthews.org or call the church office at 978-263-2822.
Youth Orchestra Audition at Indian Hill
Indian Hill Music School will be auditioning developing, intermediate, and advanced level strings students for its multi-level, string orchestra program Tuesday, Sept. 15. To sign up for an audition online or print an application, or for more information, go to www.indianhillmusic.org. Free.
Seasonal Soup Making
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will host a cooking demonstration by Chef Karen Zimmerman Wednesday, Sept. 16, 6:30-8 p.m. at Wolbach Farm, 18 Wolbach Road, Sudbury. Zimmerman will focus on fall soups using local ingredients. Space is limited. For information and to register go to www.svtweb.org/programs or call 978-443-5588. SVT members $10, nonmembers $25.
Bach’s Lunch Concert
Indian Hill Music School will host faculty performances every third Thursday of the month. Duos will be performed by Eileen Yarrison, flute, and Stephanie Emberley, piano, Thursday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m. for the first show and 12:30 p.m. for the second show. Free. Coffee, tea, cookies available; bring your own lunch. (www.indianhillmusic.org)
Climate Ride Northeast Bikeathon
Climate Ride Northeast will host its 320-mile bikeathon from Bar Harbor, Maine, to Boston Thursday, Sept. 17, through Monday, Sept. 21. The ride will raise funds to support cycling advocacy, active transportation, and environmental causes. Register to ride or to support a cyclist or team at www.climateride.org or call 406-552-0708.
Manufacturing Training
Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) is offering free day, evening, and weekend training for anyone interested in working in the area’s manufacturing industry. Information sessions about the trainings are Thursday, Sept. 17, and Thursday, Sept. 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the MWCC satellite campus on Devens, 27 Jackson Road. Students will receive training for entry-level employment as technicians in manufacturing, validation, quality control, documentation, and process operations. For information call 978-630-9883 or email creifsteck@mwcc.mass.edu.
Concerts at the Bull Run
- Sept. 17: Ana Popovic Band
- Sept. 18: Jim Hurst
- Sept. 19: The Rafters and Elizabeth Lorrey
- Sept. 24: Wishbone Ash
- Sept. 25: Ellis Paul
Tickets are available at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Out-of-Town Save the Date
- Sept. 19: Bolton town-wide yard sale
- Sept. 20: Classical guitar performance, Shirley Meeting House
- Sept. 20: Talk by author Anthony Amore, Subury Public Library
- Sept. 20: Register for Nashoba Unified Sports, Stow Soccer Club
- Sept. 20: Ducks Unlimited charity fundraiser, Shirley Rod and Gun Club
- Sept. 20: Mushroom walk, Sudbury Valley Trustees
- Sept. 25: Ice cream social and concert, Indian Hill Music School
- Sept. 25: Grotonfest, Legion Common in Groton
- Sept. 27: Bolton PMC Kids Ride
- Sept. 27: Walk to end Alzheimer’s, Cambridge
