Halloween UNICEF Collections
Boxes for UNICEF are available now until Halloween at the library, General Store, transfer station, Farmers Market, and the principals’ offices at HES and Bromfield. On Halloween night there will be a giant UNICEF box in the General Store parking lot to drop off donations. For information email HughSilk@yahoo.com.
Device Advice at the Library
The Harvard Public Library will host two drop-in Device Advice forums Friday and Wednesday, Oct. 16, and 21, from at 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring iPads, Kindles, Android tablets, and smartphones and learn how to get free library e-books, e-audiobooks, e-videos, and digital magazines. (www.harvardpubliclibrary.org)
Harvard Farmers Market
The Harvard Farmers Market will be open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Hildreth Elementary School and will host its seventh annual Dog Rescue Day starting at 10 a.m. Families fostering dogs for Great Dog Rescue New England (GDRNE) will be on hand in hopes that their dogs might find permanent homes.
Music will be by Mark Femino. Special guests are Karyn at the Farmacy and chef Elizabeth Gordon. (www.harvardfarmersmarket.org)
Electronics Recycle Day
The Harvard Congregational Church will hold an electronics recycle day Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the parking lot of the church. Monitors, computers, stereo equipment, faxes and printers, TVs, dehumidifiers, AC units, vacuums, microwaves, lawn mowers, snow blowers, washers, dryers, stoves, refrigerators, exercise equipment, and grills will be accepted. Costs: small electronics $5 each, any appliance $10 each, TVs $10 to $30. Bicycle recycling will be the same day. Bring any new or old bike, adult or kid’s, to be fixed and reused. To schedule a bike pickup, email J.wood36@yahoo.com.
Native American Fall Feast
The United Native American Cultural Center will hold its 20th annual fall feast Saturday, Oct. 17, from noon to 5 p.m. at 29 Antietam Street, Building P-5, Devens. The event will feature drumming, dancing, feasting, raffles, and a silent auction. This event is open to the community and free with a potluck contribution. For information email unacc29@gmail.com or go to www.unacc.org.
Devens Talk: 53rd Regiment During the Civil War
The Fort Devens Museum will host a program by Barry Schwarzel of Ayer Saturday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. at the museum, 94 Jackson Road, Devens. Schwarzel will relate the saga of the 53rd infantry regiment, which recruited and trained more than 1,000 men locally during the Civil War. Free and open to the public; light refreshments will be served. More information at 978-772-1286 or info@fortdevensmuseum.org.
Gilbert Wine Tasting
The Harvard General Store will host Gilbert Wine for a wine tasting Saturday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. For information go to www.harvard generalstore.com.
Dusty Fingers Demo
Fruitlands Museum will hold a pastels demonstration with artist-in-residence David Kaphammer Sunday, Oct. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. Free with admission. (www.fruitlands.org)
Housing Matters
The Harvard League of Women Voters and the Council on Aging will co-sponsor a series of public conversations on housing beginning Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m. in Volunteers Hall at the library. The conversations will address many of the complex issues related to housing in Harvard, including choices for seniors, acceptable affordable housing options, and the processes for decision- and policy-making.
Movie at the Library
The library and the Council on Aging will host a movie Monday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. at the library. The film is the story behind the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson’s musical brilliance, personal voyages, and ultimate salvation. Free and open to the public.
5th Grade Bagels ’n’ Books
The library will host the fifth-grade book group Monday, Oct. 19, from 4 to 4:45 p.m. “The Island of Dr. Libris” by Chris Grabenstein will be discussed—with a snack of bagels and cream cheese. New members are welcome. For information and to register call 978-456-2381.
All Ages Flu Clinic
Nashoba Nursing, with Harvard’s Board of Health, will offer a flu clinic for residents age 6 months and older Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Hildreth House. No appointment is necessary. Free with many insurances, otherwise $20. More information at 978-772-3335.
Women’s Business Network Luncheon
The annual fall Women’s Business Network luncheon will be held at the Virgina Thurston Healing Garden Tuesday, Oct. 20, at noon, 145 Bolton Road. A portion of the $14 fee will be a donation to the Healing Garden. RSVP by Thursday, Oct. 15, with payment mailed to Karen Guerin, 260 Sugar Road, Bolton, MA 01740. For information go to www.wbn-ma.org.
Events at the Healing Garden
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden will host the followiing events. More information and registration is at www.healinggarden.net.
- Wednesday, Oct. 21, 9:30 a.m.
Labyrinth walking, part of the Wisdom in the Woods program. Cost is $10. - Sunday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m.
A concert with Kate Chadbourne, singer, musician, storyteller, and poet. $10 for members; $15 nonmembers. - Monday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.
A workshop on an emotional freedom technique, Tapping–EFT. This self-help technique is used to release negative emotions, eliminate negative beliefs, and manage daily stress. Cost is $10. - Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m.
A journaling workshop, Writing Your Way Toward Wholeness. Cost is $10.
Brown Bag Book Club
The Brown Bag Book Club will take place the third Wednesday of every month at noon at the library. Plan on discussing “Caleb’s Crossing” by Geraldine Brooks Wednesday, Oct. 21. Drop-ins are welcome. For information email Susan Hardy at mhardy6647@aol.com.
Bromfield Choral Concert
The Bromfield School music department will present its autumn choral concert Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium. The grade 6 chorus, grades 7 and 8 mixed chorus, middle school select chorus, and high school concert choir will perform. Free and open to the community. For information call Tom Reynolds, music director, at 617-529-9402.
Great Books at the Library
The October meeting of the Great Books group will be Thursday, Oct. 22, at 7 p.m. at the library. “Aspiration” by Walt Whitman and Daniel Fuchs from the Great Books “Counterparts” collection will be discussed. Future meetings will be held during the daytime. For information go to www.harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Tech or Treat
The library will sponsor a Tech or Treat teen program for grades 6 and up Thursday, Oct. 22, at 2:45 p.m. Register with the reference desk librarian by calling 978-456-4114.
Game Hour for Grades 3 to 6
The library will host a game hour for grades 3 to 6 Thursdays starting Oct. 22, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The event is facilitated by teen volunteers. Games will include Set, Scrabble, Mille Bornes, Apples to Apples, Slamwich, Quiddler, Hoopla, and chess. (www.harvardpub liclibrary.org)
‘Shakespeare and Love’
The second Warner Free Lecture Series event will be “Shakespeare and Love” Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall at the library. Local playwright David Nanto will share his experience writing “Much Ado About Love,” a romantic comedy crafted from the verses of 24 Shakespeare plays and sonnets. Along with Nanto’s presentation, local actors will read scenes from the play. Free and open to the community.
Honoring WWII Veterans
State Representatives Jennifer Benson (D-Lunenburg) and Sheila Harrington (R-Groton) will host Heroes Remembered: A Ceremony Honoring World War II Veterans Friday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. in the Hall of Flags at 1 Quebec Street, Devens. Special guest speaker Governor Charlie Baker will take part in this 90-minute event, which will include a color guard, patriotic music, and the reading of a proclamation honoring Massachusetts World War II veterans. For reservations and information contact Jennifer.Benson@mahouse.gov, 978-582-4146 or Sheila.Harrington@mahouse.gov, 617-722-2305.
Pioneers of Harvard
House Tour
A special opportunity for early pick-up or purchase of tickets to the Oct. 24 Historical Society’s Pioneers of Harvard house tour is available Monday, Oct. 19, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the society, 215 Still River Road. Tickets may be purchased that evening at the pre-order price of $40, a $10 savings off same-day purchase. This early pick-up will give tour-goers an opportunity to read about each of the eight historic homes on the tour and to plan their route for the day. The tour runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the day of the tour ticket pick-up or purchase will be at the Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road, starting at 9 a.m. Pre-ordered lunches will also be picked up at the church. Parking in front of the church is limited; visitors are encouraged to park behind the church in the Bromfield School lot or behind Hildreth Elementary School on Fairbank Street. To order tickets call 978-456-8657 or go to www.harvardhistory.org.
Kids’ Halloween Parade
The Harvard Family Association will host a Halloween parade for children younger than 6 Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., starting at the top of the Common with a costume parade around the center of town followed by games and the popular donut-on-a-string contest. Members and nonmembers welcome. For information email harvardfamily@yahoo.com.
Cyclocross Race
Fruitlands will host its first cyclocross race—a bicycle race of many laps on a short course that includes pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills, and obstacles—Saturday, Oct. 24, starting at 8:30 a.m. Free with admission.
Apple Cider Festival
The Harvard General Store will hold a hard and sweet apple cider festival Saturday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 7 p.m. There will be tastings from cider brewers, along with a panel of judges giving feedback to home brewers. If interested in entering, email dominique@harvardgener alstore.com.
Friends of the Oxbow Programs and Meeting
The Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will host several programs at its annual meeting Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Pavilion on Hospital Road in Devens. A guided walk to observe waterfowl will begin at 1 p.m., with a short business meeting at 2 p.m. Programs to follow include a presentation about folded paper insects, a talk and sampling of nearby wild foods, and a guided tour of the area. Open to the community, ages 8 and older. Rain or shine. For information go to www.friendsoftheoxbowNWR.org or call 978-779-2259.
Basket Weekend at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will hold a weekend of activities exploring baskets and basket weaving Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Activities will include weaving demonstrations, crafts for children, tours of the National Basket Organization biennial exhibition “All Things Considered VIII,” a community basket-bombing workshop, and more. Free with admission. A workshop of weaving paper baskets will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by email to programming@fruitlands.org or call 978-456-3924, ext. 230. Members $20, nonmembers $25, $10 materials fee.
AbraKidabra! Magic Show
The library will host AbraKidabra! Magic Show for all ages Wednesday, Oct. 28, at 1:30 p.m. Comedic magician Mike Bent, who has performed at the annual White House Easter egg roll, will present an interactive performance of magic and surprises. Register with the children’s librarian by calling 978-456-2381 or online at www.harvardpubliclibrary.org.
Alderson in Concert
The library will host Tyler Alderson (Bromfield ’08) who will perform American and Irish folk music Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m. The concert is free and open to the community. Visit Alderson’s website at tyleraldersonmusic.com.
Teen Halloween Treats
The library will host Halloween treats for grades 6 and up Thursday, Oct. 29, at 2:45 p.m. Sign up at the reference desk or call 978-456-4114.
Trick or Treat in Harvard
Halloween in and around Harvard’s downtown will be Saturday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Halloween at the General
The Harvard General Store will host Halloween evening Upstairs at the General Saturday, Oct. 31, from noon to 11 p.m. Gather for food and music while the kids trick or treat.
Parker School Yard Sale
The Parker Charter School will hold its eighth annual community yard sale Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to noon (no early birds) indoors in the gym at 49 Antietam Street, Devens. Items have been donated by the school community for sale at a price of mostly $1. (www.theparkerschool.org)
In-Town Courses
Harvard Community Education. 978-456-4118 or jcavanaugh@psharvard.org.
- Math Olympiad: Grades 4 and 5, starting Thursday, Oct. 22.
- Basketball: Grades 3 to 6, starting Tuesday, Nov. 3.
- Chess Club: Grades 2 to 5, starting Wednesday, Nov. 4.
In-Town Save the Date
- Nov. 5: Author Luke Reynolds to speak at library
- Nov. 7: Craft beer tasting and bonfire at Fruitlands
- Nov. 21: Seniors Housing Expo at Unitarian Church
Out-of-Town Events
‘Steel Magnolias’ at Theatre III in West Acton
Theatre III Acton Community Theatre will present “Steel Magnolias” on stage Friday and Saturday, Oct. 16, 17 and Oct. 23, 24, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 25, at 2 p.m. in West Acton, 250 Central Street. The cast includes Woodside Road resident and Harvard Press reporter Maren Caulfield. Tickets are $20; $17 for seniors or students. For online ticketing and information go to www.theatreiii.org.
‘Racism Here and Now’
The First Church Unitarian of Littleton will host a community conversation titled “Racism Here and Now—Let’s Talk” Friday, Oct. 16, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the church, 14 Foster Street, Littleton. A talk given by writer John Metta titled “I, Racist” will be the starting point for the discussion. All are welcome. For information call 508-331-3307.
Freemason Open House
The Freemasons will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Caleb Butler Lodge, 11 Sculley Road, Ayer. For information go to www.findmoreinmasonry.org.
Recycle Your Reusables
Ayer, Groton, Shirley, and Townsend Recycling Committees, and others, will sponsor Recycle Your Reusables Day Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Ayer-Shirley Regional Middle School, 1 Hospital Road, Shirley. For a full listing of items taken for reuse, see www.recycleyourreusables.wordpress. For more information email ayerrecycles@gmail.com or call 978-496-5839.
Archaeology Talks and Walks
Friends of Pine Hawk will offer free events in October for all ages on local archaeology and Native American topics. They will host a guided walk at the Trail through Time Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. They will also present “The Archaeology of the Hassanamesit Woods,” Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 p.m. at the Acton Public Library. Details and the full program: www.actonmemoriallibrary.org.
Monty Tech Tour Day
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School will host a tour day Monday, Oct. 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1050 Westminster Street, Fitchburg. Bromfield eighth-graders will visit the school from 8 to 11:30 a.m. That evening is Monty Tech’s Career Awareness Night from 6 to 8 p.m. For information go to www.montytech.net.
Choir Sings to Comfort and Heal
The Threshold Choir will present Songs of Comfort and Healing Friday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Indian Hill Music School, Littleton. Indian Hill’s Threshold Singers chapter was formed to sing to people at the thresholds of life, often ill or in hospice care—though this night of song is for anyone in the community who would like to refresh mind, body, and spirit in an atmosphere of quiet music. For information contact Suzanne Buell at 831-206-4260 or zanbuell@gmail.com.
Concerts at the Bull Run
- Oct. 17: Maria Muldaur
- Oct. 17: Town Meeting
- Oct. 23: Dave & Phil Alvin
- Oct. 25: The Tubes
- Oct. 30: Brooks Williams
- Oct. 30: Entrain-Pre-Halloween Party
- Oct. 31: Kofi Baker’s Cream Experience
Tickets are available at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
