Cultural Council
seeks proposals
Grant applications for community-oriented arts, humanities, and science programs are available online and are due Oct. 17. Organizations, schools, and individuals may apply for grants that support cultural activities in and for the Harvard community. Possible projects include exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, school performances, workshops, and lectures. Applicants may access the online application and guidelines at www.mass-culture.org/harvard.
This year the Harvard Cultural Council (HCC) will distribute about $4,500 in grant awards. Applications to fund scholarships or capital expenses will not be considered. Paper applications will not be considered; applications must be done online.
For questions email lclerkin@gmail.com. For more information about the new online process, visit www.mass-culture.org.
Youth basketball registration
All Harvard boys and girls, grades kindergarten through 8, are invited to play Harvard youth basketball. Interested players must sign up individually before Oct. 21 to be guaranteed a spot on a team roster. Teams will be assembled the weekend of Oct. 22-23. Game play for most leagues begins on Nov. 12 and will continue into February. For more information and to register, go to www.harvard basketball.org.
Community Harvest orchard needs volunteers
Community Harvest Project, a nonprofit hunger relief organization, is looking for volunteers to help pick and pack apples at its orchard on Prospect Hill Road in Harvard. The season is underway now and ends Oct. 15. No need to sign up; drop-in hours are 9 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday.
New requirement for passport photos
The U.S. State Department has announced that beginning Nov. 1, travelers must remove eyeglasses when having passport photos taken. The main reason is that glasses can cause glare, create shadows on faces, or block a portion of the eyes. Passport applicants may wear glasses only if they have a medical issue and can supply documentation with their application.
Travelers who have photos where they are wearing glasses in existing passports will not be required to obtain new passports.
UNICEF boxes
are back
UNICEF boxes are being distributed again. Last Halloween Harvard’s children raised almost $1,000; this year the goal is to surpass that amount to support children around the world. According to UNICEF, more than 16,000 children die every day from diseases that are preventable or at least treatable. Small amounts of money can do a lot: As little as $5 provides 13 children with measles vaccine; $15 provides one child with clean water for a year.
Children in kindergarten through grade 8 may pick up a UNICEF trick or treat box at the HES or Bromfield main office, the General Store, or the library and fill it with change between now and Halloween night. Kids can collect change by asking family, friends, and neighbors to contribute. On Halloween children should bring their boxes to the General Store parking lot where there will be a giant UNICEF box for the money. Email hughsilk@yahoo.com with any questions. Learn more about UNICEF and this program at www.unicefusa.org/trick-or-treat/about.
Get your flu shot!
The Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, together with Harvard’s Board of Health, will host flu clinics throughout the area during October. Harvard’s clinic is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 18, from 3 to 6 p.m. at St. Theresa’s Church. See www.nashoba.org for a list of other locations and dates. Residents aged 6 months and older from any member town can attend any of the scheduled clinics. Residents must bring insurance cards/information. Without insurance information, a $20 fee will be collected.
Voter registration deadlines
Town Clerk Janet Vellante has announced that the last day to register to vote in Harvard’s Oct. 24 Super Town Meeting and Special Town Meeting is Friday, Oct. 14. The clerk’s office will be open that day from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For the Nov. 8 state and federal elections, the last day to register is Wednesday, Oct. 19. Hours will be 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. that day.
Absentee voting for the state/federal election will end on Monday, Nov. 7, at noon and is available to those who are prevented from voting at their polling place due to absence from their city or town on election day, physical disability, or religious belief.
To check to see if you are registered to vote, visit www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.
Early voting now available in Massachusetts
For the first time in Massachusetts, registered voters may vote before election day. Early voting will begin on Oct. 24 and continue through Nov. 3 this year. Unlike absentee voting, early voting is for every registered voter; no excuse or reason is needed.
Early voting can be done in person or by mail. In Harvard, ir can be done in person at the Town Hall during the following dates and times:
- Monday-Thursday, Oct. 24-27, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 28, 8 a.m. to noon
- Saturday, Oct. 29, 9 a.m. to noon
- Monday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday–Thursday, Nov. 2-3, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Also, registered voters may request an early voting ballot by mail. Fill out an application and mail it to Town Clerk, 13 Ayer Road, Harvard, MA 01451. The application is at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele.
After a voter has cast an early voting ballot, the voter may no longer vote at the polls on election day.
