Grants awarded to local cultural programs
The Harvard Cultural Council—a volunteer committee that is part of a network of 329 state-funded, local councils across Massachusetts—has announced 16 grant awards for FY20. A total of $5,000 has been awarded to support Acton Community Chorus; Arm in Arm; Audio Journal, Inc.; Bolton and Harvard Open Studios; Concord Band; The Discovery Museum; Fitchburg Art Museum; Fivesparks; Francis W. Parker Essential Charter School; Harvard Council on Aging; Harvard Public Library; Indian Hill Music, Inc; Nashoba Friends of Music; Nashoba Valley Concert Band; Virginia Thurston Healing Garden; and Worcester Chamber Music Society.
The council will hold a community night at a future date to honor current and past grant recipients and give residents a chance to learn more about the grant process. Email harvardculturalcouncil@gmail.com with any questions.
Woman’s Club offers scholarships
The Harvard Woman’s Club will award its annual scholarships in June to deserving male or female high school seniors—graduating Bromfield students or Harvard residents graduating from other public secondary schools. Applications are at https://harvard womansclub.wordpress.com/scholarship. Completed applications must be received no later than April 30. Send the application packet by email to HWCScholars@gmail.com or by mail to Scholarship Committee, Harvard Woman’s Club, P.O. Box 438, Harvard, MA 01451.
Arm in Arm/Family Association to host virtual book discussion
Arm and Arm and the Harvard Family Association will co-host a virtual (via Zoom) townwide book discussion Thursday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. The book is “Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth” by Sarah Smarsh, which examines socioeconomic diversity and our biases. Details for joining the discussion are at arminarmharvard.com. Click the Upcoming Events link.
Townwide cleanup canceled
Organizers of the annual townwide cleanup have announced that this year’s cleanup will be canceled. It will be rescheduled when the organizers feel it is safe to do so.
‘Mandatory’ COVID-19 test texts are a scam
The Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker (BBB.org/ScamTracker) has received reports of phony text messages claiming to be from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The message tells you that you must take a “mandatory online COVID-19 test” and has a link to a website, but there is no online test for coronavirus. The BBB has also received reports of texts urging recipients to complete “the census” or fill out an online application in order to receive a stimulus check. These texts are phishing for personal information and could result in identity theft.
RMV extends vehicle registration deadlines
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) announced that all passenger plate registrations that expired in March or will expire in April have been extended 60 days. Registrations that expired in March have been extended until May 31, and registrations that expire in April have been extended until June 30. Registration renewals may be performed online at Mass.Gov/RMV during this time. Customers seeking to do so in person will not be able to make an appointment and should delay their visit to a service center.
Fivesparks offers online programs
Executive Director Nicole Schmidt has announced that Fivesparks will be offering a variety of free and low-cost online programming. Additions are made weekly to classes, workshops, book groups, virtual tours, and other programs. Please visit fivesparks.org for updates.
Current offerings include online felting for all ages, online felting for kids, Zoom Book Club for kids (“Refugee” by Alan Gratz), Zoom Book Club for adults (“The Alienist” by Caleb Carr), and gentle movement and meditation. See fivesparks.org for dates, times, fees, and other details. Note that the felting classes require materials that may be picked up at Fivesparks, observing social distancing, the day before each class.
Clothing drive for Camp Sunshine
The annual clothing drive to benefit Camp Sunshine and the Epilepsy Foundation has started and will last until May 15. All clothing items as well as shoes, backpacks, purses, fabric, sheets, blankets, and comforters will be accepted. Put items in bags and drop off at one of these locations:
- St. Theresa’s Church, at the ramp at the side of the building
- Hildreth House, on the front porch
- Public Library, outside the front door
If you would like your items to be picked up, call 978-201-2065 or email mmorin143@gmail.com.
For every pound of clothing collected, the Epilepsy Foundation donates $0.20 to Camp Sunshine, a camp in Casco, Maine, for children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families. For questions, call 978-270-0151 or email 8whitelane@charter.net.
