Continuing Fivesparks events
Go to fivesparks.org for more information or to sign up or get a Zoom link for these programs:
- Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair. Works from local artists online at fivesparks.org. See description of this event elsewhere on this page.
- “Nature in Focus.” Online exhibit through Dec. 15 with watercolor artist Ana Hedberg.
- Zoom Felting with Rachel Benson. Decorated Tree 12/15, Penguins 12/16. Times and additional classes at fivesparks.org.
Library hosts virtual storytimes and book groups
All storytimes, book groups, and events are virtual via Zoom. To learn more, or to be added to a storytime or book group, send an email to childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org and indicate your child’s age. A unique Zoom link will be emailed to participants the day before each meeting.
Please note: Groups are limited to Harvard residents or HES/Bromfield students. Others may register one week in advance provided there is space available.
- Infant Storytime for infants to 2-year-olds; Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Storytime for 2s and 3s; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Stories for 4s and 5s; Mondays, 1:30 p.m.
- Book Group for Third-Graders; Monday, Jan. 4, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fourth-Graders; Monday, Dec. 14, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fifth-Graders; Tuesday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Sixth-Graders; Tuesday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.
- Write Stuff; for grades 4 to 6, Tuesday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.
- Children’s Literature Book Group for Grownups; Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
- Teen Advisory Board; Tuesday, Dec. 15, 4 p.m.
- Brown Bag Book Group for Adults; Wednesday, Dec. 16, noon.
- Teen Connections Book Group; Thursday, Dec. 17, 7 p.m.
- Virtual Book Gobblers; book discussion for grades 1-2; Monday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m.
Fivesparks holds virtual holiday fair
Fivesparks is hosting a virtual holiday arts and crafts fair featuring unique, handmade gifts: paintings, pottery, glass art, wooden wares, fiber arts, soaps, jewelry, and more. Support local arts and give one-of-a-kind gifts to your friends and family. The fair went live online last month at fivesparks.org/holiday-arts-crafts-fair.
Participating artists and crafters include Jennifer Hofmann, Judy Warner, the Harvard Alpaca Ranch, Nancy Burke, Judith Schutzman, Jill Adamy, Jackie Koller, Lynne Zawada, Jessica Perry, Judith Stein, Ann Schunior, Nancy Sue Rich, Nancy Sherburne, Kristin Kelly-Muñoz, Laura Busky, Arlene Fins, Carol Panek-Clark, Emily Harris, Joelle Feldman, John Daly, Rebecca Overstreet, Ana Hedberg, Ann Taylor, John Williams, and Paula Barry.
Baseball Boosters Christmas tree sale
The Bromfield Baseball Booster Club continues its Christmas Tree Sale on Mass. Ave. across from the General Store.
- Saturdays, Dec. 12 and 19, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Trees are Fraser firs from Vermont, 6 to 8 feet tall; some taller. Receipts will be provided for the tax-deductible portion of purchases.
Indian Hill hosts family holiday singalong
Indian Hill Music will host an online holiday singalong for families Saturday, Dec. 12, at 10 a.m. Sing, clap, and dance to holiday songs and rhymes and meet some special guests from the North Pole. Space is limited for this free virtual event. Go to https://bit.ly/33jzWHC to sign up.
Advent worship for children
The Congregational Church of Harvard will offer advent worship for children of all ages Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Visit harvarducc.org for more information.
‘Blue Christmas’ service at St. Andrew’s
The holiday season can be hard for many. Join others Wednesday, Dec. 16, 6 to 6:30 p.m., on the lawn in front of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer, for “Blue Christmas,” a quiet, gentle, contemplative service of healing for those who are carrying pain or loss.
This event is free, and all are welcome regardless of religious affiliation. Space is limited due to COVID-19 state gathering restrictions. Go to https://bit.ly/3qzVVE9 to register.
Visit www.standrewsayer.org for more information about St. Andrew’s.
Historical Society to hold annual meeting
The Harvard Historical Society’s annual meeting will be held Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The public is invited. Anyone interested in attending should send an email to curator@harvardhistory.org requesting the Zoom link.
Santa Claus is coming to town
Get out your jingle bells ’cause Santa Claus is coming to town Saturday, Dec. 19, at 1 p.m. Be sure to wave to him from your front lawn as he drives by. His route will be posted next week.
A journey into Nipmuc land
On Friday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. the Warner Free Lecture Trust and Arm in Arm will cohost “We are the Story, We are the Land,” a Zoom presentation. Guest speaker will be award-winning writer, poet, and educator Larry Spotted Crow Mann, a citizen of the Nipmuc tribe. He will speak about the spiritual, cultural, and social significance of place and the art of story, and their affect on the indigenous peoples of New England. The talk will also center on the personal journey of the survival and perseverance of the Nipmuc people and their continued efforts to share their story and shape new ones for coming generations
Go to tinyurl.com/WFLeventbrite to register and get the Zoom link for this free event.
A panel discussion on antiracism
Several Bromfield students and alumni have been working with Harvard’s school administration on addressing issues of racism, diversity, and inclusion. On Thursday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m., Arm in Arm will present a video of the reading of the letter the group initially wrote to administrators. The video will be followed by a panel discussion of what the group is recommending, what it is doing now, and what it hopes to bring to the broader community. Go to https://arminarmpaneldiscussion.eventbrite.com to register for the event.
Healing Garden presents folk and roots concert
On Sunday, Dec. 20, at 3 p.m., the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Cancer Support Center will present a virtual concert featuring Liz Simmons and Flynn Cohen performing folk and roots music.
Registration is required. There is no charge; a donation of $10 to support the Healing Garden’s work is optional. A livestream link will be sent before show time. Visit https://healinggardensupport.org/concert-at-the-garden for more information and to register.
Arm in Arm hosts book read
Following the Warner Free Lecture event on indigenous peoples, Arm in Arm will host a book read on Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The book is “Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. The Harvard Public Library will provide copies. The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and audio from booksellers.
More information on this event will be available in early January.
Fill the police cruiser
The Harvard Police Association will hold its annual “Fill the Cruiser” event, which benefits The CASA Project (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Worcester County. Visit www.thecasaproject.org/about to learn about CASA. Residents are encouraged to donate gift cards (Amazon or local stores) as well as educational materials and information technology materials for the children. Bring gift cards and donations to the Harvard Police Department, 40 Ayer Road. There will be a drop-off box in the lobby during business hours. The event will run from Dec. 8 through Dec. 22. Contact Trish at 978-456-8276 or prouvel@harvard.ma.us with any questions.
Holiday lights drive-by
The Harvard Family Association (HFA) will be collecting addresses of local homes that are decorated with festive holiday lights. If you would like your home listed or know of hidden spots in town with amazing decorations, send an email to harvardfamily@yahoo.com. Deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 16.
Complete drive-by details will be shared next week. Recommended viewing dates are Dec. 18 to 26. The home with the best decorations as voted by HFA members will win a prize. The winner will be announced in early January.
