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, Jan. 11, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fifth-Graders; Tuesday, Jan. 12, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Sixth-Graders; Tuesday, Dec. 22, 4 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, Paula Barry, Ann Gillespie, Lillian Burkart, and Connie Barton.
Final days of Baseball Boosters Christmas tree sale
The Bromfield Baseball Booster Club continues its Christmas Tree Sale on Mass. Ave. across from the General Store. The final two days are Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 19-20, 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.
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. See Santa’s route through town.
Advent worship for children at Congregational Church
The Congregational Church of Harvard will offer Advent worship for children of all ages Sunday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. via Zoom. Visit harvarducc.org for more information.
Woman’s Club hears from scholarship recipients
The Harvard Woman’s Club will meet Monday, Jan. 4, at 12:30 p.m. via Zoom. The topic of the meeting will be “College and COVID.” Last year’s scholarship award recipients Shreya Kumar (Northeastern University), Samantha Schoenberg (University of Pennsylvania), Raiya Suliman (Northeastern University), and Elizabeth Toll (Middlebury College) will describe their college experiences.
All are invited to this Zoom program. Go to https://harvardwomansclub.wordpress.com for contact information.
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 effect 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 live-stream 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.
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.
