Fivesparks events
Go to fivesparks.org for more information, to sign up for a program, or to get a Zoom link.
- Midwinter Music Evenings. Friday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 21. Virtual, interactive performances in collaboration with the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. More details below.
- Short Story Contest. Three categories (grades 5-8, grades 9-12, and adult). Submissions accepted from Feb. 19 to March 19.
- Zoom Felting with Rachel Benson. Elves, 2/12; Fantasy Creature or Mushroom Garden 2/16 & 17; Yeti 2/17.
- You Can Afford College If … Tuesday March 9, 7 to 9 p.m. Learn the ins and outs of college financial aid.
Library hosts virtual storytimes and book groups
All storytimes, book groups, and events are virtual via Zoom. To be added to a storytime email list, please complete the registration form at https://bit.ly/2LWcTgC. 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. No storytime Feb. 15 and Feb 18.
- Storytime for 2s and 3s; Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. No storytime Feb. 17.
- Stories for 4s and 5s; Mondays, 1:30 p.m. No storytime Feb. 15.
- Virtual Saturday Storytime: for ages 3 to 7; Saturday, Feb. 27, 10:30 a.m.
- Book Group for Third-Graders; Monday, March 1, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fourth-Graders; Monday, Feb. 8, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fifth-Graders; Tuesday, March 16, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Sixth-Graders; Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
- Virtual Book Gobblers; for grades 1-2; Monday, Feb. 22, 4 p.m.
- Virtual Lego Club; for ages 5+; Wednesday, Feb. 24, 3:30 p.m.
- Children’s Literature Book Discussion Group for Grown-ups; Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
- Teen Advisory Board; Tuesday, Feb. 23, 4 p.m.
- Teen Connections Book Group; Thursday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m.
Learn about controlling pesky invasive plants
On Saturday, Feb. 13, at 2 p.m. the Nashua River Watershed Association and the Groton Invasive Species Committee will cosponsor a free online webinar on identifying and controlling overly opportunistic plants. The presentation will focus on natural organic methods and materials. Speaker Michael Nadeau’s 30+ years in the organic landscaping business have positioned him as a leading authority in the field of sustainable organic and ethical land care strategies.
Register at www.grotongardenclub.org.
COVID-19 vaccine information session
The Harvard Board of Health will sponsor a Covid-19 vaccine information session via Zoom on Monday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. The focus will be on current vaccine and vaccination topics.
The session will feature a presentation by Dr. Mary Beth Miotto, the assistant medical director of pediatric population health at Family Health Center of Worcester, and assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Following the presentation, Dr. Miotto will answer questions.
Register for the forum at https://bit.ly/3qazncG. Registration for the event will close on Feb. 14. The presentation will be recorded and rebroadcast later.
Join the eco-garden revolution
On Saturday, Feb. 23, at 7 p.m. the Harvard Conservation Trust Speaker Series will feature designer, author, television host, and Harvard resident Rochelle Greayer who will discuss eco-gardening. During this one-hour online event Greayer will explain how we can evolve our garden design aesthetics to create unique, beautiful spaces and support more resilient landscapes at the same time. She will present a framework for how to think differently about the ecosystem that is your garden and how to be an environmentally friendly gardener.
Spots are limited. Register for “Join the Eco-Garden Revolution” at https://tinyurl.com/HCTRegister. Priority will be given to Harvard Conservation Trust members and Harvard Garden Club members. To join the trust, visit https://harvardconservationtrust.org/join.
‘Rising from the Rails’
In celebration of Black History Month, the Warner Free Lecture Trust, the Harvard Historical Society, and Arm in Arm will host author Larry Tye, who will discuss his book “Rising from the Rails: Pullman Porters and the Making of a Black Middle Class.” The talk will be on Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m. Registration via Eventbrite is required. Registrants will receive the meeting URL via email the day before the event.
30th annual Lions Club fruit sale
The Harvard Lions Club will hold its annual citrus fruit sale March 6 through 14 in Town Center. Fresh ruby grapefruit and Valencia oranges in 20-pound boxes will be available. You can also order online now and have the fruit delivered to your home.
There is a new option this year: Smaller quantities and different varieties with gift boxes shipped direct to any address.
Go to www.harvardlions.org for more details.
HES PTO Readathon
The PTO has announced a Readathon to engage students and support their love of reading and provide a safe, socially distanced activity during February vacation. The event, Feb. 12 to 21, will be a fundraiser to increase the PTO’s ability to provide funds to the Harvard Public Schools. All students who submit reading logs will receive a congratulatory certificate and bookmark. There will be special recognition for classes with the most student participation.
To learn more about the Readathon, to sponsor a student, or to learn more about the PTO please go to bit.ly/HESReadathon. Email any questions to HESReads@gmail.com.
Fivesparks hosts two musical Zoom events
Recently, string students at the Boston Conservatory (BoCo) at Berklee, a number of whom have participated in Fivesparks’ annual music festival, were invited to submit proposals for virtual recitals focused on music of their choice, to be introduced live and to feature some form of interactive listener-engagement.
A panel of Fivesparks board members and area music enthusiasts, in consultation with the music festival’s directors, selected cellists Núria Comorera Nosas and Amanda Emenecker. On Friday, Feb. 19, and Sunday, Feb. 21, These young artists, from Barcelona and Boston respectively, will share works by J.S. Bach, Ludwig van Beethoven, Gaspar Cassadó, Benjamin Britten, and Huang Ruo, and they will talk about their own relationships to the music.
