Buy a ticket to win dinner anywhere in the world
The Rotary Club of Ayer, Harvard, Shirley, and Devens will hold its premier fundraiser, the Ducky Wucky River Race, Saturday, May 15. The winning duck affords its sponsor dinner for two anywhere in the world. To sponsor a duck, purchase a ticket from members of the Rotary Club or online at duckywucky.org. The race will again be run following pandemic protocols with only race officials and duck wranglers in attendance. Winners will be posted on duckywucky.org. The club’s annual Apple Blossom Festival, usually held before the race, is postponed until May 2022.
Fivesparks events
Go to fivesparks.org for more information, to sign up for a program, or to get a Zoom link.
- “Understanding the Black Hole Image.” Webinar presented by Dr. Geoffrey Crew, researcher at MIT Haystack Observatory. Friday, April 16, 7:30 p.m.
- Bonsai Basics Workshop. Zoom class, $75 includes bonsai tree and all materials. Wednesday, May 19, 7 p.m.
- Felting with Rachel Benson: School vacation week, Tuesday, April 20, and Wednesday, April 21, flying pig or llama with milkshake; Thursday, April 22, flower buddy. Sign-up and more details at fivesparks.org.
- Mother’s Day take-home craft kits. Two kits are available: cut paper flowers in terracotta pot, $15; tissue paper flower bouquet, $8. Preschool+. Order by April 26. Kit pickup on April 30.
- Storyfest 2020 videos available for viewing at fivesparks.org.
Library hosts virtual story times and book groups
All story times, book groups, and events are virtual via Zoom. To be added to a story time email list, complete the registration form at bit.ly/2N8fYL6. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants the day before each meeting.
Groups are limited to Harvard residents or HES/Bromfield students. Others may register one week in advance provided there is space available. To be added to a book group email list, fill in the HPL Virtual Book Group registration form: bit.ly/3vRay8M.
- Infant story time for infants to 2-year-olds; Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. No story time April 19, April 22, and May 6.
- Story time for 2s and 3s; Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. No story time April 21.
- Stories for 4s and 5s; Mondays at 1:30 p.m. No story time April 19.
- Book Discussion Group for First- and Second-Graders; Monday, April 26, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Third-Graders; Monday, May 3, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fourth-Graders; Monday, May 10, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Fifth-Graders; Tuesday, May 11, 4 p.m.
- Book Group for Sixth-Graders; Tuesday, April 27, 4 p.m.
- Teen Connections Book Group; Thursday, April 29, 7 p.m.
‘Stand Up for Nature’ with SVT
In honor of Earth Day, Thursday, April 22, Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT) encourages area residents to celebrate and care for our natural areas. The nonprofit land trust is leading several volunteer work days in April to remove invasive plants from its properties.
For information on community cleanup days and citizen science projects, as well as tips for birdwatching and plant identification, information about planning a pollinator-friendly garden, suggestions for children’s activities, and more, visit www.svtweb.org/EarthDay2021.
April is autism awareness month
Harvard Police Department officers are showing their support by wearing specially designed Autism HPD patches on their uniforms. The patches are available for purchase by the public, for $10 each, during the month of April or until they’re sold out. To purchase, come to the police station or contact Sgt. Matthew Callahan or Trish Rouvel at 978-456-8276, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. All proceeds will be donated to Horace Mann Educational Associates.
Plantapalooza
Community Harvest Project’s Plant- apalooza online store opens to the public Friday, May 7, offering everything from classic heirloom tomato varieties and specialty hot peppers to berry bushes and flowers. Each purchase supports a plant on CHP’s farm for hunger relief. For more information about CHP, visit communityharvestprojectblog.wordpress.com/.
Bloom ’N Art
Bloom ’N Art, the fifth annual exhibit of Harvard student artwork paired with floral arrangements by members of the Garden Club of Harvard, will take place online this year. The exhibit’s virtual opening will be Sunday, April 18, at https://bloomNart.online.
NRWA presents ‘Enhancing Stream Integrity’
Join the Nashua River Watershed Association for a free Zoom presentation in its series “Case Studies in Stream Protection and Restoration: Dam Removals, River Herring, Mussels, and Climate Impacts.” Tuesday, April 27, 9 a.m.: “Enhancing Stream Integrity: Combined Perspectives from Dam Removal to Mussel Conservation.” For more information, including registration, visit www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org
Youth baseball and softball events
The Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball Association will host its annual “Have a Ball!” event, Saturday, April 24, from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m, at the Ryan Land fields next to the Depot soccer fields. This free event introduces pre-K and kindergarten kids and their families to T-ball. Preregister at bit.ly/have-a-ball-2021.
Loaves & Fishes ‘Spring Into Action’ 5k
No one should go hungry. Help the one in six Massachusetts residents in the area struggling with food insecurity. On Saturday, May 1, join the virtual “Spring Into Action” 5k for hunger. Walk, hike, run, or bike to benefit the Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry. The top fundraiser will receive a $200 gift certificate to Forge & Vine in Groton. Go to lfwalk.org to register.
Music at Indian Hill
Indian Hill Music presents a conversation with Grammy-nominated jazz pianist, composer, and music director Patrice Rushen, Friday, April 16, at 8 p.m. live on Zoom; tickets start at $15. Free for Indian Hill Music and Berklee students. For more information and tickets, go to bit.ly/2Pu7P50.
Solo violinist Robyn Bollinger appears Saturday, April 24, 8 p.m., via livestream concert, featuring works by von Westhoff, Bach, Ysaÿe, and Knox. Tickets start at $10. Go to bit.ly/3mnGzRn for tickets and more information.
Emerson Hospital 5k Run~Walk for Cancer
Registration is now open for Emerson Hospital’s 22nd annual 5k Run~Walk for Cancer Care. All proceeds go directly to supporting patients who receive cancer care at Emerson Hospital. The virtual event will take place Saturday, May 1, through Saturday, May 15. Visit www.emersonhospital.org/5k for details, to register, or to make a donation to support cancer care at Emerson Hospital. Everyone who registers will receive a Run~Walk thank-you kit, including a high-performance race T-shirt.
Theatre III presents
Friday, April 23, 8 p.m., “Camelot: The Knights of the Square Table,” a rhyming tale of nervous knights, lionhearted ladies, and a digestively discontented dragon, with music inspired by Monty Python. The show stars area students ages 11-18 including seven from Harvard. Streaming on Zoom at bit.ly/3sfwJmf. Admission free, donations accepted. For more information, email alwtheater@gmail.com.
Townwide book read
Arm in Arm presents a townwide book read, Thursday, April 15, 7 p.m., featuring “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down,” by Anne Fadiman.
The book celebrates the complexity and individuality of the human interactions that make up the practice of medicine, pointing out directions for change while addressing the tragedies of cultural displacement, medical limitations, and futile good intentions. Register at https://tinyurl.com/wxy9mk7v.
Devens events calendar
Devens is hosting a variety of events this year, including Mirror Lake Family Fun Day, Yoga on Rogers, Devens Dog & Musical Festival, and many soccer, lacrosse, and softball tournaments. Go to bit.ly/3fIoFYo for a full schedule.
Virtual Patriots’ Day events
The Lexington Historical Society presents a variety of virtual Patriots’ Day events, including in-person house tours, Tower Park reenactment, “Rendezvous with Rachel Revere,” and “Take A Shot” trivia contest. Visit https://www.lexingtonhistory.org/patriotsday.html for a complete list of events.
