Exhibits, classes, activities at Fivesparks
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street, Harvard. Register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- “in•sight: Together, Apart.” Four local artists invite the community to share their journeys through and work created during the pandemic. View Tuesdays through Fridays and first and third Saturdays, noon to 6 p.m.
- Felting open studio. Come for guidance on completing or starting a new project. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 6 p.m. Ages 10-adult.
- Create a wizard chest: in-person, two-part class with Rachel Benson. Wednesdays, Oct. 13 and 20, 4 p.m. Ages 9-12.
- Fall painting with wool, in-person session. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m. Ages 12-adult.
- School early-release class: Sculptural graveyard. In-person class with Rachel Benson. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1:45 p.m. Ages 10-13.
Pumpkin Palooza
Second annual family-friendly pumpkin carving event in partnership with Carlson Orchards. School early-release day Wednesday, Oct 27. Details forthcoming.
Self-guided nature walk
Arm in Arm will offer an opportunity to experience the joy of nature while learning how diverse peoples see their interrelationship with nature on a self-guided trail walk at the conservation land at Horse Meadows Knoll on Sherry Road. The walk will be posted from Friday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 31.
Open house at the orchard
Community Harvest Project will host an open house, Saturday, Oct. 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 115 Prospect Hill Road. Visit the orchard and pick your own apples and pumpkins, and learn about the CHP mission, operations, and campaign to protect their land. Admission is free. All proceeds will support CHP’s mission to engage and educate volunteers to grow fruits and vegetables for hunger relief. Visit community-harvest.org for more information
Baseball and softball skills for kids
The Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball Association is partnering with the Harvard Family Association to host “Have a Ball” on Saturday, Oct. 2, 10:30 a.m. at the Ryan Land, 71 Depot Road. Kids 4-6+ can play catch, run around the bases, and learn basic baseball and softball skills. RSVP at forms.gle/jjtgN3YCdLS7CL2L8.
Donate books on Saturday
In lieu of its annual book sale, the Friends of the Harvard Public Library will host a booth at the League of Women Voters’ Flea Market, Saturday, Oct. 9. Donations of books and CDs in good condition will be accepted Saturday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m.-noon outside the library, 4 Pond Road. Do not bring encyclopedias, VCR tapes, magazines, or damaged books. In case of rain, dropoff will be Sunday, Oct. 3, 9 a.m.-noon.
Harvard and Bolton open studios
Local artists will show their work in painting, sculpture, jewelry, and crafts during open studios at their homes in Harvard and Bolton, on the Bolton Common, and at the General Store Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 3, noon to 4 p.m. This event is open to the public free of charge, and most work is offered for sale. A map and more information can be found at boltonharvard.openartstudios.org.
Art at Old Frog Pond Farm
Artist and orchardist Linda Hoffman will open her sculpture studio on the farm, 38 Eldridge Road, as a participant in the Bolton and Harvard open studios Saturday, Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 3, noon-4 p.m. She will share the space with five artist friends: jeweler Amy Kilham; sculptor and jeweler Ilana Krepchin; textile craftsman Jessie Steinberg; textile artist Donnalisa Johnson; and sculptor Ariel Matisse. Meet the artists and add to your art collection, and pick organic fruit. Free and open to the public.
Film highlights Hiroshima POWs
On Monday, Oct. 4, at 12:30 p.m., the Harvard Woman’s Club will present Harvard resident Peter Grilli, scholar, author, and filmmaker on Japanese culture, who will talk about his collaboration on the documentary “Paper Lanterns,” the story of 12 American POWs killed at Hiroshima in 1945, and the Japanese man, Shigeaki Nori, who refused to let them be forgotten. For a Zoom link, go to harvardwomansclub.wordpress.com.
Acadia and Harvard
The Harvard Historical Society will host a Zoom webinar featuring Joe Theriault, past president of the society and author of two books about his Acadian ancestors Friday, Oct. 8, at 7 p.m. His presentation will relate the story of Acadia, the first French colony to be settled in North America, and the unwilling role that the Lancaster militia, with some Harvard members, played in Acadian history. He will also talk about the families brought to Lancaster and Harvard after the expulsion of the Acadians by the British and about the descendants of Acadians in Harvard today. For the Zoom link go to harvardhistory.org.
Here comes The Flea
The 49th Annual Harvard Flea Market will be held Saturday, Oct. 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on the grounds of the Bromfield School (Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 10). Admission is $3 per person for adults and seniors; $1 per child ages 6-12; and $5 for early birds (7 a.m. to 9 a.m.). For more information, including directions and booth availability, visit www.harvardfleamarket.com.
Apple Festival is back
The Congregational Church of Harvard will host its Apple Festival on the Common Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., or order online. Pies are apple crumb streusel or traditional, baked or frozen. Preorder at http://congregational-church-of-harvard.square.site.
Crafts, stories, and more at the library
- Capsters: Thursday, Oct. 14, 4 p.m. Transform bottle caps into art.
- Pompom monsters: Thursday, Oct. 28, 4 p.m. Turn pompoms into stylish monsters.
- Attendance for craft programs is limited to eight children, and children must be 8 or older. To register, email: childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org.
- Saturday story time, ages 3 to 7: Saturday, Oct. 16, 10:30 a.m. Join teen volunteers for fun stories on the library lawn.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grownups: Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. October’s book is “Tuck Everlasting” by Natalie Babbitt. Send an email to childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org to be added to the email list. Membership is limited to grownups with a Harvard/HES connection and will meet outdoors on the library lawn (in case of rain, the group will meet virtually via Zoom).
- Mr. Vinny the Bubble Guy: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m. An hour-long game of watch, chase, and pop the bubbles. Register by sending an email to childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org.
- Teen advisory board: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 4 to 5 p.m. This volunteer group of students in grades 6-12 meets virtually once a month to brainstorm and plan teen programs.To join, email jhayes@cwmars.org or call (978) 456-4114.
- Teen book group, grades 7-9: Tuesday, Oct. 26, 4 to 4:45 p.m. Meets virtually once a month. To join, email jhayes@cwmars.org or call (978) 456-4114.
Townwide read
Arm in Arm’s townwide book read takes on “On Juneteenth,” by Annette Gordon-Reed, which considers “the country’s long road to Juneteenth, recounting both its origins in Texas and the hardships that African-Americans have endured in the century since, from Reconstruction through Jim Crow and beyond.” Enter a raffle to win a copy of the book at the library or email arminarm.townofharvard.com. Book discussion on Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/ehfbev32.
OUT OF TOWN
Juried exhibit call for submissions
The Lancaster Community Center and the Lancaster Cultural Council seek submissions from painters, sculptors, and photographers for their November art exhibit, “The Beauty Around Us.” All work must be submitted electronically and will be accepted until Oct. 20. For more information and to submit artwork, visit lccfallart2021.squarespace.com.
Devens Harvest Fest
Enjoy pumpkin painting, hayrides, and the Trolley Dogs food truck at Devens Harvest Fest at the Bob Eisengrein Community Center, 100 Sherman Ave., Devens, Thursday, Oct. 7, 4 to 6 p.m. To reserve a pumpkin for painting, email handrews@massdevelopment.com or call 978-772-8876. Rain date: Thursday, Oct. 14.
5K festival at Schartner Farm
The annual Bolton 5K festival run takes place Saturday, Oct. 9. Run or walk the scenic course starting and ending at Schartner Farm, 279 West Berlin Road, Bolton. Following the 5K at 10:30 a.m. there will be a kids run at 11:30 and then a raffle. All who register will receive a free pass to the corn maze. Preregistration is $30 for the 5K, $10 for the Kids Fun Run, or $40 on the day. To register: www.boltoncommunityfund.org or https://bit.ly/3m7fIcF.
Book sale in Lancaster
The Friends of the Thayer Memorial Library annual book sale is Friday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 3, and Saturday Oct. 9, and Sunday, Oct. 10, at the old Lancaster Town Hall, 695 Main Street, Lancaster. Friday hours are 3-7 p.m., Saturdays are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sundays noon to 4 p.m. “Fill a bag” is being offered throughout the event.
Slavic folk tale and crafts
Visit the Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union St., Clinton, for its free drop-in story time and crafts, Sunday, Oct. 3, at noon and 2 p.m. Hear the Slavic folk tale of Baba Yaga, a supernatural being who disguises herself as an old woman, then stay for related crafts after the story. Crafts are available all day. More information at museumofrussianicons.org.
Recycle your old electronics
The First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main Street, wil host an electronics recycling event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 16 in the church parking lot. Electronics, appliances, and items with a plug and/or batteries will be accepted and recycled for a small charge. No charge for cell phones, bikes in any condition, and other items. The event will be held rain or shine and residents from all towns are welcome. For more information, email GreenDayRecyclingMA@gmail.com.
