Townwide read: ‘On Juneteenth’
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.” Discussion on Thursday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. via Zoom. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/ehfbev32.
Crafts, stories, and more at the library
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Family Association hosts costume parade and Halloween event
The Harvard Family Association’s annual Halloween event for young kids is back, Saturday, Oct. 23, 10:30 a.m.-noon, on the Common. Dress your kids up in Halloween gear and bring your decorated pumpkins. The event kicks off with a firetruck-led parade around the center of town, followed by a kids’ pumpkin decorating contest, Halloween crafts, candy, and more.
Exhibits, classes, activities at Fivesparks
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street. Register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- School early-release class: Sculptural graveyard. In-person class with Rachel Benson, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 1:45 p.m. Ages 10-13.
- Exhibit: “in•sight: Together, Apart,” through Friday, Oct. 29.
- Exhibit: “Tiny But Mighty,” in the outside Little Art Gallery, through Friday, Oct. 29.
- Exhibit: “Mediated Landscapes,” starts Tuesday, Nov. 2. Artist reception, Sunday, Nov. 7, 3 p.m.
- Power Vinyasa Yoga, 6-class series, Tuesdays, Nov. 2 through Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.
- Introduction to watercolor painting with Ana Hedberg. Starts Thursday, Nov. 4.
- Mindfulness for Children class: 2 workshops, Saturday, Nov. 6 and Saturday, Nov. 20, 10 a.m.
Garden Club to hear talk on house plants
The Garden Club of Harvard will meet Monday, Oct. 25, to hear Sarah Tate present “House Plants Are Your Friends, I Promise.” Tate will explain how to get started on an indoor garden, including lighting, soil, seasonal care, and propagation methods. The meeting is at 9:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road. The public is welcome. Masks are required.
Carve a pumpkin at Pumpkin Palooza
Fivesparks’ second annual family-friendly pumpkin-
carving event will take place at Carlson Orchards, 115 Oak Hill Road, on the school early-release day, Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2:30-5:30 p.m. Register at fivesparks.org.
Non-scary Halloween!
The Girl Scouts will offer a non-scary Halloween event Saturday, Oct. 30, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Camp Green Eyrie, 69 Still River Road. The free, day-long outdoor event will feature cupcake and pumpkin decorating, letterboxing, SWAP making, s’mores, and a costume parade, and is geared toward families with girls in grades K-3 who are not currently Girl Scouts. RSVP and register by Oct. 22 at bit.ly/3aXBBpC.
For more information contact info@gscwm.org or call 508-365-0115.
Run For The Hills!
Harvard Conservation Trust’s annual Run For The Hills 2021 takes place Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Community Harvest Project Orchard, 115 Prospect Hill Road. 5K trail race, 10 a.m.; 1-mile fun run, 10:45 a.m. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/RFTH2021.
Self-guided nature walk
Arm in Arm is offering 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 through Sunday, Oct. 31.
Take a hike
Harvard Conservation Commission’s Land Stewardship Subcommittee will lead a hike on the Clapp-Scorgie property on Saturday, Nov. 6, meeting at 1:30 p.m. at the parking lot directly across from the driveway at 152 Still River Road. Two routes will be offered—1.4 miles and 2.5 miles; 2.5 hours estimated for the longer route. For more information, contact jamesadelson@charter.net.
Out of Town
‘Scheherazade’ at Indian Hill
The Orchestra of Indian Hill presents Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade,” Saturday, Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., at the Littleton High School Performing Arts Center, 56 King St., Littleton. Also on the program will be Zwilich’s “Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra,” and “The Bamboula” by Coleridge-Taylor. Learn more and buy tickets at bit.ly/3ARW89N.
Recycle Your Reusables
Bring your recyclable and reusable items to Recycle Your Reusables, Saturday, Oct. 23, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Ayer Shirley Regional Middle School, 1 Hospital Road, Shirley. Volunteers (14+) are also needed. Visit recycleyourreusables.wordpress.com for more information.
Virtual lecture on icons
The Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Street, Clinton, will present “Icons for Our Time,” a virtual lecture with curator Dr. Clemena Antonova, Sunday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m. Dr. Antonova will examine the spread of Orthodox Christian art through the medium of icons. Members free, nonmembers $5. The Zoom link will be sent out the morning of the program. Register by Saturday, Oct. 23, at bit.ly/3DYjmNz.
Alpacas and holiday shopping
Alpacas from the Harvard Alpaca Ranch will be the featured guests at St. Andrew’s Autumn Festival, 7 Faulkner Street, Ayer, Saturday, Nov. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy free hot chocolate while getting a jump start on your holiday shopping. A variety of artisans and crafters will offer holiday gift ideas.
Fall Festival in Grafton
Community Harvest Project holds its 15th annual Harvest Home Fall Festival Sunday, Nov. 7, 37 Wheeler Road, North Grafton. The festival includes a 5K fun run, online auction, food and drink, kids’ activities, and more. The online auction will feature items and services from local businesses and community members, and will open Sunday, Oct. 31, and close Sunday, Nov. 7. Admission to the festival is $10; kids under 5 free. Proceeds support Community Harvest Project’s mission to grow fruit and vegetables for hunger relief. Visit community-harvest.org/events for more information.
