Earth Day events
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee and Harvard Energy Advisory Committee will present an “Earth Day Show and Tell Around Town” on Saturday, April 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. (rain date Sunday, May 1). The event will include a tour of open houses showcasing efficient heating and cooling systems and regenerative and organic farming; an electric vehicle petting zoo; a General Store demonstration of alternative cooking methods; and a walking tour of an American chestnut tree restoration project. To take part, register at harvardsclimateinitiative.org. See story on page 1.
Ayer, Devens, and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge present “Earth Day: Open Streets and Greenways,” Friday, April 22, 2 to 6 p.m. Walk, bike, roll, scoot, or skate along MacPherson Road and the Nashua River. Activities include environmental education, scavenger hunt, and riverside exploration. This is a car-free event. Learn more at devensec.com/news.html.
The Sudbury Valley Trustees will lead group walks in Framingham, Wayland, and Harvard on Friday, April 22, starting at 10 a.m. Families with toddlers and young readers are also invited to tour the Storybook Trail at the SVT’s Wolbach Farm in Sudbury. The ¾-mile trail through the woods includes 12 stations where hikers can pause to read a few pages of a children’s book. Register and learn more at svtweb.org/calendar.
At the library
The library is located at 4 Pond Road.
- Registration is required for all story times. Register at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=HARVARD. Masks are required for indoor story time attendees ages 2 and up. Story times are subject to change.
- Register for outdoor story times by filling out the form at forms.gle/31ncCNkwpt BUT1VH8. In case of inclement weather, outdoor story time will be canceled. Registrants will be notified by email.
- Story time for ages 0-2 and up: Indoor, Mondays, 10:30 a.m.
- Outdoor, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Story time for ages 2 and 3:
- Indoor, Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. Outdoor, Wednesdays, 11 a.m.
- Stories for ages 4, 5, and up:
- Mondays, 1:30 p.m.
- Children’s Literature Book Discussion Group for Grownups: Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m. May’s book is “From the Desk of Zoe Washington,” by Janae Marks. Email childrensroom@harvardpubliclibrary.org to be added to the email list for this group. The group meets in a hybrid model: attend in person in Volunteers Hall (masks required), or virtually via Zoom.
- Teen Book Group for grades 7-9: Tuesday, April 26, 4 p.m. Meets virtually once a month. To join the email list, email the teen librarian at jhayes@cwmars.org or call 978-456-4114.
- Chinese acrobat Li Liu, all ages: Wednesday, May 11, 2 p.m. This 45-minute show includes hand balancing, plate spinning, trick cycling, foot juggling, ribbon dancing, and Chinese water bowl manipulation. Outdoors on the library lawn; bring a blanket or chairs. Registration required at forms.gle/tDufj3aJRdkEzVU96.
Fivesparks exhibits, classes, activities
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street, and will stay open during the ongoing roof repair. Get more information and register for all classes via the calendar at fivesparks.org.
- New exhibit: ‘‘Preservation,” a collection of nature-inspired artwork by local monotype print artist Pam Lawson and woodcut relief print artist Annie Catterson of Concord. Through Friday, May 13. Artists’ reception, open to the public, Sunday, May 1, 3 to 5 p.m. See article on page 3.
- Bonsai Basics Workshop: Saturday, April 30, 1 p.m.
- Learn Origami: Saturday, April 30, 2 p.m.
- New class: Group strength, stability, and balance training, six Wednesdays, May 4 through June 8, 9:30 a.m.
- Vinyasa flow yoga, Tuesdays 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. through Tuesday, April 26.
- Yoga, Pilates, dance fusion, Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9:30 a.m., through April.
- Ongoing: Drop in to work on a community puzzle on the indoor porch.
Play ball!
The Harvard Youth Baseball and Softball Association, along with the Harvard Family Association, will host “Have a Ball,” Saturday, April 23, from 10:30-11:30 a.m., at the Ryan Land Field on Depot Road. This free event will feature friendly games that teach basic baseball/ softball skills. To attend, RSVP at forms.gle/j5i9xhDYUk8Zzgaf7.
Row your boat
On Sunday, April 24, the Bare Hill Rowing Association will host the sixth annual Harvard Henley Regatta, which mirrors the Henley Royal Regatta in England. A round-robin of dual racing among four teams starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends by 4:30 p.m. Spectators are welcome. Learn more at barehillrowing.com/harvardhenley.
The book sale returns
The annual book sale at the library, 4 Pond Road, will return this year starting Friday, May 6. Book collection dates are Saturday, April 23, and Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. to noon at the main entrance. All proceeds go to support the library’s children’s programs, Friends of the Arts performances, and free museum passes, among other services. Please donate only books in good condition. Please do not bring encyclopedias, magazines, broken or moldy books, Readers’ Digest books, or VHS tapes. Sale dates are:
- Friday, May 6: Preview sale for Friends of the Library only (Harvard residents may join the Friends at the door) 2 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, May 7: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, May 8: 10 a.m.to 2 p.m.
‘Inspired by Nature’
For centuries flowers and landscapes have inspired artists, from Van Gogh, Monet, and Cassatt to Church and Bierstadt. Worcester Art Museum docent Martha Chiachiaro will present “Inspired by Nature” at the Garden Club of Harvard meeting Monday, April 25, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church. The public is welcome; masks are required in the meeting hall.
PTO spring soirėe
The Harvard Schools Parent Teacher Organization will host a spring soirėe, Friday, May 13, 6 p.m. at Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road. The theme is “Prohibition,” with live music, an open bar, a silent auction to benefit the Harvard schools, and food from Gibbet Hill. For tickets, visit tinyurl.com/2p92nx2v.
The plant sale returns
The Garden Club of Harvard plant sale will take place Saturday, May 14, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Westward Orchards farm stand, 178 Mass. Ave. The sale goes on rain or shine; purchases by cash or check only. The sale features perennials grown in town by Garden Club members, locally grown herbs and vegetable seedlings, and, this year, indoor plants. Local experts will be available for consultation. Proceeds from the sale are used for civic beautification projects around town.
Out of town
Afghan benefit concert
On Saturday, April 22, 4 p.m. The Church of the Good Shepherd, 164 Newton Road, Acton, will present a family-friendly concert to benefit the Afghan Family Settlement Project. The a cappella octet NOTA will perform classical, jazz, pop, and folk material. Suggested donation is $20, but contributions of any size are welcome. All proceeds will go directly to the Afghan family project. Learn more at tinyurl.com/2p84h3vc.
Music groups for adults
Indian Hill Music, 36 King Street, Littleton, is now holding enrollment for spring and summer ensembles for adults. The New Horizons Concert Band is open to beginner and casual woodwind, brass, and percussion players and will meet Thursdays, 6:15-7:45 p.m. starting Thursday, April 28. Weekly chamber music groups for adults will meet Wednesdays, July 6 to 28, and Wednesdays, August 3 to 25, and Thursdays, July 28 and August 25 at 7 p.m. For more information visit indianhillmusic.org.
Modern music event
The Chelmsford Center for the Arts is presenting a “Gala of Modern Music” on Sunday, May 1, at 2 p.m., featuring the music of longtime Harvard resident Steve Peisch. Performers will include Suzanne Buell of Harvard, David Pihl, Maria Ferrante, and Monica Tessitore. The concert is supported by grants from both the Chelmsford and the Harvard cultural councils and will include song settings of poems by Langston Hughes and Charles Simic. For more information, visit chelmsfordarts.org.
5K fun run
The Loaves & Fishes 5K “Spring Into Action” fun run/walk Sunday, May 1, will raise funds for the food pantry. The event starts at Rogers Field, Buena Vista Street, Devens, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a Children’s Fun Run at 1 p.m. Virtual participation is also available between Sunday, April 24, and Sunday, May 1. For more information and to register, visit loavesfishespantry.org.
‘Images of Atheism’
Starting Thursday, May 5, the Museum of Russian Icons, 203 Union Street, Clinton, will present “Images of Atheism: The Soviet Assault on Religion,” an exhibition exploring the role of visual propaganda in the Communist Party’s seven-decade war against religion. The museum is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit museumofrussianicons.org for more information.
