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: “Impressions of New England in Pastel,” painting our local world through the pandemic era. On view through Friday, June 17. Opening reception, open to the public, Saturday, May 21, 3-5 p.m.
- Vinyasa flow yoga, Tuesdays through June 14, 6:30-7:45 p.m.
- Painting with wool, Friday, May 20, 4-5:30 p.m.
- New: Children’s training choir with musician Steve Peisch. Kids 12 and under. Thursday, May 26-Thursday, June 23.
- New: Music for little kids with Steve Peisch, kids 5-7, Tuesday, May 31-Tuesday, June 21.
- New: Beginning-intermediate guitar, private or small-group lessons for kids 8 and over with Steve Peisch, Thursday, May 26-Thursday, June 23.
- New: Beginning recorder, private or small-group lessons for kids 8 and over with Steve Peisch, Thursday, May 26-Thursday, June 23.
- Back by popular demand: Beginner printmaking using the gelli plate, Saturday, June 4, 1-4:30 p.m.
- Wet-felted bookmarks, Wednesday, June 8, 4:30-6 p.m.
- Painting with wool open studio, Wednesday, June 8, 6:45-8:30 p.m.
- notloB Parlour Concerts presents Evie Landin, Thursday, June 9, 7:30 p.m.
- Back by popular demand: Silk painting workshop. Saturday June 11,
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
- New: Book event: “Honeybee Rescue, A Backyard Drama,” by Loree Burns and Harvard photographer Ellen Harasimowicz. Sunday, June 12, 4-5 p.m. Adults and children welcome.
- New class: Pretty paper crafts using gelli prints. Wednesday, June 15, 6:30-9 p.m.
- Ongoing: Drop in to work on a community puzzle on the indoor porch.
At the library
The library is located at 4 Pond Road.
Registration is required for indoor story times; register at eventkeeper.com/ode/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/31ncCNkwptBUT1VH8. 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. No story time May 30.
- 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. No story time May 30.
- 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 Connections Book Group: Thursday, May 26, 7 p.m. For teens in grades 7-12 and the adults in their lives. To join the email list, email jhayes@cwmars.org or call 978-456-4114.
Cycling around
The Ken Harrod Memorial Road Race takes place Saturday, May 21, with an online registration deadline of Friday, May 20, at noon. The course starts at the Fairbank Street/Old Littleton Road intersection and winds through town via Old Littleton, Oak Hill, and Pinnacle roads. Register and view categories and start times at tinyurl.com/2wkj6vrb.
‘Hidden Treasures’ at Historical Society
The Harvard Historical Society will once again participate in Freedom’s Way month-long “Hidden Treasures” program, sharing its own “treasures” on Sunday, May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the society’s meetinghouse, 215 Still River Road. The program is free to the public and is scheduled and supported by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. The society will feature a Shaker desk, a classic example of the beautiful simplicity of Shaker craftsmanship. Also on display from the society’s permanent collection will be portraits of two Shaker elders who might have used the desk. A looping PowerPoint presentation will provide pictures and information. Other Shaker artifacts will be on view with a Shaker expert on hand to answer questions. For a schedule and description of communities participating in the Freedom’s Way event, go to discoverhiddentreasures.org.
Memorial Day parade
The Town of Harvard Memorial Day exercises will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, May 30. Veterans are asked to line up in front of Town Hall at 9:45 a.m. in uniform or appropriate civilian attire. The parade will proceed from Town Hall to the Civil War Memorial, and then onto Center Cemetery where geraniums will be placed at each veteran’s grave. The parade will continue to the World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Gulf War Memorial and then move to the World War I Memorial and flagpole for the day’s ceremony. Wreaths will be presented at each memorial and taps played.
Upon completion, the parade will return to Town Hall. Continue by car to the Corporal Skillings Memorial in Still River for placement of a wreath and playing of taps. All will reassemble at Bellevue Cemetery for a short parade around the cemetery, placing of a wreath, and playing of taps. Children will be invited to assist in placing geraniums at each veteran’s grave.
All levels of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Police and Fire Departments, Immaculate Heart Of Mary Marching Band, and all veterans who wish to walk in the parade are welcome.
Pancake breakfast returns
The Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church is bringing back its traditional Memorial Day pancake breakfast, Monday, May 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Watch the parade and then make your way to the Fellowship Building, Sutherland Hall at 7 Elm Street. Learn more at tinyurl.com/2c7wmd7d.
Jessie Day 5K
The 11th annual “Have a Jessie Day” 5K will be held Saturday, June 4, at 9 a.m. at the Bromfield School, 14 Mass. Ave. The race is a run/walk event to celebrate Class of 2012 member Jessie Peterson. Bib/shirt pickup and race day registration start at 8 a.m. Entry fee of $20 benefits the Jessica Peterson Scholarship Fund. Visit tinyurl.com/hajd5k22 for registration and shirt-ordering information.
notloB Parlour Concerts presents Evie Ladin
notloB Parlour Concerts presents Evie Ladin, Thursday, June 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street. Banjo player, singer, songwriter, percussive-dancer, choreographer and square-dance caller, Ladin reconnects Appalachian music and dance with other African-diaspora traditions and has been heard on A Prairie Home Companion, Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, Celtic Connections, and at Lincoln Center. Admission is by free-will offering; make reservations and learn more at not lobmusic.eventbrite.com.
OUT OF TOWN
Nature, culture, and history
Join Freedom’s Way for a month-long celebration of the people, places, and stories of the group’s National Heritage Area. The festival features a mix of in-person and self-guided experiences, including “An Afternoon with Henry David Thoreau,” “Biodiversity Thriving Amidst Glacial Remnants,” and a “Blackman Field and Woods Guided Walk.” Learn more at https://freedomsway.org/explore/?tag=130.
Hitchcock at Devens
The Cannon Theatre, 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens, presents “The 39 Steps,” based on the Alfred Hitchcock movie and a 1915 novel, Friday, May 20, and Saturday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. Featured in the play will be Harvard resident Maren Caulfield. Order tickets at tinyurl.com/2p85ckpv.
Climate change and our waterways
The Nashua River Watershed Association will present “Impacts of Climate Change on Our Rivers and Streams,” Thursday, May 26, at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Water resources engineer Sarah Widing will discuss impacts of climate change on the waterways in the watershed and ways in which engineering and restoration design communities are responding and incorporating future uncertainty into design. Register at tinyurl.com/rjarvpsp.
Devens food truck and craft festival
The Devens food truck and craft festival takes place Friday, June 3, and Saturday, June 4, at the Museum Field complex, Antietam Street, Devens. Over a dozen food trucks will be on hand. Musical performers will include the Point The Finger band and Jacqueline Burns. For more information, call 978-772-8876 or email handrews@massdevelopment.com
