Earth Day events
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee and Harvard Energy Advisory Committee will present “Earth Day Show and Tell Around Town,” Saturday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at various locations. (Rain date: April 23.) Learn about steps to reduce carbon footprints and visit homes and farms and see exhibits at Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass. Ave., to learn about heating and cooling systems, solar systems, electric lawn care, invasive species management, composting, and sustainable gardening.
There will be an electric vehicle petting zoo with cars and bikes and activities for kids at several locations. For a list of special events and a map of open house sites, HES vendors, community organizations, and the EV petting zoo, visit tinyurl.com/58zwcmrs.
Ayer, Devens, and Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge will present “Earth Day: Open Streets and Greenways,” Friday, April 21, from 2 to 6 p.m. at MacPherson Road, Devens. This car-free event will feature biking, skating, and strolling along the Nashua River with guided hands-on nature activities. For more information on this and other Devens events, visit devensec.com/news.html.
Book sale donations
The Harvard Public Library will be accepting donations for its annual book sale Saturday, April 22, and Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m. to noon at the main entrance, 4 Pond Road. (Rain dates are on the following Sundays.) The library is seeking books, CDs, and DVDs in good condition; no encyclopedias, broken or moldy books, Reader’s Digest books, or VHS tapes.
The book sale will take place Friday, May 5 (open to members of Friends of the Library), 2 to 6 p.m.; Saturday, May 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proceeds support children’s programs, Friends of the Arts performances, and free museum passes, and other services. To volunteer to help out, visit https://bit.ly/2023Booksale.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule and more information. Open to the public Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays noon to 4 p.m.
- Current exhibit: “Reflections: Pattern and Light.” Works by Jill Pottle.
- Spring relax and renew yoga and meditation workshop. April 22, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
- Printmaking made easy. Beginning printmaking using the Gelli plate. April 30, 2 to 5 p.m.
- Japanese art of gyotaku fish printing workshop. May 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sculptural felting with Nikki Howland. Three-class series, May 4, 11, and 18, 6 to 8 p.m.
- Mother’s Day parent/child workshop. Mini-masterpiece earrings made with Gelli prints. May 13, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Music for little kids with Steve Peisch. For ages 5-7, Tuesdays, 4 p.m., through June 20.
- Private music instruction with Steve Peisch. Recorder for little kids, guitar and/or keyboard. Tuesdays, 5 p.m., through June 20.
Learn about peonies
The Garden Club of Harvard meets Monday, April 24, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road. Speaker Christine Paxhia will discuss the history of peonies and how to care for, divide, select, and install them. The public is welcome.
Building Wachusett Dam
“The Creation of the Wachusett Reservoir: The Towns, Trains, and People” will be the subject of an illustrated talk by Ed Sterling at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road, Thursday, April 27, at 7 p.m. Sterling, a railroad aficionado who lives in Bolton, will explore the reason for building the dam, its construction, its impact on the area’s towns, and the necessity to relocate the railroads, as well as the deplorable conditions of the workers. A $5 donation is requested to support the society’s public programming.
Spring Soiree
The Harvard PTO Spring Soiree takes place Friday, May 12, 5:30 to 10:30 p.m, at the Red Tail Golf Course, 15 Bulge Road, Devens. This “Caddyshack”-themed event will feature a raffle, dancing, and music by the TBS Jazz Band, the Wednesday Night Project, and international DJ Liz Ladoux/Beth Cooper, with appetizers, dinner stations, and an open bar. Tickets are $115 through April 30; visit harvardpto.org.
Jessie Day 5K
The 12th annual Have a Jessie Day 5K will be held Saturday, May 13, at the Bromfield School, 14 Mass. Ave., at 9 a.m. The 5K is a run/walk to honor Jessie Peterson, a gifted artist and athlete and member of the Bromfield Class of 2012 who died unexpectedly in 2009. For more information and registration information go to https://tinyurl.com/JessieDay2023.
OUT OF TOWN
Musical ‘Little Women’
In honor of Louisa May Alcott’s 190th birthday, the Concord Players, 51 Walden Street, Concord, will present the 2005 Broadway musical telling of the story of the March sisters. Performances begin Friday, April 28, and run through Saturday, May 13. Information about show times and ticketing can be found at concordplayers.org.
Ayer pocket forest planting
Help plant the first pocket forest in Ayer, Saturday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m., at the intersection of Main and East Main streets. Parking for this family-friendly event is available at the library or along Faulkner Street. Snacks and refreshments will be available.
Habitat for Humanity spring breakfast
Habitat for Humanity’s annual spring breakfast takes place Tuesday, May 2, 7:30 a.m. at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main Street. Featured will be speaker Roxana Trabulsi, author of “Of Mud and Honey,” the story of a young family trapped as political prisoners. Visit tinyurl.com/muyz2smw to reserve a seat at this free event.
Spring Into Action 5K
The Loaves & Fishes food pantry Spring Into Action 5K for hunger will take place Sunday, May 7, at 1 p.m., starting at Rogers Field, 37 Buena Vista Street, Devens. Participants may register as an individual or a team. All proceeds will benefit Loaves & Fishes and help support neighbors in need in nearby towns. To register to walk, to become a business sponsor, or to make a donation, visit lfwalk.org.
‘Matilda: The Musical’
Four Harvard residents—Moon Branker and Ien, Liz, and Thalia Ruark—are featured in the upcoming Theatre III production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda: The Musical,” the story of a girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.
Theatre III is located at 250 Central Street in Acton. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and students. Show times are May 5, 6, 12, 13, and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and May 14 and 20 at 3 p.m. For further information, call 978-263-9070 or email managingdirector@theatre3.org.
