Learn about forest health
Harvard’s Climate Initiative Committee will debut its collaborative educational series, “Know Your Land,” Saturday, Oct. 14, with the immersive event “Forest Health in Harvard: the Good, the Bad, and the Healthy.” There will be a guided walk with local forestry experts through the conservation land at Horse Meadows Knoll, Sherry Road, and a portion of the Muller Trail. Participants may start the 1.4-mile round trip any time between 1 and 2:30 p.m.
In case of bad weather, go to harvardsclimateinitiative.org/ for updates on the rain date, which is currently scheduled for Oct. 15.
At the library
The library is located at 4 Pond Road. Visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/ events for a full calendar of events. Register for all children’s programs at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?curOrg=Harvard.
Story times
- Ages 2+ and younger: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Registration not required. (No story times Oct. 30.) Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:30 a.m.; registration required.
- Saturday story time (no signup required). Ages 3 to 7, Saturdays, Oct. 14 (dog stories) and 21 (fall stories), 10:30 a.m.
Children’s programs
- Learn Arabic: grades 3 to 6, Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3:45 p.m.
- AbraKidabra! Magic show for all ages: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m.
- GraviTrax challenge: ages 8 and up, Thursday, Oct. 19, 3:45 p.m. Work as a team to build a marble raceway.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grownups: Thursday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. “Big Tree” by Brian Selznick.
- Paws and Read: grades K through 6, Wednesday, Oct. 25. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Book Buddies: grades 1 to 4, Thursday, Oct. 26, 3:45 p.m. Teen volunteers pair with young readers.
- Lego club: grades K-6, Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 to 3:30 p.m.
- Write Stuff writing group: grades 4 through 6, Tuesday, Nov. 21, 4 to 4:45 p.m.
- Book discussion group: grades 1 and 2, Monday, Oct. 23, 4 p.m.
- Third-grade book group, Monday, Nov. 6, 4 p.m.
- Fourth-grade book group, Monday, Oct. 16, 4 p.m.
- Fifth-grade book group, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4 p.m.
- Sixth-grade book group, Tuesday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m.
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 6-12: Tuesday, Oct. 17, 3 p.m. Help the library shape its teen collections and programs. Sign up at forms.gle/BzRtW9V6JFZHY Wnz8.
- Teen treats program, grades 6-12: Thursday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m. Decorate cookies and cupcakes.
- Teen maker program, grades 6 to 12: Thursday, Nov. 9, 3 p.m. Create craft projects.
Adult programs
- Cookbook Club: Monday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook featuring the cuisine of a specific region or culture and bring a dish to a potluck meeting.
- Song on the Lawn trivia: Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m. Test your knowledge of music.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is located at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule and more information.
- Art exhibit: “Rural Reverie,” Carolyn Letvin and Gretchen Fogelstrom. Through Nov. 4.
- Group strength, stability, and balance training. Wednesday, Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m.
- “Drawing from the Present: Mindfulness and Art.” Wednesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m.
- Kids’ music classes and lessons with Steve Peisch. Little kids’ music and movement, Tuesdays, 4 to 5 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Private or semiprivate lessons on recorder, guitar, or keyboard, Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Japanese gyotaku fish printing workshop. Saturday, Oct. 14, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Neurographic sketching. Sunday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Beginning acrylic and mixed media. Mondays and Wednesdays, Oct. 16 to Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Felting on school half days. Pumpkin and ghost, Oct. 18 and 31, 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Evening felting. Acorns and pumpkin, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Gel plate printing and collage. Two-day workshop, Oct. 21 and 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Meditative zen enso circle painting workshop. Saturday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m.
- Litho pencil and caran d’ache monotype printmaking. Sunday, Nov. 12, 1 p.m.
Devens events
- Oct. 15: United Native American Cultural Center Fall Fest from 1 to 4 p.m. at 29 Antietam Street, with drumming, dancing, raffles, and a potluck lunch. Visit unacc.org/events/unaccs-fall-feast-october-15-2023/ for more information.
- Oct. 27 and 28: The Cannon Theatre presents “Steel Magnolias” at 7:30 p.m. at 28 Andrews Parkway. Learn more at thecannontheatre.org/.
- Oct. 28: Clear Path for Veterans NE Devens Dog and Music Festival at the Verbeck Field Complex. Rain date: Oct. 29. Visit clearpathne.org/ more information.
Pickleball tourney
The Harvard PTO Pickleball Tournament will take place at the Bromfield School, Sunday, Oct. 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The double-elimination tournament will have two skill categories (beginner and intermediate-to-advanced), with prizes going to the winners in each. Spectators are welcome. Learn more and sign up at tinyurl.com/pto-pickleball.
‘Escape from Yemen’
On Friday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., the Warner Free Lecture Series will present “Roxana Trabulsi: Escape from Yemen, in Hopes of Family Survival.” All lectures are free and begin at 7 p.m. in Volunteers Hall in the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road. Doors open at 6:30. More details can be found at www.warnerfreelecture.org.
Don White at Fivesparks
Storyteller/comedian/author/troubadour Don White will appear at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street, Friday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. White has shared the stage with Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal, Richie Havens, Patty Larkin, Bill Morrissey, Tom Rush, Loudon Wainwright III, and Christine Lavin. Admission is by free-will offering; reservations recommended at notlobmusic.eventbrite.com.
Garden Club meeting
On Monday, Oct. 30, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 17 Still River Road, the Garden Club of Harvard will hold a panel discussion on the past year of gardening: precipitation, mosquitos, climate change, and whatever else gardeners are thinking about (probably jumping worms), as well as what to do to prepare for winter. The public is welcome.
OUT OF TOWN
Run against hunger
The Nashoba Valley Medical Center Hunger Run will take place Oct. 14, starting at 10 a.m. at 200 Groton Road, Ayer. All proceeds go to Loaves & Fishes food pantry. Register at runreg.com/9th-Annual-Hunger-run-5k-2023.
Rally and walk against hate
Arm in Arm will co-sponsor “Walk Against Hate,” Sunday, Oct. 15, beginning with a rally at 2 p.m. at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School’s upper gym. The 1-mile walk to Gardner Field begins at 2:30 p.m., followed by a concluding song and gathering at 3:30 p.m. This event against antisemitism, racism, and bigotry is family-friendly, bringing together people of all backgrounds and beliefs, along with a diverse group of community partners. To carpool from Harvard, email arminarm.townofharvard@gmail.com.
Free youth theater event
The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory will present “James and the Giant Peach,” Saturday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. This free performance will take place on the Bank of America stage located on the Francis R. Carroll Plaza, 551 Main Street, Worcester. Seating is limited; bring your own chair.
Learn more at thehanovertheatre.org/event/james-and-the-giant-peach/.
