Library pavilion party
The Harvard Public Library’s board of trustees will host a party for the opening of the new outdoor pavilion Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 to 4 p.m., at 4 Pond Road. There will be lawn games, light refreshments, and live performances featuring the bands One Twenty Too and Neighborhood Panic. The event is free and open to the public. Bring a blanket or chair.
Sign-ups are appreciated but not required; visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/about/programs/harvard-public-library-pavilion- party.
At the library
The library is at 4 Pond Road. For a full calendar of events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/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.
- Toddler storytime, ages 1-3, Saturday, Sept. 14, 10:30 a.m.
Children’s programs
- Paws and read, grades K through 6, Wednesday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 25. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4, 4:15, and 4:30 p.m.
- Caterpillar lab, all ages, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Learn about metamorphosis and hear incredible but true stories.
- Lindsay and her puppet pals, ages 3-8, Saturday, Sept. 21, 10:30 a.m. Larger than life, handcrafted puppets, outdoors in the pavilion.
Teen programs
- After-school throw-back movie, Thursday, Sept. 12, 3 p.m. Rated PG-13.
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, Sept. 17, 3 p.m. Help the library shape its teen collections and programs.
- Lawn games, grades 6-12, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 11:45 a.m.
- Fall leaf cookie party, grades 6-12, Thursday, Sept. 19, 3 p.m. Decorate cookies shaped like fall leaves, pumpkins, and squirrels.
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 3 p.m. Crafts projects.
Adult programs
- Library pavilion grand opening party, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Children’s literature book discussion for grownups, Thursday, Sept. 19, 7 p.m. Book is “The Last Cuentista” by Donna Barba Higuera.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Closed Sunday and Monday; open Tuesday to 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 submissions for “Destination: Nature 2024” will be accepted through Friday, Sept. 20. Visit Destination-nature.org for details.
- Upcoming exhibit: Marks of Distinction National Juried Art Show, presented by the Central Mass. Pastel Society (CMPS). On view Sept. 10 to Oct. 4. Public reception and awards ceremony Saturday, Sept. 21, 2 to 4 p.m.
- Gallery tour and pastels talk with Jane Robbins, CMPS president. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 10:30 a.m. Free.
- Taiwan mahjong, fall session 1, Wednesdays, Sept. 11 – Oct. 2, 2 to 4 p.m.
- School early release, kids microgreens potting workshop. Wednesday, Sept. 18, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m.
- “The Council of Wise Women,” book event with author and storyteller Mark Binder, Sunday, Sept. 22, 4 p.m.
Sculpture in the orchard
Old Frog Pond Farm and Studio will hold the opening reception to their sculpture exhibit “Around the Pond and Through the Woods” Sunday, Sept. 8, 1 to 5 p.m. at 38 Eldridge Road. Enjoy live music, an interactive dance performance, and organic fruit picking. Free and open to all. The annual outdoor exhibit features the work of 40 sculptors. Hours for self-guided tours with maps are Wednesdays through Sundays, September through Oct. 13, and Monday, Oct. 14, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Golf tournament
Habitat for Humanity will host the 2024 Building Dreams Golf Tournament Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Tail Golf Club, 15 Bulge Road, Devens. Enjoy a day of golf to support Habitat for Humanity’s goals of building two homes and completing at least 24 critical home repairs each year. Visit ncmhabitat.org/events for information and registration.
Women’s business network
The Women’s Business Network will meet Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the church hall of St. Theresa Church, 15 Still River Road. Come for networking and conversation, and an opportunity to create business messaging boards. Materials and poster board will be available; please bring your own scissors. Contact Deb Oliva at dboliva@charter.net to reserve a place.
Fall Fest
The Harvard Lions Club will host its annual Fall Fest Saturday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 9 p.m. on the field at the Harvard Public Library, 4 Pond Road. Live music, food, beverages (including beer and wine), and games will be featured. Admission is free.
Fruitlands fall concert series
Fruitlands Museum announces its fall concert series, Thursdays through Oct. 24, at 102 Prospect Hill Road. For information and tickets visit thetrustees.org/fruitlandsconcerts. Doors open 30 minutes before showtime.
- Sept. 12, Jeffrey Foucault album release party; 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. shows.
- Sept. 19, Sol y Canto celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month; 6:30 p.m.
- Sept. 26, Harrison Goodell and Jake Swamp and the Pine; 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 3, Mary Gauthier; 6:30 p.m.
- Oct. 17, Carsie Blanton; 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Oct. 24, Seth Glier; 6:30 p.m.
Full moon hike
Staff at Fruitlands Museum will lead a hike under the nearly full moon Tuesday, Sept. 17, 7 p.m. at 102 Prospect Hill Road. This easy-to-moderate walk through the historic landscape of Fruitlands offers stunning views of the setting sun and the rising moon. Sturdy shoes are recommended, and walking sticks will be available. Register at thetrustees.org/event/418874.
Pop-up photo exhibition
Attend a pop-up photo exhibition Thursday, Sept. 19, 6:30 to 8 p.m., upstairs at the Harvard General Store, 1 Still River Road. Photographs by Behishta Kabir, a 2024 graduate of the Bromfield School, and Jodi Hilton, photojournalist, tell stories of how the people of Harvard have welcomed and supported two large families who fled Afghanistan. To properly view the images, bring a smartphone with the app ARTIVIVE installed.
Sweeney to speak on Dropkick Murphy
The Warner Free lecture series will present “Dropkick Murphy: A Legendary Life” Friday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. at Volunteers Hall at the library at 4 Pond Road. Emily Sweeney, author and Boston Globe reporter, will chronicle the life of Murphy, a professional wrestler who put himself through medical school during the Great Depression and then opened Bellows Farm, a training and rehabilitation facility for elite athletes. Learn more at warnerfreelecture.org.
Healing Garden walk and ride
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden Perennial Walk and Ride for walkers, cyclists, runners, and their supporters is taking place through Oct. 6. Walk or ride at your own place and at your own pace, or start a team with friends or family. Teams are asked to commit to raise $2,000 or more and individuals $500 or more. A $45 registration fee goes toward fundraising goals. Learn more and register at secure.qgiv.com/event/pwr_2024.
OUT OF TOWN
Tour Shirley Shaker Village
Two-hour guided tours of the site of the Shaker village in Shirley will be held Sunday, Sept. 8, Oct. 13, and Oct. 27, starting at 12:30 p.m. The property is part of the state prison system and can only be accessed by special arrangement. The tour will begin inside a Shaker building with a brief illustrated lecture on the history of the Shakers and the Shirley Shaker Village, and continue to two other Shaker buildings, with travel by prison van. Reservations for this unique opportunity must be made and $20 per person paid in advance at the Shirley Historical Society. Contact Meredith at mail@shirleyhistory.org for more details.
Family-friendly outdoor concert
Puerto Rico native and recording artist Fabiola Mendez will perform Sunday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m., outdoors on the lawn at Groton Hill Music Center, 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton. Playing the cuatro, Puerto Rico’s national instrument, Mendez will share and celebrate folk music and collective storytelling. The grounds will open at 3:30 p.m. for picnics. Visit grotonhill.org/concerts/fabiola-mendez for tickets and information; free tickets for children under 12.
Orchard night in Groton
Carlson Orchards and the Groton Inn and Forge & Vine will present an autumn evening on the lawn, Thursday, Sept. 19, 5 to 8 p.m., at 128 Main Street, Groton. Enjoy Carlson Orchards’ ciders, an apple-inspired menu from the Forge & Vine, and live music by singer and guitarist Luke Condon. Free and family-friendly, no reservations needed; food and beverages will be available for purchase. For more information visit facebook.com/events/910411680948834.
