Food donations at schools, library
The eighth grade and Class of 2029, and the Project 351 Club at the Bromfield School are sponsoring a food drive now through Dec. 13 to eradicate food insecurity here in Harvard and statewide. To donate nonperishable food and personal care items to the Loaves & Fishes food pantry, please look for boxes placed around Bromfield, Hildreth Elementary School, and the Harvard Public Library.
Questions about the food drive can be directed to Bromfield teacher Cristin Hodgens at chodgens@psharvard.org.
Ban on backyard fires lifted; caution advised
The Harvard Fire Department has rescinded the townwide ban on the use of outdoor heating and cooking devices, such as firepits and outdoor fireplaces, that was implemented last month. If conditions change, the ban could be reinstated. For details about proper procedures for backyard fires, go to the Fire Department’s Facebook page, facebook.com/harvardfireems.
As a reminder, burning yard waste is prohibited across Massachusetts through Jan. 15 under 310 CMR 7.07, the Open Burning regulation; permits from the Fire Department are always required for such burning.
Ski and Snowboard Club registration
Harvard Park and Recreation’s 2025 Ski and Snowboard Club is accepting registrations. This after-school program for HES and Bromfield students runs for six weeks on Wednesdays, starting Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. Bus service for students is arranged through Park and Rec. For more information and to register, please visit harvardma.myrec.com. Registration closes Dec. 20.
Christmas wreaths available
The Harvard Cub Scouts will be selling Christmas wreaths Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Transfer Station: $20 for a natural wreath and $30 for a Scout-decorated wreath. Thanks for supporting the Scouts.
Girl Scouts mitten tree
The Harvard Girl Scouts will collect donations of mittens, gloves, and hats until Dec. 18, on the mitten tree in the children’s room at the Harvard Public Library. Donations will go to clients of WHEAT Community Connections food pantry in Clinton.
Lions offer gift boxes, ornaments for the holidays
The Lions Club is offering a cast pewter ornament of the Harvard Public Library, the first in a series of ornaments to depict Harvard icons. Ornaments come with a blue ribbon for hanging and are for sale at Carlson Orchards for $25. Or, order an ornament online for home delivery or local pickup. Also on offer from the Lions are holiday gift boxes, available for ordering through Dec. 15. You can order fruit, nuts, candy, soup, or cake mixes for delivery before Christmas or select a two-week delivery window between January and April 2025.
To order ornaments or gift boxes online, and for more details on the gift boxes, go to www.harvardlions.com.
New invasive species listed
The Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List has been updated as of September 2024, adding two additional invasive plants:
- Callery pear/Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana), a popular street and landscaping tree
- Wall-lettuce (Mycelis muralis), a weedy perennial.
There will be a phase-out period for these newly listed species, so that nurseries and agents can sell off existing stock. For more information visit massnrc.org/pests/blog/?p=3481.
Saturday hazardous waste collection
The Devens Regional Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center will receive hazardous waste on Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 9 Cook Street (Rear), Devens. Closed during rain; reopens when rain stops. This will be the final collection for the season; collection will resume in March 2025. For information on items accepted, packaging, and fees, visit DevensHHW.com.
Loaves & Fishes
The Loaves & Fishes food pantry, 234 Barnum Road, Devens, serves food to people in need who reside in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Pantry hours are Wednesdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to noon (closed Fridays before Saturday sessions); first Tuesday, 5 to 7 p.m.; third Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. Visit loavesfishespantry.org for more information.
Library pop-up holiday sale
From now until the end of the year, the Friends of the Harvard Public Library will offer a selection of nearly new books—children’s, adult, fiction and nonfiction, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles—for sale in the Harvard Public Library’s lobby during regular library hours. Library patrons will find low prices and will be supporting library programs.
The Harvard Historical Society will also be selling reproductions of historical maps, buildings, and scenes of Harvard, both framed and unframed. Proceeds will support the ongoing work of the society, preservation of the collections, and maintenance of the meetinghouse and museum in Still River.
Park-and-ride shuttle to Littleton station
The Montachusett Regional Transit Authority (MART) provides commuter shuttle service connecting Harvard residents to the Littleton commuter rail station. Shuttles stop at the Holy Trinity parking lot at 15 Still River Road and at the business plaza at 285 Ayer Road, and shuttle riders can park their cars at these locations. For pickup times, go to mrta.us, click on “Schedules and Maps,” and then on “Harvard Commuter Shuttle.”
