Townwide cleanup this weekend
The townwide cleanup and garlic mustard pull will take place through Sunday, April 27. Volunteers are still needed. This is the ninth annual cleanup in which residents pick up litter and pull up invasive garlic mustard, which crowds out beneficial native plants and is detrimental to native trees. It often grows along roadsides and spreads easily into nearby woodlands. Unlike many other weeds, it must be disposed of as garbage.
To participate, first sign up for a road segment at SignUpGenius, bit.ly/2025Cleanup-GM. Then, pick up supplies Saturday, April 26, 9 to 11 a.m., at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave. After collecting trash and garlic mustard, leave trash bags by the roadside. The DPW will begin pickup Monday, April 28. Finally, log back in to report how many bags you collected, where you saw garlic mustard, and whether you pulled it.
For questions about the cleanup or SignUpGenius, email Harvard.Cleanup@gmail.com; for questions about garlic mustard, email garlicmustard.harvard@gmail.com.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpubliclibrary.org/services/events.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3, Saturday, April 26, and Saturday, May 3, 10:30 a.m.
- Write stuff, grades 4-6, Tuesday, May 6, 3:35 p.m. Share writing in a small group.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesdays, May 7 and May 21. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Kids after-school movie, Thursday, May 8, 3:45 p.m. Rated PG.
- Ice cream social, all ages, Tuesday, June 24, 4 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: Mardie Luppold, “Archetypes: Making the Invisible Visible,” through May 24. Public reception Sunday, April 27, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Free poetry reading, special art exhibit event, Saturday, May 3, 2 to 4 p.m.
Learn to make sourdough
The Goose and Hen farm will offer a class on sourdough bread baking Saturday, April 26, 3 to 4:30 p.m., at 85 Old Littleton Road. Make European-style sourdough bread with simple ingredients and no kneading. Participants will leave with an in-progress loaf plus additional sourdough starter. $30 per person. Email kerry.thegooseandhen@gmail.com if interested.
Join the Trail Challenge
The Harvard Conservation Trust Trail Challenge 2025 invites families, friends, and nature lovers of all ages to enjoy the extensive conservation lands right in our backyard. Between May 1 and October 31, explore over 70 miles on 30+ scenic trails. Whether you’re a weekend wanderer or just looking for some fresh-air fun, this self-paced challenge is the perfect way to get outside, spot wildlife, and explore new trails. For more information and to pick up your official Trail Challenge Passport, visit bit.ly/HCT-trail-challenge-2025.
‘Constellations’ at Fivesparks Theater
“Constellations,” by British playwright Nick Payne, will be performed at Fivesparks Theater, 7 Fairbank Street, Friday through Sunday, May 2-4; and again Thursday through Saturday, May 15-17. Doors open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. show, except for Sunday, May 4, when doors open at 1:30 for a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets $20, reserve online at fivesparks.org > Fivesparks Theater.
Loaves & Fishes 5K walk and fun run
Loaves & Fishes will sponsor their annual Spring Into Action 5K walk and fun run Sunday, May 4, 1 p.m., at Rogers Field, Devens. Join as an individual or a team. All proceeds will benefit Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry and help support neighbors in need in Ayer, Devens, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, and Shirley. Register at lfwalk.org.
Middle school spring concert
The Bromfield Middle School will hold its spring concert Wednesday, May 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Cronin Auditorium at 14 Mass. Ave.
Fanfare parents’ night out
FanFare will host “Pay Your Dues with Rock and Blues,” a fundraiser for music programs in Harvard’s schools, Friday, May 9, 7 to 10 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 7 Elm St. The Blues Dogs will be playing and free pizza will be served, bring your own beverage. Tickets are $35 a person in advance at fanfareformusic.org.
Library book sale
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library will hold their annual book sale Saturday, May 10, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the library. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview Friday, May 9, 3 to 7 p.m.; new members may join at the door. On sale will be hardcover and paperback books, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, and jigsaw puzzles. Proceeds allow the library to fund children’s programs, musical and theatrical performances, and free museum passes, among many other services.
Save the date
- Saturday, May 31, Harvard Schools Trust fundraiser at Billiards Cafe
- Sunday, June 8, Harvard Lions Bare Hill triathlon, duathlon, and aquabike.
OUT OF TOWN
Nashoba Valley Chorale
The Nashoba Valley Chorale will perform the Brahms Requiem Sunday, April 27, 3 p.m., at the Groton-Dunstable Performing Arts Center, 344 Main St., Groton. The performance will showcase the 90-member chorale under Ann Watson Born, with soloists Deborah Selig and David McFerrin and pianists Shawn McCann and Abigail Charbeneau on four-hand piano. Tickets $35 adults, $25 students/seniors, free for children under 12, at the door or at nvcsings.org.
Free community concert at Groton Hill
Students in the music school at Groton Hill Music Center will perform in a showcase concert Sunday, May 4, 6 p.m., at 122 Old Ayer Road, Groton. Free but tickets are required; ticket sales open Sunday, April 27. Visit grotonhill.org/community-engagement/community-concerts.
Habitat for Humanity spring breakfast
Habitat for Humanity North Central Massachusetts will host its annual spring breakfast Tuesday, May 6, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main St., Bolton. Meet the newest homeowners, learn about builds in Ayer and Leominster and our Critical Home Repair program, and celebrate our long-term volunteers. Jeff Fuhrer, author of “The Myth That Made Us,” will be keynote speaker. Free but seats are limited. Visit ncmhabitat.org/events for tickets and information.
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