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.
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.
- Opening reception for new exhibit: “Reflections: Pattern and Light.” Works by Jill Pottle. Sunday, April 16, 3-5 p.m. Open to the public.
- April vacation felting. Create your own 3D/2D landscape. April 18 and 19, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Ages 13-17.
- Spring relax and renew yoga and meditation workshop. April 22, 4-5:30 p.m.
- Printmaking made easy. Beginning printmaking using the Gelli plate. April 30, 2-5 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, 6-8 p.m.
- Mother’s Day parent/child workshop. Mini-masterpiece earrings made with Gelli prints. May 13, 1-3 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.
At the library
The library is located at 4 Pond Road. For a full listing of events, visit harvard publiclibrary.org/services/events.
Register for all children’s programs at eventkeeper.com/code/events.cfm?cur Org=Harvard.
Story times
- Ages 2 and younger: Mondays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Ages 2 and 3: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
- Ages 4, 5, and older: Mondays, 1:30 p.m. Art and stories.
Children’s programs
- Family movie night, Friday, April 14, 6:30 p.m. 2022 animated saga of a cat in tall footwear with Antonio Banderas.
Patriots’ Day events
Communities throughout the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area are commemorating the 248th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolution throughout the month of April. Visit freedomsway.org/events to browse events or freedomsway.visit.widget.com/tours/patriots-day-2023 for an interactive map to see nearby events.
Spring events at the Healing Garden
The Virginia Thurston Healing Garden is located at 145 Bolton Road.
- Annual spring cleanup Saturday, April 15, 9:30 a.m. to noon. To volunteer, email Chris@HealingGardenSupport.org. Rain date is April 22.
- Thursday, April 27, 6:30 p.m.: Annual Garden Gala at Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadock Hill Road, Bolton. Live and silent auctions, wine, and hors d’oeuvres to benefit the Healing Garden. $100; couples $175; clients $50.
Earth Day Show and Tell
The Harvard Climate Initiative Committee and Harvard Energy Advisory Committee will present the 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.
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 tinyurl.com/JessieDay2023.
OUT OF TOWN
Devens Earth Day
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.
At the Westford PCA
The Parish Center for the Arts is located at 10 Lincoln Street, Westford.
- Friday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m., storyteller/comedian/singer-songwriter Don White. Tickets and more information are available at pcawestford.org.
- April 28, 29, and May 5 and 6: The Nashoba Players present “The Lifespan of a Fact.” An editor and a writer go head to head in a battle over facts versus truth. Tickets are $23.75 online; $25 at the door. For more information, visit nashobaplayers.org.
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.
