by Julie Gowel ·
Friday, July 12, 2024
How are Harvard’s residents faring in the ferocious heat in town? Head to the town beach on Bare Hill Pond to find out. Every day, adults and children can be seen splashing in the swimming area, paddling to its many islands, sailing along its shores, and in some cases writing articles for the Press while relaxing on the sand.
While the town is idyllic year round, never is it more so than in the summer months when the pond becomes the center for activity and leisure alike. Water safety instructors conduct swimming lessons to ensure a safe experience for tykes. Boating instructors bellow “saaaaiiiling” in a deep baritone to commence sailing lessons. And just before 1 p.m., parents can be heard calling children in from the water to join Summer Fun, the new program offered by the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Lifeguard Julia Kimball chases after Lam Nguyen during a swimming lesson.
“Last week we had seven children, this week we have 11,” said Recreation Director Anne McWaters of the Summer Fun afternoon program. “A number of them are return people from last week. It made me so happy … to see all these little people gathered up together. They come [to the beach] after they’re all hot and sticky to do arts and crafts and jump in the water.”
Carter Boudreau (left) and Alex Gnini play a game of superhero concentration during “quiet time.”
Water games seem to be a favorite among both swimmers and lifeguards. Third-grader Evie Siff said, “I love going in the water. We play Marco Polo and What Time Is It Mr. Fox?” During an interview at the beach house, swim instructors Vance Petrossi, Brendan Listzwan, and Emma Squire all noted that the fox game is a highlight for them as well.
Instructors will stand by the swim ropes while kids line up on the shore. The kids ask, “What time is it, Mr. Fox?” and the instructor will name the hour that allows the kids to take the same number of steps. If they reach the ropes before the instructor answers “dinner time,” they are safe from being “eaten.” If not, squeals of delight ring out as instructors splash around trying to catch their prey.
Hannah Fader looks for her friends during playground time.
Monday mornings provide an additional crowd favorite: the lifeguard mandatory 200-yard swim. Kids will line the swim rope and chant “lifeguard race!” while the full water safety staff swims to the outer ropes and back. The record, held by Bromfield varsity swimmer and pond swim instructor Vance Petrossi, stood at 2 minutes, 12 seconds. He broke it this week, to the delight of the spectators. “I swam my 200 and they clocked the time at 1 minute and 55 seconds,” said Petrossi. “But what made it more special was getting eight or nine high-fives on my way back to the beach house from kids on the beach.”
While the water is the obvious choice for beating the heat at the beach, some of Harvard’s younger set value other ways of cooling off. Four-year-old Madeline Begin said her favorite part of the pond is “the ice cream truck.” What makes this year interesting is multiple vendors visiting the pond. This created an awkward exchange during the week of the Fourth of July when two trucks simultaneously blasted the familiar music-box tunes alerting pond-goers of their presence. A third, unlabeled van also beckoned hungry beach patrons with its wares.
Callan Slavin and Tanner Curry put up the sail on their Sunfish during sailing lessons. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
It seemed an ice cream “war” was in the works, but administrative arbitration prevented a battle. McWaters, in her role as beach director, asked to see Nashoba Valley Board of Health certificates from all vendors. Unfortunately for La Dip, who has been selling at the pond for 40 years, according to operator Ioannis Sarrou, the lack of an official permit will prohibit him from returning until the proper certification is obtained. For the foreseeable future, the pond will be served by the Hudson-based Juniper Farms truck.
While there are still many more weeks of summer, the beach has scheduled its annual town bonfire for Aug. 8 at 7 p.m. A quintessential end of summer celebration, the bonfire is held along the shore and shoots an impressive blaze that is supervised by the Harvard Fire Department. Revelers enjoy s’mores, the sunset, and an evening swim during this townwide event.