UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Judith Stein offers a two-day introduction to oil painting with cold wax medium Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Fivesparks. Cold wax allows the artist to achieve luminous paintings that are rich in textures. In this 2-day, 6-hour workshop participants will learn basic tools and techniques for using cold wax medium in their oil paintings. Register at fivesparks.org.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer, will feature a 5-part forum series, "Discussions on Faith and Racial Justice" focused on the ways racism is built into our society and how its effects “corrupt and destroy the creature of God.”  Forums will be held Sundays during Lent (March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5) in the Parish Hall, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Coffee and refreshments are served. The series is free and open to the public. 

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Every Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. January through March, bring winter boots, sleds, snowshoes, or cross-country skis to Fruitlands' hills and woodland trails.  There will be a toasty fire outside the Wayside Gallery and hot chocolate available inside. Take a break from the cold in the “Wayside Living Room” with cozy seating, children’s books, and games. A Fruitlands staff member will be available to recommend trails and to answer questions. Free for members; $5 for nonmembers.

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

The Harvard Conservation Commission's Land Stewardship Subcommittee will lead a hike Sunday, March 29, exploring the environs of Black Pond near the Harvard/Littleton border. Wetland scientist Matthew Varrell will introduce us to vernal pool ecology and some of the small aquatic inhabitants of the woodland pools we will visit. Meet at 1:30 p.m. at the Smith Conservation Land trailhead, 199 Whitcomb Road, Littleton. The hike is appoximately three miles on uneven terrain with a few steep sections. No dogs. Steady rain canels. For more information email jamesadelson@charter.net.

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Louise Dorian will offer ballroom dancing workshops at Fivesparks Sunday, March 29, (swing and cha-cha) and Sunday, April 26, (cha-cha and tango), both 3 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per couple per class. Register at www.harvardculture.org/workshop-registration.

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

The Armen Donelian Trio and Dominique Eade will perform Sunday, March 29, at 4:30 p.m. at the Chapman/Ruze home, 42 Willow Road.  Donelian has appeared in 25 countries as a featured pianist, leader of his own quintet and trio, and with some of the biggest names in jazz. Eade is a talented vocalist, composer, and improviser. Attendees are encouraged to bring a potluck dish; hosts will provide beverages.Tickets are $40 and can be obtained in advance at https://uuharvard.tix.com. Proceeds will benefit the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church.

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Judith Stein offers a two-day introduction to oil painting with cold wax medium Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Fivesparks. Cold wax allows the artist to achieve luminous paintings that are rich in textures. In this 2-day, 6-hour workshop participants will learn basic tools and techniques for using cold wax medium in their oil paintings. Register at fivesparks.org.

NOTE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. AS AN ALTERNATIVE
A FACEBOOK PAGE WILL BE CREATED FOR ALL ENTRIES.

Get creative with food and literature by making something with food to represent a book. The only guidelines are that your entry be made of food and related somehow to a book. There will be four age categories: kids, teens, adult, and family. Entries will be displayed at the library Wednesday, April 1; drop off your entry when the library opens at 10 a.m. and pick it up by 5 p.m.

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED

The Harvard Family Association (HFA) will hold its annual spring egg hunt on the Common Saturday, April 4, from 10 a.m. to noon (rain date April . 18). The event, which is free and open to the public, will include  crafts, activities from local pre-schools, face painting, yard games, and more. For more details visit the HFA Facebook page.

A photo exhibit “Through her Lens: Home and Away” by the Still River Photo Collaborative will open Sunday, April 5, at Fivesparks. Meet the four photographers—Lisa Aciukewicz, Kathryn Costello, Ellen Harasimowicz, and Anne Jones—at the opening reception, 4 to 6 p.m.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer, will feature a 5-part forum series, "Discussions on Faith and Racial Justice" focused on the ways racism is built into our society and how its effects “corrupt and destroy the creature of God.”  Forums will be held Sundays during Lent (March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5) in the Parish Hall, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Coffee and refreshments are served. The series is free and open to the public. 

The North Central Mass. LGBTQ drop-in center will be open Thursday, April 9, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street. The purpose of the center is to provide a safe space for LGBT youth ages 13-18 from Harvard and surrounding towns. It will provide support and resources along with crafts, educational workshops, movies, and other activities chosen by the youth. An adult facilitator will be present. The center will be open the second Thursday of each month through May, 2020. Email kimpihouston@gmail.com for more information.

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner Street in Ayer, will feature a 5-part forum series, "Discussions on Faith and Racial Justice" focused on the ways racism is built into our society and how its effects “corrupt and destroy the creature of God.”  Forums will be held Sundays during Lent (March 8, 15, 22, 29, and April 5) in the Parish Hall, 11:15 a.m. to noon. Coffee and refreshments are served. The series is free and open to the public. 

In 1847, Longfellow's poem “Evangeline” told the tragic story of the "Great Eviction," when 13,000 Acadians were removed from their homes and farms in the colony of Acadia and were re-located up and down the eastern seaboard. On Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. at the Still River Meetinghouse, 215 Still River Road, the Harvard Historical Society will present a program based on this story. Learn about  the men of the Harvard and Lancaster militias that reluctantly participated in the eviction, and about some of the Acadian families who were taken from their homes in the mid-18th century and moved to destinations, including Harvard. Refreshments will be served after the slide presentation.

For two nights only, Friday, April 17, at 7:30 pm. at the. Fitchburg Art Museum and Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m at Assumption College, the Worcester Chamber Music Society will perform a program of Schubert and Beethoven selected in conjunction with the Fitchburg Art Museum’s upcoming exhibit “Death and the Afterlife.” There is a pre-concert talk by violinist Rohan Gregory a half-hour before the concert begins. Go to www.worcesterchambermusic.org for more informaiton and for tickets.

Cellist Cynthia Forbes will perform at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Healing Garden Cancer Support Center.  Forbes has appeared with chamber and orchestral ensembles throughout New England and has both classical and contemporary repertoires. More information at healinggardensupport.org/concert-at-the-garden.

For two nights only, Friday, April 17, at 7:30 pm. at the. Fitchburg Art Museum and Sunday, April 19, at 4 p.m at Assumption College, the Worcester Chamber Music Society will perform a program of Schubert and Beethoven selected in conjunction with the Fitchburg Art Museum’s upcoming exhibit “Death and the Afterlife.” There is a pre-concert talk by violinist Rohan Gregory a half-hour before the concert begins. Go to www.worcesterchambermusic.org for more informaiton and for tickets.

Kids in grades 3 to 6 are invited to learn the basics of felting while making some magical felted projects Monday, April 20. There are two seesions: 9:30-12 a.m. to noon and 1 to 3 p.m. Participants may sign up for one session or both. Contact rayraybenson1@gmail.com for more information and to sign up.

Culinary school graduate Nicky Schmidt offers a 4-day workshop for students in the art of French cooking during school vacation week, Monday through Thursday, April 20-23, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Currier Farm on East Bare Hill Road. Each day participants will learn a new technique and will create one savory and one sweet dish. There will be a break each day for kids to experience the farm and the animals. For mature children ages 10 and older. For more information, email nickyschmidt@gmail.com. To sign up go to harvardculture.org/workshop-registration.

UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED

Join friends at the General Store Saturday, April 25, at 6 p.m. for a three-course, Spanish-themed buffet dinner followed by classical guitarist Dave McLellan and vocalist Fanny Lora performing music and poetry of Spain's best-known creative geniuses. There will be a cash bar for beer and wine throughout the evening. Seating is limited; reserve at harvardgeneralstore.com/calendar.

Come to Fivesparks Sunday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch and conversation with Andrew Krivak, National Book Award Finalist and author of "The Bear," a fable of Earth’s last two human inhabitants, and a girl’s journey home. Krivak will read excerpts from the book and share insights about his process. A signed copy of the book is included with admission to the brunch and speaking event. For tickets go to eventbrite.com (search for fivesparks).

Louise Dorian will offer ballroom dancing workshops at Fivesparks Sunday, March 29, (swing and cha-cha) and Sunday, April 26, (cha-cha and tango), both 3 to 4:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per couple per class. Register at www.harvardculture.org/workshop-registration.

The Harvard Cultural Council will hold a Community Night Thursday, April 30, at Fivesparks. The event will start at 5:30 p.m.with a grantwriting workshop session where attendees may speak with council members about the grant process. A reception featuring performances and presentations from past and current recipients will follow at 6:30 p.m. Community Night is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the Harvard Cultural Council and ways to promote and grow unique local programming. Refreshments will be served.

Bromfield's Model United Nations club will host its annual lip sync competition Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium. Come see creative and entertaining acts by students and teachers. Tickets are $10 at the door.

The Oak Meadow School, 2 Old Pickard Lane in Littleton, will hold an open house Sunday, May 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. Meet Oak Meadow's teachers and learn about its Montessori-inspired program for children ages 15 months through grade 8. For more information, call 978-486-9874, email admissions@oakmeadow.org, or visit www.oakmeadow.org.

The North Central Mass. LGBTQ drop-in center will be open Thursday, May 14, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Fivesparks, 7 Fairbank Street. The purpose of the center is to provide a safe space for LGBT youth ages 13-18 from Harvard and surrounding towns. It will provide support and resources along with crafts, educational workshops, movies, and other activities chosen by the youth. An adult facilitator will be present. The center will be open the second Thursday of each month through May, 2020. Email kimpihouston@gmail.com for more information.

Enjoy the sweet sounds of the Caribbean at the Virginia Thurston Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Healing Garden Cancer Support Center. Bob Lucas of Pan Loco Steel Band will perform. More information at healinggardensupport.org/concert-at-the-garden.

On Saturday, May 30, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Fivesparks will host a pastels workshop. This is a hands-on workshop with an individual coaching approach. The focus will be on rendering the colors of spring with an emphasis on composition, drawing an outline, applying an under-painting, and gradually building pastel layers. The morning will be spent on exercises, and the afternoon on a fullsize painting based on your own photo reference. To sign up go to harvardculture.org/workshop-registration.