by Ken Robbins ·
Friday, January 30, 2026
Winter workshop for growing native plants
The Harvard Conservation Commission’s Land Stewardship Subcommittee will hold a workshop on winter planting of native seeds Saturday, Jan. 31, 10 a.m. to noon, at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. This free workshop will demonstrate how to help at-risk pollinators and add beautiful plants to your yard. Create planters out of plastic jugs and take them home to be left outdoors to germinate come spring. Bring two to four plastic one-gallon translucent milk or water jugs and scissors. All other supplies provided. Register in advance at bit.ly/3NqDFx4.
For further information contact Brian McClain at brianrmcc1@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.
Children’s programs
- Challenge trivia duels, families, ages 7 and older. Saturday, Jan. 31, 1 p.m.
- Magic show with Ed Popielarczyk, ages 3 and older, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 12:30 p.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, Feb. 5, 10:30 a.m. Dance and have fun with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
- GraviTrax challenge, ages 8 and older, Thursday, Feb. 5, 3:45 p.m. Build a marble raceway.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesdays, Feb. 11 and Feb. 25. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- Create a valentine, all ages, Thursday, Feb. 12, 3:45 p.m.
Teen programs
- Teen advisory board, grades 7-12, Tuesday, Feb. 3, 3 p.m. Help shape collections and programs for teens.
- Teen after-school movie and treat, grades 6-12, Thursday, Feb. 5, 3 p.m.
Adult programs
- Virtual mindfulness and meditation workshop, Mondays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23, noon to 12:30 p.m. Online only.
- Cookbook Club, Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook and bring a dish to share. This month, vegetarianism.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Artists in residence, through Feb. 21. Visit working artists informally during regular hours.
- Pastel painting with Ann Gillespie, Wednesdays, Feb. 4 through March 25, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Snapology steam trains workshop, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
- Meet and greet with state Rep. Dan Sena, Thursday, Feb. 5, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
‘Something Rotten Jr.’ at Cannon Theatre
The Cannon Theatre will present “Something Rotten Jr.” over two weekends, Friday to Sunday, Jan. 30 to Feb. 1, and Friday to Sunday, Feb. 6 to 8, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Fridays and Saturday, Feb. 7, 7 p.m. curtain; Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sundays, 2 p.m. curtain. Travel back to the Renaissance for comedy gold in a kids/teens show that writes the world’s very first musical. Tickets and information at thecannontheatre.org.
Piano concert at Unitarian Church
Resident and pianist Sonya Ovrutsky Fensome will perform at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Saturday, Jan. 31, 2 p.m., at 9 Ayer Road. The program will feature pieces drawn from teaching students as a professor of music and privately and will include personal reflections on a musical journey through this great repertoire. Tickets $40, including refreshments afterward.
Full moon hike
Fruitlands Museum will host a guided hike under the full moon Sunday, Feb. 1, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at 102 Prospect Hill Road. Explore the Fruitlands trail system, and visit sites such as the Pergolas foundation and the old Willard farm. Meet at the gift shop. Dress for the weather with sturdy shoes, and bring your own flashlight, headlamp, or lantern. Register at thetrustees.org/event/443161.
Stroke awareness presentation
Personnel from Harvard Fire-EMS will explain how to recognize the early signs of a stroke, what to do in an emergency, and how fast action can save lives Monday, Feb. 2, at a meeting of the Harvard Woman’s Club, 11:30 a.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. All are welcome.
HES game night
On Thursday, Feb. 5, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., the Harvard Schools PTO invites all Hildreth Elementary School students and their families to an evening of fun and games in the HES cafeteria. Grab your favorite game and challenge your friends or one of the HES principals. Pizza and baked goods will be for sale for dinner. All proceeds benefit the PTO.
Bromfield Middle School play
Superstar Productions and Bromfield Middle School Theater will present High School Musical Jr. Friday and Saturday, Feb. 6 and 7, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 8, at noon, in the Cronin Auditorium. Tickets $15 for adults, and $10 for students and seniors.
Repair cafe at senior center
The Climate Initiative Committee will hold a repair cafe Saturday, Feb. 7, 1 to 3 p.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Volunteer repair experts will be available to make repairs free of charge for small electrical appliances, clothing, furniture, toys, and many other items. Walk-ins are welcome, but preregistration is highly encouraged. For more information or to sign up, visit harvardmaclimateinitiative.org.
Community safety training
Nashoba Indivisible will host a workshop on community and immigration safety Saturday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St. The training will focus on the state of ICE in the U.S. and Massachusetts; preparing community members for safety; individual rights; what to do if you see ICE; supporting the immigrant community; and front-line organizations. To learn more and to register visit nashobaindivisible.org.
Woman’s Club Valentine’s tea
The Harvard Woman’s Club will host a Valentine’s tea and scholar awards fundraiser at the Harvard Congregational Church, 5 Still River Road, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2 to 4 p.m. Scholar awards are given by the Woman’s Club to graduating students of the Bromfield School and Harvard residents graduating from other public high schools who have demonstrated service to the community. Admission is open to the public; $25 adults, $10 children 10 and under. Snow date is Sunday, Feb. 8. Contact hhsiegrist@yahoo.com for more information.
Assemble immigrant information packets
Nashoba Indivisible will meet Tuesday, Feb. 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Building, 7 Elm St., to assemble family preparedness packets for immigrant community members. The packets, prepared in Spanish, will be distributed regionally by LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts to inform immigrants of their rights and provide advice in case of emergency. To learn more and sign up visit nashobaindivisible.org. Please bring a stapler.
Save the date
- Friday, Feb. 20: James Keelaghan and David Woodhead concert in Volunteers Hall
- Sunday, March 1: Lions Winterfest
- Friday, March 6: Bromfield Science Fair.
Out of town
‘Miss Holmes’ on stage in Acton
Theatre III, 250 Central St., Acton, will present “Miss Holmes,” playing Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30 and 31, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Feb. 1, at 2 p.m. Miss Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Dorothy Watson work to uncover the secrets surrounding a corrupt police inspector whose wives keep turning up dead. In an era of rigidly defined gender roles, the show explores what added obstacles might be faced by Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John Watson if they were women.
Directed by Harvard resident Liz Ruark. For tickets and more information visit theatre3.org/upcoming/MissHolmes2026.
Chamber music in Worcester
The Worcester Chamber Music Society will present a concert, “Shadow & Light,” Sunday, Feb. 1, 4 p.m., at Curtis Hall, Assumption University, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester; preconcert talk at 3:30 p.m. The program will feature work by little-known composers Sofia Gubaidulina and Rebecca Clarke, plus Beethoven’s Septet. A reception will follow the performance. Tickets are available at worcesterchambermusic.org/shadow-and-light or by calling the WCMS office at 508-926-8624.
Learn the art of filmmaking
Westford Community Access Television will offer filmmaking for middle school students during school vacations, Feb. 17-20 and April 21-24. The hands-on Film Lab program allows young creators to explore every aspect of video production, from brainstorming creative concepts and writing scripts to operating professional cameras, directing scenes, and editing their final projects using industry-standard software. Cost is $175 per week, or both for $325.
For more information, visit westfordcat.org/services-and-resources/classes.