Library book sale
The Friends of the Harvard Public Library will hold a book sale Saturday, May 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the library. Members of the Friends are invited to a preview Friday, May 8, 3 to 7 p.m.; new members may join at the door. On sale will be hardcover and paperback books; audiobooks; CDs, LPs, and DVDs; and jigsaw puzzles. Proceeds allow the library to fund programs for children and teens, musical and theatrical performances, and free and discounted museum passes, and other services.
At the library
The Harvard Public Library is at 4 Pond Road. For the full calendar of events and to register for events, visit harvardpublic library.org/services/events.
Children’s programs
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features Golden Week in Japan. On view through May in the children’s room.
- Flying High Dogs, all ages, Thursday, May 14, 3:45 p.m.
- Sensory playtime, all ages, best for under 6. Saturday, May 16, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Baby and toddler disco party, ages 0 to 3+ and their grown-ups, Thursday, May 21, 10:30 a.m. Dance with your child; includes flashing lights and noise.
Teen programs
- Teen readers club, grades 7-12, Thursday, May 14, 3 p.m.
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Thursday, May 21, 2:45 p.m.
Adult programs
- Cookbook Club, Tuesday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. Browse a cookbook and bring a dish to share. This month, England.
- Brown Bag Book Club, Wednesday, May 20, noon. Book is “Less” by Andrew Sean Greer.
- Children’s literature book discussion group for grown-ups, Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m.
At Fivesparks
Fivesparks is at 7 Fairbank Street. Visit fivesparks.org for the complete schedule, hours, and more information.
- Exhibit: “Birds!,” through May 30.
- Music is meditation, new session, Fridays, May 8, 22, 29, and June 5, 9 to 10 a.m.
- Lecture: “Birds, Bats & Bugs: The Underlying Unity of Flight,” Friday, May 8, 7 to 8:30 p.m.
- After-school program: Paint and Popcorn, Tuesday, May 12, 3:40 to 5 p.m. Held at Hildreth Elementary School.
- Felt a seal, Wednesday, May 13, 6:15 to 8 p.m.
- Snapology school half day: Castles and kingdoms, medieval engineering and design. Friday, May 15, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
- Fivesparks Theater: “Talley’s Folly.” Performances Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, and Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24. Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.
- Free open house: Rebound Boots fitness, Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Adult improv workshop, Monday, May 18, 7 to 8 p.m.
- Paint and plant for kids, two-day workshop. Tuesday, May 19, and Thursday, May 21, 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Held at Hildreth Elementary School.
HES spring musical
Superstar Productions presents the musical “Alice in Wonderland” at the Hildreth Elementary School Friday, May 8, 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 9, noon and 4 p.m., at 27 Mass. Ave. Tickets are $8 at the door.
Guided bird walks
The Boxborough Birders will lead a series of guided bird walks through local conservation lands. Part of the Fivesparks “Birds!” exhibit, the walks are free and open to all. For information and registration visit fivesparks.org/birds.
- Saturday, May 9, 8 to 10 a.m., Horse Meadows Knoll, 45 Sherry Road
- Saturday, May 16, 7 to 10 a.m., Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road
- Saturday, May 23, 8 to 10 a.m., Hermann Orchard Conservation Lands, 51 Mill Road.
Apple blossom festival
Carlson Orchards will host an apple blossom festival Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, at the orchard at 115 Oak Hill Road. The festival will include artisans for Mother’s Day gift shopping, food trucks, wagon rides through the orchard, and more. For information visit CarlsonOrchards.com.
Learn to make sourdough
The Goose and Hen farm will offer a class on sourdough bread baking Saturday, May 9, 2 to 3:30 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. $35 per person. Email kerry.thegooseandhen@gmail.com if interested.
Felting with alpacas
The Harvard Alpaca Ranch will hold a needle felting session Saturday, May 9, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at 58 Old Mill Road. Felt mushrooms from natural fibers with instructor Rachel Benson. Recommended for ages 8 and older; $37 per person, includes all materials and light refreshments. Visit HarvardAlpacaRanch.com for tickets.
Panel discussion on immigration
Nashoba Indivisible will host a panel discussion Tuesday, May 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church Fellowship Hall, 7 Elm St., on work being done to protect and support immigrant neighbors. Hear from local organizers of legislative and grassroots efforts in Harvard and neighboring communities. To learn more, visit NashobaIndivisible.org.
Time Traveler at Carlson Orchards
Time Traveler with Suzanne Buell will perform Saturday, May 9, 4 to 7 p.m., at Carlson’s Cider Barn, 115 Oak Hill Road. Bring the family, and relax with pizza and signature ciders. The Harvard-based band plays an eclectic mix of traditional folk, blues, and country, with a bit of retro pop.
School art shows
Art departments at the Hildreth Elementary School and the Bromfield School will host public receptions Wednesday, May 13, 5 to 7 p.m., at each school. Visit both schools and see the range of works produced by students at all levels.
Bromfield choral concert
The Bromfield School will hold its spring choral concert Wednesday, May 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m., in the Cronin Auditorium at 14 Mass. Ave. Come for the art, stay for the music,
Women’s Business Network
The Women’s Business Network will meet Thursday, May 14, 6:30 p.m., at St. Theresa Church, 17 Still River Road. Denise Walsh of True North Success Coaching will discuss how to define goals and dreams and show tools to achieve them. Guests welcome.
‘Emma’ at Cannon Theatre
The Cannon Theatre will present Jane Austen’s “Emma” weekends, Friday, May 15, through Sunday, May 31, at 28 Andrews Parkway, Devens. Friday and Saturday 7:30 p.m. curtain; Sunday 2 p.m. curtain. This popular and critically acclaimed adaptation by Paul Gordon is a musical retelling that keeps the language and spirit of the original text. Tickets and information at TheCannonTheatre.org.
Celebration open house
Bromfield Celebration, Harvard’s postprom event for juniors and seniors, will hold its annual public open house Friday, May 15, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the Hildreth Elementary School, 27 Mass. Ave. This is an opportunity to view the event’s decorations before the students arrive. Volunteers and various items are still needed; sign up at BromfieldCelebration.com.
UNACC powwow
The United Native American Cultural Center will present its annual Chief Roland Jerome Memorial Powwow Saturday, May 16, and Sunday, May 17, noon to 5 p.m. each day, at the cultural center, 29 Antietam Street, Devens. The event will include drumming, dancing, flute players, silent auction, and a food tent. Free and open to all. For more information visit calendar.powwows.com/events/unacc-chief-roland-jerome-memorial-pow-wow.
‘Scenic Songs: A Hiking Concert’
Fruitlands Museum, 102 Prospect Hill Road, will host “Scenic Songs: A Hiking Concert with Nora Meier, Alouette Batteau, & Nicolas Emden” Saturday, May 16, 1 to 4 p.m. Spend the afternoon on the Fruitlands trail system, stopping halfway to enjoy acoustic sets from emerging artists from Club Passim’s upcoming Campfire Festival. Tickets $48 members, $60 nonmembers, register at TheTrustees.org/event/447472.
Garden Club plant sale
The Garden Club of Harvard will hold its annual plant sale Saturday, May 16, 9 a.m. to noon, at Westward Orchards, 178 Mass. Ave., rain or shine. Find all types of plants, including native plants, vegetables, perennials, shrubs, and houseplants, all ready for our area. Pay by cash, check, or credit card.
The Harvard Shakers
The Harvard Historical Society will present author Ned Quist Thursday, May 21, 7 p.m., at the meetinghouse at 215 Still River Road. Quist will discuss his new book “The Harvard Shakers and Their Cultural Landscape,” and how documentary evidence and the landscape tell the story of this remarkable cultural legacy. Refreshments, and book signing follow. $5 donation appreciated.
Save these dates
- Friday, May 29: PTO Spring Soiree
- Sunday, June 7: Bare Hill Triathlon, Duathlon, and Aquabike
- Tuesday, June 23: Library ice cream social.
Out of town
Wachusett Dam open
The Department of Conservation and Recreation will open the top of the Wachusett Dam to the public Saturday, May 9, 2 to 5 p.m., at 265-283 Boylston St., Clinton. No dogs or large backpacks allowed. Parking is available along Route 70 and at the Clinton middle and high schools (a 1-mile walk.) For more information call the ranger station at 978-365-3800.
Gropius open house
The Gropius House, 68 Baker Bridge Road, Lincoln, will be open Friday, May 15, 5 to 8 p.m. Walter Gropius was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. His 1938 family home highlights the clean lines of Modernist design. Free, suitable for families with kids ages 7 and older. Find more information at FreedomsWay.org/event/gropius-open-house-2026.
Music of spring and love
Enjoy music for the season Sunday, May 17, 4 p.m., at the Curtis Performing Arts Center, Assumption University, 500 Salisbury St., Worcester. Soprano Maria Ferrante and two pianists will present song settings by local composer Steve Peisch and Robert Schumann’s Dichterliebe song cycle. Free. For more information visit HundredsRecords.com.