Mitten Tree
Harvard Girl Scouts will continue their service tradition with a Mitten Tree in the children’s room of the Harvard Public Library from Monday, Nov. 29, until Thursday, Dec. 9. Everyone is encouraged to stop by and decorate the tree with a new pair of gloves or mittens for adults or children. The mittens will be taken to Loaves and Fishes food pantry for distribution. For further information call Liz Hawkes at 978-456-8358.
Clay Ornament Painting at the Library
The Harvard Public Library will host its annual Clay Painting Workshop for children age 4 and older Wednesday, Dec. 1, with five sessions at half-hour intervals beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the library. Each child may paint one ornament from Fire Your Desire of Acton. Finished pieces will be available to pick up at the library in mid-December. Space is limited and open only to Harvard residents, who may sign up for just one session. Preregistration is requested by calling the library at 978-456-4114.
Family Movie Night
The Harvard Public Library will host a Family Movie Night for all ages Friday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall. Popcorn and water will be served. Preregister by calling 978-456-4114.
Bromfield Middle School Drama Club
The Bromfield Middle School Drama Club will present Seussical, Jr., a musical that brings to life favorite Dr. Seuss characters, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m., in the Bromfield School’s Cronin Auditorium. The play, which features Bromfield Middle School students, is directed by Martha Brooks, with choreography by Melissa Hoffmann, musical direction by Michael Hoffmann, and costumes by Kate Hoch. Tickets are available at the door. For more information e-mail Martha Brooks at mbrooks@psharvard.org.
Christmas Fair and Lunch with Santa
The Harvard Congregational Church will hold its annual Christmas Fair Saturday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in its newly renovated building on the Common. Santa will arrive at 11 a.m. and reservations for lunch with Mr. and Mrs. Claus and their elves will be available for 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Tickets are available at the church or by calling 978-456-8788.
Along with Lunch with Santa, the fair will feature the Festival of Trees and Wreaths, a display of Christmas trees and wreaths decorated in a variety of creative themes. A raffle will be held for the decorated trees, and winners will be announced at the end of the fair. Also featured at the fair will be handmade crafts and activities for kids, including gingerbread-house decorating. The Tea Room will be open for lunch and snacks. Grandma’s Attic will sell gently used treasures. For more information contact Dennis Bradley, 978-660-5854 or DbinNE@aol.com.
Mary (Richards) Holland Book Signing
Mary (Richards) Holland, naturalist, Harvard Press columnist, nature photographer, and former Harvard resident, will be at the Harvard Public Library Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m. to sign copies of her recently published book, Naturally Curious: A Photographic Field Guide and Month-by-Month Journey through the Fields, Woods, and Marshes of New England. The book follows the activities of New England’s amphibian, reptile, bird, mammal, insect, and plant species through the 12 months of the year. The text is accompanied by nearly 1,000 photographs. Holland’s extensive collection of natural history artifacts will be on display at the book signing, and copies of her book will be available for purchase. The library can be reached at 978-456-4114.
Harvard Pro Musica Concert
Harvard Pro Musica will present Sounds of the Season Saturday, Dec., 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church on the Common. The concert will feature Vivaldi’s Gloria and a selection of carols, including “African Noël,” “The Carol of the Bells,” and “Coventry Carol.” Refreshments will follow the performance. Tickets are $20 (adults); $16 (students/seniors); children under age 12 admitted free. For more information call 978-456-5039 or visit www.harvardpromusica.org.
Family Holiday Crafting Fair and Puppet Show
Evergreen Garden Playschool and the Oxbow Schoolhouse will host a Holiday Crafting Fair for the entire family Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the joint schoolhouse at 270 Barnum Road in Devens. The event will feature live music, refreshments, and crafts to purchase from local craftspeople. There will be craft-making for children 12 and younger and those young at heart (for a small fee). The Cobb Meadow Puppeteers will perform a marionette puppet show. Admission is $5 per person; children under age 2 are free. For more information call 978-772-9595 or visit www.evergreengardenplayschool.org.
Harvard Woman’s Club Holiday Luncheon and Auction
The Harvard Woman’s Club will hold its Holiday Luncheon and Auction Monday, Dec. 6, at St. Theresa’s Parish Hall. The silent auction will start at 10:30 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m., and the live auction at 12:30 p.m. Due to space constraints, this meeting is for members and their guests only. Call Susan Guswa at 978-456-8580 for membership information.
Harvard Republican Town Committee
The Harvard Republican Town Committee will hold its monthly meeting Thursday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room. All are welcome.
Lego Club
All Harvard Lego fans age 5 and older are invited to join others Saturday, Dec. 11, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. to create Lego and/or Duplo constructions. The library has some Lego sets, which club members may use, but participants who want to keep their creations should bring their own Legos or Duplos. Parents are encouraged to join in the fun and assist with supervision. Preregister by calling 978-456-4115.
OUT OF TOWN
Kids and Food Allergies
Nashoba Valley Asthma and Allergy Educational Support Group will host a free talk, “Educating and Empowering Kids to Manage Their Food Allergies,” by allergist Dr. Michael Pistiner, Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m. at Nashoba Valley Medical Center, 200 Groton Road in Ayer. For more information call the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America/New England Chapter at 781-444-7778.
Applewild School Open House
Applewild School, an independent school for grades K through 8, will host an Open House the first Thursday of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Crocker Building, 120 Prospect St. in Fitchburg. These Take-a-Look mornings will include a school tour and a chance to see students and teachers in action. No registration required. For more information call 978-342-6053, ext. 110 or visit www.applewild.org.
Red Cross Blood Drive
The Red Cross will conduct a blood drive Friday, Dec. 3, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn, 242 Adams Place, Boxborough. Donors will receive a ski lift ticket, courtesy of Wachusett Mountain. To make an appointment, call 800-733-2767.
Christmas in Berlin
The Berlin Lions Club will host its 15th annual Christmas in Berlin festival Friday and Saturday, Dec. 3 and 4. The weekend-long celebration will feature a flute choir concert by Harmonie Transverse Friday evening, and Saturday events that start with the deacons’ breakfast. Other festivities will include a Christmas Shoppe Fair, a holiday raffle, a Lego Christmas, tours of the historic Bullard House, a gingerbread house contest, a live Nativity play, a lighting ceremony, a soup supper, a concert of Celtic/Welsh/Scottish/Early American Christmas Carols by Cnoic Glasa Music, and a contra dance. Details are available at www.townofberlin.com and in brochures at many Berlin businesses.
Oak Meadow Montessori Book Fair
Oak Meadow Montessori School will host a book fair featuring selections from both Scholastic and Barefoot Books Saturday, Dec. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. at 2 Old Pickard Lane in Littleton. The fair will feature a large selection of popular books for all ages, from preschool to adult.
Winter Carnival and Craft Fair
The Natural Sciences and Health Society at Atlantic Union College will host a Winter Carnival and Craft Fair, Sunday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Atlantic Union College William G. Nelson Fieldhouse, 103 George Hill Road in South Lancaster. The afternoon will include shopping with 20 local and regional craft vendors and artisans, and free holiday craft projects for children. There will also be games and contests with prizes for all ages, face painting, henna tattoos, and paintball. Admission is free. For more information contact ravi.kriss@auc.edu.
Nashaway Philharmonic Holiday Concert
Nashaway Philharmonic will present its third annual Holiday Concert Sunday, Dec. 5, featuring the Philharmonic Chorus and Chamber Ensemble alongside local soloists in a performance of George Frederic Handel’s quintessential holiday classic, Messiah. These concerts will take place at First Parish of Bolton, 673 Main St. in Bolton, Sunday, Dec. 5, at 4 and 7 p.m. Doors open for admission one hour prior to each event. As is customary at all Nashaway Philharmonic events, admission to these concerts is free, while donations are welcome. For more information about the Nashaway Philharmonic visit www.nashawayphilharmonic.org.
Berklee Reverence Gospel Ensemble
The Reverence Gospel Ensemble from Berklee College of Music will perform gospel and Christmas music at the second concert in the Music at St. Matthew’s Concert Series Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3:30 p.m. at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St. in Acton. Tickets will be available for $15 and $12.50 for seniors and students. Child care will be available. For more information call 978-263-2822 or 978-263-9735 or visit www.saint-matthews.org.
National Wildlife Refuge Programs
Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge programs in December will include nature hikes, a history tour of the Assabet River, and a Winter Solstice Hike in Sudbury, as well as an Exploring the Landscape walk at Great Meadows in Concord. For event details visit www.fws.gov/northeast/EasternMANWRComplex or contact visitor services at 978-562-3527, ext. 117 or 115.
Auditions for Drowsy Chaperone
Theatre at the Mount (TAM) will hold auditions for its production of the musical comedy The Drowsy Chaperone Sunday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m. in room 182 of Theatre at the Mount at Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner. Performers should come prepared with a vocal/musical selection, and dancers should wear appropriate footwear. Cold readings from the script will be required for lead roles. Director Peter Landry is looking for a cast of 18 to 20 adult men and women. For detailed character descriptions visit http://theatre.mwcc.edu. For more information contact Professor Gail Steele at 978-630-9162 or g_steele@mwcc.mass.edu.
Loaves & Fishes Jazz Benefit
Jazz pianist Molly Flannery will host a Holiday Extravaganza to benefit Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry, Friday, Dec. 10, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Acton Jazz Café. All are welcome. In exchange for donations of canned foods, sundries, new toys, gently used jewelry and/or $10, you will be treated to holiday music and good cheer. Items from local companies will be raffled off to benefit the pantry. For information call the Acton Jazz Café at 978-263-6161 or visit www.actonjazzcafe.com, www.MollyFlannery.com, or www.loavesfishespantry.org.
Toys for Tots Distribution
This year’s Toys for Tots distribution will take place Saturday, Dec. 11, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Blanchard Middle School, 14 West St., Westford. The distribution serves families in Acton, Ayer, Chelmsford, Dunstable, Groton, Harvard, Lancaster, Littleton, Pepperell, Shirley, Townsend, Tyngsboro, and Westford. Parents should plan to bring a Massachusetts driver’s license or state photo ID with address, and a birth certificate or health card for each child. For more information call 978-692-5582.
