WinterFest at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will host its WinterFest Weekends beginning Saturday, Jan. 14, continuing through Sunday, Feb. 26, from 1 to 5 p.m. Free for members, $20 per car for nonmembers. Enjoy the snow-covered trails and hills. Bring a sled. Eastern Mountain Sports will be on hand January 28 and 29 and February 11 and 12, with snowshoes and x-country skis to try out. A bonfire will be roaring, and hot chocolate will be on sale.
Winter Art Gallery Exhibit
Fruitlands will host an opening of two new exhibits, Zen Dust by artist Linda Hoffman, and Photographs from the Harvard Shaker Village, Sunday, Jan. 15, at 1 p.m. in the Fruitlands Art Gallery. At 2 p.m., Hoffman will talk about being influenced by her early training in the Zen Art of Noh Theater, in Kyoto. Both exhibits will be on display during WinterFest weekends, along with landscapes from the Hudson River School and nineteenth-century portraits from Fruitlands' collection. Admission is free with suggested donation. The art gallery will be open weekends from 1 to 4 p.m. from Jan. 14 through Feb. 26 and by appointment until April 15.
Charting Harvard's Future
The second panel discussion,"Future Opportunities or Liabilities?," in the Elizabeth S. May Memorial Lecture Series, Charting Harvard's Future, is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 19, at 7 p.m., in Volunteers Hall. A knowledgeable panel will address specific topics, including Devens, the commercial district, and regionalization. They will welcome questions from the audience. The series was inaugurated by the League of Women Voters of Harvard last fall to honor the memory and vision of Elizabeth S. May, a longtime League volunteer and an outstanding member of the community. The final meeting in this series,"Building a Sustainable Future," will take place March 15.
Harvard Story Slam
The Warner Free Lecture Series will present the Second Annual Harvard Story Slam, Friday, Jan. 20, 7:30 p.m. in Volunteers Hall for an evening of storytelling with different stories in different voices. Volunteers will put their names in a hat, and the six names drawn will tell a variety of amusing, sincere, humorous stories. Prizes will be awarded. Brian Schimpf will MC again this year. Hear some interesting stories or even tell one of your own.
Healing Garden Programs
The Healing Garden, 145 Bolton Road, will offer three programs this month. All are open to the community and require preregistration. For more information and to register, email lana@healinggarden.net or call 978-456-3532, ext. 3#.
- The Strong Women Program, developed by Tufts University professor Miriam Nelson, is based on research showing "that a program in strength training not only improves bone density but reduces falls, improves arthritis symptoms and increases flexibility and strength." The program is designed for women regardless of their age or physical status. Classes, led by Nancy Webber, will be offered for a 4-week series beginning Wednesday, Jan. 18. A morning series will be held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and an evening series from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Please bring a water bottle, exercise mat, and, most importantly, a sense of humor. $40 members/$45 nonmembers.
- Indoor Gardening Workshop: Jennifer Angell, a certified horticultural therapist, will share some of her easy-care houseplants, including African violets and orchids, in a morning workshop Saturday, Jan. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn how to propagate an African violet that they can take home. Participants are invited to bring a small- to medium- size houseplant that they have a question about or that needs repotting. $15 members/$20 nonmembers.
- Candlelight Yoga: Registered yoga teacher Nancy Webber will lead a Candlelight Yoga session Monday, Jan. 23, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. Gathering at the fireplace before class and gentle yoga to improve flexibility and reduce stress may be the perfect antidote for a cold winter evening. $12 members/$15 nonmembers.
Eyes on Owls at Fruitlands
Fruitlands Museum will host Eyes on Owls Sunday, Jan. 22, from 1 to 4 p.m., when naturalists Mark and Marcia Wilson will share how to attract and protect owls in your own back yard. Members $10, nonmembers $15, children under 14 $5. Reservations are required. Call 978-456-3924, ext. 292, or email mdelaney@fruitlands.org.
Origami Workshop
The Harvard Public Library will host two origami workshops with Michael LaFosse Wednesday, Jan. 25, at 12:30 p.m. for grades 6 through adult and at 1:45 p.m. for ages 6 to 12. Early registration is recommended by calling 978-456-2381. Author and artist Michael LaFosse is a seasoned and respected presenter of the paper art who, with Richard Alexander, has authored many books and DVDs on origami. For more information on LaFosse and the Origamido Studio, visit www.origamido.com.
OUT OF TOWN
"Awakening the Dreamer"
Trained facilitators will lead the multimedia symposium "Awakening the Dreamer," which calls participants to explore the most urgent challenges and possibilities for our time, Saturday, Jan. 14, from 1 p.m. to about 4 p.m. in Davis Hall at First Parish Church in Bolton. The symposium, sponsored by Bolton Local, will be followed by a potluck supper, to which all are invited, whether or not they are able to attend the symposium. Early registration is requested so organizers can plan for materials. Contact Lynda King at l.king42@verizon.net or 978-365-3314. Registration is also available at the door, starting at 12:30 p.m. The symposium is free, but donations at the door are appreciated to help offset costs.
Free Figure Skating Lesson
Colonial Figure Skating Club will offer a free figure skating lesson Saturday, Jan. 14, from 3 to 5 p.m. at its annual Open House at 34 Mass Ave in Boxborough. There will be an opportunity to view the facility, meet the staff, enjoy a free figure skating lesson and hot chocolate, and for new members to receive a $25 discount towards the Basic Skills classes. Trained professionals will demonstrate their skills in a mini-exhibition and be on hand to answer questions. Skate rentals are available. Bring helmets, layered clothing, and mittens. Email colonial@colonialfsc.com or call 978-263-3450 for more information.
Concert Series at the Bull Run
The Bull Run Restaurant on Route 2A in Shirley continues its concert series with:
- Saturday, Jan. 14: The Fools, Sawtelle Room
- Saturday, Jan. 14: Ana Egge, Ballroom
- Friday, Jan. 20: A Ton of Blues to Memphis
Ticket prices and more information at tickets.bullrunrestaurant.com.
Partners In Health
Dr. Paul Farmer started Partners In Health (PHI), the celebrated world health care organization, 25 years ago. Donna Barry, Advocacy and Policy Director at PIH, will be speak about PIH's work to bring desperately needed health care and medical services to the poor of Haiti and a dozen other countries Sunday, Jan. 15, at 9 a.m. at St. Andrew's Church in Ayer.
"Hooked on Growth"
Bolton Local will present the documentary "Hooked on Growth" Thursday, Jan. 19, at Bolton Public Library. The film posits that we're approaching the end of growth and asks: Will we embrace it? Or go down fighting? Refreshments at 6:30 p.m.; the movie starts at 7 p.m.
Animal Tracking Workshop
The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) River Classroom Director Stacey Chilcoat and naturalist George Moore will offer a Basic Animal Tracking Skills Workshop Saturday, Jan. 21, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. in Groton at the NRWA and on one of Groton's premier conservation properties. Participants will learn how gate patterns, habitat, scat, footprint shape and size, and other details assist the tracker and the backyard naturalist alike with proper identification. The workshop is appropriate for ages 11 to adult. Snowshoes are encouraged but not required. The cost is $8/person or $24/family for NRWA members, and $10/person or $30/family for nonmembers. Space is limited and preregistration is required by contacting Stacey Chilcoat at 978-448-0299 or StaceyC@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.