‘Nashobah Praying Indians: A Living People, A Living Landscape’
The Warner Free Lecture series will present an evening of local Native American history Friday, Jan. 23, 7 p.m., at the library’s Volunteers Hall, 4 Pond Road. In 1654, the Nashoba Valley area was the Praying Indian Village of Nashobah, a place of spirit and vision. Join Sagamore Strong Bear Medicine of the Nashobah Praying Indians and local historian Daniel V. Boudillion as they present and discuss the Nashobah people, their journey of suffering and survival, and the sacred Native landscape of Harvard. For more information visit warnerfreelecture.org.
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
- Exhibit: “Celebrations Around the World” features the Italian pre-Lent festival of Carnival. On view through January in the children’s room.
- Saturday toddler story time, ages 1 to 3. Saturday, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m.
- Paws and read, grades K-6, Wednesday, Jan. 28. Read to therapy dogs. Appointments at 3:45, 4:05, and 4:25 p.m.
- 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.
Teen programs
- Teen maker day, grades 6-12, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2:45 p.m.
- 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
- Arabic classes with Nadia Saleh, Saturdays, Jan. 24, Jan. 31, Feb. 7, and Feb. 14, 11 a.m. to noon.
- Virtual mindfulness and meditation workshop, Mondays, Feb. 2, 9, 16, and 23,, noon to 12:30 p.m. Online only.
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.
- 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.
Shade gardening presentation
The Garden Club of Harvard will host a presentation on shade gardening Monday, Jan. 26, 9:30 a.m., at the Harvard Senior Center, 16 Lancaster County Road. Master gardener Kathy Gariepy will discuss the unique problems and opportunities of shade gardening, and how to select shade plants so your garden is in bloom spring through fall. Find more information at harvardgardenclub.org/calendar.
Introductory session for Girl Scouts
The Harvard Girl Scouts invite girls in grades K and 1 and their parents to an introductory evening Thursday, Jan. 29, 6 p.m., at Camp Green Eyrie, 69 Still River Road. Hear about new troops forming at the elementary school while learning about different types of snowflakes, why it snows, and how to make artificial snow. Free; register by Jan. 27 at go.gscwm.org/SnowCGE. Contact gscwm.appleblossom su@gmail.com if you’re interested but cannot attend.
‘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. 6-8, 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/teen show that writes the world’s very first musical. Tickets and information at thecannontheatre.org.
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.
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.
Save the date
- Saturday, Feb. 7: Repair Cafe
- Sunday, March 1: Lions Winterfest
- Friday, March 6: Bromfield science fair.
Out of town
Ice skating in downtown Worcester
Central Massachusetts residents and visitors are invited to skate for free at the Oval Ice Skating Rink, 455 Main St., Worcester, on selected dates in January:
- Friday, Jan. 23, 5 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 24, 1 to 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Jan. 25, 1 to 6 p.m.
Free skate rentals are available for children aged 12 and under. For more information and for weather-related closures, visit facebook.com/worcestercommonoval.
‘Miss Holmes’ on stage in Acton
Theatre III, 250 Central St., Acton, will present “Miss Holmes,” playing Jan. 24, 30, and 31 at 7:30 p.m., and Jan. 25 and 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.