In brief: Topsfield, Middleton

May 02, 2007 11:56 am

— Children's author visit
On Monday, May 7, Carlyn Beccia, children's author, will visit from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Flint Library, 1 South Main St., Middleton. Space is limited to 15 per session. Call Elizabeth at 978-774-8132. Books will be available for $16 to benefit the Friends of the Flint.

Special cleanup
Special household metals pickup in Topsfield will be held May 16, 17 and 18. This is a free collection. Stickers are not required to be placed on household metals. Household metal objects include stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, bicycles, lawn mowers, snow blowers and air conditioners. Objects such as refrigerators and freezers must have doors removed, and all gasoline-powered appliances must have gasoline and oil removed for safety reasons.

Historical pottery lesson
"The Pied Potter Hamelin" will be performed on Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Gould Barn on Howlett Street in Topsfield. Presented by the Topsfield Historical Society, the Middleton Historical Society and in collaboration with the Topsfield Cultural Council, Hamelin will demonstrate historical shapes and surprises on his potter's wheel. Free; all welcome.

Artwork demonstration
"The Art of Pastel: Demo and Workshop," will be held Sunday, May 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Topsfield Town Library, 1 South Common St. With pastel painter Gregory Maichack. An adult-only program. Limited to 20 attendees. For more information, call 978-887-1528.

Youth orchestra show
The North Shore Youth Symphony Orchestra will present a free afternoon of concerts on Sunday, May 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Masconomet High School auditorium, Boxford. Silent auction/raffle will take place from 2 p.m. through the intermission, and raffle tickets for large items will also be available at that time.

Fishing derby
The 58th Annual Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 6 a.m. to noon at Harold Parker State Forest's Sudden Pond. Sponsored by Andover Sportsmen's Club for ages 1 to 15. Call Ken Hartman at 978-685-9768. Free. Includes trophies, bait and food.

Healthy kids presentation
"Happy, Healthy Kids" presentation, will be held Friday, May 11 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Champion Factory Gymnastics and Circus Arts Center, Chickering Plaza, Route 125, North Andover. Lecture by Luann Colombo. Space is limited. Fitness activity for children offered during the lecture. To register, call Teena Veth at 978-683-8493.

Used motor oil collection in Boxford
Used motor oil collection for Boxford residents is held the first Saturday of the month, 8 a.m. to noon, at the recycling drop-off center, behind the public works garage, 7 Spofford Road.

Von Trapp concert
The Von Trapp Children will perform on Friday, May 4 at 8 p.m. at the Rogers Center for Performing Arts, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St., North Andover.
Performers are great-grandchildren of Captain Von Trapp, whose story was made famous in "The Sound of Music." Tickets $30 in advance, $25 in advance for seniors and students and $35 at the door. Call 978-837-5355 to reserve tickets, or reserve online at www.merrimack.edu/rogers.

Therapeutic riding benefit
A benefit event for the therapeutic horseback riding program at Windrush Farm will be held Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Windrush Farm. Live music, horse and pony rides, barnyard games, food and home-baked goods. Rain or shine. $5 parking fee. All proceeds go to benefit the riding program. The farm is at 30 Brookview Road in Boxford. For information, call the farm at 978-682-7855.