EATING IN THE ROUGH Russ Cohen has been a naturalist and wild foods enthusiast since high school in Weston.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in land use planning from Vassar, and a master’s in natural resources and a law degree, both from Ohio State University.
Cohen went on to work for the Riverways Program of the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game and received 10 environmental awards during his career.
He’s taught a wild edible class since the 1970s and is author of the 2004 book “Wild Plants I Have Known . . . and Eaten.’’
Cohen will present a 90-minute slide show covering the 80-plus species of edible wild plants and mushrooms native to New England at the Peabody Institute Library in Danvers on Tuesday, May 17.
The presentation covers identification tips, edible portions, seasons of availability, preparation methods, and general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.
The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. at 15 Sylvan St. It’s open to the public and free, but registration is encouraged. Call 978-774-0554 or visit danverslibrary.org.
NORTHERN FOLK Canadian songwriter and folk singer Dave Gunning will perform at the New Moon Coffeehouse in Haverhill on Saturday, May 21.
Though many of his songs remain rooted in his home province of Nova Scotia, he’s a fixture on the folk festival and club circuit in the rest of Canada and the United States.
Gunning has released 11 albums and received eight East Coast Music Awards, two Canadian Folk Music Awards, and a 2012 Juno Award nomination.
Twins Aidan and Conner Wertz, young upcoming musicians from Haverhill, are the opening act. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and the show is at 8. The coffeehouse is in the Universalist Unitarian Church, 16 Ashland St.
Admission is $20; $10 for age 18 and younger. Call 978-459-5134 or visit newmooncoffeehouse.org.
ENJOYING THE BREEZE In honor of the memorable English nanny Mary Poppins — and possibly the coming of spring — Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich will host a Let’s Go Fly a Kite party Sunday, May 22.
The family event includes kite making and flying, chalk drawing, lawn games, and more.
The group Kites Over New England will be on hand to show their kites and demonstrate flying techniques.
Mary Poppins will drop in for a visit, and there’s tea, lemonade, and cookies to enjoy.
The event runs 1 to 4 p.m. at the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road. Tickets are $30 per child; $24 for members of the Trustees of Reservations. Accompanying adults are admitted for free. Visit thetrustees.org.
A CUP OF TEA Women of all ages are invited to don hats and gloves for a vintage tea party to benefit the Billerica Historical Society on Saturday, May 21.
The event features tea and snacks served on bone china, a lesson in etiquette, a dress-up center with old-fashioned hats, gloves, purses and scarves, and museum displays including porcelain dolls, cameos, and a vintage doll house.
Vistors also can make a craft to take home. Entertainment is provided by Flutes Inc.
The afternoon is geared for generations of women, from grandmothers to their daughters and granddaughters.
The event runs 3 to 5 p.m. at the Bennett Cultural Center, 3 Concord Road. Cost is $10 per person. Seating is limited so reservations are encouraged. Call 978-667-7020 or visit billericahistory.org.
Wendy Killeen can be reached at wdkilleen@gmail.com.
