Blues 'n' brews

Kathi Duprey of Ayer had always hated beer, and wondered why anyone would drink it. So when she discovered several years ago that she enjoyed her husband's home-brewed concoction, she visited a local brewery to learn more about the microbrews to which he compared it. "I was so amazed," she recalled. "I thought the world should know that beer isn't what they think it is."

Through feedback from friends and colleagues, Duprey's plan to organize a summer beer-tasting event ultimately grew into the Blues 'n' Brews Festival, featuring barbecue, music, crafts, a homebrew competition, and about 100 selections of brews available for sampling. Headlining this year's event - the seventh annual - will be blues guitarist Ronnie Earl of Groton and his band, the Broadcasters. Special "cask-conditioned" ales, non-alcoholic beverages, and vegetarian and low-calorie foods will also be offered.

Sponsored by the Westford Rotary Club, the event next weekend will benefit such causes as the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the Ronan McElligott Memorial Playground (for disabled children), Massachusetts National Guard Family Support Fund, and the Friends Forever International Peace Program. People are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items for the Merrimack Valley Food Bank.

"My husband said to me, 'You don't brew beer and you have no music connections. How did you ever get into this?' " Duprey said. "I'm glad I did, because every year, I meet the nicest people."

The festival will take place rain or shine next Saturday, from noon to 7 p.m. at Nashoba Valley Ski Area in Westford. Tickets are $30 in advance. For more information, call 978-772-3612 or visit www.bluesnbrews.com.

LEADERSHIP SUMMIT: Even before graduating from North Andover High School, Harmony Lu (inset) was determined to make the most of her time before beginning classes at Brown University. For that reason, she was especially thrilled when she was selected as one of five Bank of America's Neighborhood Excellence Initiative student leaders.

Lu believes she was chosen based on the leadership she demonstrated in fund-raising for her high school theater program, as well as organizing a clothing drive for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. For these efforts, she recently traveled to Washington, D.C., where she participated in a student leadership summit that included more than 200 students from across the country.

Lu was joined by Oyinkansoia Ayobiojo of Boston Latin School; Prince Gweh of Another Course to College, a college preparatory high school in the Boston Public Schools; Jennifer Gamez of the John D. O'Bryant High School in Boston; and April Watkins of New Mission High School in Roxbury.

As part of the program, Lu is also participating in an eight-week, paid internship with Artists for Humanity, a Boston-based nonprofit organization providing underserved youth with employment in the arts.

"You can't tell from the agenda, but one of the most important parts of the experience was meeting the other students," said Lu, referring to the diversity of the participants. "I'm sure the combination of all these learning experiences will play a role in my ability to focus on my goals and achieve them."

REFLECTIONS OF LIFE: Realist oil painter Greg Haynes has been drawing practically since he was old enough to hold a pencil. Although he appreciates all artistic styles, he still enjoys the challenge of portraying an object as accurately as possible. The reflective properties of glass and metal add yet another dimension, allowing him to create a "painting within a painting."

Four of Haynes's paintings are featured in the August 2008 issue of American Art Collector magazine. In the canvas titled "Blueberries and Oranges," for example, wicker furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows are reflected along with the fruit in two silver pitchers. "Cherries Jubilee" shows long-stemmed cherries resting and reflected in silver spoons.

Haynes, (inset below) a native of Bedford who recently moved to Somerville, said he remains appreciative of the support he received while attending the Bedford Public Schools.

"Everyone I talked to said this would be a difficult profession, but my teachers were very encouraging," he said. "They thought I had potential, so I decided to give it a shot."

Private collectors and galleries agree. In fact, Haynes's work will be included in a group show from Aug. 23 through Sept. 7 at the Wynne/Falconer Gallery, located at 492 Main St. in Chatham. The gallery has also scheduled a solo show featuring Haynes's paintings next July.

"I'm still at the stage of my career where my biggest concern with each work is learning from it and getting better," he added. "I'm trying to make each painting complex to give people a reason to stop and look at my work."

For more information, call the Wynne/Falconer Gallery at 508-945-2867 or visit greghaynes.com.

People items may be submitted to Cindy Cantrell at cantrell@globe.com.