Seacoast Science Center 5K, Foster's 1800s editions digitized: Community news update

Seacoast Science Center Rescue Run 5k Race results

RYE — More than 450 runners and walkers hit the trails of Odiorne Point State Park for the Seacoast Science Center’s Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals on Saturday, April 30. The scenic route brought them through the forest, by the rocky shore, on the sandy beach, and over the hills of military fortifications in the park.

The Seacoast Science Center holds the annual event to raise awareness and funds for its Marine Mammal Rescue program.

Overall race winner, Andy Kiburis, 37, of Hampstead, crossed the finish line with a time of 17:50. Lucy Garfied, 31, of Madbury,, was female overall winner with a time of 21:23. Second male and female finishers were Joe Chase, 34, of Rye, at 19:18 and Melissa Donais, 38, of North Andover, Massaschusetts, at 21:59.

The Kids Fun Run included a 300-yard dash and a half-mile run. All 106 children who participated won a prize.

The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation led a beach cleanup after the race, teaching participants about the dangers marine debris pose on sea life and humans alike.

Male age group top winners were Robert Marttica, 22:23 (12 and under); Rj Rousseau, 21:18 (13 to 19); Nicholas Ferreri, 21:23 (20 to 29); Joe Chase, 19:18 (30 to 39); Terry Costello, 21:04 (40 to 49), Christopher Holmes, 23:52 (50 to 59); and Carl Binner, 23:57; (60-plus).

Female age group top winners were Alexa Harmon, 35:03 (12 and under); Maisie Rourke, 25:26 (13 to 19), Michlle Gardner, 24:36 (20 to 29); Melissa Donais, 21:59 (30 to 39); Sarah Molnar, 25:32 (40 to 49); Tara Towle, 27:07 (50 to 59); Geri Clifford, 26:31 (60-plus).

Information: seacoastsciencecenter.org

First-time homebuyer seminar

PORTSMOUTH — This one-day live webinar workshop will provide the tools to navigate you through the homebuying process. A HUD certified educator with professionals from several fields will educate you through the steps of homeownership on Saturday, May 14. Upon completion of this seminar you will have an opportunity to schedule an appointment 1:1 with a certified educator to further discuss and personalize your homebuying needs. Registration and payment is required to receive the virtual seminar link and mailed seminar materials. Course fee is $39. Seating is limited. To register visit https://housingpartnership.org/homebuyer-education. Call 603-766-3129 or email renee@housingpartnership.org for additional details.

Clarence Wyatt Jr. receives coveted Volunteerism Award from the Veterans Council

ROCHESTER — Veterans Council President Dennis Sellers presented Clarence Wyatt Jr. the coveted Volunteerism Award. This award exemplifies the "can do" attitude of the Veterans Council.

Worldwide pandemic or not, Clarence found ways to distribute medical equipment to needed vets, drive vets in handicapped van to necessary appointments, work Americanism Programs in local schools, liaison with Club Victoire, and even give time to Fish and Game work.

Should readers like to support Veteran Council activities, call Vet Council President Dennis Sellers at 603-312-2235.

Jet Gala 2022: 'NH’s Party of the Year' with all proceeds benefiting the Granite State Children’s Alliance

MANCHESTER — The Jet Gala, presented by Cohen Closing and Title and Crews Holdings, is not your typical charity gala. It will be held on Friday, June 3, from 6 to 10 p.m., at the Pro Star Aviation hangar at the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, 8 Kelly Ave., Londonderry. Attendees will come with a suitcase packed and walk the red carpet for an evening of music, cocktails, appetizers and unique entertainment. Beginning after 8 p.m., there will be three drawings to win luxury weekend trips. The three lucky winners and their guest will travel in style, that night, to three different destinations.

Information: jetgalanh.org

Dover Public Library receives grant to digitize Foster’s Daily Democrat from 1873 to 1926

DOVER — The Dover Public Library recently received a $9,950 grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. The grant will help further the Dover Public Library’s strategic goal of providing better access to historic information. The digitized format of the Foster’s Daily Democrat will allow the papers from 1873 to 1926 to be fully searchable and accessible to all via the library’s website.

The Dover Public Library prides itself on fostering curiosity in every segment of the community by providing a wide range of resources and experiences, both virtually and in a dynamic physical environment. To find out more about the Dover Public Library and all the programs and services it has visit our website at library.dover.nh.gov.

Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire to unveil historic marker in Windham, N.H.

WINDHAM – The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire in partnership with the Windham African American Committee will unveil a historic marker in Windham, on May 14, at 11 a.m. at Golden Brook School. This first marker in Windham commemorates the lives of three men – Pompey, Jeffry, Peter Thom and one woman, Rose. These individuals are honored for their contributions to the growth and prosperity of the Windham community.

Last year, Shelley Walcott, a member of committee, read an article in her local town paper that stopped her in her tracks: unmarked graves of enslaved African Americans had been discovered in a local cemetery. Walcott, a former WMUR News anchor, then reached out to the Trail about adding this location to the Black Heritage Trail of NH statewide marker project.

“It was so amazing to us when Shelley reached with this information on enslavement in Windham, as this was new history to us,” said JerriAnne Boggis the Trail’s executive director.

In 2021, as part of their statewide expansion, the Trail unveiled markers in Hancock, Warner, and a new Portsmouth marker. Dates are already in the works for marker unveilings later this year in Milford, Exeter, Andover, Dover, and Kittery.

The 1883 History of Windham, records that the individuals being honored were buried in the Windham cemetery “in that part of the original cemetery on the hill, in the southeasterly corner, near the highway.” A discovery by local historian Brad Dinsmore of a detailed account book owned by one of his ancestors provided a more in-depth story of the three men.

All were enslaved by John Dinsmore who, from his surviving daybook, appears to have passed on his expertise in masonry and evaluating lumber to the three men, and that Pompey was involved in repairing the meetinghouse.

The unveiling ceremony includes remarks by Shelley Walcott, Brad Dinsmore, Dwight Davis (BHTNH Board President), Pastor John Seiders (Windham Presbyterian Church), and others. There also will be a performance from the Windham Presbyterian Church Choir.

This marker has been an effort of many additional groups including Caldwell Banker – Dinsmore Associates, Windham Endowment for Community Advancement, Windham Presbyterian Church, Windham Cemetery Trustees, Windham Historic District Commission, and Windham Citizens for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

For more information on this event, visit the BHTNH website: www.blackheritagetrailnh.org or call 603-570-8469.

Seabreeze Quilt Guild's UFO Auction part two

EXETER — Seabreeze Quilt Guild will meet Tuesday May 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Senior Center, Court St. Exeter. This meeting will be our UFO (unfinished object) Auction Part Two. Prior to the Auction there will be a brief business meeting and election of officers for the coming year. Members and guests may preview the auction items at 6:30 p.m. There will not be a guest fee for this meeting. Door prizes and refreshments will be provided. Members please refer to the newsletter for additional information.

Fun Fan Fiction Middle School contest winners announced

MILTON — The Friends of the Milton Free Public Library announced the winners of the annual Middle School Fun Fan Fiction contest for 2022.

Emrys Tabory, the first-place winner, changed the ending of “Roman Holiday” by E. C. Meyers. Emrys impressed the judges with loads of action that was easy to visualize, made good use of dialog, and, of course, wrote a great ending.

The second-place winner, Will Richards, killed off one of the main characters in “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins and changed the direction of the story. His reworking made sense and was in keeping with the dystopian style. The entire work was easy to understand.

There were two third-place winners. Hope Pfeiffer gave “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart a more uplifting ending. Hope was very creative and deft with the adult themes in this book. Anna Deal changed a scene in Book 5 of “Wings of Fire” by Tui T. Sutherland, using lots of action and dialog, clever phrasing, and creative use of fonts and type.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Science Center 5K, Foster's digitized: Community news update