Indigenous Peoples event, Scary-oke, Great Bay refuge turns 30: Community events this week

It's a long weekend for some, giving us Monday time to think of and honor the people who lived here long ago, spend time with family and friends here with us now, reflect on where we are today at season's change, and take a moment and hopefully more to notice the sun illuminating the changing leaves on our trees. Enjoy the many great fall community events this week.

Exeter to hold Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration

EXETER - Exeter’s annual Indigenous Peoples Day celebration will be held at Founders Park on Monday, Oct. 10 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Everyone is invited, and as it is a school holiday, children are especially encouraged to attend.

The event is a collaboration of the Racial Unity Team, Exeter Historical Society, American Independence Museum, Exeter Public Library, and SAU 16. The theme of this year’s program is “Flora.” Adults and children will learn about Native American culture and customs as they visit craft tables to create corn husk dolls, pumpkin seed collages, blueberry and corn necklaces, and birch bark etchings.

The day's events will begin with a land acknowledgment, which will be followed by presentations from Denise and Paul Pouliot, representing the Pennacook-Abenaki people, and Kathleen Blake, who identifies as Native American with tribal heritage in the Wendat, Algonquin, and Mi'kmaq First Nations. The event will end with a flora “scavenger hunt” throughout town, with book prizes awarded to students who complete the hunt activity.

For more information, visit racialunityteam.com/projects.

Brett Dennen concert to benefit Child Advocacy Center

PORTSMOUTH – On the evening of Tuesday, Oct. 11, Brett Dennen, an American folk singer/songwriter will perform at 3S Artspace. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County, a non-profit whose mission is to provide a safe environment for the evaluation and investigation of alleged abuse of children 3 to 18 years of age.

More: Brett Dennen concert to benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Rockingham County

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for cocktails and silent auction with VIP tickets; Show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets to the concert fundraiser are $50 general admission, $75 for VIP benefits and available at tickets.caringbeyond.org. 3S Artspace is located at 319 Vaughan St. in Portsmouth.

For further information about the Child Advocacy Center, go to www.cacnh.org or contact the agency at (603) 422-8240.

King Challenge bike ride to benefit Krempels Center

PORTSMOUTH — The 12th Annual King Challenge bike ride will take place on Saturday, Oct. 15. The event is a fundraiser for Krempels Center, a Portsmouth based non-profit dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with brain injury.

This year’s ride includes scenic routes beginning and ending at Timberland’s Stratham, N.H. campus. Three routes of varying lengths accommodate a wide range of cycling abilities. Along the way, riders have access to friendly course support and lively rest stops for re-fueling. Riders will be treated to food post-ride plus a beer garden.

To register for the event or learn more, visit kingchallenge.org.

York celebrates Harvestfest Saturday

The 7th annual Harvestfest and Kidsfest will take place on Saturday, Oct.15 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, at Short Sands Beach in York Beach.

This is a free family festival that includes a variety of activities including: live music from the Don Campbell Band and Friends, Dan Blakeslee a.k.a. Dr. Gasp; local food vendors; juried crafters and old-fashioned market vendors from all over New England.

Harvestfest includes Kidsfest, which features story-telling, interactive activities, a roaming railroad, and pumpkin decorating. For more information, visit gatewaytomaine.org/york-harvestfest.

Flatbread Community Night benefits Halloween parade

PORTSMOUTH - Community night at Flatbread Pizza will benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade on Wednesday, Oct.12 from 4 to 8 p.m. A portion of the profits from this night will go to the parade. Dine in or take out at 138 Congress St., Portsmouth.

More: Parade of fundraisers for city's favorite fright night begins: Join the march to Halloween

Newmarket Public Library to host poet Mimi White

NEWMARKET — The Newmarket Public Library will host former Portsmouth Poet Laureate, Mimi White on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 12 p.m. The workshop will take place at the library which is located at 1 Elm St., Newmarket. This program is part of the Oyster River Community Read based on Eric Klinenberg’s book "Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life," which is taking place through Nov. 13.

Participants are welcome to bring a brown bag lunch to enjoy during the session. Space is limited. Register at the library’s website www.newmarketlibrary.org. To access the full calendar of events, visit the Oyster River Community Read website at www.orcread.org.

'Finding the Missing Piece' author talk

BERWICK, Maine — Author Chris Duffy-Wentzel will  talk about her book Finding the Missing Peace: A Healing Journey to Wholeness on Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 6 p.m. at the Berwick Public Library.

Finding the Missing Peace is both a compelling mystery and a spiritual search for a deeper identity as Chris Duffy-Wentzel tries to find her birth mother and medical history against all odds. A certified surgery and life coach, Chris partners with individuals to create a unique path to wholeness in her private practice and mind-body-spirit retreats in the beautiful Sedona area.

Traditional Harvest Supper at Union church

WAKEFIELD — For over 50 years, the women of the Union Congregational Church have offered a traditional Harvest Supper featuring all the great vegetables of the fall season. This year the supper will be held on Thursday, Oct. 13, with two settings - one at 5:30 p.m. and one at 6:15 p.m. The huge home-cooked meal served buffet-style includes: corned beef, potatoes, cabbage, squash, turnip, beets, carrots and rolls. Homemade pie, New England Indian pudding, coffee, and lemonade finish off this feast. All this costs just $15 per adult and $5 per child. The supper will be served in the historic Reunion Grange-Hotchkiss Commons at 71 Main St. Both sittings are on a first come, first served basis. No reservations accepted. Tickets go on sale at 4:30 p.m. Take out servings will also be available. The building is handicapped-accessible.

All proceeds are used by the Union Church’s Women’s Fellowship for local, national, and international outreach. For more info, call Betty at 603-473-2727.

Researching genealogy through cookbooks

DOVER — Community and church cookbooks are treasures that give us a glimpse of female groups, encapsulated in a place and time. Besides providing delicious treats, these recipe books can also be a springboard to genealogical adventure. In her talk, “A Recipe for Success: Finding Women through Community Cookbooks,” on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m., genealogist and author Erin Moulton will review recipes for Ghorabie, Pacific Slope Punch, and Maple Creams in search of clues about female ancestors. Participants will receive a few choice vintage recipes as well as a “recipe” for research planning.

This Dover Public Library program is virtual, and registration is required to receive a link to the presentation. The program is free and open to the public. For more information or to register for this program, visit the library’s website at library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.

More: Fall on Seacoast farms: Your guide to corn mazes, apple picking, festivals and haunted fun

Scary-oke to benefit the Halloween parade

PORTSMOUTH - Wear your costume to the Daniel Street Tavern on Thursday, Oct. 13 for a night of ghoulish fun singing your heart out, all to benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Official parade merchandise and tickets for raffle prizes will be for sale. A portion of all Jell-O shot sales will also benefit the parade. The Daniel Street Tavern is at 111 Daniel St.

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge celebrates 30th anniversary

NEWINGTON — There'll be a celebration of 30 years since the establishment of the Great Bay National Wildlife on Saturday, Oct. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Activities will include behind-the-scenes walking tours, kids’ activities, photos, historic information, and more. This 1,000-plus acre refuge transferred from Pease Air Force Base to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1992. The event is free and will be held rain or shine. The GPS address to locate the refuge is 3 Arboretum Dr., Newington, N.H. and can be accessed via the Pease International Tradeport main entrance.

James Foley Freedom Run Saturday

ROCHESTER - Now in its 8th year, the James Foley Freedom 5K Run/Walk will take place in Rochester on Saturday, Oct. 15.

Runners globally will once again participate in this one of a kind road race to support the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, in remembrance of Foley, a native of New Hampshire, and all Americans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. There is also a 1.5 mile Run/Walk in Washington, D.C., and a “Virtual” Run/Walk held all over the world. For more information or to register, visit jamesfoleyfoundation.org/

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Indigenous Peoples event in Exeter NH, Great Bay refuge turns 30