Learn about black bears, turtles, a stream or go on a fairy hunt: Community events this week

'29 Mainers' exhibit open at Morgan Gallery

KITTERY - '29 Mainers' is open now at the Morgan Gallery in the Kittery Community Center. On display are 29 portraits of BIPOC residents of Maine taken by portrait photographer Erin Moore of Eliot. She is the founder of Mercy Street Studio and was named "2018 Photographer of the Year – Portraits” by the Maine Professional Photography Association, She created the "29 Mainers" project in 2019 and 2020 and posted a portrait a day on her social media during February 2020 to mark Black History Month. Long-delayed by the pandemic, this exhibit is finally open to the public and free. The gallery is open during KCC business hours and also open during performances in the STAR Theatre. The Morgan Gallery is located in the Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road in Kittery, Maine. For more information, kitterycommunitycenter.org/the-arts.

Discussion on manufacturing workforce in Rochester area

ROCHESTER — NH Manufacturing Extension Partnership president Zenagui Brahim will join the City of Rochester, the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, local manufacturers, and state officials for a frank discussion about the workforce challenges facing NH manufacturing firms. The event offers two different sessions; Monday, May 16, 4 to 6 p.m., at Granite Steak and Grill in Rochester and on May 25, 8 to 10 a.m. at Frisbie Memorial Hospital Conference Center in Rochester.

“Building the Pipeline” will feature Rochester Mayor Paul Callaghan opening the discussion floor for manufacturers to speak openly about key issues faced due to the staffing shortage. Following the manufacturer’s comments, Brahim will introduce a panel of state officials from NH Employment Security, NH Health and Human Services, and NH BEA who will offer solutions and resources for the workforce shortage.

Learn about Black Bears at Rochester library

ROCHESTER - The Rochester Public Library is hosting Black Bear Happenings on Wednesday, May 18, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room. This program covers a brief history of wildlife in N.H., the Sport Fish Restoration Program, black bear natural history, research, and management in N.H. Black Bear Happenings is a presentation of the N.H. Fish and Game Dept. It will be presented by Doug Whitfield and Dennis Walsh who are both Wildlife Stewards with N.H. Fish and Game. It covers the life cycle of Black Bears, their habitat needs, and ways to avoid potentially costly conflict with humans.

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Join the fairy hunt at Kenyon Hill

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — Where do the fairies of Kenyon Hill dwell? Join South Berwick Public Library and Great Works Regional Land Trust on Thursday, May 19 from 10 to 11 a.m., for a fairy hunt along the trail to the dramatic ledges of Kenyon Hill. The outing will begin with a book about fairies followed by the fairy hunt. Open to families with kids of all ages, designed for kids ages 2-5. Preregistration required. Call 207-646-3604 or info@gwrlt.org, Outings limited to 25, minors must be present with a chaperone. Free to GWRLT members, suggested donation $5 to non-members, $10 for a family.

Wood Island Life Saving Station renovation talk in Rye

RYE — Samuel Reid will discuss the renovation of the Wood Island Life Saving Station on Thursday, May 19 at 7 p.m., at the Rye Congregational Church, 580 Washington Road. The talk is presented by the Rye Historical Society. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Creek Farm Spring Series presents program on turtles

PORTSMOUTH – The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests is presenting its Creek Farm Spring Series at the Forest Society Education Center at Creek Farm. It will present "Turtles of New Hampshire – How You Can Help," with wildlife biologist Josh Megyesy of New Hampshire Fish and Game’s Nongame and Endangered Wildlife Program, on Thursday, May 19, from 5 to 6 p.m.

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Pre-registration is required and limited space is available. The program is free for Forest Society members and children under 18 years old, and $10 for non-members, unless noted otherwise. Attendees are asked to bring their own chair or blanket, as well as binoculars. The center is located at 400 Little Harbor Road, Portsmouth.

Plant Sale at the Berwick Library

BERWICK, Maine — The Berwick Library Association’s Annual Community Plant Sale will be held Saturday, May 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ahead of the sale, if you have extra plant pots to share, they can be dropped off outside the library, to the left of the entrance.

GFWC Dover to hold plant sale

DOVER — The GFWC Dover Area Woman’s Club is holding their “Green Thumb” member-grown plant on Saturday, May 21, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, 550 Central Ave., Dover.

Explore a stream with Nature News columnist Sue Pike

BERWICK, Maine — Join board member and local science teacher Sue Pike for a stream exploration of Keay Brook Preserve located on Hubbard Road in Berwick on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Preregistration required. Call 207-646-3604 or info@gwrlt.org, outings limited to 25. Free to GWRLT members, suggested donation $5 to non-members, $10 per family.

Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race is back

WOLFEBORO – The 46th Annual Great Smith River Canoe and Kayak Race, sponsored by the Wolfeboro Lions Club, will take place on Saturday, May 21, at 1:15 p.m. at Allen Albee Beach, Albee Beach Road, Wolfeboro. The four-mile race includes a ¼ mile of class two white water rapids and two portages

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There are 19 classes to suit everyone, from novice to expert. Registration is $20 per paddler; the first 50 participants registered will receive a free T-shirt. Prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers in each class. Registration forms are available at the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce at 32 Central Ave. in Wolfeboro, on the Wolfeboro Lions Facebook page, or by calling 603-569-5454. Racers can also register the day of the race at Albee Beach from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. All proceeds from the race will benefit Lions Club Scholarships. For more info, call Race Chair Roger Murray at 603-569-5454.

Robinwood Center hosts Climate Change Storytelling event

STRATHAM - Robinwood Center, a New Hampshire Seacoast social justice and climate justice nonprofit, will host a storytelling event centered around climate change on Sunday, May 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Saltonstall Farm in Stratham.

Emma Shapiro-Weiss and Dorn Cox will share their personal experiences battling climate change in the Maine and New Hampshire Seacoast region. The storytelling event will be followed by a facilitated discussion. The event is open to the public. Entry is free, and audience members can register to attend at robinwoodcenter.org/upcoming-events

Dover library hosts Live-Action Role-Playing Game for teens

DOVER — The Dover Public Library is inviting teen patrons for a one-of-a-kind gaming experience: the Summer’s Scourge LARP! This original Live-Action Role Playing game (LARP) combines the storytelling of Dungeons and Dragons with the in-person challenges of an escape room. Taking on the roles of heroes, players will explore the library and its grounds while solving puzzles, following clues, and avoiding the malevolent spirits working against them. This game is designed for ages 13 to 18 and will be held May 22, from 2 to 4 p.m., starting in the Lecture Hall. Players can come as themselves in regular clothes, or they may come in any fantasy or historical costuming they would like. This program is free and open to the public. For more information or if you have accessibility requirements, call the library at 603-516-6050 or email Aidan at a.sonia-bolduc@dover.nh.gov.

Get info about health insurance options

ROCHESTER — Health Market Connect will be conducting weekly workshops at the Rochester Public Library, in the Community Room, on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from now to May 25. HMC employees will be here during those times to meet with and assist local residents in finding and enrolling in affordable (or sometimes free) insurance plans available to them.

Car or cash raffle benefits the Children's Museum

DOVER — The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s annual car raffle fundraiser is the Museum's largest fundraiser. This year only 775 tickets are available for purchase and tickets are on sale for $100. The winner will get to choose between $25,000 toward a new Nissan of your choice from Port City Nissan, or $20,000 cash.

Raffle tickets on sale online through 12 p.m., on Thursday, June 16. Tickets can be purchased at blackbaudhosting.com/71233/tickets.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Events at Robinwood Center, Stratham NH, Creek Farm, Rochester, Dover