Talk on Seacoast's homeless, pirates, ballet, antiques: Community events this week

Active Retirement Association talk on homelessness on the Seacoast

DURHAM — The Active Retirement Association of the Greater Seacoast will present a free Zoom presentation by Megan Fernandes, award-winning reporter at Foster’s Daily Democrat and Seacoastonline, on Wednesday, April 6, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. She will discuss her in-person experiences with the former homeless encampment at Willand Pond in Dover, N.H. To register for this free event, send email to seacoastara@gmail.com, including your name, the program title “On the Street”, and the name of your town.

Girl Scouts to help girls prepare for kindergarten

EXETER – Your little girl is about to take a big step. Naturally, you want to do everything you can to prepare her to start kindergarten with confidence. That’s where Girl Scouts comes in— its kindergarten readiness course is free and open to all girls. Let Girl Scouts stand with you to support and inspire her as she makes new friends, meets new teachers, and tests out new ideas.

Girl Scouts of the Green and White Mountains is offering a girl-centered kindergarten readiness series, Make New Friends, to any girl entering kindergarten this fall in Exeter and the surrounding area. This four-part series will run the Thursdays of April 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Exeter Public Library, 4 Chestnut St., Exeter. No membership required. See more at bit.ly/3w6Foge.

UNH hosts Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed

DURHAM —Annette Gordon-Reed, Harvard historian and law professor, will speak as part of the Rutman Distinguished Lecture Series on the American Presidency at the University of New Hampshire Thursday, April 7, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Building’s Granite State Room. Her talk is titled “Thomas Jefferson: Revolutionary, President and Visionary.”

The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. For more information and registration, visit cola.unh.edu/annette-gordon-reed. Find the university’s COVID guidance at www.unh.edu/coronavirus.

Sole City Dance presents 'Treasure Island'

ROCHESTER — What could pirates and ballet possibly have in common? Answer: a great story. See for yourself how Sole City Dance's adaption of "Treasure Island," replete with intrigue and romance, mermaids and treasure, as well as a cast of memorable characters, brings beauty and artistry to Stevenson's beloved adventure tale. With Sole City's characteristic attention to detail and theme, the story becomes more than a race for treasure. The ballet features characters learning to "treasure" the most important things in life.

The show will be held at the Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St. Rochester on Friday, April 8 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 9 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. All tickets are $15. Call the box office at 603-335-1992 or go to https://1908.na.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/12495.

Gundalow Company presents 'Luminous Seas' talk with Brian Skerry

PORTSMOUTH —The non-profit Gundalow Company, located in downtown Portsmouth whose mission it is to protect the Piscataqua region's maritime heritage and environment through education and action, will present the third in its three-part virtual series "World Ocean’s Experience" this week. "Luminous Seas" will take place on Friday, April 8, featuring Brian Skerry, a local photojournalist specializing in marine wildlife and underwater environments. The goal of this series is to draw attention to the important work being done by local residents for the conservation and protection of the ocean environment. To sign up, go to the link: www.gundalow.org/virtual/ or call 603-433-9505.

Hampton church hosts Grab’N Go turkey dinner

HAMPTON — Hampton United Methodist Church at 525 Lafayette Road (Route 1) invites the Seacoast community to a Grab’N Go turkey dinner, on Saturday, April 9, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. To enjoy this dinner, which includes roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, peas, rolls, cranberry sauce and dessert, you must sign up at HamptonnhUMC.org or contact the church office at 603-926-2702. Last day to place your order is Thursday, April 7.

Pick-up times are in 30-minute increments and can be picked up in the church parking lot located at the back of the church. Cost for adults, $12; seniors, $10; and children 12 and under, $6. Hampton UMC is following recommended COVID-19 cleaning/sanitizing protocols.

JetPack Comics presents author Gregory Bastianelli

ROCHESTER — JetPack Comics of Rochester presents New Hampshire author Gregory Bastianelli for a book release event for his latest novel, “Shadow Flicker,” at The Loft at Strafford Farms in Dover on Saturday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

“Shadow Flicker” is released by Flame Tree Press. JetPack Comics will be on hand with hardcover and trade paperback editions of "Shadow Flicker" as well as Bastianelli's earlier works, which Bastianelli will be available to sign.

Stratham Historical Society to hold annual Spring Antiques Roadshow

STRATHAM — Stratham Historical Society’s annual Spring Antiques Roadshow, (Antique Appraisal Day), will take place Sunday, April 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. This always popular bi-annual event features antique appraisers Dan Olmstead of Daniel Olmstead Antiques in Newfields and Greg Pruitt and Lionel Loveless, owners of Collector's Eye in Stratham and Route 1 Antiques in Hampton Falls. The event is slated to be in-person at the Morgera Room of the Stratham Fire Station but check the Society’s Facebook page, or website at www.strathamnh.gov/historical-society for updates or call 603-778-0434 to confirm the event.

Performance and workshop with Rapper Adam Arnone

DOVER — The Dover Public Library will host local rapper and producer Adam Arnone for an in-person workshop on and display of modern poetry on Sunday, April 10 at 2 p.m. This workshop will be a mixture of performance and audience participation; Arnone will perform poems and songs from his various albums, as well as doing writing prompts based around songwriting. This program is best suited for teens and adults.

Arnone has been a serious rapper since before that was a viable career choice. Born and raised in New Hampshire, he has toured all over the country, sharing stages with bands whose records you probably have heard. He’s the former front man for the pioneering indie hip-hop groups Glue and Adeem and is currently the voice and producer of Adam and the Flood. For more information, contact Emily Ainaire at 603-516-6082.

Submit a poem to Dover library's contest

DOVER — Submit an original poem to Dover Public Library’s 20th annual Poetry Contest. Prizes will be awarded in seven different categories ranging in age from 5 years old to adults. Poems will be judged on originality, style, and creativity. Deadline: April 20. For more information, visit library.dover.nh.gov or call 603-516-6050.

Enter the Peeps Show Contest at Dover library

DOVER — Enter Dover Public Library's annual “Peeps Show” Contest this April. Build a diorama using Peeps of any color or species in a standard size shoebox. The theme is anything literary; recreate a scene from your favorite book, play, or poem. The first eight entries will receive a free plush Peep chick.

Those 20 or older are invited to compete in the Adult Division, while people 13 to 19 may enter the Teen Division. Children ages 4 to 8 are invited to enter the Kids Division, and ages 9 to 12 may enter in the Youth Division.

On the back of a standard size shoe box, include your name, address, phone number, and title of your “Peeps Show." All Peeps displays may be dropped off at the library beginning Monday, April 4 through Sunday, April 17. The Peeps will be displayed in the library. Winner of each division will receive a $25 Target gift card, courtesy of the Friends of the Library. Prizes will be awarded on Monday afternoon, April 18. Peeps should be picked up by 5 p.m. on Sunday, April 24. All Peeps not picked up by the deadline will be discarded or eaten. For more information, call the Reference Desk at the Dover Public Library: 603-516-6082.

CASA of New Hampshire offers virtual info session

CASA of New Hampshire, a nonprofit that trains volunteers to advocate for children who have experienced abuse and neglect, is hosting a virtual information session focused on recruiting new advocates in Strafford County. The virtual event will be held on April 5 at 5:30 p.m. CASA staff members and an active volunteer from the area will provide information about the role of an advocate and answer questions.

Those interested in registering to attend the session can visit the Volunteer menu on the CASA of New Hampshire website and select Virtual Info Sessions. To learn more about CASA and how to get involved, or support this statewide nonprofit, visit casanh.org.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Events by Active Retirement Association, Sole City Dance this week