New Futures, a state-wide health policy and advocacy organization based in Concord, will expand its advocacy focus from substance use disorder issues to general health and early childhood policy by partnering with other organizations. New Futures will partner with Civix Strategy Group to bring forward targeted campaigns around specific issue areas. Currently, they are focused on building long-term advocacy through a targeted early childhood campaign known as Smart Start New Hampshire which encourages state-wide investments in child care, home visiting programs and Family Resource Centers of Quality. New Futures is also taking on a new initiative, New Futures Kids Count, which will focus on collecting and disseminating New Hampshire-based data and providing recommendations and tools to advance positive policies for children and families. For more information, visit new-futures.org.
The Meredith Sculpture Walk committee of the Greater Meredith Program is accepting outdoor sculpture exhibition submissions through Friday. The Meredith Sculpture Walk is an annual, juried, outdoor exhibit offering local, regional and national artists the opportunity to showcase and sell their creations, while enhancing the cultural environment of Meredith. The goal is for 32 sculptures to be installed in June. All sculptures are to be for sale directly from the artists for the duration of the year-long exhibit. Artists interested in submitting sculpture for consideration should visit greatermeredithprogram.com/apply-online.html. The call for entry is for professional sculpture appropriate for public viewing.
Bank of New Hampshire and AARP will host free paper shredding in several locations in April. On April 22 from 9 a.m. to noon, the mobile shredder will be at the BNH Gilford Operations Center, 10 Mutual Way. On April 29 from 9 a.m. to noon, the mobile shredder will be at Bank of New Hampshire Concord Heights branch at 11 Triangle Park Drive. AARP will be on site each day to discuss the best practices for protecting your identity. All papers will be shredded on location in the mobile truck. Documents should be free of large binder clips but staples and paper clips can be left on documents. There is a limit of three boxes per person. For more information on other sites, call the Bank of New Hampshire at 1-800-832-0912.
Nominations are open for the Association of Nature Center Administrators Nature Center Leadership award and Outstanding New Leader award. ANCA, headquartered in Logan, Utah, accepts nominations from nature center leaders, staff, board members and community members. Candidates should be employed (or formerly employed) in a leadership role in a nature center and have made a major contribution to the success of a nature center and contributions to the profession. The deadline for submissions is Saturday. For more information, visit natctr.org/professional-services/leadership-awards.
The Masons of Horace Chase Lodge will hold their annual Dare Pancake Breakfast on April 15. The breakfast benefits the Boscawen Elementary School Dare Program. The D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) Program is a kindergarten through high school effort that seeks to educate kids about the dangers of drug use and making good decisions. For more information, visit horacechase.org.
The Little Nature Museum in Warner needs volunteer tour guides for the upcoming season. This hands-on children’s museum has fascinating exhibits and activities for kids of all ages. The museum is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from late May through October. If you enjoy working with children and have a few hours each month to share, the museum needs you. Contact director Sandra Martin at 746-6121 or nature-museum@conknet.com.
Beginner archery lessons will be offered by the Hopkinton Recreation Department. Instructed by Lucy Morris of the NE School of Archery, the lessons are geared for children (minimum age 8) and adults who are new to archery. No experience is required for beginner/family archery and all equipment will be provided. The last day to register is Saturday at HopkintonRec.com.
U.S. Cellular is offering its “Community Connections” program for the third year to provide sponsorship support to local youth organizations. Academic and athletic groups in New Hampshire can sign up at pearup.com/uscellular to participate in this program and become eligible to receive sponsorship from the company to go toward the needs of their group. The program is a collaboration between U.S. Cellular and Pear, an online platform that connects local brands with community needs.
The Center for the Arts will host several classes this spring for children. They will include “Sing, Dance, Play! Music and Movement” with Jill Thompson for pre-schoolers, “Recycled Rhythms” for third- through fifth-grade with Allison Campbell, and “Friday Night Theater” workshops for age 10 to 18, designed by Skip Cady, director of Summer Revels North. Register at nlrec.recdes- k.com or call 526-9401. For more information, visit CenterForTheArtsNH.org or call 526-4444.