The Somersworth Festival Association will be sponsoring the 27th Harvest Craft Fair at Somersworth High School on Oct. 26 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is one of the largest Harvest craft fairs in the area. The craft fair will feature over 150 of the best crafters in New England. Lots of free parking where you will be able to shop from our talented crafters to your heart’s content. Delicious food will be served by the Festival Association volunteers offering both breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices. We are also handicap accessible. Come and spend the day with us and find some unique gift giving ideas and start your Christmas shopping early. There are a few spaces available. For more information, call 692-5869 or go to our website nhfestivals.org.
Hope Ministries at First United Methodist Church will celebrate its Jubilee, 50 years at its Gilford location, with a rededication on Sunday, September 29 at 10:30am. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Dr. Sudarsarna Devavhar, United Methodist bishop for New England. Several former pastors of the congregation will also share their memories during a fellowship luncheon following the service. The ministry began in 1861 as First Methodist Episcopal Church of Laconia, located on Union Avenue near South Main Street. In 1967 the building was purchased by the Laconia Housing and Redevelopment Authority to make way for Sunrise Towers. For the next two years, the congregation was the guest of Temple B’nai Israel until the current facility was completed on Route 11A in Gilford. Earlier this year, the church began Hope Ministries, a new initiative created to be a place where everyone is welcome to experience hope and joy in their lives. New programs, such as a wellness ministry and more contemporary worship opportunities are being established to serve the people of the Lakes Region. More information about Hope Ministries and the Jubilee celebration can be found at nhhope.org or by calling 524-3289.
On Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., a piano/mezzo soprano duo will perform at the United Church of Penacook as part of the fall series of concerts presented in conjunction with Avaloch Farm Music Institute. Anne Rainwater and Melinda Becker will perform three song sets – Gabriela Lena Frank’s Quatro Canciones Andinas in Spanish, selections from Barber’s Hermit Songs in English, and Debussy’ Trois Chanson de Bilitisin in French. Samples of their work can be found at newmoonduo.com. Find additional concert information and directions at ucpnh.org.