Eastern Propane & Oil is back as the presenting sponsor for The Runaway Pumpkin 10K & 5K Run/Walk that will take place at Opechee Park on Oct. 16. The Runaway Pumpkin courses offer views of Lake Opechee, chip timing, cash awards for the top male and female finishers and ‘delicious’ age category awards courtesy of Annie’s Café & Catering. The event also offers Youth (13-20) and Kids (12 and under) discounted entry fees and a Kids Fun Run put on by The Downtown Gym. Event Director Jennifer Beetle says, “The Runaway Pumpkin is a way for the whole family to get out and have some fun while supporting the WOW Trail.” Participants are encouraged to register by Oct. 1 in order to receive a Meredith Village Savings Bank sponsored long-sleeve tech shirt. In addition, participants that would like to fundraise for the WOW Trail are invited to do so by soliciting sponsorship donations. Participants that raise $100 or more will receive a WOW Trail wearable. Event details and online registration are available at wowtrail.org or for more information email info@wowtrail.org.
The annual Artisan Market at Canterbury Shaker Village returns this year on Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event is a celebration of artisanal, handcrafted work, with live music, and demonstrations. The Market will feature a wide variety of goods, from woodworking to jewelry, textiles, soaps, and even locally sourced maple syrup. Come admire artisans’ work and find unique gifts or something special for yourself. This year, Canterbury local Jordan Tirrell Wysocki and Trio will perform at the Artisan Market from 12 to 2 p.m., bringing fresh energy to traditional Celtic music. There will also be a food truck at the event. If you would like to join us for this exciting Artisan Market, tickets can be purchased on the website at shakers.org or in person at the event. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for Village members, and all youth and young adults under age 25 are free! Please come and enjoy this special gathering of wonderful artisans, explore the Village, and share a special day with family and friends. In addition to the Artisan Market, the Village will be offering guided tours at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. The Village Store will also be open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Canterbury Shaker is located at 288 Shaker Road in Canterbury, New Hampshire, just south of Laconia and north of Concord. For more information, visit shakers.org.
The Hillsborough Community Center inaugural ATV Poker Run Fundraiser will be held on Sept. 18 from noon until 3 p.m. starting at Grimes Field in Hillsborough. Register online and save $10. The first place prize for best hand is $200. There will be five checkpoints and games of skill along the way. Event details at hccnh.org/atv.
After a successful summer season of dry floor shows and events, staff at the Douglas N. Everett Arena are getting ready for the return of the ice. Arena staff and Concord General Services’ Public Properties Division are busy this week cooling the arena and building the ice rink. The facility was be converted back to an ice arena Sept. 7. Public ice skating will return Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday hours will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday hours will begin Oct. 9 and will also take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Admission will be $6 and free for ages 3 and under. Skate rentals are available for $5 at the arena’s pro shop. Ice skating lessons will be offered by Concord Parks & Recreation with registration starting in October. Ice skating will continue through March 17. Adult stick practice will be offered for ages 14 and up on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. through March 16. Additional hours will occur Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. through Nov. 24. Admission will be $10 and free for goalies. Helmet and gloves are required while full equipment is recommended. Youth stick practice will be available for ages 13 and below on Friday afternoons from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. starting September 10 and continuing through November 26. Admission will be $10 and free for goalies. Full equipment is required. Find more information at concordnh.gov/skating.
The news about Monarch Butterflies this year is distressing, but the 9th Annual NH Monarch Festival will provide hands-on tools and expert advice on how families can sustain and improve habitat for migrating Monarchs and other vital pollinators, all while giving kids fun ways to celebrate and learn about these amazing creatures on Sept. 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids are free, suggested donation of $5 per adult. In spite of 25 years of efforts across the U.S. by citizen scientists and communities to provide more milkweed habitat for their annual migration, the total forest area occupied by Monarchs overwintering in Mexico has decreased 26% from last year, and a startling 65% since two years ago. The NH Monarch Festival, held annually at Petals in the Pines in Canterbury since 2013, focuses on increasing public awareness of the Monarch’s plight and ways for families to help them. The festival will include kids’ activities and games, the “Tale Trail” (featuring a book written by children about milkweed and Monarchs), educational and nature art vendors, butterfly tagging demonstration, book author readings, two new labyrinths (one contemplative, one kid-friendly), “Ask-a-Master-Gardener” table, milkweed seeds, 2 miles of woodland trails and garden paths, hundreds of flower varieties, and much more. For updates and important COVID-19 and Festival guidelines, visit petalsinthepines.com/monarch-festival. One new feature this year is the Pollinator Meadow, showcasing native flowers – including the three types of milkweed that grow in our state – that attract and sustain a diverse population of beneficial insects. At the NH Monarch Festival, visitors will see how native trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses can do vital work of feeding pollinators, managing water, and sequestering carbon – and look beautiful at the same time. On this 20th anniversary of the 9/11 tragedy, festival visitors who desire some moments of quiet reflection are encouraged to hike up the Meditation Trail to the “Love and Grace” contemplative labyrinth – a sacred walking space for prayer and listening, overlooking a soothing woodland stream.
You are invited to join in enjoying our Taverna Night (which also commemorates our Parish’s 90th Anniversary) at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 North State St., Concord. The Taverna Night will take place on Oct. 2 from 6 to 10:30 p.m., with heavy (and lots of) Mezedakia (Greek Hors d’ Oeuvres) and a dessert buffet. There will also be dancing to the live band Dilina (Jimmy Speros and Chuck Koutsos). Tickets are $35 each; you can also reserve a table for six. At present we are taking reservations; if you would like to reserve, please either call 603-953-3051 or send an email to zenoveronensis@outlook.com. Tickets are limited, so reserve them as quickly as possible.