DOVER — All are welcome to attend the upcoming New Hampshire Humanities program at the Dover Public Library, either in-person or virtually on Monday, May 9, at 6:30 p.m. The program is entitled “Hooked: Narratives of Addiction, Recovery and Redemption” to be presented by Kate Gaudet. No registration for this free program is required, unless you’d like to attend virtually. Visit dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/library/events to register. The program is open to the public. For more information, call 603-516-6050.

PORTSMOUTH — Writers on a New England Stage is presenting New York Times best-selling author Amor Towles with his new novel, "The Lincoln Highway," on Tuesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. The in-person event is sold out but livestream tickets are available. 

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The event includes an audience Q&A and a literary conversation with Peter Biello, host of New Hampshire Public Radio’s broadcast of the afternoon news magazine All Things Considered. Livestream tickets are $10. Copies of the book ($30 hardcover) will be available for purchase. Books and tickets can be purchased online at TheMusicHall.org, at 603-436-2400, or in person at the box office at 28 Chestnut St.

KITTERY, Maine — As part of its 375th anniversary celebration, Kittery is offering tours of author William Dean Howells' home.  Susan Goodman, an English professor at the University of Delaware, who co-authored a 2005 biography of the author, will lead two tours of Howells’ gambrel-roofed former residence at 36 Pepperrell Road in Kittery Point on Tuesday, May 10. These tours, to be held at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., will be ticketed events and limited to groups of 15. Tickets may be obtained through the Rice Public Library at rice.lib.me.us. 

ROCHESTER — The history behind the Russian invasion of Ukraine is long and complex. In this illustrated talk on Tuesday, May 10 at 3 p.m. at the Rochester Public Library, Kurk Dorsey, chair of the Department of History at UNH, will delve into the sources of the dispute between Russia on one hand and Ukraine and its allies on the other.

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Dorsey has taught U.S. environmental history and U.S. diplomatic history since 1994 at the UNH, where he has won a teaching excellence award and a graduate student-mentoring award. He has published two books, "The Dawn of Conservation Diplomacy" (1998) and "Whales and Nations" (2013). The presentation will take place in the Rochester Public Library Community Room. Patrons will need to register either by stopping by the main desk or calling 603-332-1428 ext. 2.

DOVER — On Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30 p.m., become a Friend of the Library. Members meet to discuss upcoming fundraisers and requests for funds by the library. Anyone is welcome to join. The group is currently looking for a Membership Chair to maintain the member’s database and a Programming Chair to schedule monthly library lectures.

SALISBURY, Mass. — The May meeting of the Civil War Roundtable of the Merrimack will be held May 11, at 7:30 p.m. at Hilton Senior Center, 43 Lafayette Road, Salisbury, Mass. Free and open to the public. Art Ober will present a talk titled "My Great Grandfather's Civil War Story." Charter Roundtable member and Korean War veteran Art Ober will share his research into his great grandfather's service in the Civil War.

DOVER — Teen Advisory Board is a group of 7th to 12th graders who are interested in shaping the library’s programs and services aimed at middle and high-school students. TAB members attend monthly meetings in order to share their ideas, help choose teen materials for the collection, participate in and help to plan future events and services for teens, and work toward making the library a teen-friendly space in our community. This month’s meeting will be held Wednesday, May 11 at 6 p.m. at the Dover Public Library.

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PORTSMOUTH — New Hampshire Theatre Project Elephant-in-the-Room Series and Seacoast Mental Health Center, Inc. will honor Mental Health Awareness Month with the premiere of "Final Thoughts," a film based on the play by Tim Barretto which focuses on the topic of suicide. Directed by CJ Lewis with original music by Jonathan Wilkins, the film stars Peter Josephson, Bill Humphreys, Amy Desrosiers, Genevieve Aichele, Blair Hundertmark, and Robin Fowler.

Following the film screening, there will be a community discussion about the subject of suicide and its effect on individuals, their families and the community. Panelists include Patty Driscoll, LICSW, Vice President of Clinical Operations, Adult Services at Seacoast Mental Health Center, Inc.; Dina Solomon, LCSW, a clinical social worker specializing in trauma therapy; playwright Tim Barretto and film director CJ Lewis.

This program will be offered live at NHTP’s theater at 959 Islington Street in Portsmouth, and it will also be available as a livestream online. Admission to the event is free, although pre-registration is required. Information and registration link can be found at nhtheatreproject.org/onstagenow

PORTSMOUTH — "Children of the Grim" by Billy Butler and Bitter Pill opens Friday, May 13 and runs through Sunday, June 5 at The Players' Ring Theatre. "Children of the Grim" is a neo-gothic musical staging of original and traditional children's stories, nursery rhymes, and folk songs. Bitter Pill uses classic story-telling, puppetry, theater, multi-media, and music to create a unique theatrical experience, a sardonic alternative to the usual sugar-coated children’s theater. The show is suitable for macabre children of all ages. For showtimes and tickets, visit playersring.org/children-of-the-grim.

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — On Saturday, May 14, from 7 to 9 a.m. and 9 to 10 a.m., at Savage Wildlife Preserve, there'll be a morning of birding and participating in the Global Big Day Bird Count. Birding for all experience levels from 7-9 a.m. Family program at 9 a.m. with a story about birds and participate in a bird sit and more. 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.

SOMERSWORTH — The Somersworth Festival Association is hosting its 29th Annual Spring Craft Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth. The craft fair will feature lots of talented crafters offering wood crafts, garden decorations, bird houses, paintings, metal decor, mugs, tote bags, gnomes, wind chimes, kids' items, jewelry, food, and pet items, as well as sewn, knitted, and crocheted items, raffles and more. Vendors will be inside and outside. The cafeteria will be offering food for sale. For vendor inquiries or any questions, email us at sfachild.festival@gmail.com, call us at 603-692-5869, or visit nhfestivals.org.

DOVER — In this Encanto-inspired Lego bricks workshop on Saturday, May 14, at 2 p.m. at the Dover Public Library, participants will embrace their inner magic and develop models representing the qualities that make them special. Challenges will help develop their engineering and critical thinking skills in a creative, fun, and musical way. This activity is best suited for children age 5 to 9. Sign up needed.

MADBURY — For the first time in two years, a ham and bean supper will be sponsored by the Madbury United Church of Christ, on Saturday, May 14 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the Madbury Town Hall at 13 Town Hall Road. Guests will enjoy baked ham from George Calef’s Fine Foods in Barrington, a variety of homemade baked beans, hot dogs, cole slaw, potato salad, assorted breads, a 21-item salad bar, and beverages. A highlight is delicious handcrafted fruit and cream pies for dessert. We regret that due to price increases from our vendors we must raise the cost for the supper to $12 for adults and children age 12 and older. Kids under 12 are $6 and families are $28.

DOVER — What is more exciting than new beginnings? On Saturday, May 14 you get the exclusive chance to be a part of the premiering of musical dynamic duet Wind and Sail’s debut album. Wind and Sail is an American Indie folk-rock duet based in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire. Comprised of married couple Graham and Abby Allen, they make music born out of their story, to connect with your story, encouraging us all towards hope.

This premier event will happen on Saturday, May 14 at Flight Coffee Co. in Dover. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show runs from 7 to 9 p.m. Tickets are already half gone, and can be found at windandsailband.com/shows.

EXETER — Since 2004, Kites Against Cancer has been filling the sky with kites as a sign of hope and support of cancer patients and their loved ones. This year’s Kites at the Beach event takes place on Sunday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to  3 p.m. near the Oceanfront Pavilion at Hampton Beach. The community is invited to fly a kite in memory or honor of someone affected by cancer.  

Kites Against Cancer was created by Anne-Marie Viviano, a former Exeter Hospital cancer patient who also launched The Beyond the Rainbow Fund to assist patients with expenses and wellness therapies during cancer treatments.  

Kites are available for a $10 donation at more than 25 Seacoast businesses or online at unitedinwellness.org. All funds raised during Kites Against Cancer season benefit The Beyond the Rainbow Fund and the Together We Can capital campaign.