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ACTIVITIES

ACTORSINGERS PRESENT BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: May 2-3, May 9-10, 8 p.m.; May 4, May 10, 2 p.m., Keefe Auditorium, Elm Street School, Nashua; Disney's classic tale of the beautiful girl who eventually falls in love with the cursed beast; tickets available online at www.actorsingers.org or by calling 603-320-1870.

"AGING FOR DUMMIES:" May 13, 6-8 p.m., Dr. Roger Dionne Senior Center, St. Joseph Hospital, Nashua; according to St. Joseph's marketing specialist Lindsay Robuccio, "this presentation will take you on a trip through aging in today's United States"; $15 per person includes buffet dinner; advance registration

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required; to register, call Community Health Education at 603-595-3168.

AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE: May 15, 2:30-7:30 p.m., Elks Lodge, 120 Daniel Webster Highway, Nashua; for more information about donating blood, call the Red Cross Center at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or your local Red Cross chapter.

BEAVER BROOK NATURE CENTER ACTIVITIES:

* Open house, May 4, noon-3:30 p.m., Maple Hill Farm, 117 Ridge Road, Hollis: Free and open to the public; learn new ways to spend time enjoying the outdoors; bring the children for plenty of fun activities and craftsto take home; meet the staff of Beaver Brook and visit the buildings and some of the 30 miles of trails; learn about our Summer Youth program openings; visit www.beaverbrook.org for directions.

* Wednesday morning wildflower walks, April and May, 9-11 a.m., Maple Hill Farm, 117 Ridge Road, Hollis: Free; a slow-paced walk with lots of stops to enjoy Nature's spring treasures; suitable for most abilities; however, trails are uneven, so wear supportive footwear; adults only; no dogs; cancelled if rain; bring insect repellant.

BROOKLINE PUBLIC LIBRARY ACTIVITIES:

* May 2, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 16 Main St.; Recycle Art Friday; take apart newspapers, foam and cardboard tubes to make beautiful art; supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own; no age restrictions for children; for more information, call the Brookline Public Library at 603-673-3330.

* May 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 16 Main St.; Book & Bake Sale: The Friends of the Brookline will hold a book sale at the Kilduff-Wirtanen Legion Hall, 38 Main St.; buck-a-bag from 3-4 p.m.; includes hardcovers, paperbacks, videos, DVDs, audio tapes, CDs, puzzles, plus baked goods; for more information, call Jodi at 603-673-1417 or Louise at 603-673-7084.

CAST MEETINGS SCHEDULE: Community Action for Safe Teens; Wadleigh Library, Milford; fourth Tuesday of the month: May 27.

COLONIAL GARDEN CLUB OF HOLLIS PLANT SALE: May 10, 9 a.m.-noon, Hollis Town Common; annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, and decorative garden planters will be available; club members will be available to answer your gardening questions; new members are always welcome; for further information, contact Nora Lewis, president, at 603-465-2028.

COMMUNITY CHURCH OF HUDSON LASAGNA DINNER: May 17, 5-7 p.m., Hudson Community Church, 19 Central St., Hudson; to benefit Habitat for Humanity; $7 for adults $7,$4 for children 11 and older, children 10 and u

"FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT FOR SENIORS:" May 8, 11:30 a.m., Holiday Inn, Northeastern Blvd, Nashua; lunch served, noon; presented by Nashua AARP Chapter 622; $15 per person; Judith Jones, an elder law attorney, will discuss the subjects of nursing-home care and vital end-of-life concerns and decisions, followed by a question-and-answer session; call Kay Noel at 603-882-5502 to reserve your seat.

FORGOTTEN REFUGEES: May 4, 2-4 p.m., Amherst Library, Main Street, Amherst; presented by VISION (Voice of Israel initiative of New Hampshire); this 49-minute documentary film produced by The David Project and Irsa TV explores the history and destruction of Middle Eastern Jewish communities, some of which existed for more than 2,500 years; film will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

GLUTEN-FREE COOKING: TV Chef/Instructor Oonagh Williams of Royal Temptations will investigate food labels, what do they mean, converting your favorite pre-diagnosis baked goods to gluten free, their packet mixes vs. bought goods vs. cook it yourself; where can you buy items; understand how to cook foods the whole family will enjoy with no nasty side effects; classes will be held in Merrimack, numbers are limited; other sessions can be held in clients' homes; classes are normally held in the evening for three hours at $65 per person, food included; e-mail Oonagh@RoyalTemptations.com or call 603-424-6412.

GREATER NASHUA WOMEN'S CONNECTION DINNER: May 13, 6:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, Northeastern Boulevard, Nashua; all welcome; bring a friend; guest speaker Jane Burdette will tell her story of battling cancer and perfectionism; Christine Bergeron offers Pampered Chef fun while helping fight cancer; for reservations, call Edna at 603-424-0257; reservations must be honored, cancelled or given to a friend; walk-ins welcome.

GRIEF SUPPORT: Beacon Hospice of Nashua holding an eight-week grief support group; free and open to the public; designed to help individuals confront the challenges of loss and cope with the feelings associated with the passing of a loved one; group will meet Thursdays beginning May 8 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Beacon Hospice, 157 Main Dunstable Road, Nashua; to register or to learn more, call Lisa Woods, bereavement coordinator, at 603-579-0665.

HOMEBUYER EDUCATION COURSE: May 17, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Nashua, 63 Temple St., Nashua; registration required; $35 per person, $40 per couple; to register or for more information, contact Mary Febonio at 603-882-2077 or e-mail your name address and phone number to maryf@nhsgn.org.

LINE DANCING CLASSES:

* Beginners: May 7-June 25, 4:45-5:45 p.m., 265 Lake St., Nashua; learn the basic line dancing steps with some classic and new dances; $50 for eight-week session; register online at www.stjosephhospital.com; for more information, contact St. Joseph Hospital Community Health at 603-595-3168.

* Improvers: May 8-June 26, 7-8 p.m., 265 Lake St., Nashua; for those with some experience; learn line dancing steps with some classic and new dances; $50 for eight-week session; register online at www.stjosephhospital.com; for more information, contact St. Joseph Hospital Community Health at 603-595-3168.

NASHUA PUBLIC LIBRARY ACTIVITIES:

* Yankee Crime Spring Book Discussions: This selection of murder mysteries is set in New England and written by contemporary New England authors; multiple copies of the books are available now at the front desk of the library; the next two book discussion meetings are: May 8, 7 p.m., focusing on Flashpoint, by Linda Barnes, and May 27, 7 p.m., discussing A Stranger in the Kingdom, by Howard Frank Mosher; for more information, call Carol at 603-589-4610; the library is located at 2 Court St.; Web address is www.nashualibrary.org.

NASHUA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER PROGRAMS: 70 Temple St., Nashua;

* Sherlock Holmes Series: Weighing interest for Monday classes 6-8 p.m. with presenter Bob Fritsch for in-depth discussion of each Sherlock Holmes book; $1 for members; $2 for nonmembers; to register, call 603-889-61545.

PET ADOPTION FEST: May 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Best Friends Pet Care, 394 Middlesex Road, Tyngsboro, Mass.; dozens of homeless dogs and cats will be looking for families to love; Lowell Humane Society, Humane Society of Greater Nashua, New England Bassett Rescue and other local rescue groups will be looking for homes for great pets; prospective adopters will be able to meet the pets, talk with rescue-group volunteers and complete applications; every adopter will receive a package of goodies for their new pet; for directions, call 978-649-8585 or visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com.

PETER PAN: May 9-10, May 16-17, 8 p.m.; May 11, May 18, 2 p.m., 14 Court Street Theatre, Nashua; presented by the Peacock Players; features Taylor Morrow of Nashua in the lead role, with Rachel Fairbanks of Chelmsford, Mass., as Wendy, and John Barsoian of Nashua as the villainous Captain Hook; tickets ($12-$17) available online at www.peacockplayers.org or by calling the Box Office at 603-886-7000.

ROSE-PRUNING DEMONSTRATION: May 4, 9:30-11 a.m., Statehouse grounds, Concord; sponsored by the New Hampshire Rose Society; consulting rosarians will be present to answer questions about basic rose care; for more information, contact Tessie McKeown at 603-654-2401 or jaderose@tds.net.

"SECONDHAND PROSE" BOOK SALE: May 11, noon-3 p.m., Hills Memorial Library, 49 Ferry St., Hudson; hosted by the Friends of Hills Memorial Library; cookbooks, craft books, and self-help books at half price; all mothers will get a free book of their choice; all VHS tapes 25 cents or 5/$1; cassettes, magazines and textbooks free; Hudson history books can still be purchased; still have our newly designed tote bags for sale; looking for more young adult chapter books.

BENEFITS

AMHERST TOWN BAND CONCERT: May 10, 7 p.m, Souhegan High School, Post Road, Amherst; includes the Souhegan High School a cappella choir under the direction of Pat Anderson; donations will go the Anne Marie House, a shelter for homeless families located in Hudson.

ANNUAL WILD BIRD SHOW: May 10, May 11, noon, 2 p.m., Bird House, Route 101, Amherst; featuring raptors with Tom Riccardi and "Eyes on the Wise" with with Marsha Wilson, plus many other exhibits and raffles; proceeds benefit The High Hopes Foundation of NH Inc., an all-volunteer organization that makes dreams come true for New Hampshire's chronically and seriously ill children 3 through 18.

SHAW'S FAMILY FUN FAIR: May 10, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Shaw's supermarket, south Merrimack; raffles, crafters, vendors, refreshments; vendor spaces still available and the fees start at only $30; space rental and raffle proceeds will be donated to High Hopes, an all- volunteer organization that grants wishes to New Hampshire's chronically and seriously ill children, 3 through 18; for more information, contact High Hopes at 603-429-1010.

YARD SALE FUNDRAISER: May 3-4, 9 a.m., 19 Bedford St., Nashua; all proceeds will go to the "Kevin and Stephanie Hudon Family Fund" set up at Bank of America; donations can also be made directly at any branch; array of items for sale is amazing and everything is priced to sell; taking donations up until the yard sale; for more information, e-mail sueb_000@yahoo.com.

GROUPS

AMHERST REPUBLICANS: Meets first Saturday of the month, 8 a.m., Joey's Diner, Route 101A, Amherst; for more information, contact Ken Jones at kjones1@ix.netcom.com.

BEDFORD FRIENDSHIP QUILT GUILD: Meetings open to quilters of all levels; membership open to anyone in Bedford and surrounding communities; beverages and light refreshments provided; dues $20 (under 62), $15 (62 and older); for more information, call Lois Tourangeau at 603-424-0417.

BREAST-FEEDING SUPPORT: La Leche League offers monthly meetings for breastfeeding and pregnant women; meetings held second Wednesday of the month in Nashua and second Thursday of the month in Milford; babies and children welcome; for more information, call Kathy at 603-891-3530, Alyson at 603-889-9024 or visit www.laleche.org.

BUSINESSMEN'S FELLOWSHIP: Nashua area chapter; hosts complimentary breakfast for men and women first Saturday of the month, 8 a.m., New Beginnings Fellowship, 6 Spruce St., Nashua; for more information, call Sonny Johnson at 603-672-8085 or Jack Jackson at 603-883-3446.

BROOKLINE WOMEN'S CLUB: Member of the General Federation of Women's Clubs; dedicated to community service work, promotion of fellowship among women, and the enhancement of the social and intellectual life of its members; new members always welcome; for more information, contact co-presidents Maggie Marszewski at 603-672-6014 or Anita Rubinstein-Angel at 603-672-0956.

DIABETES SUPPORT: Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center hosts a meeting for those using insulin pumps, or for those who are interested in them; meets every third Thursday of the month, 6-7 p.m., Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate, 20 Northwest Boulevard, Nashua; speakers will answer questions and discuss glucose monitoring, dietary issues, medication options, and traveling with a pump; for more information, contact the Joslin Diabetes Center affiliate at 603-577-5760 or www.snhmc.org.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS: A program for those suffering from food obsession, overeating, undereating and bulimia; no dues, fees or weigh-ins; for more information, call Carol at 603-533-5055 or visit our Web site, www.foodaddicts.org.

HOLLIS-BROOKLINE ROTARY CLUB: Meets Wednesdays, 7:15 a.m., Community Room, Hollis Town Hall; new members and guests are always welcome; for more information, contact Michael Askenaizer at 603-594-0300 or at Michael@Askenaizer.com.

MENTAL ILLNESS, FAMILY SUPPORT: The Nashua NAMI affiliate conducts meetings for family and friends of loved ones dealing with mental illness every ssecond and fourthTuesday of the month, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Classroom B, third floor, St Joseph Hospital School of Nursing Academic Building; please enter the building from the back door located behind the far left corner of the bottom floor of the hospital's Kinsley Street garage; for more information, call Ed at 603-883-6477 or Norma at 603-882-6771, e-mail nashua-naminh@comcast.net or visit www.naminh.org/affiliatepages-nashua.php.

MERRIMACK FRIENDS AND FAMILIES: A women's social, service and charitable group; through our fundraising, we are able to sponsor many area charity events and organizations; the club also participates in a variety of community service projects; we also offer a wide array of social activities for our members; meetings fourth Monday of the month, 7:15 p.m., Wheeler Memorial Chapel, 590 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack; for more information, visit our Web site: www.merrimackfriendsfamilies.org.

MERRIMACK LIBRARY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP: Meets on the third Wednesday of the month from September through June, 7 p.m.; free and open to the public; no registration is required; extra copies of each book are usually available during the month before its scheduled discussion date; patrons can call or visit the circulation desk to reserve a copy; for more information, contact the library at 603-424-5021 or visit its Web site: www.merrimack.lib.nh.us/readers/bkgroup.shtml.

MILFORD TOASTMASTERS: Members learn leadership skills by organizing and conducting meetings and by completing projects in the leadership manuals; projects address such skills as listening, planning, motivation and team building and give members the opportunity to practice them; visitors welcome; for more information, contact Brian Conway at brian.conway@juno.com or visit www.toastmasters.org.

NASHUA CAMERA CLUB: Meets first Tuesday of the month, 7:30 p.m., 99 Factory St., second floor; members meet to share common interests, promote competition in regional events and hold a photography competition in various categories; guests always welcome; for further information, contact Dave Marden at dmarden1@verizon.net or 603-305-7036.

NASHUA REAL ESTATE INVESTORS: Meets the first Monday of the month, 6:30 p.m.,1 Trafalgar Square, Nashua; a member of the National Real Estate Investors Association; dedicated to educating real-estate investors about their rights and responsibilities; investors of all abilities invited to meetings for education and networking opportunities; for more information, contact Al Piecuch at 603-930-0718.

NASHUA-HUDSON TOASTMASTERS CLUB: Toastmasters provides an opportunity to develop verbal communication and leadership skills in a supportive and positive learning environment; meets on first, third and fourth Wednesday of the month, 6:30 p.m., Nashua Public Library; visitors welcome; for more information, call Allison (603-465-3403), Mike (603-889-8152) or visit www.n-htm.org.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS: Amherst chapter of Overeaters Anonymous meets every Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Christ's Chuch of Amherst, 58 Merrimack Road.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT: Meets on the second Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., Southern New Hampshire Medical Center's Health & Education Building, 10 Prospect St. Nashua; for more information or to register, call Joe Mitchell at 603-289-2104.

RICHELIEU CLUB: The Nashua chapter meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 6 p.m., Crowne Plaza, Nashua; mission to promote the French language through social, cultural and charitable activities; for more information, contact Eric Drouart at 603-897-8490.