Programs on Demand (POD)

Carol Szot  (207) 384-5153 or Email: carolszot@comcast.net

Book Club members pick their books of choice and lead discussions of their recommendations. Book selections are posted well in advance. We're a wonderfully diverse group, and it's always a treat to share new and different tastes and reviews of the same material. 

When:  3rd Tuesday of the month (year-round), 1:00 p.m., with a few exceptions.

Where: 

We meet at the Durham Police Station but might use Zoom in the winter if snow is predicted.

  Carol will send an invitation to each meeting one month prior to the event, one week before, and the morning of the discussion.

These are the current selections:

2024

2023

Jan 17, 2023: O Pioneer, by Willa Cather (on Zoom), leading discussion—-Carol Chamberlain

Feb 21: Empire of Pain, by Patrick Radden Keefe (on Zoom), leading discussion—-Carol Szot

Mar 21: The Other Doctor Gilmer, by Benjamin Gilmer, leading discussion—-Robin Glasser

Apr 18: The Pioneers, by David McCullough, leading discussion—-Peggy Higgins

May 16: The Library Book, by Susan Orlean, leading discussion—-Pat Laska

Jun 20: The Painted Drum, by Louise Erdrich, leading discussion—-Drew Christie

Jul 18: Simple Passion, by Annie Ernaux, leading discussion—-Dorothy Healy

Aug 15: Lessons from the Edge, by Marie Yovanovitch, leading discussion—-Susan Wagner

Sep 12: Paradise Falls, by Keith O’Brien, leading discussion—-Nancy Walker

Oct 17: The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles, leading discussion—-Debbie Forster

Nov. 17: Lessons in Chemistry, Bonnie Garmus, leading discussion--Robin Glasser

Dec. 19: A Fall of Marigolds, Susan Meissner, leading discussion--MaryEllen Siudut/Cszot

Established in 2013

Does your bike have flat tires? Is your chain a little rusty? Afraid of hills?

 

There’s good news! The ARA Cycling Pod is under new management and is looking for interested and ordinary human beings to revive the joy in cycling as exercise, as outdoor activity and a fun social time.  

 

Barry Glunt, a new ARA member (aged 69) and lifelong cyclist is eager to share his love of riding with members at all levels of cycling experience. Together we will enjoy the spring in New Hampshire, learn efficient cycling technique, get a proper bike fit, and handle minor mechanical problems, all in a safe and supportive atmosphere: the fresh air!

 

Whether you're a former “king of the hill” or just getting back into it. This group is for you.

 

It’s just like riding a bike!

 

Please contact me using the email below if you are interested in learning more about or joining this POD, or have questions, suggestions, and concerns at ARABikePod2025@firststone.mozmail.com

Jan Phelps - jmtp1978@gmail.com

or text 603-315-3231

A photo tells a story. Join this small group to explore creative and technical aspects of digital photography. Each month, members decide on a theme and submit photos on it to a shared, easy-to-learn-and-navigate Google Photos album. Members then meet via Zoom to critique the work.

When and Where:  Monthly field trip generally on the first Tuesday of the month, depending on theme. Critique session is the fourth Tuesday of each month, 4:00-5:30 p.m. 

Location: Field trip location and dates/times will vary dependent on theme, weather and member input. Interested members will arrive with their cameras and whatever equipment required (e.g., tripods) for their photography. Field trip destinations and schedule will be communicated to members via our email distribution list. Members who are unable to come or choose otherwise may shoot photos in other locations or venues, along the theme. Shortly after the field trip, a shared, themed, google photo album will be distributed to each member, so that members may upload their photos for group viewing.

The fourth Tuesday meeting will take place via zoom (at least for the near future), for a critique of photographs. Zoom invites will be sent via email shortly before each meeting.

Information: Please email Janet Phelps for questions and to request membership. ARA membership is required. Once you are approved, you will be added to our email distribution list, where you will be informed about our current theme, and receive the current google album for submission of your photos or to view other members’ submissions.

George Whitehead - 603-742-5855 or whiteheadg@aol.com

Who Am I…Really?  The Genealogy POD is for ARA members who want to research their genealogy, build a family tree, or expand an existing one. Every day there are new breakthroughs in finding our roots. Here, we share our knowledge, research methods, experiences, and the interesting lives of our ancestors, all while building our trees.

When and Where: Contact George for current information.

Paul Cully - pac4patriot@comcast.net

The Hiking POD runs hikes, generally of 2-4 miles in length, in various locations throughout the Seacoast area and through various terrains (woodlands, forests, and/or beaches). Many hikes are on mostly level terrain and are deemed doable by most people. Advance notice is provided of hikes that involve significant elevation gains (and therefore descents) in the Wednesday “Reminder” email. 

When and Where: Friday mornings – usually 10:00 AM starts – see schedule published below and on the calendar.

More information: A "Reminder and Directions" email is sent to Hiking POD members on every Wednesday before a scheduled Friday hike with details about the hike. For more info about the POD and/or an individual hike on the schedule, or to join the POD and receive the hike notices, contact Paul Cully at pac4patriot@comcast.net.

DOGS: We follow the ARA Dog Policy (adopted April 2023) which states that for the health, safety, and enjoyment of all group participants, those wishing to bring dogs on ARA hikes and walks at venues permitting dogs must (1) keep them on a short leash at all times, (2) ensure they do not interfere with other participants, and (3) pick up and appropriately dispose of their dogs' waste.

ARA Hiking POD – 2025 Hike Schedule,  updated 3/15/25

Spring Hikes Location
Mar. 07th – Oyster River Forest – Durham NH – (Cancelled)
Mar. 14th – Northwood Meadows State Park – Northwood NH
Mar. 21st – Community Trail – Dover NH
Mar. 28th – Wiggly Bridge & Steedman Wood – York ME
Apr. 4th – Bellamy River WMA – Dover NH
Apr. 11th – Fort Foster – Kittery ME
Apr. 18th – Shafer Woods – Atkinson NH
Apr. 25th – Highland Preserve Long Loop Trail – York ME
May 9th – Isinglass River Conservation Reserve – Strafford NH
May 16th – Longmarsh Preserve & Sweet Trail (north portion) – Durham NH
May 30th – Kingman Farm – Madbury NH
Jun. 6th – Piscassic Greenway – Newfields NH
Jun. 13th – Piscassic River, Loiselle – Newmarket NH
Summer Hikes Location
Jun. 20th – College Woods – Durham NH
Jul. 11th – Blue Job Mountain – Strafford NH
Fall Hikes Location Sep. 05th – Powder Major’s Farm – Madbury NH
Sep. 12th – Mast Road Natural Area – Epping NH
Sep. 26th – Fundy Trail, Pawtuckaway St. Pk. – Nottingham NH
Oct. 3rd – Canterbury Shaker Village – Canterbury NH
Oct. 10th – Wagon Hill Farm – Durham NH
Oct. 17th – Sagamore Creek Headlands Loop – Portsmouth NH
Oct. 24th – Doe Farm – Durham NH
Oct. 31st – Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge – Newington NH
Nov. 7th – Pine Mountain – Alton NH

Nancy Salka - 207-363-6846 or nanslk@myfairpoint.net

The Lunch Bunch is a group of people who enjoy each other and enjoy finding new venues to do their eating! They always have good food, good conversation and a genuine positive outlook in their lives that they share together. They pick their future restaurants at each meeting. We are a great group of people having stupendous fun!  

When and Where: Third Wednesday of the month, 12:30 p.m. Contact Nancy to learn about the upcoming venue.

We follow the current ARA COVID policy.
If you plan to join us, we highly recommend that you be vaccinated.

First meeting of our new Pickle Ball POD

Malcolm Brown - mb13brown@icloud.com

The ARA Pickleball POD is a group of audacious folks interested in playing the game of pickleball.  Weather permitting, we meet twice weekly for games using the courts in Dover. All levels are welcome! We use email for coordination on upcoming games, cancellations, and member communications.

More information:  For more info and/or to be added to the mailing list, please contact Malcolm Brown mb13brown@icloud.com.

The current ARA COVID policy is guided by the prevailing CDC Guidelines.  If you plan to join us, we highly recommend that you be vaccinated.

Established 2022

Penny and Mike Drooker - pdrooker@hotmail.com (preferred) or 603-397-5681

Walkers meet weekly throughout the year. We usually set out from the Durham Town parking lot at the corner of Madbury Road and Pettee Brook Lane, taking various routes around greater Durham, but we sometimes go farther afield to explore local natural areas. If you’re looking for exercise and good conversation, please join us! All you have to do is show up – no reservation required. However, do make sure your name is on our email list to receive updates as needed.

When:  Tuesdays (year-round, weather permitting), 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.  We rarely cancel, but conditions such as blizzards or dangerously high Air Quality Index days sometimes make this necessary.

Where:  Meet at parking lot at the corner of Pettee Brook Lane and Madbury Road in Durham. (Two hours free for Durham residents;  $1 for non-residents.)  From time to time, we meet elsewhere. To stay informed, please join our 2024-25 contact list by sending your email address to Penny and Mike.

COVID (as of January 2024): We follow ARA COVID policy (guided by prevailing CDC Guidelines) and New Hampshire, Durham, and UNH requirements. We highly recommend that you be fully vaccinated before joining the group.

DOGS: We follow the ARA Dog Policy (adopted April 2023) which states that for the health, safety, and enjoyment of all group participants, those wishing to bring dogs on ARA hikes and walks at venues permitting dogs must (1) keep them on a short leash at all times, (2) ensure they do not interfere with other participants, and (3) pick up and appropriately dispose of their dogs' waste.

Established 2013.

Linda Benton - lba.oceanlover@gmail.com

Stagecraft is all about connecting and experiencing, so right now we are on hiatus. When/if we reactivate, we will notify ARA members via an “email blast.”

Ever watch a play and think “I can do that?” We choose plays and explore all the aspects of stagecraft. Channel your inner producer, director, actor, set or costume designer/decorator (or at least learn what they do!). Remember it takes all these skills to mount a production worthy of “curtain up.” Whatever your interest or skill set, stage craft offers the opportunity to participate in the creative process. No pressure, just lots of fun.

We sometimes read plays out-loud to others. Most of us have never done this before and have "aged out" of memorizing, but totally enjoy having a good time.

We also attend plays and gather afterwards to discuss them.

If you are interested in the group and/or have ideas of what we can do to connect during this uncertain time, Let us know!

When/if we reactivate, we will notify ARA members via an “email blast.”

Originally called Play Reading; began in 2014.