seeking cyclists for charity

The Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Exeter Kids Ride from 9 a.m. to noon on Sunday, June 14, will be one of 40 PMC Kids Rides held throughout New England.

Nearly 7,000 cyclists between the ages of 2 and 15 will ride up to 26 miles in mini bike-a-thons to raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

The Exeter Kids Ride will begin at Timberland Industrial Park at 200 Domain Drive in Stratham. Children ages 3 to 13 can ride either the short or longer loop. A party afterward will include a DJ, refreshments, face painting and raffles.

“The PMC Kids Ride empowers young people to make a difference in something they believe in, whether they have been affected by cancer or someone close to them,” said Maribeth Dever, coordinator for the PMC Exeter Kids Ride, in a press release. To make a contribution, email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kid Rides, along with more than 5,500 adult PMC cyclists, help fund cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through its Jimmy Fund. The Pan-Mass Challenge is a two-day, 190-mile bike-a-thon held each August. Since 1980, it has raised nearly $240 million.

Patrick Byrne, CEO of Overstock.com, has challenged the Kids Rides program to raise $1 million. If it does, he will contribute an additional $500,000. The rides pulled in $728,000 in 2008.

There is a $10 registration fee. Contributions should be made payable to the Pan-Mass Challenge. To register, visit kids.pmc.org/exeter. For more information, call 800-WE-CYCLE.

New Castle gardens open to public

The New Castle Village Walk and Garden Tour features seven private gardens, some on the water’s edge in this historic seaside town, on Sunday, June 14, from 1 to 4:30 p.m.

The annual self-guided walking tour was originally developed by Nancy Seagren, a long-time New Castle resident and former general manager of Pontine Theatre in Portsmouth. All proceeds benefit the theater’s cultural and educational programs.

“Gardens are bursting with flowers and fragrance at this time of year,” said Marguerite Mathews, founder of the theater, in a press release.
Advance tickets are $15 and are available at the Discover Portsmouth Center at the corner of Middle and Islington streets, or at Portsmouth Gardens at 1000 Woodbury Ave., and Rolling Green Nursery in Greenland. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.pontine.org. On the day of the event, tickets will be $20 at the Maude Trefethen School, Route 1B, New Castle, where participants can also pick up their map and enjoy lemonade and cookies.    

A complementary trolley will be available throughout the tour for those who would rather not walk. The event will take place rain or shine. For more information, contact Pontine Theatre at 603-436-6660 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it