GILFORD — There's something for everyone in the new on-line auction at First United Methodist Church which runs through May 26.
Participants can bid on tickets to local attractions such as Squam Lakes Science Center. A week in New Orleans is being offered in a one bedroom timeshare with a kitchen: Dec. 13 -20, 2013..
Local residents will be able to get tickets to dozens of tourist attractions in other parts of New England, such as Plimouth Plantation, Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Connecticut, Southwick's Zoo in Massachusetts – even the Brooklyn Botanic Garden in New York City.
Many restaurants are participating with gift cards, as are local stores – Fratello's, Dairy Queen, Trustworthy Hardware, the Irwin Zone, Lakeside Animal Hospital, Hart's Turkey Farm, Hackett and Hill Jewelers, and more.
For antique lovers, there is a beautiful crib from the 1870's, old pewter ware from the Civil War era and Victrola records.
To bid, go on-line to www.umcgilford.org and follow the instructions for setting up a password to obtain a bidder number. Then look at the pictures and start bidding. Keep checking in to rebid. When the auction is over, successful bidders will be notified of what they have won.
Stop by the church on a weekday morning to see items or call the church at 524-3289 for more details.

HOLDERNESS — Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in partnership with Squam Lakes Conservation Society holds a weekly beginning birding program from 7-10 a.m. on Fridays. Join Iain MacLeod on May 24, 31 and June 7 as he leads participants through a variety of habitats where they learn identification by sight and sound and build upon skills each week.
Rick Van de Poll will lead the group on June 14; Bob Ridgely on June 21; and Tony Vazzano on June 28.
This program is for adults and children age 14 and over. Registration is requested in advance by calling 968-7194.
Cost is $12/SLNSC or SLCS member; $15/non-member
On Saturday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to noon the Science Center invites people to get out and see the natural world that is bursting forth with new growth. Late May is a great time to search the fields and forests for the fleeting beauty of spring wildflowers. Explore with Naturalist Eric D'Aleo to look for and identify the obvious, and not so obvious, spring wildflowers in the area.
This program is for adults and children age 12 and over. Registration is requested in advance by calling 968-7194.
Cost: $7/member; $9/non-member
A Bald Eagle Adventure cruise will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 3-4:30 p.m. The cruise focuses on the recovery of Bald Eagles as nesting species in the state, with particular discussion about the pair of Bald Eagles that has nested on a Squam island since 2003 and fledged 18 chicks. All Squam Lake Cruises at 90-minutes and depart from the dock on Route 3 at the bridge, next to Walter's Basin Restaurant in downtown Holderness. Squam Lake Cruises are on canopied pontoon boats. Binoculars are available for wildlife viewing at no additional cost. There is limited space for Squam Lake Cruises. Reserve a seat by calling 968-7194.
Cost: Adult: $21/member; $23/non-member; Senior (65+): $19/member; $21/non-member; Youth (ages 3-15): $17/member; $19/non-member. Not recommended for children 2 and under.

TILTON — Residents and staff of the New Hampshire Veterans Home, which has served the state's veterans since 1890, will conduct a traditional Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 27, at 11 a.m. in the Town Hall at the home, 139 Winter Street, Tilton.
The event, which will be open to the public, will be preceded by a coffee social at 10:15 a.m.