ATKINSON — The Atkinson Veterans Club is launching its annual Wreaths Across America campaign to ensure every veteran’s grave in town is honored during the holiday season while helping fund the care and beautification of the cemetery.
Now in its eighth year, the local effort aims to place wreaths on nearly 400 veterans’ graves in Atkinson. Wreaths purchased through the club’s Wreaths Across America group account also generate rebate funds that are reinvested in maintaining veterans’ gravesites.
Flyers with ordering information will be available at locations throughout Atkinson beginning in September. Wreaths cost $17 each, and purchases made through the Atkinson Veterans Club’s group account, NH0022P, earn the club a $5 rebate for every wreath sold.
The rebate funds are used to enhance veterans’ graves throughout the year. This spring, the club purchased and planted 400 geraniums before Memorial Day at veterans’ gravesites and throughout the cemetery. In recent years, the organization has invested more than $2,600 annually in cemetery beautification through the rebate program, without using municipal tax dollars.
The 2026 Wreaths Across America ceremony will be held Saturday, Dec. 19, at noon at Atkinson Cemetery. Community members are encouraged to attend the ceremony and support the effort by sponsoring a wreath.
Wreaths may be purchased through the Atkinson Veterans Club’s Wreaths Across America group account, www.wreathsacrossanerica.org/NH0022P.
Take a tour on a Trail Trolley
ATKINSON — As part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration, the Atkinson Historical Society will offer Polly the Trolley tours highlighting the town’s Revolutionary War history on Saturday, Oct. 3.
The guided tours will showcase Atkinson’s Revolutionary-era homes and historic sites, including the Old Atkinson Cemetery and the Town Pound. The trolley is named in honor of Polly Peabody, one of the first female students to attend Atkinson Academy.
Tours will depart from the Kimball House, 3 Academy Ave., at 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Each tour will last approximately 60 to 90 minutes and is limited to 30 participants.
Tickets are $25 for Atkinson Historical Society members and $30 for nonmembers. Tickets will go on sale in mid-July. The event will be held rain or shine.
For registration information, visit atkinsonhistoricalsociety.org or follow the Atkinson Historical Society on Facebook.
Church reflects on 300 years
KINGSTON — First Congregational Church of Kingston will celebrate its 300th anniversary with a day of worship, fellowship and community events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, at the church, 6 Church St.
The celebration will begin with an outdoor worship service under the pines from 10 to 11 a.m. The service will feature live music by the church’s FCC Praise Band, and Lead Pastor Josh Armendariz will share the meaning behind the congregation’s faith hymns.
From 11 a.m. to noon, the congregation will hold a covenant signing ceremony and assemble a time capsule.
A chicken barbecue will be served from noon to 1 p.m. in Rent Fellowship Hall. The menu includes barbecued chicken, coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans and rolls. Tickets are $5 per person and must be purchased by Aug. 23. For tickets, visit www.kingstonfcc.org.
Historical displays and family-friendly activities will be available throughout the day.
A community celebration worship service will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. in the church’s historic sanctuary. The service will feature choral music by the FCC Choir and celebrate the congregation’s 300 years of faith, service and community partnership.
The anniversary celebration will conclude with a dessert reception for all attendees from 3 to 4 p.m.