5 Things: Get Involved, Volunteer for an Empty Committee Seat

Here are five things you should know as you start your Thursday. Is this week flying by for anyone else?

1. Register now. On Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 7 p.m. Nashua author Marianne O’Connor, also known as “The Ghost Lady,” will share spooky surprises in a 90-minute presentation highlighting unusual ghost tales from some of New Hampshire’s premier hiking locations. O’Connor is an educator in the Nashua School District and a contributor to The Hippo. Copies of her book will be for sale for cash or personal check. This free event is for adults and young people age 10 and up. Registration is recommended by visiting the library’s online calendar at, calling 424-5021, or emailing mmkpl@merrimack.lib.nh.us.

2. Town Council meeting. The Town Council will meet tonight in the Matthew Thornton Room (formerly the Town Hall Meeting Room) at 7 p.m. for a regular meeting. A public hearing will be held regarding a proposed re-organization of the fire department.

3. Volunteer in town. There are several boards and committees with seats to fill. Have you been looking for a way to get involved? Check out the "Get Involved" page on the town website for more on the open seats on the Agricultural Commission, Conservation Commission, Economic Development Citizens Advisory Committee, Heritage Commission, Nashua Regional Planning Commission, Parks and Rec Committee and Town Center Committee.

4. Is that a lion? A funny story out of Virginia, just too funny (and adorable!) not to share. A caller reported to 911 that they saw a young lion walking down the street in their Norfolk neighborhood. Turns out it was no lion, but Charles the Monarch, a labradoodle who'd been shaved to resemble the mascot for Old Dominion University. Check out the story and don't miss the hilarious slide show of this super adorable pooch.

5. Weather watch. Temperatures keep climbing and today's looking to be a pretty nice one with a bit of wind. The National Weather Service is calling for sunny skies with a high near 44 and a northwest wind of 8 to 13 mph with gusts as high as 23 mph. Tonight will be mostly clear with a low around 22.