Festival of Lights at Concord City Plaza
Building Community in N.H. (formerly Bhutanese Community of N.H.) and Creating Community will host a Diwali Celebration on Wednesday, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at City Plaza, in front of the N.H. State House.
Diwali – or Deepawali – is a Hindu holiday known as the “Festival of Lights” and is celebrated each autumn in the northern hemisphere (spring in southern hemisphere). One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, its spiritually signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair.
“Our Deepawali Celebration is an effort to showcase our rich culture to the Concord community,” said Bhagirath Khatiwada, director of programs and development. “We feel that it is significant to share the Hindu culture because it has now become part of our greater community; thus, it is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote each culture of our community. This event is open to public and we are confident that it adds diversity and multiculturalism.”
On Wednesday evening, everyone is invited to gather on City Plaza to enjoy dance performances, Nepali tea, momos from Katmandu Bazaar and of course, lights.
“As a community, we can benefit a lot from learning about the different cultures that live here in the capital region,” said Jessica Livingston, festival director for the Concord Multicultural Festival and director of Creating Community. “And taking it one step further by joining a cultural celebration is a powerful and impactful way to learn.”
The Diwali Celebration is free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend the event and share in the Hindu culture with members of our Bhutanese, Nepali and Indian communities.
For questions about the event, call Livingston at 568- 5740.
Jessica Livingston
CD release party at Eagle Square
The JT Wildman Jazz Band featuring jazz vocalist Phyllis Pastore will host a three-set CD release party on Saturday, from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Eagle Square Atrium. Cost is $15 and includes a CD, appetizers and a cash bar catered by Tandy’s Restaurant.
This Brooklyn-based hot jazz ensemble includes two local musicians, trumpeter Tim Wildman and pianist and vocalist, Whit Symmes. These two Concord band members, trombonist Jim Wildman, saxophonist Ray Scro, and vocalist Phyllis Pastore (all from New York) will be joined by local musicians Jock Irvine, Ed Raczka and BJ Steinberg for an evening of celebrating their newest CD, “The Nearness of You.”
Tim Wildman
Old Man of the Mountain lecture
Geologist Brian Fowler, former president of the Mount Washington Observatory, traces the Old Man’s geologic and human history during the 198 years between the discovery of the phenomenon in 1805 and its disappearance in 2003 during a lecture at the New Hampshire Historical Society on Saturday.
The program, held from 2 to 3 p.m., is included in the price of admission. Cost is $7, free for society members and children under 18.
For more, visit nhhistory.org
Elizabeth Dubrulle
Harvest fair at St. Paul’s on Saturday
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is hosting a harvest fair on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The fair will include raffle baskets (scratch tickets, chocolate and wine, baker’s kitchen delight, spa theme, advent calendar, etc.), silent auctions (seamless gutters, hand knit blanket, refinished chairs, Christmas cactus, etc.) and specialties for sale (jewelry, holiday items, books, crafts, homemade baked goods, plants, etc.).
A coffee cafe will be open from 9 to 11 a.m. and a lunch shop from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. All proceeds will benefit the ministries of St. Paul’s.
For more information, call 224-2523.
AshleyJane Boots
Ham and bean supper Saturday
It’s what Saturday nights were made for in this part of the world! Join us for a classic New England Ham & Bean Supper at East Congregational Church, 51 Mountain Road, on Saturday, from 5 to 6:30 p.m. The menu includes two kinds of made from scratch beans, baked ham, homemade brown bread, rolls, coleslaw, assorted casseroles, red flannel hash, and a scrumptious dessert buffet.
Adults are $9, children 6 to 12 are $5, and ages 5 and under free. Takeout is available, and the church is wheelchair accessible.
Tickets will be sold for an expertly handcrafted quilt raffle, which will be drawn at the holiday fair on Nov. 4. For more information, call 224-9242 or visit eastchurchucc.org.
Clyde Garrigan
Road race at NHTI on Sunday morning
It’s hard to beat the rewarding feeling that comes after running 10 glorious miles along rolling countryside through stunning fall colors.
On Sunday at 9 a.m., NHTI will host the Granite 10 Road Race. Starting and ending at NHTI’s Grappone Hall, the Granite 10 is a USATF certified 10-mile road race that is part of both the N.H. Grand Prix Race Series and the 5 & Dime Challenge. The race is open to the public, and the entry fee is $30.
The event features food and prizes (money, pies, syrup!) for the top male, female, masters and age category winners. Proceeds benefit the Concord Boys & Girls Club, with a small portion going to the NHTI Cross Country Team for use of the college facilities.
For more information and to register, visit gsrs.com/ content/granite-state-10-miler-2017.
Doug Schwarz
Concert at United Church Penacook next Tuesday
United Church of Penacook is hosting its final concert for 2017 featuring Boland-Dowdall Duo on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. This duo is dedicated to performing little-known 19th-century music on period flutes and guitars, and to commissioning and premiering new works.
The duo is in residence at Avaloch Farm Music Institute in Boscawen for just a few days this October. The concert is free and open to the public. Directions to United Church and links to samples of the Boland/ Dowdall Duo performances are available at ucpnh.org.
Lynne Raleigh
Film series returns to Red River on Oct. 25
The final film in the Future of Nature Film Series, An American Ascent, will be shown at Red River Theatres on Oct. 25.
An American Ascent is a documentary film about the first African-American expedition to tackle North America’s highest peak, Denali.
In only a few decades the United States will become a majority-minority nation, as people of color will outnumber today’s white majority for the first time ever. Yet, a staggering number of people in this soon-to-be majority do not consider the outdoors as a place for them. By taking on the grueling, 20,310-foot peak of the continent’s biggest mountain, nine African-American climbers set out to shrink this Adventure Gap by building a legacy of inclusion in the outdoor/adventure community.
The film addresses the often overlooked issues of race and the outdoors as it follows the team up the mountain, chronicling the many challenges of climbing one of the world’s most iconic peaks. The film will be followed with a talk with local experts about the themes in the film.
Panelists include: Leander Lacy, Environmental Social Scientist, The Nature Conservancy; Janet Wilkinson, board member, Kismet Rock Foundation, and co-director of marketing, Salt Pump Climbing Company.
There will be a reception beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the film at 6 p.m. The panel discussion will be held around 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are $5 and available at the door or purchased online at redrivertheatres.org/2017/ 10/an-american-ascent.
For more info, visit nature.org/NHfilms.
The Nature Conservancy
Absentee ballots now available
On Nov. 7, residents will have the opportunity to cast their vote in the municipal election. Polling locations will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Absentee ballots are now available from the City Clerk’s office. Residents who are unable to vote at the polls on Election Day, due to absence from town, religious observance or physical disability, may request an absentee ballot. You must register to vote before casting an absentee ballot. Oct. 26 is the last day to register to vote prior to Election Day.
Sample ballots for the Nov. 7, 2017 election are now available on the elections page of the city website. Also on the elections page is information about the candidates that are running for Mayor and City Council who chose to submit information about their candidacy.
For more information about the upcoming election, contact the City Clerk’s office at 225-8500 or via email at cityclerk@concordnh.gov. The City Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Thursdays.
City memo
NHTI open house set for Oct. 25
Explore NHTI at our fall open house on Oct 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Student Center/Wellness Center Gym. Learn about our 90 academic programs, tour our 240-acre campus and find out about campus life at NHTI. Meet current and former students, academic department heads and representatives from admissions and financial aid.
Contact the admissions office at 230-4011 or nhtiadm@ccsnh.edu for further information – or just come and join us. Open to all prospective students and their families.
Can’t make the open house? We have “Drop-in Tuesdays” weekly from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Get a 15-minute overview of the college and bring your questions for admissions and financial aid representatives. Campus tours available for those who arrive by 5:15 p.m – or schedule a tour at your convenience at nhti.edu/sign-campus-tour.
Doug Schwarz
Hospice Lights of Life Honor Roll
Help us spread awareness of hospice and Concord Regional VNA Hospice Program by honoring a loved one or friend and inscribing their name in the 22nd annual Hospice Lights of Life Honor Roll. Those honored do not need to have been a part of the hospice program. They only need to have held a special place in our hearts.
To honor a loved one or friend and inscribe their name in the Hospice Lights of Life Honor Roll by Dec. 1, visit crvna.org. The honor roll is available for viewing on our website and is updated weekly, and in the Concord Monitor on Dec. 19.
Each December, lights shine in the windows of local offices and businesses throughout Concord and the surrounding communities to remember loved ones and friends who have passed away. The lights symbolize loved ones and friends who have passed away.
Please consider attending one or more of our annual Hospice Lights of Life Community Remembrance Ceremonies in Concord on Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at Presidential Oaks (200 Pleasant St.) and Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. at Merrimack County Savings Bank (89 N. Main St.)
Andy Morse
Penacook resident receives award
At its 103rd annual meeting, the N.H. Audubon announced its 2017 conservation award winners.
The Goodhue-Elkins Award was given to Pamela Hunt of Penacook for outstanding contributions to our knowledge of New Hampshire birds. Hunt has reported thousands of bird sightings, conducted weekly bird surveys, served as a Christmas Bird Count compiler and volunteer, led field trips, and shared her extensive knowledge of birds through written articles and many other venues.
Other awards were given to John Harrigan (Tudor Richards Award); Joanne and Kevin Jones (John Thalheimer Volunteer of the Year Award); and David Ries (President’s Award).
To learn more about N.H. Audubon, call 224-9909 or visit nhaudubon.org.
Rebecca Suomala
AARP offering free finance workshops
It’s better late than never to sharpen your financial skills and AARP has a series of workshops to help you do just that. The 90-minute interactive workshops – Take Charge of Your Financial Future – will take place Nov. 1, 8 and 15 at the N.H. Audubon McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road. The program is free and snacks and beverages will be provided. You do not need to be an AARP member to participate but registration is required.
Nov. 1: Social Security Claiming Strategies, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Deciding when to claim Social Security could have a big impact on your monthly benefit. Find out what you need to know to maximize your benefit in retirement. A certified financial planner will give this presentation. To register, visit aarp.cvent.com/ConcordFin1.
Nov. 8: Protecting and Growing Your Investments, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Understand the basics of protecting and growing your investments using a combination of bonds, stocks and mutual funds. Explore additional income streams in retirement to bolster your monthly income. A certified financial planner will give this presentation. To register, visit aarp.cvent.com/ConcordFin2.
Nov. 15: Top Frauds and Scams, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Identity theft, investment fraud and other scams rob millions of Americans of their hard-earned money. (Every two seconds, a con artist steals someone’s identity.) Understand the fraud that’s out there, the behaviors that put you at risk, and prevention strategies that keep you from becoming a victim. A trained volunteer fraud fighter will give this presentation. To register, visit aarp.cvent.com/ConcordFin3.
Jamie Bulen
Author Brunonia Barry to speak at Concord Public Library
Brunonia Barry, New York Times and international best selling author of The Lace Reader, The Map of True Places and The Fifth Petal, will be visiting the Concord Public Library on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Brunonia, whose family tree includes a well-known victim of the Salem witch trials, Rebecca Nurse, will be discussing and reading from her latest book, The Fifth Petal. A “spellbinding, complex brew of suspense, seduction, and murder” The Fifth Petal tells the story of a reopened triple homicide case known as “The Goddess Murders” in which three young descendants of accused Salem witches were murdered on Halloween night in 1989. Brunonia uses the perspectives of John Rafferty, Salem’s chief of police, Callie Cahill, daughter of one of the Goddess Murder victims, and Rose Whelan, once respected local historian with close ties to the murder victims, to weave an enthralling page-turner that is the perfect read for the Halloween season.
A Q&A with the author and a book signing will take place after the discussion. Gibson’s Bookstore will be on site selling copies of The Fifth Petal in paperback, which was released in late September.
For more information, visit concordpubliclibrary.net.
Nicole Schulze
Improving your credit score class
N.H. Federal Credit Union Center for Finance & Education, 47 N. Main St., is hosting Get A Grip on Credit & Improve Your Score on Oct. 26 and Nov. 13, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Understand how your credit affects you and learn ways you can improve your credit score. You will learn how to read your credit report and gain control of your current debt load. You will also learn ways to improve your credit score.
There is a nominal fee to reserve your seat which will be refunded when you attend the class. Non-attendance will result in the forfeiture of your seat reservation fee. Registration is required. Register at nhfcu.org.
Michele Perry
Workshop on how to keep kids safe
The Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., Bow, will host a one-day workshop “Keeping our Children Safe” on Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
The workshop will be led by Nicole Petrin of the Merrimack County Advocacy Center. Aspects of this workshop will include training in the supervision of children, youth and vulnerable adults, and in the identification, recognizing and responding to signs of potential abuse or neglect, as well as guidelines for reporting of abuse.
This workshop is free and open to anyone who is interested in attending and involved in the care and responsibility of children and youth in classrooms, camp settings, congregations and retreats.
To register or for more information, call 224-0884.
Joan Day
