Plenty to do online or in person
Bow nativepresents novelJessica Olson returns virtually to her hometown bookstore on March 17 at 7 p.m. to present her debut novel, Sing Me Forgotten, a YA fantasy, gender-swapped retelling of The Phantom of the Opera! She is joined in conversation by Adalyn Grace, author of All the Stars and Teeth.Purchases of Sing Me Forgotten from Gibson’s Bookstore will also include a free signed bookplate and themed art print!Registration is...
City news: Winter activities coming to a close
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights:New fire chiefSean Brown will take over as Fire Chief effective Feb. 28. Fire Chief Guy Newbery retired on Feb. 27.Brown has been with the Concord Fire Department since 1995, where he started as a Firefighter/EMT. In 2007, he was promoted...
Debut novel mirrors reality
On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous By Ocean Vuong(246 page, fiction, 2019) Ocean Vuong’s 2019 debut novel, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous, is at once haunting, heartbreaking, beautiful, and poetical. In fact, it should come to no surprise to readers that Vuong’s previous work was largely poetry; the lyricism with which he paints his characters and their surroundings is striking.At the same time, the novel reads like a non-linear memoir,...
Gorgeous journey
Take Your Time A Tale of Harriet, the Galápagos Tortoise By Eva Furrow and Donna Jo Napoli, illustrated by Laurel Molk (children’s fiction, 2017) Harriet the Galápagos Tortoise travels to see the world, swimming and walking for months on end, meeting all manner of wonderful creatures, great and small. Some push her to pedal faster, but her pace allows her ample time for observation and enjoyment.These simple and striking illustrations...
A book for apprehensive little readers
Madeline Finn and the Library DogBy Lisa Papp(children’s fiction, 2016)“I do NOT like to read!” asserts Madeline Finn. She tries to read but can’t figure the words; sentences get stuck in her mouth; classmates giggle.Then one day dogs come to the library to read with children. Bonnie the dog is the best audience for Madeline Finn, patiently and lovingly listening as Madeline painstakingly makes words out of the letters before her, and...
This week in Concord history
March 4, 1777: Concord’s town meeting votes to “break off all dealings” with attorney Peter Green, Dr. Phillip Carrigain and merchants John Stevens and Nathaniel Green. Although the four are among 156 area men who have signed the Association Test, an oath of loyalty to the Patriot cause, they are suspected of being Tories.March 4, 1834: Mill workers in Dover and Newmarket walk out at mid-morning, the first work stoppage in New...
Read book before Netflix serial
Shadow and BoneBy Leigh Bardugo(358 pages, YA fantasy, 2012)Sent to cross the Shadow Fold, Alina and her regiment are attacked by the monster predators therein. A strange light emanates from Alina, momentarily warding off the mutants and allowing a hasty retreat back to safety, but Alina’s life as a mediocre map-maker will never be the same. Her newly awakened magic may be just what her country needs to free itself from the darkness...
Digital art display
New Hampshire Art Association digital artist William Townsend will have his work on display in an exhibit titled, “Transformations: Nature And Beyond,” at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitors Center beginning March 23.The images in Townsend’s exhibit began as photographs of natural objects. The photographs serve as the primary material for the transformations of line, form and color through the use of digital tools and...
CASL Part II: These 12 students are also going to change the world
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce welcomed 24 students selected to take part in Capital Area Student Leadership 2019 during a reception on Feb. 20, also attended by parents, guardians, CASL committee members and Chamber staff program liaisons. The students assembled again in early March at the City Wide Community Center for CASL Communication Day,...
We found all this stuff driving around Hooksett
As many of you know, we appreciate all the little things in life. As we drove around Hooksett last week, making many stops along the way, we started to notice some interesting stuff around every corner. So of course we decided to photograph what we found to share will all of you. Enjoy!
There’s plenty of stuff to know about Hooksett
As you have clearly seen thus far, we used part of last week to explore as much of Hooksett as we could. Since this was a day trip, there was only so many hours in the day to enjoy the sights and sounds of Concord’s (and Bow’s) neighbor to the south. We tried to do a comprehensive look at what a typical day tripper would expect to do when spending the day in a new place. So we covered the food (and beer), we had loads of fun and we...
The League’s craftsmen are pushing the limits
The League of N.H. Craftsmen recently opened Pushing the Limits, a new exhibit in its 49 S. Main St. gallery. Like most of the League’s shows, it’s a multi-media exhibit that features creations of juried craftsmen, who just so happen to be showcasing work that forced them to go outside their comfort zone. The show is on display through June 23, and there’s lots to see.
Bring the little ones out to Youth Fishing Day
If you have kids in your life who love the outdoors – and fish – then there’s a perfect event for them coming up this Saturday: Youth Fishing Day.The event, put on by Basil Woods Trout Unlimited, will take place at Merrill Park Pond, right next to Quality Cash Market on Eastman Street, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. And it’s free.As its name implies, this is a day all about getting kids into fishing. There will be rods, tackle, bait (do you...
‘The Truth Will Spring Yuh’ to premiere at the Hatbox
The world premiere of the full-length play, The Truth Will Spring Yuh, opens at the Hatbox Theatre on Friday and runs through May 14. The Truth Will Spring Yuh is a modern gothic tale by New Hampshire playwright Donald Tongue. The Truth Will Spring Yuh was initially conceived as a 10-minute “play about a tablecloth” at theatre KAPOW’s 24 Hour Play Festival in October 2013. With only eight hours to write it, Tongue began with a single...
Remember to put your leaves out
The city of Concord’s spring leaf collection began Monday and will continue through June 3. Concord residents with curbside trash and recycling collection can place an unlimited amount of leaves and grass clippings curbside by 7 a.m. on their trash collection day for pickup during the six-week program. Residents participating in spring leaf collection must place leaves in biodegradable yard waste bags or labeled rigid containers....
Get pumped up for opening day in Concord
Lovers of baseball rejoice, Concord Little League is about to embark on another season. After being delayed a week – thanks to a couple late season snowstorms – the opening day festivities are slated for Saturday, which is when you can catch the first games of the season. The annual kick-off begins at 9 a.m. at Grappone Park. There will be a parade with the more than 300 players spanning the league’s four levels marching along, and...
If you like art, then you’ll want to see these shows
As you well know, we sure do love art here at the Insider. We may not be able to create it or actually know a whole lot about it, but that doesn’t mean we can’t appreciate fine works when we see them. And if you’re like us, there’s a couple receptions this week to celebrate local shows that you won’t want to miss. Thanks to Mother Nature and some late winter snow, the public get-together for McGowan Fine Art’s most recent show was...
Bulletin Board
Learn the best way to plan a vacation Trying to plan a vacation, but don’t know where to start, where to go or how to budget? AARP New Hampshire is offering Travel for the 50-plus on May 6. Travel expert and columnist Chase Binder will share her experiences and recommendations for the 50-plus traveler. The hour-long presentation will be held at AARP New Hampshire, 45 S. Main St. No. 202, from 9 to 10 a.m. Her presentation will cover a...
CYPN is hosting a nonprofit fair
Stay Work Play has partnered with young professionals networks throughout New Hampshire to host local nonprofit fairs for the third annual Stay Work Play Give event. The six events will be held on May 3 across the state. Stay Work Play Give is similar to a traditional career fair, but instead of jobs, the goal is to connect nonprofits with college students and young professionals looking to become more civically involved in their...
This Week in Concord History
April 25, 1893: Edward H. Brooks is born in Concord. A graduate of Concord High and Norwich University, he will serve in both world wars, rising to the rank of lieutenant general. A highlight of his long, distinguished career will be leading the Second Armored Division onto Omaha Beach. His division will also be the first Allied force to enter Belgium. April 25, 1902: The statue of Commodore George H. Perkins of Hopkinton is...
Lots of music to hear this weekend
Once again, Concord has a jam-packed schedule of local music to be heard all over the city. And once again, we found out about as many shows as we could to pass along all that juicy info to you. Here’s a sampling: Thursday At Penuche’s, there will be a mini festival of sorts, with Wrongtown Presents: Rippin’ E Brakes, Beechwood and Tough Guy. Bands generally go on about 9 p.m., and there’s a cover charge that’s usually $3 but can vary...
Book of the Week: ‘His Bloody Project’
His Bloody ProjectGraeme Macrae Burnet2016, 280 pagesFiction In 1869, three people are found murdered in a remote Scottish farming community. Roderick Macrae has admitted to the crime, but what has led him to this project? The narrative is presented as a collection of documents discovered by the author, including witness statements, crime scene reports and Roderick’s own testimony. The villagers have conflicting views about Roderick –...
Here’s what we want in our Easter basket
This year, we decided to give the Easter Bunny the day off for the big holiday. Instead, we went and did some shopping for ourselves. After all, if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself. Here’s a little sampling of some of the Easter basket items we picked out for ourselves.
Candy Snob: Who wouldn’t want to eat Easter candy early?
We’ve tasted tested all kinds of food. Breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Dishes that are simple and others you may find a little too outside the box.And we’ve written about desserts as options around certain holidays, and even incorporated a few into our meal features.But to the best of our knowledge, there’s never been an exclusive story about candy, and more importantly, tasting it.Since Easter is one of the biggest candy...
The Easter Eggstravaganza was quite a hit
As far as we’re concerned, last weekend’s second annual Easter Eggstravaganza was the unofficial kickoff to the Easter festivities in Concord. The ConcordTV fundraiser had more Easter baskets than we’ve ever seen in one place, a great lineup of live music and, of course, direct access to the Easter Bunny.
Concord Reads is coming to a close
Now in its 15th year, Concord Reads is a pretty big deal. It was started by a group of residents – who partnered with the Concord Public Library – to encourage citizens of all ages and backgrounds to read and discuss the themes and ideas in the same book. Since early February, the library has been hosting movie screenings, discussions and even a trivia night that all have a connection with this year’s book of choice, Adrift: 76 Days...
Around Town: We never know what we’ll find when out and about
We always thought a hood was an important piece of an automobile – you know, to keep safe all those vital parts that make a car drive. But apparently that’s not the case – at least for this Geo Prizm we saw on a rainy day last week. Maybe you see cars without hoods quite often, but this might be the first one we’ve seen – outside of the movies.
CYPN: Meet April’s Young Professional of the Month
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network introduces you to another Young Professional of the Month, Heidi Schmidt. How old are you? 29. Where do you live? Manchester. Where do you work? NHTI – Concord’s Community College. Where did you go to school? SNHU and NHTI. What do you like to do for fun? I enjoy shopping and going to the beach in the summertime. Favorite places to be? The ocean.Last book...
Get ready to laugh at comedian Jimmy Dunn at NHTI on Friday
NHTI’s Campus Activities Board’s annual Spring Comedy Show is bringing Jimmy Dunn to campus on Friday with opener Kelly MacFarland.Dunn is an actor and stand-up comedian from Boston, who recently co-starred on the CBS comedy The McCarthys as Sean McCarthy. He got his start in the comedy world telling jokes at a bar in Gloucester, Mass., where he was paid in beer and fried clams (not a bad gig, if you ask us). Since then, Dunn has gone...
Concord Little League is holding a photo contest
Despite the snow to start the month and rainy weather last week, baseball season in Concord is right around the corner. We promise. The high school team was slated to take the field for the opener this week, while Concord Little League has its opening day on the schedule for April 29, after moving it back a week. And one way Concord Little League is trying to get its 300 or so players excited about the upcoming year is by holding a...
