This Week in Concord History
Jan. 2, 1784: The Legislature grants Concord official townhood. Jan. 2, 1788: At Concord’s town meeting, townspeople commission Timothy Walker Jr. to lobby the Legislature and neighboring towns for the creation of a new county. Jan. 2, 1824: After a 36-year fight during which Hopkinton vied with Concord to become the seat of a county that was to be called Kearsarge, the first Merrimack County courthouse opens on its...
Book of the Week: ‘The Sleepwalker’
The Sleepwalker Chris Bohjalian 2017, 284 pages Fiction Analee Ahlberg is a sleepwalker whose affliction manifests itself in ways both devastating and bizarre. She has spray-painted the hydrangea bushes silver and has been seen walking along the bridge over the Gale River at night pretending to be a statue. For the last four years through medication and the sleep center she has managed her behavior. Then one night she disappears. Her...
There are all kinds of fun New Year’s Eve events in Concord
Christmas just ended, which means there’s one more big holiday left before we turn the calendar – New Year’s Eve.This is one of the few nights of the whole year where you’re fully expected to have big plans – anyone who doesn’t must be a real lame-o. And nobody wants to be Mr. (or Mrs.) Lame-o.That’s why you should all use this two-page spread as your official guide to New Year’s Eve in Concord. We found lots of cool and exciting...
TheaterSports brings competitive improv to Hatbox Theatre
If there’s one activity that’s universally adored by all of mankind, it’s throwing socks at people on a stage.Though the chances to do such a thing (without fear of prosecution or retribution) are few and far between, that’s all about to change when Granite State TheaterSports brings its own brand of improv to Hatbox Theatre this Saturday.Theatresports is a form of dramatic, competitive improv that was created in 1977. The format...
Here are some last-minute gifts you can get downtown
It’s the week before Christmas, and if you’re like us, you still haven’t finished all of your shopping.No need to worry, though, because in a way we’ve already done it for you – except for the actual buying of the items, of course. We did, though, go out and find out some of the best options for last-minute gift ideas.Since Concord is pretty big and has stores all over the place, we figured the best way to tackle this was to break it...
Don’t forget about those stocking stuffers
While it sure is nice to get a big box to open up on Christmas morning, nothing beats all the little knick knacks and doohickeys that are placed inside your stocking – which is then hung by the chimney with care. Plus, a person’s stocking is where you can be fun, creative and a little zany – something we greatly enjoy. But with trying to get the big things out of the way, you may have sold yourself a little short on that special...
We found more, even cooler holiday displays
f you remember a few weeks back, we found some light displays to get you in the holiday spirit. One of the homes we featured alerted us to the area of Primrose and Winterberry lanes. Along the way, we came across the Borough Road extravaganza at the Moore house, and were pleasantly surprised to see what those streets had in store. The first part of Primrose had nice light setups before taking a right on Winterberry. Follow it to the...
Swap gift cards, musical instruments at Area 23
There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and gift cards on Christmas. While gift cards can be great – it’s like a free credit card that can only be used at certain places – a lot of times we end up with gift cards we don’t want or need. And since you can’t just go to the store and trade that in for cash, you’re often stuck with them. Until now. Area 23 knows all about getting useless gift cards, and they’re holding an event...
The big guy is still around for final requests
It’s getting down to the wire with Christmas less than one week away. And if you haven’t gotten a chance to sit down and go over your list with Santa yet, don’t panic, there’s still time.Even though he’s got a busy night coming up, the big guy in the red suit wants to make sure he hears directly from every little girl and boy, even if you already sent him a letter. It’s imperative that he gets this present thing right for those on the...
Ocean State Job Lot Adventure Shopping – Holiday Edition
With less than a week to go until Christmas, we took a hard look at many places to help with those last minute expenditures (keep reading) – and that includes Ocean State Job Lot. And like always, we found some pretty interesting stuff.
Go Try It: Needle felt an ornament at The Place
Since this is the Last-Minute Christmas Issue, we thought we should do something last-minute Christmassy for the Go Try It. And what’s more last minute than making your own Christmas tree ornaments just days before Christmas?That’s what will be going on at The Place Studio & Gallery on Thursday, when a class on needle felted ornaments will take place from 6 to 8 p.m.But what is needle felting, anyway?“Felting, in general, is...
On Display: Concord Chamber is home to a pair of art shows
If you haven’t been in the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce recently, you’re missing out on, not one, but two great art shows. The work of New Hampshire-based oil painter Peggy Murray and a collection of creations by the N.H. Furniture Masters and the Maine Prison Outreach Program will be on display through the end of the month. We know it’s a busy time of year, but it’s worth a stop to look at.
Live music, theater and movie listings for Concord
For all intents and purposes, it’s the week of Christmas already (we know – Christmas isn’t until Monday, which is technically next week, but this publication runs through Tuesday, so that counts for us). Therefore, it’s sort of a light week on the entertainment front. We couldn’t find any theater listings, but there’s still plenty of music to be heard and movies to be seen this week. Take a look. Music Wednesday Dave...
Food Snob: We took the Lunch Lady food truck for a spin
A couple weeks ago, as we feverishly moved about town looking for signs of craft beer, we spotted something in the Everett Arena parking lot.It was a blue and green truck that we had never seen before and from a distance, it appeared to be one that was serving food. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to stop and when we rolled back by a few hours later, the truck was gone.But we were determined to get to the bottom of it – and we...
Concord is home to a host of great exhibits
Concord is home to lots of great locations to see some incredible art. So that means at any given time, there will be a wide range of work on display all over the city. It’s hard keeping track of all the shows, hours you can view them and how long they’ll be around. So we’ve compiled this trusty list for you, so you can concentrate on checking out the art. McGowan Closer: Gary Haven Smith and Bert Yarborough Through Friday Hours:...
On the Road: We spent a whirlwind two weeks in Egypt
During a two-week vacation to Egypt last month, Nancy Kyle of Pembroke graciously decided to bring us along – in newspaper form – visiting the Sphinx at the Giza Plateau and the Pyramid of Khafre, where she did a little photo shoot. According to Kyle, it only rains about an inch a year in Cairo, but she was lucky enough to be there when it did. If you’re planning a vacation for Christmas or to kick off the new year, bring a copy of a...
Bulletin Board
Christmas in Concord at Audi Christmas in Concord will be held Christmas Eve (Sunday) from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. Several city churches are working with others in the region to offer the free event. The program will combine elements of both contemporary and traditional Christmas services, including a video montage of popular holiday movies, carol singing accompanied by a praise band (guitars,...
Book of the week: ‘Wishbones’
WishbonesVirginia Macgregor2017, 384 pagesYoung Adult Tucker is a skinny young teen who loves her family and loves swimming. She’s never cared that her mother is overweight. She thinks that her mother is beautiful; as beautiful as a movie star. Feather and her Dad take care of her Mum, who is so overweight that she will not go out of the house. Her Mum is scared of going outside, running out of food, hospitals and the water. So she...
This Week in Concord History
Dec. 19, 1979: At a campaign stop in Concord, Senate Minority Leader Howard Baker says a get-tough policy is needed to protect American embassies and suggests the creation of a special 50,000-member military unit to accomplish that. “As dangerous as the situation is in Iran, the real danger to this country is the growing impression throughout the world that you can push on Uncle Sam and nothing ever happens in return,” he says. Dec....
Video: Iron Heart’s mobile canning operation at Concord Craft Brewing Co.
It’s not every day that you’re invited to a brewery at 9 in the morning, so when that opportunity presented itself to us last week, of course we had to take advantage. Perhaps surprisingly, we weren’t there to drink this time – and by there, we mean Concord Craft Brewing Co. No, we stopped by the Storrs Street brewery because we wanted to check out the mobile canning operation run by Iron Heart Canning live and in person. Iron Heart...
There are lots of places to get tasty craft beer
We all know about the plethora of options for places to grab a beer around here – you can get out of work and stop by the Barley House, Penuche’s, Dos Amigos, The Red Blazer, The Draft, etc. – but what about good places to stock up for the weekend?We thought you’d never ask.It turns out that there are quite a few places to pick up packs of cold ones around here. Pretty much every grocery store and convenience store in the city sells...
Live music, theater and entertainment listings for Concord
Surprise, surprise – there’s another week packed with live entertainment on the horizon right here in Concord. Between a slew of bar bands, holiday shows and a bit of magic, this should be another good week to get out there and be entertained. Most music shows are free unless otherwise noted, but check with the venue before you head out to make sure. Music Wednesday Joel Cage will play at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m....
On Display: Don’t miss the Kimball Jenkins student show
For the month of December, Kimball Jenkins is celebrating its students with a featured show, with work from about 80 students. As you can see, it’s worth a visit.
Food Snob: Bao tacos and a glass of Merlot at Whiskey & Wine
It kind of snuck up on us, but downtown Concord now has a brand new bar and restaurant called Whiskey & Wine, and it’s in a prime location right as you turn onto North Main Street from Center Street/Loudon Road. On the ground floor of the recently renovated Remi’s Block, Whiskey & Wine opened quietly a couple weeks ago, so we had to get down there to check it out. As its name implies, the place is big on both whiskey and wine...
This Instagram user shared a nice shot of the view from her office
We were poking around Instagram last week when we came upon this stunning shot showing the First Church of Christ, Scientist on School Street from a high vantage point. Upon further inspection (i.e., reading the caption), we realized that this photo was taken from user @wandering_gynger’s new office. With a view like that, it’s hard to complain about going to work every day. At the Insider pod, we have to stand up just to look out the...
Concord Young Professionals Network: Jonathan Stallsmith loves to be outdoors
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Jonathan Stallsmith. Each month, the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks Concord Insider readers would enjoy getting to know better. How old are you? 31. Where do you live? Laconia. Where do you currently work? I’m building my own business through a...
Concord is home to some great art
Concord is home to lots of great locations to see some incredible art. So that means at any given time, there will be a wide range of work on display all over the city. It’s hard keeping track of all the shows, hours you can view them and how long they’ll be around. So we’ve compiled this trusty list for you, so you can concentrate on checking out the art. McGowan Closer: Gary Haven Smith and Bert Yarborough Through Dec. 22 Hours:...
Youth forum at Concord High
The New Hampshire Legislative Youth Advisory Council is sponsoring a youth forum on Saturday in the Concord High School auditorium. The forum will be held from noon to 3 p.m. and admission is free. The purpose of the forum is: To empower youth as leaders; provide an opportunity for students to be heard on public policy issues important to youth; and discuss issues with legislators and students to make changes that benefit youth...
Bulletin Board
Tour the Concord Police Department The Concord Chats series continues on Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. with a tour of the Concord Police Department. According to the history of the Concord Police Department, the first Concord Constable was elected in 1732. In 1909 police equipment consisted of “an ambulance, patrol wagon, light driving wagon, motorcycle, and a horse.” And by 1953, the “first female police matron was hired to serve as a...
Book of the Week: ‘Saints for All Occasions’
Saints for All OccasionsJ. Courtney Sullivan2017, 352 pagesFiction Sisters Nora and Theresa Flynn are nothing alike. Nora is reserved, shy and responsible. Theresa is exuberant, mischievous and always ready for a good time. But the distance between their personalities does not impact their closeness as sisters and friends. So when Theresa becomes pregnant out of wedlock after they’ve resettled in Dorchester, Mass., from Ireland in the...
