Book of the Week: ‘The Big Book of Female Detectives’
The Big Book of Female Detectives Otto Penzler (editor) 2018, 1115 pages Mystery/short stories This large volume is a treasure trove of mystery short stories featuring female detectives and crime solvers. It is arranged chronologically in sections starting with The Victorians and Edwardians (British) and ending in modern times. There are some authors that you might recognize: Agatha Christie, Sue Grafton and Nevada Barr. And some...
This Week in Concord History
Jan. 29, 2002: Citing a lack of evidence, a Merrimack County Superior Court judge sends Richmond Co.’s supermarket and shopping center proposal back to the Concord planning board, overturning the board’s unanimous decision against the Massachusetts company and upsetting some South End residents. Jan. 30, 2000: As many as 5,000 of the names on Concord’s voter rolls shouldn’t be there, the Monitor reports. The extra names include people...
Black Ice Pond Hockey, WinterFest to take over capital city this weekend
It’s definitely starting to get colder out there now, but the scene in the capital city will be red hot this weekend as three big-time events combine for one gigantic winter celebration. Back for a ninth year is the ever-popular 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship, which takes place on the frozen pond at White Park. This tournament attracts hundreds of players from all over the country, and it’s become a big weekend for family fun...
Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce invites public to trip to Spain in March
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce invites members, their family and friends, and interested community members to join them on a nine-day journey through Spain’s Costa del Sol departing March 19. One of Spain’s most popular tourist destinations, Costa del Sol stretches along 90 miles of the Malaga province. Visitors come for the striking landscapes, coastal sites, charming hinterland villages, rich cultural heritage, local food...
Despite some big-name gallery closures, art scene alive and well in Concord
In late July, McGowan Fine Art closed for good. The art gallery had been in business since 1980, and even a move to a less-expensive space couldn’t save the business.Then, in late December, Mill Brook Gallery & Sculpture Garden owner Pam Tarbell announced that she would be closing her gallery by the end of the month after a 22-year run. She’ll open back up in the spring as PR Tarbell Fine Art and Art Consulting, but the gallery...
Making Good Health Simple: Life hacks for sneaking in some exercise every day
“I’m too tired.” “I don’t have time.” “I don’t know what to do.” Just a few of the most common excuses I hear from clients as to why they simply cannot exercise. I get it – life happens. Even with our best intentions the day slips by, and before you know it, it’s time for bed. We fill our days with work, taxiing kids, chores, errands, family obligations and unfortunately self-care is the first thing people remove from the list....
Entertainment: Lots of comedy and drama on Concord’s stages this week
It’s a very busy week on the entertainment front in Concord, marked by two comedy shows, a Harry Potter spoof and a Ukranian national ballet troupe making its first-ever visit to the United States, among other fun stuff. Here’s what we found: Music Tuesday Kid Pinky at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Jazz student recital at Concord Community Music School at 7 p.m. Wednesday Tim Wildman at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Odd...
City Manager’s Newsletter: City Council meeting highlights, winter operations and more
The city of Concord’s public information officer, Stefanie Breton, sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The newsletter contained too much information for us to fit into this spot, so we’re just printing some highlights here. For the full newsletter, go to concordnh.gov and click the “Newsletter” button on the home page. Come out to the parking forum Come meet with the city’s Parking Committee to discuss final draft...
UNH Law to screen ‘To Kill a Mockingbird,’ lead discussion on civics
On Sunday, the New Hampshire Institute for Civics Education will screen To Kill a Mockingbird as part of a multiyear statewide program designed to foster conversations with the public on law, justice, and civics.The screening will take place from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the University of New Hampshire School of Law’s Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership, and Public Service in Concord. There will be a break midway through...
Instagram: A breathtaking, kind of spooky shot of Turkey Pond
Instagram user @sheldonmckinley_ has done it again. His photos have appeared in these pages a few times already, but we couldn’t resist running this photo of the partially frozen Turkey Pond reflecting some beautiful colors off the sky. The user, Sheldon McKinley, commented that the water sort of looks like outer space, which it does. Another fine shot from @sheldonmckinley_. Have you taken a cool photo somewhere around Concord? If...
Bulletin Board: Two chances to sing, family fun, health groups
Open Sing at Concord Chorale Singers are invited to the Concord Chorale Open Sing on Wednesday at 7:15 p.m. Meet the director and membership, preview the spring concert repertoire, and then schedule an audition. Rehearsal space is in the Concord High School band room, 170 Warren St. Enter through the Fruit Street side door near the corner of Pleasant Street, across from the gas station. More information is available at...
Downtown: What’s up with all the banks on Main Street?
It seems to be a common sight in downtown: a store or a food spot goes away and is later replaced by a banking institution. Take the former site of the Crazy Goat, bought by Bangor Savings Bank in August. While conceptual plans leave room for some sort of restaurant, the split-level building’s facade will be dominated by a banking sign. Then there was the Pompanoosuc Mills furniture store at 11 N. Main Street. They moved down the...
Blast From the Past: Reflecting on the dedication of the Franklin Pierce statue
I captured the simple beauty of our 14th president standing in front of our golden New Hampshire State House dome on a recent cold January morning.With the only sound the falling sleet early this morning on a deserted Main Street, I reflected back to the dedication of this statue on Nov. 25, 1914.Franklin Pierce died on Oct. 8, 1869, in a rented home on South Main Street. During his last hours and near death, he asked his Irish...
Gibson’s Bookstore to welcome historian Jack Noon with ‘The Tornado of 1821’
Historian Jack Noon will visit Gibson’s Bookstore on Thursday to talk about his book, The Tornado of 1821, describing an extremely violent weather anomaly which hit New Hampshire towns from the Connecticut River to the Merrimack through Croydon, Sunapee, Lake Sunapee, New London, Sutton, Warner and Webster in a single hour.In New Hampshire late on a Sunday afternoon in September 1821, a tornado blasted its way from the Connecticut...
Doris Ballard expands her cultural vision of Concord
Monitor staff Doris Ballard still sees her hometown as a city with potential.Already a major force in three local venues – television, business and, most recently, comedy – the 71-year-old Concord resident is the backbone behind a multifaceted show that’s scheduled to run the second Thursday of each month at Tandy’s Pub.Its premiere, on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14, will include more than Ballard’s usual lineup of amateur and professional...
Book of the Week: ‘Murder at the Brightwell’
Murder at the Brightwell Ashley Weaver 2014, 325 pages Fiction/mystery This traditional mystery starts in Kent, England, in 1932. Amory Ames is fed up with her playboy husband, Milo, who keeps going off to Europe to gamble, leaving her at home. After five years of marriage, she sees him so little, she wonders if they should even stay together. Her ex-fiancé, Gil Trent, asks her a favor. Gil’s sister Emmeline is engaged to another...
This Week in Concord History
Jan. 22, 1811: A cow belonging to Abner Farnum Jr. of Concord gives birth to a two-headed calf. Jan. 22, 1942: The Monitor reports that rather than wait for the draft, 32 men have enlisted at the Concord recruiting office for the duration of the war. Eleven are from Concord. Most have signed up for the air corps and been sent to Missouri to train. Jan. 22, 2001: The Concord School Board names Chris Rath the superintendent of the...
Indulge your senses and hit up some Concord events for N.H. Wine Week
More than 60 of the world’s most renowned winemakers are set to make New Hampshire their winter home next week. The New Hampshire Liquor Commission will host its 14th annual New Hampshire Wine Week, taking place Jan. 20 to 26, drawing Gina Gallo, Jean-Charles Boisset and Cristina Mariani-May to meet directly with New Hampshire consumers in a series of exclusive tastings, wine dinners, bottle signings and seminars. The week-long...
Here’s everything that’s going on outside of Concord during N.H. Wine Week
New Hampshire Wine Week is a big to-do across the whole state. While we normally only focus on what’s happening in Concord, for something as big as this, we figured we’d give you the full schedule of events in case you decide to venture outside the city. Most wine tastings will take place at New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlets – for instance, a location of “West Lebanon Store” refers to a liquor and wine outlet in West Lebanon...
Pride Pops Up to build community at Whiskey & Wine on Sunday
“We hear a lot that there’s a lack of community for LGBTQ in New Hampshire – not a lot of options.”That’s what J.M. Hirsch, a Concord resident, had to say about the LGBTQ community in the capital city. Being a member of that community, Hirsch and his partner, Nicholas King, decided to do something about it.On Sunday, Whiskey & Wine will open its doors for the first-ever Pride Pop Ups, a pop-up LGBTQ night at the downtown...
Making Good Health Simple: Two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen is a match made in heaven
Nancy and Ronald, Batman and Robin, Siegfried and Roy, Kim and Kanye – (in)famous dynamic duos that somehow complement each other. Two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule bonded together – who would have thought how magnificent this combination could be? In addition to the importance water plays in and on our planet, it is essential to many biological processes. In my opinion, none more important than sustaining human life. Our...
There’s STILL a $25 gift card up for grabs
In case you’ve already forgotten, the Insider wants to give you a free $25 gift card to the Concord business of your choice. All you have to do is figure out which parks we photographed in last week’s scavenger hunt. We have received one response so far, and that person was wrong on several guesses. We know there’s someone out there who knows every park like the back of their hand, so what are you waiting for? Send...
City Manager’s Newsletter: School Street garage update, tree collection and more
The city of Concord’s public information officer, Stefanie Breton, sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The newsletter contained too much information for us to fit into this spot, so we’re just printing some highlights here. For the full newsletter, go to concordnh.gov and click the “Newsletter” button on the home page. School Street garage update The new School Street elevator is nearly complete, and we anticipate it...
Entertainment: Rhythm of the Night at the Audi highlights a busy week
It’s a busy week, featuring the annual Rhythm of the Night showcase at the Audi on Saturday. Have a look: Music Tuesday Andrew Merzi at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Joel Cage at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Richard Gardzina at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Andrew of the North & the Rangers at Penuche’s at 9 p.m. $3 cover. April Cushman at Cheers at 5 p.m. Peter Pappas at Common Man at 7 p.m. Friday Whatsername at Pit...
Bulletin Board: Grandparents’ group, music notes and more
Grandparents’ group to meet On Tuesday evenings throughout the month of January, join us at Broken Ground School as we discuss the joys and challenges of raising grandchildren and explore a variety of topics that help support this important parenting journey. A light family meal and child care will be offered. Meetings are from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Register with Ruth Christino by calling 225-0855 or emailing rchristino@sau8.org. Ruth...
Get ready for the spring term classes at OLLI
For the Insider If you were invited to take a literature class, what would come to mind – a Shakespeare class or a class named “Three Terrific Sports Novels?” At Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, it would be both in the upcoming term.OLLI offers non-academic courses to adults over age 50 in two 16-week terms each year. Some of the highlights of the new term, which begins on Feb. 18, include: Twenty history courses ranging from the...
CBD products are making their way into Concord businesses
The national trend of CBD-created products has made its way to the Capital City. By now, you might have seen the cannabis derivative in a few places, including Granite State Natural Foods and the Concord Food Co-op. CBD is a chemical component of the cannabis sativa plant, more commonly known as marijuana, but it does not cause intoxication that comes from tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). And at True Brew Barista, customers over 18 are...
Author Jennifer Skiff to speak at Gibson’s Bookstore next Tuesday
Award-winning journalist and animal advocate Jennifer Skiff (The Divinity of Dogs) will visit Gibson’s Bookstore next Tuesday, Jan. 22, to share a look into the protectors of animals around the world in Rescuing Ladybugs: Inspirational Encounters with Animals That Changed the World, people who didn’t look away from seemingly impossible-to-change situations.Countless times throughout our lives, we’re presented with a choice to help...
On Display: Daryl D. Johnson exhibit at Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce will host a solo exhibition of oil landscapes by Daryl D. Johnson titled “New Hampshire Landscapes in Motion” during the months of January through March. An artist reception was held last Friday in conjunction with the New Hampshire Furniture Masters, also on view at the Concord Chamber and the League of NH Craftsmen.
A little history lesson on that bridge by Everett Arena
For the InsiderLong before our time, our ancestors would cross the Merrimack River by ferry. This was a somewhat lucrative business when Concord was still a Province of the Crown and named Rumford. The early ferry would charge to transport people, livestock, wagons and merchandise across the river for a few shillings, depending on what the time of day might have been.As the 1800s approached, the people of Rumford felt that there was a...
