What does 2019 have planned for us?
A lot went down in Concord in 2018. And we were there to not only enjoy it (like all the new places to grab a bite, sweet treat and have a little fun) but also share all the juicy details.While we would love to be able to look into the future and tell you exactly how 2019 is going to play out, we just don’t have those capabilities. Plus, where would be the fun in that? So instead, we’ve come up with some things to be on the lookout...
Our old friend Tim reacquaints himself with Concord
It’s only been a few months since I sadly left the Insider, but it feels like forever ago that I was scouring the streets of Concord in search of the next great story. As some of you know, I still work half my week for the Monitor (the other half for the Ledger-Transcript in Peterborough), but most of said work is done at home, and very rarely do I make my way to the big city.And I’ll have to say, I’ve missed this place. As a member...
Tandy’s wants to find you a match
In today’s world, meeting someone to spend the rest of your life with – or even a few casual dates – just isn’t as easy as it used to be. In years gone by, you could go to a local watering hole, meet a nice lady, have a whirlwind romance that eventually leads to marriage and two beautiful children. At least that’s how it all went down for me. But with busy schedules, online dating apps and people being more guarded toward others, it...
N.H. Liquor Commission releases new commemorative Old Man of the Mountain rum bottles
The New Hampshire Liquor Commission is introducing its latest commemorative bottle, paying tribute to New Hampshire’s iconic Old Man of the Mountain. This year’s bottle is filled with premium New England-style rum made from blackstrap molasses to pay homage to New England’s revolutionary spirit.The commission initially launched its commemorative bottle program to raise funding for the New Hampshire Hall of Flags, which houses 115...
Entertainment: Area 23, Penuche’s have full slates of music for this New Year’s week
With Christmas now in the rearview mirror, we look ahead to New Year’s Eve – and also lots of live music here in Concord, as well as a full week’s worth of movie listings at Red River Theatres. Enjoy the week, and have a happy New Year! Music Wednesday Mark Bartram at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Open mic at Area 23 at 7 p.m. Thursday Paul Lovely at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Peter Pappas at Common Man at 7 p.m. &...
Live music to return to Cheers
The outdoor patio at Cheers is a huge hit in the warmer months, especially when there’s live music being played out there. Unfortunately, it is not one of the warmer months right now – far from it, in fact. But that’s okay, because starting Jan. 3, the tunes will return to Cheers as its winter live music series kicks off. In collaboration with NHMusic, a Concord-based music networking business run by local pro musician Brad Myrick,...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Christmas tree collection, ice reminders 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.Christmas tree collection noticeChristmas tree collection starts Monday, Jan. 7. This two-week program...
Extended hours for holiday break, new rules
VNA to offer Walk-in Wednesday Concord Regional Visiting Nurses Association offers Walk-In Wednesday on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at Horseshoe Pond Place Senior Resource Center, 26 Commercial St. Walk-In Wednesday is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Walk-In Wednesday is an opportunity to get your questions answered. A Concord Regional VNA team member is available to meet with people individually regarding...
This Week in Concord History
Dec. 26, 1776: Col. John Stark’s troops lead the attack on the British and Hessians at Trenton. Capt. Joshua Abbot’s Concord company and Ebenezer Frye’s Pembroke company march with Stark. Frye, “being very corpulent,” tires quickly and tells his men to move ahead “as fast as they please” under Sgt. Ephraim Stevens. The battle lasts 50 minutes. The Patriot victory is a turning point of the Revolution. Dec. 26, 1856: A fire reduces...
Book of the Week: ‘Mr. Dickens and his Carol’
Mr. Dickens and His Carol Samantha Silva 2017, 276 pages Holiday fiction Charles Dickens is not feeling the Christmas spirit. The public didn’t like his new book, the critics have turned against him, relatives want money and his wife has just had yet another child. His wife wants to continue their traditional Christmas (lavish) and Dickens is thinking of the poor house. But when his publishers try to blackmail him into writing a...
Community Players to perform classic ‘Annie’ at Concord City Auditorium
Monitor staff When the Community Players of Concord last put on a production of Annie in 1983, Sarah Silverman was one of two children to fill the role of Annie.Since playing the lead role during the Players’ 56th season, Silverman has gone on to make quite a name for herself in Hollywood circles. Fast forward 35 years, and the Players will once again take the stage this weekend, to open their 91st season, for three shows of Annie at...
Concord native to visit Gibson’s Bookstore
For some reason, unbeknownst to her, Meredith Tate just can’t seem to stick with a genre when it comes to her writing. The Concord native’s second published book, Freedom Trials, is a young-adult sci-fi thriller that is scheduled to be released Oct. 9 and will be the featured book event at Gibson’s Bookstore on Saturday. It’s vastly different than both her debut work, Missing Pieces (adult dystopian romance) and The Red Labyrinth, a...
It’s been real, Concord, but I’m making moves
It’s always hard to say goodbye. So why don’t we make this a bye for now kind of deal. Yes, the rumors are true: I am no longer the editor of the Concord Insider. An urge to spend less time commuting (I live in Keene) and translate that into more time with my wife and two young girls happened to come at the perfect time. There were some changes on the horizon at the Monitor and it allowed me to pull an old switcharoo. While this may...
Get what you need at the Ready to Learn Fair at Rundlett on Wednesday
We know this is a little last minute, but for you parents and students out there in the Concord School District who could use a little boost when it comes to the essential department when heading back to school, you’ll want to make your way to Rundlett Middle School on Wednesday.The fifth annual Ready to Learn Fair is happening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is intended to help those students in need within the Concord School District. At...
Holiday Cards 4 Our Military up and running
Every time Laura Landerman-Garber meets with another person who wants to help her new nonprofit, she gets this big sense of excitement. And it’s easy to see why.Come the end of October, Landerman-Garber is hoping to send off 25,000 cards to members of the armed services – 5,000 to each of the country’s five branches – through her Holiday Cards 4 Our Military-N.H. Challenge. That’s where all of you come in.In order to send out that...
Plenty to see on Concord’s stages this fall
As you’re all well aware, Concord is home to some great spots to catch live entertainment. The three big venues – the Concord City Auditorium, Capitol Center for the Arts and Hatbox Theatre – always seem to have something going on.And with Hatbox releasing its 2018-19 schedule last week and the Audi set to mail out its lineup through December next week, we thought it would be as good a time as any to take a quick look at what’s...
Miss Capital Area pageant to be held at Audi on Saturday
Four titles will be up for grabs at the Miss Capital Area pageant on Saturday at the Concord City Auditorium.Entering its 28th year, the pageant is a preliminary for Miss New Hampshire and Miss New Hampshire Outstanding Teen. It’s one of 29 local events with the winners going on to compete for best in state.“It’s fun to see,” said Michele Hanson, president of the Miss Capital Area Scholarship Program. “Because I’ve seen some of the...
Comedians getting together for reunion show at Hatbox Theatre
It’s one thing to make your family and friends laugh when hanging out in the backyard or on a long road trip. It’s a totally different animal to get a room full of complete strangers to appreciate your jokes while standing alone on stage. We like to think of ourselves as funny (some of you may not), but doing stand-up comedy is maybe one of the few things we might not approach in this job – and we stress might. Because let’s be...
National Night Out to take over Rollins Park
Do you like Black Hawk helicopters, police motorcycles and petting zoos? How about cheap pizza and ice cream, eating contests and enjoying a nice summer night at a city park? Well, then clear your schedule for Aug. 7 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and make plans to head down to Rollins Park, because National Night Out is returning for another year. Held annually the first Tuesday in August all around the country (this is the 35th year) Concord...
Rock On Fest beer dinner is set for next Tuesday at Revival
Rock On Fest, the two-day music and basketball event put on by the Bonner brothers in downtown Concord, is just around the corner (Aug. 10-11). You can read all about it in next week’s Insider because it’s going to be the best one yet – we promise. But as a precursor to the main festivities, Revival Kitchen and Concord Craft Brewing Co. are partnering with the Rock On Foundation, also a Bonner brothers creation, to put together an...
Concord author tells story of Nazi Germany
There are times that Ellen Oppenheimer feels really lucky to be here.It’s not because of her age – which is a spry 88 years young – but more because of what could have happened when she was just a toddler.You see, Oppenheimer (whose maiden name is Simon) is Jewish and was born in Germany. When the Nazi Party rose to power in 1933 and began to round up Jews in the streets, Oppenheimer’s father was one of them.“My parents had heard...
Bow Garden Club putting on Books in Bloom
In previous Insiders, you’ve seen the pairing of the art and floral worlds come together for one magical exhibit.Now it’s time to spread our wings and tell you about another unique pairing when it comes to wonderfully fragrant flowers – and this time with books. The Bow Garden Club and the Baker Free Library (also in Bow) have collaborated on a two-day only event called Books In Bloom.Members of the club are putting together...
On Stage: ‘The Wedding Singer’ to take over Bow stage
If you’re at all familiar with the work of New Hampshire-born actor Adam Sandler, then you’ve likely seen The Wedding Singer – or at the very least, heard of it.Well, did you know that in addition to being a box office hit, it was then turned into a stage musical? Yep, it even had quite the run on Broadway. And while Bow High School isn’t exactly midtown Manhattan, the production put on by Bow Performing Arts this weekend will no...
Intown Concord hosting art walk, photo hunt
Now that Market Days has come and gone, the folks at Intown Concord have a little more time to plan more downtown events. And next up on the list is an artisan walk or more formally known as “Discover Art” as part of their Discover Downtown series on Thursday. The walk is 5 to 9 p.m. and completely free for any and all to go to. There’s no sign-ups or meeting spots, just around 20 local merchants taking part. The whole point is to...
On Display: N.H. Women’s Caucus for Art: ‘A Second Look’
The New Hampshire Women’s Caucus for Art has quite the membership. We’re talking well over 100 ladies, all of who just happen to be good artists.So when the exhibition committee put the call out for entries for its summer show at Kimball Jenkins, it’s no surprise that the response was overwhelming. ‘A Second Look’ feature right around 100 pieces from more than 60 members.“We have a very diverse group,” said Marcia Wood Mertinooke, a...
New World Theatre is taking over Hatbox
It’s going to be a long couple of weeks for the folks at New World Theatre. Not only did they just move into the space at Hatbox Theatre this past weekend to prepare for a two-week run of It’s Academic, a collection of four short plays which opens Friday, but they’re also hosting a play writing masterclass on Saturday with a performance of the eight plays featured at the masterclass on Aug. 1-2 (both also at Hatbox Theatre). We told...
Piccola Opera to sing at Audi this weekend
When it comes to the live entertainment scene in Concord, you don’t see a ton of operas on the schedule.But thanks to Piccola Opera, the Concord-based company that opened in 2015, which works with children as young as 10 years old all the way up to emerging professionals, there’s always a few dates that can be circled.And this Friday and Saturday are two of them, as a group of singers from Piccola will be accompanied by a pair of...
The new courts at Memorial Field are sweet
We hadn’t made our way to Memorial Field for a while, so we were quite surprised to learn that five of the facility’s tennis courts had been rebuilt to pristine condition over a two-phase project.So last week, once the temperatures dipped below the 90s – and in honor of the great tennis going on at Wimbledon – we decided to head that way to see them for ourselves and, of course, for a little friendly Insider competition.Now to be...
Celebrating 85 years of the League of N.H. Craftsmen in the most logical way
Nora and Norman Stevens have amassed quite the collection when it comes to creations from members of the League of N.H. Craftsmen. The pair began attending the League’s annual fair in the early 1970s, where they started acquiring works that has resulted in an impressive catalog of pieces – a lot of which has been donated to the League for its permanent collection. And if you want to see what kinds of items the Stevenses have procured...
New Hampshire Brewers Festival is Saturday at Riverfront Park
Now if we told you of an event that’s this Saturday – in Concord – and features more than 40 New Hampshire beer makers with a total number of beers at the event north of 120, is that something you might be interested in attending? We thought so. Well, the N.H. Brewers Association just so happens to be taking over Kiwanis Waterfront Park (the one behind Everett Arena) for its 5th annual N.H. Brewers Festival – which apparently just so...
