Video: St. Paul’s ballet to perform ‘Nutcracker Act II’
Well before Zoë Dienes decided to attend St. Paul’s School, she would go each December with her family to the free performance of The Nutcracker Act II and watch the dancers glide across the stage. “I would dream I was up there,” Dienes said. But she no longer has to fantasize about being in the school’s ballet company – she’s already living that dream. And now Dienes, a Concord native, is the one who could be an inspiration to young...
Take an easy hike on the West End Farm Trail
As the days get a little shorter and the temperature continues to drop, odds are you’re spending less and less time outside. But it doesn’t have to be that way.And the Concord Trails Committee is doing its part to keep you active – and outdoors.The group’s monthly hikes series continues with an excursion on the West End Farm Trail on Saturday and whoever wants to join is invited.Rob Knight will lead the hike on what is billed as “an...
Tim sure is looking like a brand new man
Over my four years at the Insider, you may have noticed there’s been little change to the way my hair looks. Outside of letting it grow long and shaggy for a few months and then getting it chopped into what equates to an adult-inspired bowl cut, there’s never been a lot to it. I’ve pretty much had the same thing for all of my adult life – and a good chunk of my teenage years, except for that long-haired grunge phase I went through my...
The new McGowan Fine Art is worth a visit
Well, it finally happened: McGowan Fine Art is officially moved into its new 2 Phenix Ave. location and open for business.After announcing its closing this summer and subsequent move, the gallery will live on. And following a few difficult days of moving artwork, cabinets, furniture and all those triangle frame samples – while taking the time to set it all up – McGowan unveiled its new spot to the public the day after Thanksgiving....
Midnight Merriment returns to downtown
You might want to plan on sleeping a couple extra hours on Thursday night, because Friday is going to be a late one.It’s the 25th annual Midnight Merriment, put on by Intown Concord, and we like to think of it as the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season in Concord (our apologies, Black Friday, Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday).On this night, many downtown businesses will stay open way past their typical closing...
Get a passport for a chance to Win the Window
Downtown Concord sure is in the holiday spirit. With the city’s Christmas tree up and decorated, the wreaths lining Main Street and various businesses sprucing up their own storefronts, it has turned into quite the festive walk.And if you happen to be in the area of 47 N. Main St. (that’s N.H. Federal Credit Union) you’ll notice a big tree with the words Win the Window over it.Now, you can’t actually take the window home, but with a...
Wreath raffle to be held at Penacook Community Center
There’s no denying that the Feztival of Trees is a pretty cool idea for a fundraiser. And it brings in lots of money every year. Over the course of 17 years, the total is well over $1 million, and it seems to get bigger and better each year. So it’s easy to see why other organizations are using the model to try to raise money for their causes. ConcordTV started the Easter Eggstravaganza almost three years ago, and now the Penacook...
Do you have what it takes to be the top bid?
Just last month, we found ourselves smack dab in the middle of a live auction. Numbers were flying everywhere, as people all over the Concord Auction Center raised their hands in hopes of taking certain items home with them. And with that being our first time bidding against others, it got a little intense there for a minute. But we were still able to make our first buy – a child’s rocking chair that was just $10 and no one else bid...
Get your winter gear at the ski & skate sale
Have you been putting off getting that new pair of skis? Do you need an upgrade in the ice skate department? Are you looking to expand your winter clothing collection? Well, it might be hard to accept, but the cold weather is just around the corner, and you don’t want to be scrambling in order to take part in that last-minute ski trip. So why not etch out some time this Saturday and head down to the Capital Ski and Outing Club’s...
Concord, we’re thankful for so much this year
This time of year is the perfect opportunity to sit back and reflect. To think about the things in your life that you’re most thankful for – it is almost Thanksgiving after all. And really, isn’t that the point?Around these parts, there’s plenty to be thankful for. Sure, on a personal note, we both have lovely families and all is good on that side of the equation, but this is about you Concord – and not a longwinded explanation of how...
Windmill offering Thanksgiving dinner – again
While most like to use Thanksgiving as a way to forget about work for a day, that’s just not how it goes in the Smirnioudis family.In fact, for the last 27 years, the owners of the Windmill Restaurant on Loudon Road have actually created more work from themselves on the fourth Thursday in November (and about 10 days prior) – and for a really good reason.It all started in 1990, when Louie Smirnioudis partnered with the Friendly Kitchen...
Fill your holiday with good choices
Before you go creating a plan to taste-test every appetizer and dessert at your family’s Thanksgiving gathering, you might want to hold off. Sure, you want to enjoy yourself on a holiday that is largely based on eating, but do you really need that second (or third) espresso martini or slice of apple pie? We’d say go for it, so it’s a good thing we checked in with Michelle Smith, a registered dietician with Concord Hospital’s Center...
Go pick out that perfect Christmas tree
You know what your living room is missing? A live tree covered in lights, ornaments and tinsel.Yep, it’s time to bust out the old tape measure and determine what size Christmas tree will fit into your space – and then go out and find the perfect one.We typically like to wait until December before bringing home a tree, but we understand that some of you can’t wait more than a day or two after Thanksgiving before setting up for...
It’s time to light the annual Christmas trees
Once Thanksgiving has come and gone, our attention quickly turns to Christmas.Because if you think about, there’s really just over a month until Santa makes his way to homes in Concord (and around the world). And what better way to celebrate the official kickoff to the Christmas season, then going to one of those ceremonial tree lightings. It just so happens that Concord, Penacook and Bow are all hosting big ta dos before the calendar...
Our four-legged friends could use your help
At this time of year, there are a lot of worthy causes that need your attention and resources. It’s hard to decide what is the most important. More often than not, it’s the people who don’t have a place to live or need food for their table that are the focal point. And believe us, we completely agree. But there’s another population that could use a helping hand – they just happen to walk on four paws and bark and meow instead of...
Help fill the Holiday Basket Project boxes
The holiday season is busy. There’s shopping for gifts, decorating the house with lights and picking out the perfect tree to display in your living room.But if you have a mere two hours to spare, the Capital Region Food Program sure could use your help.Every December – with this being the 44th year – the program undertakes what can only be described as a monumental task called the holiday food basket project.The project provides...
Big things are brewing at Lithermans Limited
Early on, it was pretty clear that Lithermans Limited was going to need more space.For a new brewery, the tap room size was fine, but now as an established destination for delicious beer in the capital city, there was most definitely room for expansion. Especially since they started serving food and pouring full pints.“Our landlord knew we were going to grow when he came by opening day and could barely get in,” said co-owner Michael...
Quadracalabasia has returned to Lithermans
As an IPA kind of beer drinker, I’ve never really gotten into the fall/ pumpkin beer craze.But sometimes for the good of a story, you have to do things that aren’t exactly in your tastebuds’ wheelhouse.We had originally set out to taste test – for all of you, of course – Lithermans Limited’s SoundTrack, the official beer of the SNOB Film Festival last week. Since it was an IPA and in the news because of the festival, we thought it...
Community Players of Concord to perform ‘Hunchback of Notre Dame’
The Community Players of Concord are celebrating a big birthday this year – 90 years old. Think about how many performances that is. Say they averaged two shows a year (probably more) and that’s a minimum of 178 shows going into its 10th decade.But somehow the Players have outdone themselves once again. They’re only the first community theater group in the state to perform The Hunchback of Notre Dame – ever. That’s all.“We’re billing...
Try to win one of more than 100 fake trees at the Feztival of Trees
If you like elaborately decorated artificial Christmas trees, then you might want to etch out some time in your upcoming schedule. Beginning Saturday, the Bektash Shrine Center will turn its Pembroke Road location into a winter wonderland with the 17th annual Feztival of Trees. And whether you’ve been going year after year – or have never heard of it – it’s always fun to see what people come up with for their tree creations. This...
Concord Christmas Parade set for Saturday
We don’t want to get you too excited, but Santa is coming – this Saturday.That’s right, jolly old Saint Nick will be making a much-anticipated appearance in Concord well before the big day (and Thanksgiving) and it’s all thanks to the 66th annual Concord Christmas Parade.Santa is always a big draw for the Concord holiday tradition and that’s why he’ll be on the final float of the day, just to ramp up the anticipation. Some of Santa’s...
Craft fairs sure are quite the undertaking
If you’ve never been to a holiday craft fair, well, you’re missing out.Around these parts, the local spots to get one-of-a-kind handmade items are a pretty big deal. Some have been around for decades, while others are quickly making a name for themselves among the crafters and artisans – and those who spend just about every weekend traveling around to find that perfect gift for that someone special in their life.In addition to tables...
Concord Handmade to open on South Main
At this time of year, people are starting to get into the holiday spirit. Slowly and surely, we all start making our lists and figuring out just what we want to give to each person in our lives.Sometimes it’s a quick easy trip to the store, but in other circumstances, you’re in search of that unique, one-of-a-kind item. Luckily for you, Concord’s holiday pop-up shop, Concord Handmade, is close to opening for another holiday season.For...
Waldron selected as the next Mr. Concord
I’ve been asked to do and cover some pretty important things during my time at the Insider, but judging the Mr. Concord Pageant has to rank near the top of the list. The list of contestants featured some of the more prominent and well-known business leaders and civil servants that this city has to offer in Chris Emond, executive director of the Concord Boys and Girls Club; Steve Caccia, vice president of student affairs at NHTI; DJ...
Make your way to McGowan before it moves
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: McGowan Fine Art is closing its doors.Now don’t worry, it’s not for good like we wrote about back in May when owner Sarah Chaffee made the difficult decision that she needed to shut down the Concord art institution due to financial hardships. That was quickly nipped in the bud when people came out of the woodwork to offer just about anything you can imagine to make sure the gallery stayed...
It’s a big weekend for the Granite State, thanks to NH Open Doors
Welcome to the Insider’s Guide to NH Open Doors. For more than the last decade, in partnership with the League of N.H. Craftsmen, artists, master crafters, wood workers and more have opened the doors to their studios, workshops and businesses in collaboration for one weekend every fall. And it just so happens that weekend is upon us. This Saturday and Sunday, more than 100 participants will take part in the annual NH Open Doors event...
Take a tour of studios, galleries and shops
Fall weekends in New Hampshire are some of the best of the year.With the bright colors of foliage acting as a backdrop, you can’t beat spending crisp sunny days apple picking, pumpkin carving and jumping around in leaf piles.And if you’re a fan of the arts, this Saturday and Sunday is right up your alley. N.H. Open Doors is an event that can’t – and shouldn’t – be missed. It includes great demonstrations, visually inspiring work and...
There’s a gigantic new mural downtown
If you’ve driven on Interstate 93 in the vicinity of Exit 14 recently and glanced toward the downtown area, you may have noticed a large colorful mural.Odds are it caught you by surprise and you didn’t have time to get a good look, going 55 miles per hour and all. But don’t worry because it will be there for quite a while thanks to a partnership between Kimball-Jenkins and the owners of the Ralph Pill Marketplace building. The new...
Halloween Howl is taking over downtown
Calling all ghosts, princesses and superheroes – Halloween Howl is returning to downtown Concord this Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and all of you are requested to join in the fun.And don’t worry, if you plan on dressing up as anything else, like a scary monster, a character from Stranger Things or even Big Bird, you should make your way to Intown Concord’s premiere fall event.It’s one of the few times that Main Street is closed to...
Taking Halloween fun to another level
When most people think of epic holiday decoration displays, chances are the first thing that pops into mind is Christmas.And rightfully so, but we’re here to remind you not to sleep on Halloween. Just think about it for a minute. You’ve got things like witches, ghosts, spiders, gravestones, movie characters and more at your disposal – and from there, it really just depends on what scare level you’re looking to achieve. We love a good...
