Book Review: Born to Run – A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
‘Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen’ By Christopher McDougall (287 pages, Nonfiction, Health and Fitness, Anthropology, 2009) Foreign correspondent Christopher McDougall has been through some harrowing events, covering wars in Rwanda, Angola, and Congo. In this book, he takes on a new challenge: learning to love running and avoid serious injury. Born to Run is one of the most...
Bulletin board
Author talk: Whispers from the Valley of the Yak On Thursday, Sept. 28, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Vermont author and former New Hampshire resident Jacquelyn Lenox Tuxill visits Gibson’s Bookstore to present her new memoir, “Whispers from the Valley of the Yak: A Memoir of Coming Full Circle,” in which Tuxill weaves an intergenerational story about the power of forgiveness and being true to oneself. Jackie has known tumultuous times: she...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 28, 2003: Fall may just be arriving in much of New Hampshire, but in Plymouth, they’re skipping ahead to winter, the Monitor reports. As temperatures hover around 60 degrees this week and the last green leaves cling stubbornly to the trees, Tenney Mountain will launch its winter ski season. The Oct. 1 start could earn Tenney the coveted position as the first ski resort open for the year nationwide. Sept. 28, 2002: With...
Book: ‘Only the Best: The Exceptional life and Fashion of Ann Lowe’
‘Only the Best: The Exceptional life and Fashion of Ann Lowe’ Kate Messner and Margaret E. Powell (62 pages, Children’s Biography, 2022) Ann Lowe (1898-1981) may not be a household name – in fact, until I read this biography I had no idea about her extraordinary life – but she was the first nationally known Black fashion designer. As a child, Ann learned sewing alongside her mother and grandmother, who sewed for wealthy White...
Bulletin board for the week of Sept. 21
Author Daniel Mason – North Woods Daniel Mason visits Gibson’s Bookstore at 45 South Main Street in Concord on Thursday, September 21, from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. with a new novel, North Woods! A sweeping novel about a single house in the woods of New England, told through the lives of those who inhabit it across the centuries—a daring, moving tale of memory and fate from the Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of The Piano...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 21, 1938: A giant hurricane roars through Concord. One thousand electric poles are downed and Concord Electric’s Sewalls Falls station is flooded. No power can be generated. Eighty percent of the trees in parks, cemeteries and streets are destroyed in what one account describes as “six shrieking hours of wind.” Sept. 22, 2003: Police arrest Jeffrey W. Gelinas, 27, of Barrington, for prowling and loitering....
Makerspace has new home
The Concord Makerspace, which relocated to 197 N. Main St. in Boscawen, has reopened. An open house was held on Sept. 9. The new space is dominated by woodworking machines – such as a CNC router, bandsaw, chop saw and lathe, all connected to a commercial dust collection system – the most popular equipment at previous locations. It also offers a laser cutter, 3-D printers, and serger sewing machine. Members are welcome to use the...
Walker Lecture Series present fall season
Since 1896, the Walker Lecture Series has brought stimulating speakers and fun performers to Concord, thanks to the generosity of Timothy and Abigail Walker. All performances are free with no tickets required. Doors open at 7 p.m. and programs start at 7:30 p.m. at the City Auditorium on Prince Street in Concord. Visit walkerlecture.org for details. Sept. 27: The Blizzard of ‘78 In February, 1978, New England was knocked to its knees...
Book: “Death in Kew Gardens” a Below Stairs Mystery
“Death in Kew Gardens” a Below Stairs Mystery By Jennifer Ashley ( 294 pages, Historical Mystery, 2019) In Victorian era London, young cook Kat Holloway is going shopping for the household when she accidentally knocks down an elderly Chinese gentleman named Li. She meets Li again when handing out leftovers to the poor after supper. Li gives her an exquisitely carved box with delicious tea in it, a quality of tea that Kat had never...
Bulletin board for the week of Sept. 14, 2023
48th Annual NH Highland Games & Festival The 48th Annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival takes place September 15 – 17, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. Athletes compete in traditional Scottish heavy athletic events, photo opportunities with the Highland Cows are available, and there is plenty of shopping in the Vendor Village. Learn to make Glasgow macaroons during a seminar, and dance to the tunes under the...
CYPN young professional of the month Kirby Clang loves the Concord community
Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) introduces you to the “Young Professional of the Month,” Kirby Clang. Each month, the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks readers would enjoy getting to know better. Kirby Clang How old are you? 34 Where do you live? Manchester NH. Where do you currently work? I am a Relationship Manager with Bangor Savings Bank, and work at the branch at...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 14, 1909: The New Hampshire State Sanatorium on the side of Mt. Moosilauke admits its first tuberculosis patient – hopeful of benefiting from the mountain air, as are the thousands of patients who will follow. Known as the Glencliff Sanatorium, the state-run facility will serve its last patient in 1970. It is now the Glencliff Home for the Elderly. Sept. 14, 1992: Outgoing U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman, a Republican from New...
Seniors never stop learning
By the Learning Institute of New England College September is registration month for six-week classes offered by LINEC, the Learning Institute of New England College. This volunteer-led organization offers ten mini-courses on or around the college’s Henniker campus, or on Zoom. Course topics range widely from poetry to genetically modified organisms to the role of money through history, and more. Two classes requiring special...
The bell and the clock
The Board of Trade Building is pictured here in 1873. This beautiful building was constructed on the corner of North Main and School Street in downtown Concord. The building was dedicated in 1873 and one of the very first tenants was the Concord YMCA. The Board of Trade Building still lives down on Main Street, some on the west side and some on the east side of the street. You see, the top of the building was removed many years ago,...
Explore Concord from new vantage
Join Intown Concord on Sept. 14, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., for an immersive tour that invites you to uncover the intriguing stories and steeples that have shaped the downtown Concord landscape. From soaring spires to intricate stained glass windows, each institution holds a unique tale waiting to be discovered. The Upstairs Downtown “Steeples and Stories” Walking Tour, invites both locals and visitors to gain a deeper...
‘Stage Struck’ at Hatbox
Hatbox Theatre’s ninth season kicks off with the wild comedic thriller “Stage Struck.” Robert Simon was formerly a first-rate stage manager in London’s West End theatres and provincial touring companies. Now, he keeps house for his famous actress-wife Anne O’Neill. He also amuses himself with multiple dalliances when Anne is away. Unfortunately, Robert’s thoroughly delightful lifestyle is upended by the intervention of Anne’s...
Book review – Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
‘Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers’ By Jesse Q. Sutanto (338, Mystery, 2023) Vera Wong is a tiny, lonely Chinese woman of a certain age who runs a failing tea shop in San Francisco’s Chinatown. She only has one loyal customer who comes in each morning. His wife is ill, and Vera makes him a special blend of tea each day, choosing items from an immense cabinet of ingredients. She tailors it to what she thinks he needs each...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 7, 1791: A constitutional convention is called to order in Concord. In 36 days in session, it will propose the creation of the Executive Council, the sizes of the bicameral legislature and a change in the name of the state’s top elected official from “president” to “governor.” Voters will approve these changes in 1792. Sept. 7, 1929: Patrick Griffiths of 10½ Walker St. in Concord pedals to a stop in...
Bulletin board for the week of Sept. 7, 2023
Jilly Gagnon in conversation with Hank Phillippi Ryan Jilly Gagnon brings her new thriller, “Scenes of the Crime,” to Gibson’s Bookstore at 45 South Main Street in Concord, on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., to discuss with Hank Phillippi Ryan (“The House Guest,” newly in paperback!), and talk about tension, plot, and why people are the most unsettling thing of all. A missing queen bee. Toxic female...
Concord Business District – 1945
The Main Street business district in Concord is pictured in 1945. This photograph had a caption on the back that mentioned the need to relieve the downtown congestion with a bypass. Hence the “Baby Bypass” or Storrs Street was built.
This week in Concord history
Aug. 31, 2002: A Massachusetts man and his 15-year-old son are rescued after becoming stranded on a cliff in Crawford Notch. According to authorities, the boy tries to free-climb Frankenstein Cliff without equipment but can’t get any farther after reaching 150 feet. The father tries to climb the cliff to rescue the son but only reaches 90 feet. Aug. 31, 2001: In a decision that alters the juvenile justice system for some young...
Book: ‘Tell Me a Dragon’
‘Tell Me a Dragon’ Jackie Morris (15 pages, children’s picture book, 2009) This fantasy picture book leans heavily on Welsh author-illustrator Jackie Morris’ exquisite illustrations–with good reason. With sparse, poetic text, Morris imagines a world in which every person has a companion dragon. (Humans don’t “own” dragons, per se — as we learn in the concluding appendix. They are said, however, to form strong bonds with...
Bulletin board for the week of Aug. 31, 2023
Jilly Gagnon in conversation with Hank Phillippi Ryan On Thursday, Sept. 7, from 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. features Thursday thrillers! Jilly Gagnon brings her new thriller, “Scenes of the Crime,” to Gibson’s Bookstore at 45 South Main Street in Concord, to discuss with Hank Phillippi Ryan (“The House Guest,” newly in paperback), and talk about tension, plot, and why people are the most unsettling thing of all. A missing queen bee....
This week in Concord history
Aug. 24, 2002: A dog that roamed Tilton for two weeks since bolting from a highway crash on Interstate 93 is caught and returned to her owner, Randolph Carford, of Norwalk, Conn. Nyshka, a 4-year-old Australian shepherd, is found by Tilton police officer William Patten, Melisssa Dudley of Canterbury and Lorden Butman of Concord in an animal trap set by the police behind Wal-Mart. Dog and owner are reunited at Dartmouth-Hitchcock...
Book: ‘The Blackout Book Club’
‘The Blackout Book Club’ Amy Lynn Green (371 pages, Historical Fiction, 2022) It is 1942, in the small town of Derby, Maine. Avis Montgomery’s brother is leaving for Europe to fight in the war. He’s the town’s librarian, and asks Avis to fill in for him. Avis is not keen. She is not a reader. But when the war threatens to close the Library, Avis must find a way to keep it open for her brother’s sake. She proposes a book club,...
Bulletin board for the week of Aug. 24, 2023
Creative Ambitions Performance Studio of NH will present ‘Masked’ ‘Masked’ is a two-act drama written by New Hampshire resident Glynn Cosker – at Hatbox Theatre. The play, directed by Cosker, will be performed Friday, Aug. 25 and Saturday, Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m. Although there is some comic relief throughout, the play’s themes include: destigmatizing mental health issues; suicide awareness; and social...
For the People 2023 day of sports
So, check this out: Concord, New Hampshire had a total game-changer with “For the People 2023.” It was all about the local youth bringing the heat and getting some support from the clothing brand Project Concrete. Oh, and guess what? This brand was actually started by this high schooler named Shumbusho Emmable back in 2022. Pretty cool, right? Now, let me break it down. Concord isn’t exactly known for throwing...
1920: Purington’s Garage
The Arthur Purington Automotive Garage is pictured along the east side of South Main Street. This building once occupied the current site of the large “Smile” Building. Notice the standard gauge trolley tracks in the street and the gas street lanterns that once illuminated our ancestors dark evenings. A vintage gasoline pump is pictured to the right and the graceful elm trees that once lined our Main Street are...
Book: ‘The Women Could Fly’ by Megan Giddings
‘The Women Could Fly’ by Megan Giddings (277, Adult Fiction, 2022) When Jo was 14 her mother, Tiana, disappeared and was never seen or heard from again. Jo already stood out as the only bi-racial student in her school and for fourteen years has faced pity, racism and suspicion as the girl whose mother’s case inspired an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. Was Tiana murdered? Or worse – in a world that is as modern as our own but still...
Concord artist on display
The Jaffrey Civic Center announces its next upcoming art exhibition “Reflections,” with works by Pam Tarbell featuring guest artist Andy Moerlien. The exhibit focuses on the works of painter Tarbell, and features a small number of pieces by sculptor Moerlein and will take place in the center’s Cunningham Gallery from Aug. 18 until Sept. 23. There will be a reception on Aug. 17 from 5 to 7 p.m. Tarbell is a national exhibiting artist,...
