There’s always someone in need
If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community during this holiday season, here are a few of the many places that are seeking donations. Friends of Forgotten Children Friends of Forgotten Children, a 100% volunteer-run provider of food, clothing and holiday gifts for low-income and at-risk individuals and families, has been serving the greater Concord area since 1972. If you would like to fill a child’s wishes for Christmas...
Book: The thread of history
The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle By Jennifer Ryan (411 pages, fiction, 2022) Set in World War II, this story features three women who become involved in their small village’s sewing circle. Famous dress designer Cressida Westcott loses her house and business to the Blitz in London. Escaping with just the clothes on her back, she has to return to her family manor house near Canterbury. Cressida had vowed never to return home because of...
City newsletter for Dec. 2, 2022
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: City meetings City meetings are held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green St. (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: City Council Meeting: Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Planning Board: Dec. 21, 7 p.m....
Visit a pop-up or a craft fair
If you’re looking for a unique gift to give your loved ones this year, and trying to shop local, look no further than one of New Hampshire’s many talented artisans and crafters. Here are some craft fairs and markets you can visit this holiday season. Through December Concord Handmade Pop-up This downtown favorite featuring local artists is returning for its 12th season and this year will be hosted inside Penumbra (10 N. State St.,...
Want a gift idea? Here’s 12!
Whether you are preparing for Hanukkah, the winter solstice, Kwanzaa, or Christmas, the upcoming holiday season is a special time for many of us, and shopping for gifts is often part of the celebration. Spread Joy, Shop Concord highlights local businesses in Concord, New Hampshire, and shares their stories, unique products, and best deals. This year, Concord locals submitted their favorite gift ideas to help you satisfy even the...
This week in Concord history
Dec. 2, 2000: Shortly before 2 p.m. Canterbury Country Store owner Bob Summers rings up his final sale and then shuts the place down. The store will reopen nearly a year later, after members of the community invest several hundred thousand dollars to buy it. Dec. 2, 1774: New Hampshire’s committee of correspondence, formed the previous year to stay in touch with other colonies about acts of the British Parliament, sends a...
Until the clock strikes midnight
Maybe you trekked out among the throngs of mall shoppers for a day – or night – of browsing on Black Friday. And you’ve likely had packages dropped off on your front porch after some late-night cyber hunting on Amazon. Now, complete the trifecta by coming to downtown Concord to see what your local merchants have to offer. Concord’s annual Midnight Merriment is returning to downtown Concord for a night of shopping, deals, food and...
City newsletter
Fall leaf collection Bagged leaf collection continues through Dec. 9, regardless of weather. Unlike bulk collection (which is weather dependent), snow will not suspend bagged leaf collection. However, it is important to bag leaves early if necessary to avoid leaves getting covered in snow. Leaves will be collected by the City’s solid waste contractor, Casella, and will be collected separately from trash and recycling. Residents with...
Entertainment for the week of Dec. 1, 2022
Live music Dec. 1 Jordan Fletcher with Maggie Ryan, with opener Nashville Newcomers will be at the Bank of N.H. Stage at 8 p.m. The Trio d’Anches de Concord presents “Exquisitely French! Reed Trios 1935-1945” as the December Bach Lunch Lecture at the Concord Community Music School at 12:10 p.m. Dec. 2 Spencer and the Walrus bring the music of the Beatles to the Bank of N.H. Stage at 8 p.m. Sam Hammerman at Over the Moon Farmstead from...
Bulletin board for week of Dec. 1, 2022
The crime that stunned the nation On August 19, 1997, in little Colebrook, New Hampshire, a 62-year-old carpenter named Carl Drega, a man with long-simmering property rights grievances, murdered state troopers Scott Phillips and Les Lord at a traffic stop in a supermarket parking lot. Then Drega stole Phillips’s cruiser and drove downtown to settle some old scores. By the end of the day three more were dead, Drega among them, and four...
At Pitchfork Records, a downtown institution, what’s old is new again
With 49 years in the business of selling music, Michael Cohen has seen about everything. Lately, he’s seeing it all over again. “It’s gone back to the beginning!” said Cohen, the owner of downtown mainstay Pitchfork Records & Stereo, sounding both amused and a little incredulous. Cohen was a student at Henniker’s New England College in 1972 when he and some friends started selling vinyl records – then called LPs or long-playing...
This week in Concord history
Nov. 23, 2002: The Holiday Magic Parade, which has marked the beginning of the holiday season in Concord for 51 years, marches up Loudon Road in Concord. The procession includes emergency response vehicles, floats, decorated vehicles, equestrian units, clowns, eight marching bands and Santa Claus. Nov. 23, 1911: The New Hampshire Historical Society dedicates its building in Concord. The building was designed by Guy Lowell, also...
CYPN: Mark Borak has a love of the outdoors
Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) introduces you to the “Young Professional of the Month,” Mark Borak. Each month, the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks readers would enjoy getting to know better. Mark Borak Where do you live? Bow, NH. Where do you currently work? I am one of three Independent Financial Advisors at Bahr Casey Financial Services. I help people reach their...
Bulletin board
Concord tree lighting Head downtown for the annual lighting of the Christmas tree in City Plaza on Nov. 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. Several streets will be closed from 3 to 7:30 p.m. for the event, including Main Street, from Centre Street to School Street; North State Street, from Park Street to Capitol Street; Park Street from Main Street to North State Street; and Capitol Street from Main Street to North State Street. Writing mindfully...
Christmas Parade among holiday events
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Community Development Block Grant Awards On Nov. 3, the NH Community Development Finance Authority awarded the City $1,500,000 in Community Development Block Grants to support the development of a new Boys and Girls Club facility in...
It’s showtime: Plan for holiday events
With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to save the date and get tickets for all of your favorite seasonal shows. Local theatre groups and performance venues have calendars filled with classics like the Nutcracker and A Christmas Carol alongside one-act plays and Celtic music. Some shows are free, while others require purchasing a ticket and reserving a seat, so make sure you don’t miss out on the merriment! NOV. 25...
Playing this week: Live music and stage show
Live music Nov. 17 Andrew North at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9 p.m. NHMC Artist Showcase at Area 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 18 Chris Powers at Makris Lobster & Steak House from 7 to 10 p.m. Scott King at Over the Moon Farmstead from 7 to 10 p.m. Thrown to the Wolves at Area 23 from 8 to 11 p.m. Brian Burnout’s Birthday Special at Penuche’s Ale House Nov. 19 Chris Peters at Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m....
Bulletin board: This week’s happenings
What does homelessness in Concord look like? Join the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce for this critical discussion on Nov. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Concord. What does housing instability mean for individuals, youth, and families in the Capital Region? A panel of representatives from local agencies, who work directly with Concord’s unhoused population on a daily basis, will discuss the causes and...
This week in history
Nov. 17, 2003: Opponents of New Hampshire’s new parental notification law announce that they are suing the state because the law doesn’t provide a broad enough exception when the health of the mother is at stake. They are also asking a federal judge to block the law from going into effect Dec. 31. Nov. 17, 2000: The state Fish and Game Department is considering the first increase in fishing and hunting license fees in more...
Veterans Day: A time to reflect
Veterans Day concert Part of the William H. Gile Community Concert Series, New Hampshire’s Own 39th Army Field Band will perform at the Capitol Center for the Arts on Friday, Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. The 90-minute audio visual experience will also feature some of the best civilian musicians in the State, as we thank veterans from all of the service branches. The performance will include a wide variety of music genres including: rock,...
Entertainment this week
Live shows Nov. 10 Mike Morris at Hermanos from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Gardner Berry at Area 23 from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 11 Andrew North & The Rangers at Area 23 from 8 to 11 p.m. Nov. 12 Joel Begin at Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market from 1 to 4 p.m. Crazy Steve Jam at Area 23 from 1 to 5 p.m. Colin Hart at Hermanos from 6:30 p.m. Karen Grenier at Over the Moon Farmstead from 7 to 10 p.m. Mikey G at Chen Yang Li from 7 to 10...
City News: Week of Nov. 10
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: City meetings City meetings are held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green St. (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: City Council Meeting: Nov. 14, 7 p.m. Planning Board: Nov. 16, 7...
Bulletin board: Fairs and folk fun
Christmas craft fair The United Church of Penacook, at the corner of Community Drive and Canal Street in Penacook, will hold a Christmas Craft Fair and Bake Sale on Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Crafters will offer hand-crafted home décor, holiday decorations, knit/crochet goods, stuffed toys, jams and jellies, handbags, artisan soaps, and more. There will also be a bake sale. Visit ucpnh.org for crafter list and craft pictures....
This week in history
Nov. 10, 2003: The Concord City Council votes to put an automated trash plan on hold until exact cost estimates are available. Nov. 10, 1777: Loudon townspeople vote to build a meeting house “the same bigness as the Epsom house.” Nov. 10, 1854: Concord’s Unitarian Church is destroyed by fire. Nov. 10, 1887: Robert O. Blood is born in Enfield. He will be a World War I hero, physician, dairy farmer and, throughout World War II, governor...
Live music and theater — catch a show
Live music Nov. 4 Kimayo at Over the Moon Farmstead from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 5 Chad Verbeck at Contoocook Cider Company from 1 to 4 p.m. Decatur Creek at Over the Moon Farmstead from 2 to 5 p.m. Charlie Chronopolous at Over the Moon Farmstead from 7 to 10 p.m. Chris Peters at Chen Yang Li from 7 to 10 p.m. Nov. 6 April Cushman at Contoocook Cider Company from 1 to 4 p.m. Eric Lindberg at Over the Moon Farmstead from 2 to 5 p.m. Eric...
Choosing kindness over competition
By Gracie McHugh Many Americans know or at least recognize the name Jesse Owens. He was an American track and field powerhouse who won 4 Gold Medals at the 1936 Olympics under the cloud of racism, hatred and anti semitism. He is best known for being the first American in history to win four gold medals in a single Olympics. He is perhaps less well known for his ability to persevere with courage and integrity throughout his life, even...
Bulletin board — A focus on book events
Sen. Feingold visits NH Senator Russ Feingold visits Gibson’s Bookstore on Thursday, Nov. 3 at noon to talk about his new book, The Constitution in Jeopardy: An Unprecedented Effort to Rewrite Our Fundamental Law and What We Can Do About It. In this important book, Feingold, a former U.S. senator and Prindiville, a legal scholar, distill extensive legal and historical research and examine the grave risks inherent in this effort. But...
Book review: A real odd couple
The Marmalade Diaries: The True Story of an Odd Couple By Ben Aitken (325 pages, memoir, 2022) This is a charming and funny book about being locked down with a complete stranger because of the coronavirus. October 21, 2020 – Ben Aitken is a young writer looking for a cheap room in London. He finds one in a nice neighborhood, for a great price. He thinks that there must be a catch, and there is. The catch is Winnie. Winnie...
The week in history
Nov. 3, 2003: Seven candidates show up at the secretary of state’s office in Concord, marking the first day that presidential candidates are able to file papers to enter January’s primary. The only one whose name carries any cachet in Washington is Dick Gephardt, who makes a lunchtime appearance between campaign stops. Nov. 3, 2002: Referring to a television ad that distorted her appearance, Democrat Martha Fuller Clark accuses her...
Election update — what to know
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: General voting info Residents will have the opportunity to cast their votes during the state’s general election on Tuesday, No. 8. City of Concord polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Election Day. More information about...
