New Hampshire native returns for concert
Blaggards, the South Irish Rock Band from Houston, Texas, will perform Sept. 24 at 8 p.m. at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage. The band is comprised of drummer Eric Hughes, who grew up in Colebrook and attended Plymouth State College; guitarist/vocalist Patrick Devlin, and bassist/vocalist Chad Smalley. Blaggards formed July 2004 in Houston, Texas, and plays a blend of traditional Irish music mixed with rock n’ roll, informed by...
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Duo presents family history Gibson’s Bookstore is pleased to join Books & Books in Florida and indie bookstores across America on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m. to virtually present Anderson Cooper as he shares his new book, Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty. New York Times bestselling author and journalist Anderson Cooper teams with New York Times bestselling historian and novelist Katherine Howe to chronicle the...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 16, 1845: Benjamin O. Bartlett, 57, of Pembroke dies. “He has left his surviving friends the rich consolation of believing that their loss is his gain,” the New Hampshire Courier reports in his obituary. Sept. 16, 1973: Three Roman Catholic laymen announce plans to open a new liberal arts institution, Magdalen College, for 300 students, saying American universities have lost their intellectual and moral vigor. Years...
Book: A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories
A Manual for Cleaning Women: Selected Stories By Lucia Berlin (399 pages, short stories: fiction and memoir, 2015) Lucia Berlin was truly the definition of a literary diamond in the rough. Born in Juneau, Alaska, in 1936, she lived a colorful and varied life right from the beginning. Her father was a mining engineer, and his work brought the family all over the country and into Mexico and South America. While various pieces of her...
Book: The Paris Library
The Paris Library By Janet Skeslien Charles (353 pages, fiction, 2021) On a February day in 1939 in Paris, young Frenchwoman Odile Souchet goes for an interview at the American Library in Paris. She has memorized the Dewey Decimal System, and reviews it on her way. She ends up being late for the interview because she stops to read a book. “Reading is dangerous,” says Miss Reeder, the Directress. She understands. Odile is awarded the...
City news: Housing and Development head retires
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: Hoyt announces retirement Concord Housing and Redevelopment Executive Director John Hoyt has announced his decision to retire after nearly two decades of serving the housing needs of the greater Concord area and leading the charge in the...
Multicultural Festival set for next week
The countdown to Concord’s annual Multicultural Festival is on. The annual event is in a new location this year and will be held at Keach Park on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Welcoming Week will run Sept. 10 to 19, concluding with the festival. It offers an opportunity for organizations and communities to bring together immigrants, refugees, and long-time residents to build strong connections and affirm the importance of welcoming...
Entertainment week of Sept. 9
Live Music Sept. 9 State Street Combo at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Drum Circle at Area 23 at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 R&B Dignity at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Odd Project at Penuche’s. $5 cover, 21+ Brad Myrick at SHARA Vineyards at 6 p.m. Carbon Leaf at Bank of N.H. Stage at 8 p.m. $25+ Sept. 11 Gerry Beaudoin at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Blues Bros. Tribute at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Jam at Area 23 from 2 to 5 p.m. Kyle Klose at Penuche’s. $5 cover, 21+...
The Unkindness of Ravens
The Unkindness of Ravens By M. E. Hilliard (329 pages, mystery, 2021) Greer Hogan is a librarian working in the village of Raven Hill, New York. The Public Library there is in an interesting old manor house, complete with a “Raven Room” as the kids call it – Horatio Ravenscroft’s study, with beautiful, leather-bound books and a huge stuffed raven. Greer left a high-paying job in New York City after the tragic death of her young...
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Gasholder discussion The Concord Historical Society will be hosting a special presentation about Concord’s Historic Gasholder on Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. The program will include a brief history of the Gasholder by Historic Preservationist Elizabeth Hengen and an overview of the Gasholder’s current status and future plans by Jennifer Goodman, Director of the New Hampshire Preservation Alliance. There will be ample time for questions from...
The Bear Who Shared
The Bear Who Shared By Catherine Rayner (children’s fiction, 2011) Norris is a wise bear. He is waiting for the last ripe fruit, a plorringe, to fall. But lively Tulip and Violet are waiting, too. The fruit “smells of honey and sunny days.” It looks and smells delicious. Who will get to taste it when it falls? This is a charming picture book about sharing (even when you are the biggest and strongest, and don’t have to), and making new...
City news: New pollinator garden in White Park
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: Pollinator garden A huge shout out and thank you to the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law students who volunteered to help with our second pollinator garden in White Park. Parks employees David and Chris were on hand to help. We love our...
The Night Hawks: A Ruth Galloway Mystery
The Night Hawks: A Ruth Galloway Mystery By Elly Griffiths (350 pages, mystery, 2021) The Night Hawks are a group of amateur archaeologists who scour the coastal land and beaches of Norfolk with metal detectors, looking for treasure. They like to go out at night because there are fewer people around. But Ruth Galloway, now head of the Archaeology Department at North Norfolk University, dislikes them because they don’t know how to...
This week in history
Sept. 9, 1847: With Mexican War fever at its peak, the Ancient and Honorable Artillery of Boston celebrates its 211th anniversary with a march down Concord’s Main Street. Sept. 9, 1898: Styles Bridges is born. He will be a New Hampshire governor and U.S. senator. Sept. 9, 1919: The Legislature gives women the right to vote. Sept. 10, 1861: Fire destroys the railroad storage barns and many cars of the Concord and...
Bulletin board: Author events
Virtual author event Jeannine Jannot, Ph.D. draws on 20 years of experience in this empowering must-read for every parent of a struggling child, complete with effective strategies and tools to help students reach their full potential in school and life. She will present The Disintegrating Student: Struggling but Smart, Falling Apart, and How to Turn it Around on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. online via Zoom. You know your child is bright. Until...
Entertainment for the week of Sept. 2
Live music Sept. 2 DJ Lance Drops the Bass at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Craig Fahey at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 3 EXP Band at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Zak Trojano at SHARA Vineyards at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 Masceo & Special Guests at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Dan Weiner at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Mary Fagan at the Contoocook Farmers Market at 9 a.m. Amanda Adams at Gould Hill Farm at 1 p.m. Alex Cohen at Concord Craft Brewing at 4 p.m. Malcolm Salls at Chen...
Book: How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope
How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope By James Crews (195 pages, poetry, 2021) How to Love the World is like a warm hug for the soul. This new collection of poetry from the indie imprint Storey Publishing features a few dozen authors, from the well-admired (including U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo and National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman) to some writers that may be new introductions. The book’s format invites us as...
City recognized as Vet-Friendly business
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: N.H. Veteran-Friendly business Concord is proud to announce that the City has been recognized as a Bronze NH Veteran-Friendly Business and is the first municipality in the state to receive this designation. The NH Veteran-Friendly...
Rattlesnake Hill
It was 1854 and the abundance of granite was being quarried by New Hampshire State Prison labor. There were only 30 men employed in the granite industry on Rattlesnake Hill in 1854. Twenty years later the granite industry had grown to over 500 employees working on Rattlesnake Hill in the quarries. Payroll for the granite men exceeded $364,000 annually and large contracts were being written as the superior quality granite was...
Book: The Alice Network
The Alice Network By Kate Quinn (503 pages, historical fiction, 2017) In 1915, Eve Gardiner longs to do her part for England during World War I. Her ability to speak several languages — German in particular — catches the attention of Captain Cecil Cameron who recruits her to work as a spy. Eve completes her training with Louise de Bettignies, whose code name is “Lili.” (Lili is based on the actual person who led the spy organization...
This week in Concord history
Sept. 2, 1856: The Coos Republican reports a freak accident in Whitefield: “Mr. Webster Parker, while at work with a log on the dam at Morris Clark’s Sawmill in Whitefield Village, was carried over and down the apron of the dam with great velocity some 20 feet and then dropping partly through a hole in the apron was there confined about 30 minutes, the water constantly pouring over him. A large crowd collected, and much interest was...
Market Days reemerges
The festival – consistently ranked one of the best community events – has returned. Market Days, which was abbreviated last summer due to the pandemic, is planned for Aug. 19 to 21, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It will once again bring shopping, food, fun and lots of music to the downtown Concord area. Find the schedule of events and acts for the three-day affair, plus a map of where to find the major attractions at...
The Golem and the Jinni
By Helene Wecker (486 pages, fantasy, 2013) The Golem and the Jinni, Helene Wecker’s masterful debut novel, blends elements of folklore, fantasy, and historical fiction to create a unique tale that you won’t want to put down. Wecker draws from Jewish and Arab mythology to create her story’s main characters, building an immersive world for them based on both historical research and cultural and family lore. (Wecker is Jewish,...
This week in Concord history
Aug. 19, 1863: With the Union armies in need of more soldiers, Concord takes part in the draft. Of 924 names placed in a turning wheel, the city’s quota of 277 is drawn. The city will pay each man a bonus of $300. Aug. 19, 1855: A visitor to the Canterbury Shaker Village counts six water-powered mills “for weaving, coloring, fulling, and for knitting shirts and drawers.” The first knitting machine was installed at the village...
The Second Sleep
The Second Sleep By Robert Harris (297 pages, thriller/historical fiction, 2019) Editor’s note: This review contains spoilers. The Second Sleep opens in the year 1468. A young English priest, Christopher Fairfax, hastens to reach a remote village in the kingdom of Wessex before curfew. Fairfax has been sent to officiate a funeral for the local priest, Father Lacey, who recently died and left behind no other clergy to look after his...
Spotted at National Night Out on Aug. 3
The City of Concord was among many that celebrated National Night Out on Aug. 3. The Concord Police Department was joined by several other city departments, law enforcement agencies, NH National Guard, and community organizations. This event is for all ages and is held across the country to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness, strengthen neighborhood and community police relationships and to send a message to criminals that...
Vanessa Yu’sMagical Paris Tea Shop
Vanessa Yu’sMagical Paris Tea Shop By Roselle Lim (305 pages, fiction, 2020) Vanessa is cursed with being able to tell people’s fortunes. You might think that it would be a wonderful thing, but Vanessa can’t control it. If she drinks tea, or is even near a cup of tea, the fortunes explode from her mouth, good or bad, for family or strangers. It caused a disaster at her cousin’s wedding. This fortune-telling ability runs in Vanessa’s...
The Anthropocene Reviewed
The Anthropocene Reviewed By John Green (290 pages, nonfiction/essay, 2021) Right from the outset, I’d like to make two points regarding this beautiful collection of essays by John Green. First: consider giving this book a try, even if you’re not usually a fan of nonfiction. I know that some people are averse to nonfiction because it feels more like learning than entertainment – but I think you may be pleasantly surprised by this...
This week in Concord history
Aug. 12, 1861: Their three-month enlistment up, the 1st New Hampshire Volunteers are mustered out of the army. They have returned home without seeing battle. Aug. 12, 1952: State officials announce that Concord will be the northern terminus for the new Central New Hampshire Turnpike, a four-lane, $26 million expressway. The road will extend 40 miles from the Massachusetts state line at Tyngsboro to Concord. It will end in a huge...
City news: New art installed on Main Street
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 will be held in person in Council Chambers at 37 Green Street (unless otherwise specified on the City’s calendar). Upcoming meetings include: Planning Board, Aug. 18, 7 p.m. Visit...
