Poet Deborah Brown to present ‘The Human Half’ at Gibson’s Bookstore
Poet Deborah Brown will visit Gibson’s Bookstore on Wednesday at 6 p.m. to share the intimate poems from her new volume of verse, The Human Half. Threaded with echoes of familial trauma – a sister’s battle with cancer, a brother’s struggles with depression – the lyric poems in The Human Half reveal an open-hearted speaker who finds solace in the beauties of celestial navigation, the flowers along the railroad tracks, and the brushwork...
Entertainment
April 22 Crag Fahey at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Mariacha Divas (online) via the Capitol Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. April 23 Mariacha Divas (online) via the Capitol Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Queen City Improv at the Hatbox Theatre at 7:30 p.m. BYOB Masceo Williams at Penuche’s Ale House at 8 p.m. Reverend Mike and Crazy Steve at Area 23 at 7:20 p.m. April 24 Comedy Out of the Box at the Hatbox Theatre at 7:30 p.m....
Book of the Week: ‘Unto Us a Son is Given’
Donna Leon 2019, 259 pages Mystery Detective Guido Brunetti is asked by his father-in-law, Count Falier, to look into something for him. One of the Count’s oldest friends, Gonzalo, a wealthy man, wants to adopt a good-looking and much younger man as his son. If he is adopted, this man would inherit Gonzalo’s entire fortune, which greatly concerns his friends. Count Falier is very concerned about this and hopes that Guido can help him....
Bulletin board: Community programs and events
Middle reader author talk Author Dayna Lorentz visits Gibson’s Bookstore virtually April 22 at 7 p.m. to present “Of a Feather!” In the vein of Barbara O’Connor’s “Wish,” a moving, poignant story told in alternating perspectives about a down-on-her-luck girl who rescues a baby owl, and how the two set each other free. Dayna is joined in conversation by her friend and fellow author Alex London (“Black Wings Beating”). Great horned owl...
This Week in Concord History
May 14, 1726: Having made camp near the Merrimack River the night before, a surveying party of 34 men from Haverhill, Mass., fans out in the fields and woods of what will one day be Concord. May 14, 1846: The New Hampshire Patriot advises Concord that the United States has declared war on Mexico. New Hampshire will enlist a battalion of 389 men, including Concord’s Fire Engine Co. No. 2 and three Patriot printers. May 14, 1977: Two...
Looking back: School constructed on historic lot
In the year 1910 the Walker School building that we all know from our childhoods was constructed. The deep history of this location dates back many years before the construction of this beautiful building, the Old North Church and meeting house graced the lot as our ancestors arrived and many decisions were concluded here. Religious services attended, political agendas addressed and a fine institute of learning established. In the...
Come along on the ‘Insider’ Field Trip to Tilton and Northfield
If you’re not from Tilton, what are some of things that come to mind when you think of that town? The Tanger Outlets? The slew of fast-food joints? The car dealerships? The big fireworks store?Nobody would blame you for associating these things with Tilton. After all, Exit 20 off Interstate 93 dumps you right into the heart of all that commercial stuff that makes up a good chunk of Tilton. But if you drive around a little more, you’ll...
City newsletter: Lifeguards sought for city pools
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: Face covering ordinance Though Governor Sununu announced that New Hampshire’s mask mandate ends on April 16, the City of Concord face coverings ordinance will remain in effect through June 1 (vote by City Council at their January 2021...
Take a drive to Lochmere Country Club in Tilton and take in the beauty of the course
Among the many ways Tilton is similar to Concord is the presence of a golf course. Sure, Concord has two courses, but one is a members-only country club. In Tilton (technically the village of Lochmere, within Tilton), all they have is the Lochmere Golf and Country Club, and this club is open to the public. Lochmere is certainly a picturesque course, with all kinds of changes in elevation providing a variety of pleasant views from many...
Book: Inspector of the Dead
Inspector of the Dead By David Morrell (342, historical fiction/thriller, 2015) I’ve been on a Victorian murder-mystery kick lately, and this book was a great selection to continue fulfilling those literary cravings. Inspector of the Dead is the second installment in David Morrell’s Thomas De Quincey Mystery series, but I found it to be a perfectly suitable stand-alone read, even without having read Book 1, Murder as a...
Kettlehead Brewing Co. is a must-stop destination for any trip to Tilton
There are plenty of places to grab a beer and a bite to eat in Tilton. If you’re after Bud Light and Michelob Ultra, you can probably find endless supplies of those fine libations at the 99, Uno’s, Applebee’s and Chili’s, just to name a few. Those establishments also no doubt offer staple menu items like burgers, mac and cheese, salads and pasta.But if you’re in the mood for something a little more adventurous, something a little less...
Poetry: Feelings
We no longer shake hands, we don’t embrace, people have become anonymous, behind that mask on their face. We no longer see a smile, or hear a whisper behind the mask, feelings are not expressed, because expressions are now a task. In our most secret state, we still have feelings to share, it is only human nature, even in darkness we still care. People will once again feel love, the days in the shadows will end, the old days will be...
We tried a tuna burger and a Great North Tie Dyed at Onions Pub in Tilton
Over the course of our field trip, we had some hot wings at Kettlehead and some pulled pork potato skins at Tilt’n Diner, both of which were excellent. While they were good, neither dish was meant to be a full meal, so we knew we had to find a place to have an honest, sit-down lunch experience. We ended up in the quaint downtown center, where we found Onions Pub and Restaurant, which occupies the lower level of the Tilton Inn. The...
Book: Indo-European Cognate Dictionary
Indo-European Cognate Dictionary By Fiona McPherson (539 pages, nonfiction, 2018) Forget harrowing tales of sold-out yeast and sourdough starter gone awry—give your Quarantine Skill staying power for the (eventual) party small-talk: read (or just flip through) this cognate dictionary. It is brimming with fun facts ready for you to whip out and amaze party goers. What do you call a male sibling, in English? “Brother.” And in German?...
Tilt’n Diner has some tasty pulled pork potato skins
If there’s one truth in life, it’s that the skin is often the best part. Whether we’re talking turkey, fried chicken, grilled trout or anything else that has skin, there’s something about a thin, crispy outer layer that just hits the spot.This is rarely more true than with potatoes. While potatoes are pretty great in virtually any style of preparation, it’s hard to do better than loading up some skins with cheese, meat and whatever...
This week in Concord history
April 22, 1943: Denis Parker is born in Manchester. He will be named director of the State Employees Association, the union representing New Hampshire’s 10,000 state workers, in 1972. April 22, 1965: State Senator Bill Johnson of Hanover testifies in favor of a bill making jury duty a service for women as well as men. Before the bill, the law allowed women to serve on juries if they wanted to, but it wasn’t required. ...
We had fun in Tilton and Northfield, but there were some things we missed
It was a whirlwind trip trough Tilton and Northfield, and what a trip it was. For as much fun as we had, there were a few things we didn’t have enough time to get around to. For instance, we wanted to check out Smoke N Barley, a country store that stocks all kinds of exotic craft beer, beer-brewing supplies and a wide range of tobacco products. We weren’t able to get in touch with an owner to show us around. We also had high hopes of...
Bulletin board: Virtual performances
Online performances The Capitol Center for the Arts and Bank of N.H. Stage both remain closed but continue to offer virtual programming. Upcoming shows and concerts, which can be found at ccanh.com, include: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice: Multiple dates, times. This enchanting new British musical explores the extraordinary world of a sorcerer and his rebellious daughter, as she discovers the explosive possibilities of her newfound magical...
Bulletin Board: Comedy club, Instant Pot demo and more
Comedy Club for Mother’s Day With Mother’s Day fast approaching on Sunday, May 12, why not treat her to a night of fun and surprises? Laughta in New Hampsha presents “Bring a Mom for a Night of Laughter” on Thursday, May 9, at the new and popular Comedy Club at Tandy’s Pub, 1 Eagle Square. Hosted by David Afflick, the club features the comedy of popular Boston comic Ralphie Joyal as headliner and guest comedians Stephen Sudia, Dennis...
Poem: Moments
Perhaps we were brought here, this special time and place my friend, to look back at the moments, enjoy this day until the end. Life has been amazing, each day another chapter in my book, It has lasted for many years, enjoying every day that it took. Years do pass slowly, each day passes too fast, look back over the years, from the first ones to the last. Love is not complicated, moments together we did spend, we walked the earth in...
Entertainment: Daniel Tiger comes to Concord, plus tons of live music this week
Music Tuesday Paul Bourgelais at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Dan Walker at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Brooklyn Rider at the Capitol Center for the Arts at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free (limited to four per person) at ccanh.com. Klezperanto at Concord City Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Thursday Richard Gardzina at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. NEEDTOBREATHE at the Capitol Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $54.50 to $69.50 plus...
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: Everett Arena The Douglas N. Everett Arena has ended its ice season and has returned to concrete flooring for upcoming spring and summer events. Some shows are lined up to take place at the arena over the next few months and roller...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Special election notice, farmers market returns and more
On Friday, Stefanie Breton, the city’s public information officer, sent out the weekly City Manager’s Newsletter. Here are some of the highlights: Library to host Holocaust program Concord Public Library will host a program about the Holocaust on Tuesday, May 7, called “The Holocaust: Our Duty to Remember – But What?” This presentation, to be held at 6 p.m. by Mick Grzonka, will provide historical context of the event in Nazi Germany,...
Looking back: Concord Dairy Company
This photograph portrays the original Concord Dairy Company that became a co-op in 1921. The first Concord Dairy was located at 84 Washington Street in Concord, near the present-day University of New Hampshire Law School. Concord Dairy was located on the site of the current UNH Law School parking lot where the building pictured was located. The Concord Dairy purchased the 84 Washington Street property, then known as the...
Instagram: A long-exposure shot of Turee Pond in Bow at sunset
We’re pretty big fans of landscape/nature shots, and Instagram is loaded with all kinds of them. This shot here, by user @sheldonmckinley_, really grabbed our attention last week. The photographer, Sheldon McKinley, used a full 2-minute long exposure to capture the sunset over Turee Pond behind Bow High School, and the results speak for themselves. If there is a heaven, it has to look like this. Nice shot, @sheldonmckinley_!Have you...
Blind Search
Blind Search By Paula Munier (340 pages, mystery, 2019) Mercy Carr was an MP in Afghanistan and her dog, Elvis, was also there, trained to search for guns and bombs. Now both have left the military and live in rural Vermont. Mercy has a cabin and they are trying to live a quiet life, enjoying the beauty of Vermont in October. But Mercy and Elvis find a lost nine-year-old boy named Henry in the woods. They also find a woman, shot...
Book of the Week: ‘Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet’
Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet Kelly Link and Gavin J. Grant, editors 1996-present Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction “How can you be glad about apple strudel when babies can’t even depend on gravity, and dogs grow out of people’s hair?” Julie Andrews fields this question through her mail slot in “The Problem with Strudel” by Seth Tourjee; you can read the full story in issue no. 25 of Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet (hereafter, LCRW or...
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies
The Secret Lives of Church Ladies By Deesha Philyaw (179 pages, fiction, 2020) This book is spectacular; I devoured it in one sitting and was immediately hungry for more. It consists of several short stories, each featuring a Black girl or woman grappling with something of an existential crisis. As the characters struggle with finding a sense of self, they also must navigate their relationships with others. These relationships may be...
This Week in Concord History
May 7, 1861: The First New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry Regiment, gathered in Concord, completes its organization under Col. Mason Tappan of Bradford. Company I is the Concord company, with 34 members from the capital, including its three officers, Capt. Edward E. Sturtevant, 1st Lt. Henry W. Fuller and 2nd Lt. Enoch W. Goss. May 7, 2000: The temperature in Concord tops out at 94 degrees, breaking by one degree a record that had stood...
This week in Concord History
April 15, 1861: Three days after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, the first call for troops reaches Concord by telegraph from Washington, D.C., at 8 a.m. Friends rush across to the Phenix Hotel to awaken Edward E. Sturtevant, a popular police officer and former printer. Sturtevant rushes to the State House and, fulfilling his fondest wish, becomes New Hampshire’s first Civil War volunteer. April 15, 1928: Augusta...
