City newsletter: Tree collection, wreaths dispersed
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Wednesday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Tree collection Christmas tree collection starts on Monday, January 4 and will continue for two weeks in coordination with residential curbside trash and recycling collection. Residents can place Christmas trees curbside for disposal...
These three students from St. John Regional School have reached some impressive achievements
Three students from St. John Regional School have done some impressive things academcially on a state level recently.Nathan Steigmeyer finished first in the Geography Bee and was one of 100 students to qualify to go to the State Geography Bee in Keene next month.Michael Thresher placed first in the Spelling Bee and has competed on the state level. (He was not given information as to where he finsihed, but it was not in the top...
A look back at 2020
The year 2020 started much the same as the rest, but soon shifted in dramatic ways. The Black Ice Hockey was postponed, but then brought back. In February, we cast ballots in the primary. Executive orders limited Maple Month visitors to sugar shacks. Town meetings were changed or delayed by many. We stockpiled toilet paper. Our restaurants delivered. We sewed thousands of masks. And healthcare workers rose to the task. We rallied...
Book of the Week: ‘Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books’
Voracious: A Hungry Reader Cooks Her Way through Great Books Cara Nicoletti 2015, 283 pages Nonfiction Cara Nicoletti grew up in her family’s butcher shop and was surrounded by family cooking. That didn’t start her cooking, though. She writes, “But the truth is that I fell in love with cooking through reading, and I learned quickly that being in the kitchen offered me the kind of peace that settling in with a good book did.” As she...
Poem: The New Year
The new year does approach, as we cast the last aside, we seek the road to a better place, to simply feel better inside. It is not riches or fame, that we seek as time does proceed, but the peace and contentment, that all of us do need. There have been sad times, some good but only a few, optimism one year ago, forsaken but nobody knew. We look within during trying times, seeking better we try to find, for...
This Week in Concord History
March 12, 2000: Bishop Guertin defeats Concord, 3-2, in the Division I hockey championship game, ending the Crimson Tide’s run of four consecutive state titles. March 13, 1782: The Legislature meets in Concord for the first time. The site is “the Old North,” the First Congregational Church. The building will burn in 1870. It was on the site of the current Walker School. March 13, 1852: For the third time in three years, local voters...
Looking back: My grandfather’s final story
Life can be fleeting at times. When you have the time, the will is not always presented. When your moments are limited each and every story will flow like the most powerful river. Such was the case many years ago as my grandfather neared the end of his journey. He had the time, as well as the desire, to finish his story with class. His stories became very detailed as he articulated each and every event so vividly. When one is focused...
Pizza Slice Showdown: Who has the best slice game in Concord?
Welcome to the Pizza Issue, 2019 edition. If you’re a hardcore reader – which all of you surely are – you might remember that we put out a “For the Love of Pizza” issue on Jan. 30 of last year. In that issue, back when the Insider had a hearty two-man staff, my esteemed colleague and I hit the streets hard to learn as much about pizza as we possibly could.For this issue, working in the new reality of this being a one-man show, there...
Novel blends history and dark fantasy
The Witches of New York By Ami McKay (560 pages, historical fiction, 2017, available on Hoopla) Ami McKay’s The Witches of New York is the perfect antidote to dreary winter days and long, cold nights. Fans of the television series Penny Dreadful will relish this dark historical fantasy with feminist themes, set in Gilded-Age New York City. It’s a suspenseful gothic tale, best savored with a steaming mug of herbal tea and an...
Making Good Health Simple: Yoga: You already have everything you need to do it
“I’m not flexible.” “I am too old.” “I have a trick hip.” Just a few of the reasons people give for not practicing yoga. The truth is, you already possess all of the necessary equipment required to start practicing yoga – a body and the willingness to try. The term yoga itself means union. It is all about creating a connection between the brain, the body and the breath. One of the many great things about yoga is that there is a...
Book of the Week: Focus on happiness
The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier, and Fitter: One Month at a Time By Jennifer Ashton (275 pages, nonfiction, 2019) Are you happy? Want to get your life together? This quick read will get you started. Self-care tends to take a backseat these days. We just don’t have time for it. We’ll do it tomorrow. This book will help you kick your excuses to the curb. It details Ashton’s year of self-care...
CHS student blends high school, college, internship, industry job at CRTC+
Max Lambert is 18, he’s taking two Concord High School classes and five on-campus courses at Manchester Community College, he’s working an entry-level job at Grappone Auto Group and he spends part of his week interning with a master automotive technician at Grappone. In other words, he’s not your typical high school senior. Lambert is an automotive technology student at the Concord Regional Technical Center, a high school career and...
This week in Concord history
Dec. 31, 1999: Despite a bomb threat, First Night celebrations wrap up without incident. Enthusiasm, however, is hard to find. “It doesn’t feel like New Year’s Eve,” one would-be Concord reveler laments. “There’s not a lot going on,” another adds. “And with no snow, it’s even worse.” Dec. 31, 1866: Fire burns the roof and destroys machinery at the Penacook Mill. Though it is so cold that the firemen’s clothing freezes, a...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Tree removal, special election and more
Last Friday, the city’s public information officer, Stefanie Breton, sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter. The letter was too long to print in its entirety here, but you can access the full version at concordnh.gov by clicking the “Newsletter” button on the homepage. Special election is March 5 Residents will vote for one at-large city councilor position and one Ward 10 councilor position on Tuesday, March 5. Polls will be open from...
Poem: Covered Bridge
Just an old covered bridge, spanning the brook, surrounded by vibrant foliage, the same bridge our ancestors took. Nestled in the deep forest, on the road near a farm, the bridge that pays tribute, to the people that pass without harm. A refuge to man and his horse, for many years past and more, when history was respected, in New England days of lore. This covered bridge made by craftsmen, so many admirers still take a look, just an...
Entertainment: Symphony NH coming to town to perform some Mozart
We’ve got a pretty eventful week ahead of us on the entertainment front, as Symphony New Hampshire comes to the Audi to play some Mozart and, on the other end of the spectrum, Area 23 hosts what it calls “the worst karaoke experience you’ll ever love.”Enjoy!MusicTuesdayKrimson Krewe at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m.Catfish-Howl at Area 23 at 8 p.m.WednesdayPaul Donahue at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m.Storytellers, open mic at Area 23...
Book: Check out King biography
Haunted Heart: The Life and Times of Stephen King By Lisa Rogak (310 pages, nonfiction, 2008) Ever wanted to know the man behind the horror? How does he get his ideas? These stories may be realer than you think to the renowned author Stephen King. Yes, even The Shining. This book goes over the makings of a world-famous author. His origin story. How he struggled to get noticed as an author, despite submitting his work to...
Bulletin Board: Milestones, performances and other items
Local Baskit to celebrate birthday Local Baskit is celebrating its second anniversary with a open house event on Tuesday, March 5, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Stop in to this free event to learn more and toast to the anniversary. New Hampshire’s local take on the recipe kit concept is thriving and expanding as national meal kit brands report declining subscribers. “We have found a special niche of providing the convenient recipe kit...
Poem: The Mansion
The brick mansion, under the slate roof old, has sheltered many families, many Christmas stories told. New lives were started, where many lives did end, the brick house holds secrets well, just like a dear old friend. There were times of joy, but not always so, the old brick house on North Main, where so many young children did grow. Generations have passed, the memories this mansion does hold, the brick mansion, under the slate roof...
Blast From the Past: A gravestone at Blossom Hill tells a story of 11 forgotten men
As I walk the Blossom Hill Cemetery this brisk March day, I stop to reflect on those less fortunate. My thoughts are with those who have perished tragically in a time of war, just 11 young men, no different from our very own brothers, sons and fathers. Just 11 young men who enlisted with a passion to defend our country and speak for those less fortunate and oppressed. It is a very special monument where I somberly reflect today, for...
Book: ‘Harry Potter’ for adults
A Deadly Education By Naomi Novik (336, fiction, 2020) After the second time he saved my life, I decided that Orion Lake needed to die. He can keep his flashy heroics away from me; I don’t need help surviving the Scholomance like his fans do. Forget the monsters, cursed artifacts and the deadly peril in this boarding school; I’m probably the most dangerous thing here. Give me a chance and my spells can kill millions, even...
St. Paul’s School rectory chef to compete in NH Food Bank Steel Chef Challenge
St. Paul’s School Certified Executive Chef Bradley Labarre is one of four Granite State chefs who will compete in the New Hampshire Food Bank Steel Chef Challenge in Manchester on March 11. Labarre will join culinary talent from across the state in this celebrated cook-off for charity. A native of Manchester, Labarre began working in kitchens at the age of 13. While working on his childhood paper route, the aspiring gastronome talked...
Fun, festive activities for the whole family
Capitol Center adds more virtual shows On Friday, the Capitol Center for the Arts announced two more virtual shows to its partnership line-up. Celtic Thunder Christmas will air Thursday, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. With the holidays just around the corner, and everyone begins to work on their holiday shopping list, what better way to make your holiday list complete than to include Celtic Thunder a part of your holiday cheer? Get in the spirit...
On Display: N.H. Potter’s Guild’s ‘Once Upon the Earth’ exhibit at Kimball Jenkins
From March through April, Kimball Jenkins will be displaying the exhibit “Once Upon the Earth,” featuring works by the New Hampshire Potters Guild. The exhibit is on display in the mansion gallery, and an artists’ reception will be held Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. (snow date is Friday).
Book: Sidekick moves to big league
Hench By Natalie Zina Walschots (416 pages, fiction, 2020) Anna does boring things for terrible people because even supervillains need office help. As a data entry temp, she’s just a cog in the machine. But at her newest assignment, everything goes very wrong, and an encounter with the “ultimate superhero” leaves her badly injured. Compared to the other bodies strewn about, she’s the lucky one. So, of course, then she gets laid off....
On Display II: Paintings by Patty Fazio at the NHTI library for the month of March
The work of Patty Fazio is on display at the NHTI library throughout the month of March.Fazio is a life-long artist and an emerging painter, primarily working in oils. With a bold palette, she represents still life pieces and her subjects are often familiar or found objects with lively color or curious form. She is a life-long learner who has trained in art through coursework, workshops and self-study.Originally from the North Shore...
This week in Concord history
Dec. 24, 2000: Several former Union Leader correspondents announce they’re starting up a free weekly competitor. HippoPress Manchester, scheduled to hit the streets in the new year, will focus on younger readers with a mix of reporting on restaurants, night clubs and the arts. Dec. 24, 1999: Wolfeboro Falls Postmaster Laura Cronin reports that her annual work as Santa’s secretary is going well. The job entails showing the letters to...
Mary Allquist, Bow’s oldest resident, presented with Boston Post Cane
On Jan. 22, the Bow Board of Selectmen presented the Boston Post Cane to Mary (May) Allquist, the town of Bow’s oldest resident. Allquist recently celebrated her 97th birthday, and she has been a resident of Bow for 40 years.The town has presented the Boston Post Cane to the town’s most senior resident since 1909. At that time, the now-defunct Boston Post newspaper presented canes to communities in New Hampshire for this purpose. Bow...
Checklist: Simply having a wonderful Christmastime
For many people, this Christmas will be a smaller, quieter one than we’ve ever had before. While in-person visits with family are curtailed, there’s still plenty of ways to bring joy to the holiday and keep it going through the snowy season. If you’re feeling stuck, here are some ideas to get the season’s greetings going: Decorate a gingerbread house Read a story with your household, bonus if you can do it around a fireplace Cut paper...
Book of the Week: ‘A Dog’s Way Home’
A Dog’s Way HomeW. Bruce Cameron2018, 332 pagesFiction Lucas finds a puppy living with a mother cat and her kittens under an abandoned building. Lucas has been feeding the stray cats that are living there. It is love at first sight for both the puppy and Lucas. He names her Bella. Bella wants nothing more than to be with Lucas. Bella becomes part of the family, and helps calm Lucas’s mother, who has seizures. Lucas sneaks her into the...
