This week in Gibson’s virtual line-up
Virtual poetry gatheringThe Poetry Society of New Hampshire, in conjunction with Gibson’s Bookstore, on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. presents Hanif Abdurraqib, a poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio. He is the author of 2016 poetry collection The Crown Ain’t Worth Much (finalist for the Eric Hoffer Book Prize, nominated for the Hurston-Wright Legacy Award), the 2017 essay collection They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us (named...
Grappone Conference Center to host Rockin’ to Boston fundraiser for local Boston Marathon runners
The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s premier athletic events. Set in the heart of one of the nation’s most historic cities, the marathon routinely draws tens of thousands of elite runners from the world over every April to compete.While there are probably a couple dozen people who actually run the marathon to try to win prize money, the vast majority of participants have other, usually non-athletic reasons for running.Take Traci...
Book of the Week: Observations on womanhood
Life of the Party: PoemsBy Olivia Gatwood(153 pages, poetry, 2019)This collection of poems will make you want to step back every now and then to catch your breath. Gatwood’s impossible-to-ignore observations about women’s bodies – and men’s experiences of women’s bodies – are relayed in achingly unambiguous language. At times winsome, but often chilling, the poems in this collection get under your skin. The subject matter blends...
Entertainment: Lots of local bands playing at local hot spots this week
The first month of 2019 is officially in the books, and things are starting to get back to normal around here – meaning plenty of bar/restaurant shows as well as plays on local stages and some big-time movies on the screen at Red River. Here’s what’s up this week: Music Tuesday Michael Walsh at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Open mic at Area 23 at 7 p.m., sign-ups at 6. Joel Cage at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Alex...
City newsletter: Elections, leaves, Halloween and more
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: Election info The City Clerk’s Office wants residents to know that Oct. 21 was the last day residents may pre-register to vote prior to the State General Election to be held on Nov. 3, 2020. The City Clerk’s Office will be open until 6...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Upcoming events at library, sewer project and more
The city of Concord’s public information officer, Stefanie Breton, sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The newsletter contained too much information for us to fit into this spot, so we’re just printing some highlights here. For the full newsletter, go to concordnh.gov and click the “Newsletter” button on the home page. Concord Public Library events February is a short month, but there is a lot going on at Concord...
This week in Concord History
Oct. 22, 1987: After passing through a small crowd bearing signs reading “Run, Don, Run,” and “New Hampshire Needs Trump,” real estate magnate Donald Trump tells the Portsmouth Rotary: “This country is in trouble. It needs strength, competence and intelligence.” But he adds: “I am not a candidate for president.” Oct. 22, 1920: George W. Stivers and Marcus F. Bassett, dangerous escapees from Sing Sing Prison in New York, are...
Making Good Health Simple: Go into the grocery store with a plan, and execute it
Grocery shopping – one of the unavoidable errands of the week. Navigating the grocery store can be challenging, time consuming and often frustrating. There are so many options, which can make it seem overwhelming and confusing. I could sit and preach about reading every single label and inspecting each piece of fruit, but I recognize that may not be a reality. Here are some simple things you can do to help make this process less...
Flight, pint, growler or keg? These breweries have it
Back in 2018, the Insider took you on a tour of the regional brewpubs in the Greater Concord area. We’ve been sticking a bit closer to home these days, so we decided to take a trip down memory lane and give you some updates on those places. We had stopped into several breweries within about a half-hour of Concord back then and found that although a lot of stuff is similar, every brewer has his or her own identity, and it shows in the...
Blast From the Past: Fire at the Boston and Maine Railroad freight house in Concord
During the 1940s, there was a devastating fire in Concord at the Boston and Maine Railroad freight house. Those brave Concord Fire Department first responders arriving on the scene did not know the contents of the warehouse initially. It was not long before the firemen realized the severity of the fire was greatly heightened by what they discovered upon entering the blazing warehouse. The Boston and Maine Railroad freight house fire...
Book: How to Speak Brit
How to Speak Brit: The Quintessential Guide to the King’s English, Cockney Slang, and other Flummoxing British Phrases By C. J. Moore (119 pages, nonfiction, 2014) When I tell people I’m learning to speak British they laugh. It’s just English, they say. Balderdash! With respect, mate, this book shows they do have their own expressions that can have American speakers at sixes and sevens. If you want to go to Old Blighty or if...
Multiple chances to meet authors at Gibson’s Bookstore this week
Gibson’s Bookstore is offering two opportunities to meet with authors on back-to-back days this week, with Hendrick Smith visiting Concord on Thursday and Jennifer Skiff making an appearance Friday.On Thursday, pop in to meet Smith, Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and author. Stop in for a few questions and some conversation at the table, get your copy of Who Stole the American Dream signed and shake his hand. He’ll be at the signing...
Relative’s diagnosis leads to discovery
My name is Michelle Frost and I am a breast cancer Previvor. Previvor: A survivor of a predisposition (or increased risk) for a disease such as cancer. I found out a close relative had breast cancer in September 2019, and they were positive for the ATM breast cancer gene mutation. After hearing this news, I reached out to my primary care physician and was referred to the Breast Care Center in Concord for genetic testing with Dana...
General Services to hire new Flex Technician after successful first run
The city of Concord’s General Services Department launched a new full-time paid internship program this past summer that has now successfully achieved its goal to train and transition an intern into a permanent full-time position. Now, the search is on for a second intern.Conner Bailey was Concord General Services’ first Maintenance/Operations Flex Technician intern. He was hired in September and developed training across various...
Making Strides event at a glance
The 2020 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer event will take place on Friday, Oct. 16, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Fieldhouse Sports in Bow. Tickets are required to attend this event; register at makingstrides walk.org/concordnh. INFORMATION Arrival: Cars are asked to arrive between 6:30 to 7 p.m. Video ceremony begins approximately at 7:15 p.m. and will be transmitted to your car radio. Music: Following the ceremony, there will...
Bulletin Board: Comedy Club coming to Tandy’s on Valentine’s Day
Newly bereaved discussion group Concord Regional VNA is offering a Newly Bereaved Discussion Group on Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Concord Regional VNA Hospice House, 240 Pleasant St. Groups are held on the first Tuesday of each month at the same time. This session provides grief education and support for those who have experienced the recent loss of a loved one. Registration is not required. For more information, please...
Unique experience for a unique challenge
The American Cancer Society is excited to continue the 28-year tradition of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in a way that will keep all survivors, participants, sponsors, donors and volunteers safe and healthy. While the setting will be new, our collective spirit and passion for the mission of Making Strides continue. We will passionately raise funds for critical cancer research and patient services. We will compassionately...
Book of the Week: ‘Burning Ridge’
Burning Ridge Margaret Mizushima 2018, 280 pages Fiction/Mystery Officer Mattie Cobb and her black German Shepherd, Robo, are the K-9 team working for the police in Timber Creek, Colo. Not only are they partners, but they have a unique bond. They are called to join a team riding up into the back country to investigate some grisly remains. A body has been burned in a fire pit on a ridge. Then three more sunken places in the grass are...
Real Men Wear Pink program adds to effort
Prominent male community and business leaders from across New Hampshire have joined the American Cancer Society in the fight to end breast cancer through participation in the Real Men Wear Pink campaign. Real Men Wear Pink participants from across the state have committed to raising funds to support the mission of the American Cancer Society and wearing pink every day this October to increase breast cancer awareness. Funds raised by...
This Week in Concord History
Feb. 5, 1853: Thomas Francis Meagher, the famed Irish exile and itinerant lecturer for Irish independence, speaks at Concord’s Depot Hall. Among his listeners is president-elect Franklin Pierce. Feb. 5, 1942: Dudley Orr, the state tax commissioner, is pictured on the front page of the Monitor riding his bicycle to work. In a time of severe gas and tire rationing, he says, it is important for public officials to set a good example. He...
Cancer isn’t canceled
Laura Peterson and her father are no strangers to hearing the words “you have cancer,” but to hear them at the start of a pandemic was something entirely different. In January of 2019, Peterson’s father was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He underwent radiation treatment and experienced side effects. Over the next year, he would continue getting treatment, going to appointments, and receiving routine testing. Unfortunately, his cancer...
Looking to watch the Super Bowl somewhere fun? We found a few places for you to check out
In what has become an annual tradition around here, the Patriots are going back to the Super Bowl once again. If you haven’t been keeping track, this will be nine appearances in “The Big Game” for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the greatest American duo since Batman and Robin. It’s almost become old hat around here, though we don’t know anyone who’s sick of this just yet.With the Super Bowl comes Super Bowl house parties and Super Bowl...
City newsletter: Information on election, leaf pick-up
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: Election info Absentee ballots Absentee ballots for the Nov. 3 State General Election are available from the City’s Clerk’s Office. Residents who are unable to vote at the polls on Election Day may request an absentee ballot from the...
Staying in for the Super Bowl? Try these recipes, or call Constantly for some food
While it can be a lot of fun to go to a busy restaurant or bar to watch the game in a lively atmosphere, there’s nothing wrong with staying home, either. That said, this is the Super Bowl, so it deserves a little more pomp and circumstance than your typical run-of-the-mill Sunday evening. If there’s one thing any big game demands, it’s food. Specifically, we’re talking about game-day food, the kind of stuff your mom wouldn’t let you...
Book of the Week: Grand fantasy on Emerald Isle
An Irish Country Girl By Patrick Taylor (319 pages, fiction, 2010) Mrs. Maureen Kincaid (affectionately nicknamed “Kinky”) is a friendly and efficient housekeeper and cook for doctor Fingal Flahertie in the small town of Balleybucklebo in Ireland. She cooks wonderful meals and runs the doctor’s house with a sure hand and lots of common sense. But we don’t hear about her background much. This story is about Kinky when she was a...
Adventure Shopping: Super Bowl LIII edition
In what has become an annual tradition, the Patriots are off to the Super Bowl yet again. The nation’s most-watched TV program every year, the Super Bowl is always a big deal even to non-sports fans. Anyone who’s anyone will certainly have a party to host or attend, and that means you’ll need supplies.As usual, when thinking about supplies for any type of event, we hit up Ocen State Job Lot to see what kinds of odd, cool and cheap...
This week in Concord history
Oct. 15, 1851: Philip C. Hunt is caught in a belt and carried around the shafting of a Penacook mill, mangling one leg and one arm badly, from which he never fully recovers. He lives until 1858. Oct. 15, 1926: William Batchelder is born. Batchelder will serve on the state Supreme Court, then come out of retirement to help rule on the historic Claremont education lawsuit. Oct. 15, 1814: Daniel Webster returns to...
Scenes from the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship – after dark
White Park was abuzz with festive energy last Saturday night during the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship. After a weather scare delayed the start of the tournament, by Saturday everyone was living it up on the frozen pond. Here are some scenes we found Saturday night.
Write holiday card
The Holiday Cards 4 Our Military Challenge is up and running and ready for all that 2020 brings, even the complexities of COVID-19. Our troops will need our support and appreciation even more this year and each one of your Holiday Cards will bring joy and a taste of home. Last year, 175,000 cards were delivered to all five branches, all over the world. The card-signers were from over 45 States and Canada. While we are changing some of...
The results are in from NHTI’s Dancing With the Concord Stars
NHTI’s 9th annual Winter Fling was held on Saturday. The highlight of the night was the wildly popular Dancing With the Concord Stars event, which this year included Monitor ad respresentative Jeanne Lester as one of the contestants.Here are the results from the competition: Best Energy: Bryanna Marceau (Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce) and Lucas Meyer (Preti Strategies) with “I Want You Back,” Jitterbug.Most Theatrical: Tina...
