For young readers: Treasure Island
Treasure Island By Robert Louis Stevenson Illustrated by N.C. Wyeth (fiction, 273 pages, 1911) Young Jim Hawkins is helping his parents run the Admiral Benbow Inn in a coastal town in England in the mid 1700s. An “old sea dog” comes in to stay at the inn. He is a tall, strong man, tanned, with a sabre scar on his cheek. He is Captain Billy Bones. He sings an old sea-song, “Fifteen men on the dead man’s chest – Yo-ho-ho...
Strap on those stilettos, fellas, for the 5th annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
If you’re out in downtown Concord next Wednesday (Oct. 3), you might look around and think Halloween came early this year, as you’re likely to see hundreds of grown men strutting around in lavish high heels, many also donning skirts and dresses. It won’t be an early Halloween, and it won’t be a run-of-the-mill drag show, either. Instead, what you’ll be looking at is the 2018 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event. Back for a fifth year in...
Add edible flowers to your cooking
What is not only pretty in your flower gardens or containers but tasty as well? How about nasturtiums, pansies and daylilies for “starters”? Edible flowers have a long culinary history, having been used for centuries in countries all over the world to add color, aroma and flavor to food dishes. And many have health benefits as well. Flower cookery has been traced back to Roman times and to the Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indian...
Check out some fine craftsmanship at the Capital Arts Festival on South Main Street
The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen will “take it to the streets” with the Capital Arts Festival this Friday through Sunday. The weekend-long event will showcase dozens of artisans, musicians and food vendors in front of League headquarters and the Capitol Center for the Arts on South Main Street in Concord.Partnering with the City of Concord, the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s “Creative Concord Committee,” the Capitol Center...
City newsletter: Buildings reopen, pools to stay closed
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: Reopening of city buildings The City of Concord is taking a phased approach to reopen facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic with guidelines in place for the health and safety of staff and the public. As of Monday, June 8, several City...
Get a relaxing workout while sipping some suds at Blooming Tree Yoga’s beer yoga event
You know how the old saying goes: Beer and yoga – you can’t have one without the other.Okay, so maybe nobody has ever said that before, but they should, because what could possibly go wrong when combining physical fitness with alcohol consumption?You can find out the answer if you go to Blooming Tree Yoga’s beer yoga event Friday night. The event will be exactly what it sounds like – doing yoga while drinking a beer (or two).“I’ve...
This week in history
June 11, 1776: Dr. Josiah Bartlett and William Whipple, representing New Hampshire in the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, write to the colony’s president, Meshech Weare, that a committee has been appointed to draft a declaration of independence. “As this is a Subject of the greatest importance,” they write, “we beg we may be furnish’d with the Sentiments of our Constituents as we wish to Act agreeable to them let our own be what...
Entertainment: Lots of laughs on the agenda this week
After a couple of relatively light weeks on the entertainment front, everything is back in full swing this week. There are three separate comedy events on the agenda, plus the usual plethora of live music, so it should be a pretty good one. Check it out: Music Tuesday Mike Walsh at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Comedy at Area 23 at 9 p.m. Sign-ups start at 8:30. Wednesday Andrew Merzi at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m....
Kindness Challenge: Make someone happy today
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late” Ralph Waldo Emerson Everyone can agree that there are many things that have been really awful about quarantine. Among the positives has been the extra time I have had to spend with my sister. Usually we are both so busy that we don’t always have the time to appreciate each other or even realize how much fun it is to be together. All the extra...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Road paving updates, renovated pro shop at Everett Arena 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. Fall drop-ins at City Wide Community Center Looking to get in some fall sports or some exercise? Drop...
Book of the Week: Cold Hard Truth: On Men, Women, and Money
Cold Hard Truth: On Men, Women, and Money By Kevin O’Leary (Nonfiction, 272 pages, 2013) You know him as Mr. Wonderful on ABC’s Shark Tank. Now hear what his thoughts really are on his one true love, money. How does one of the well-known millionaires actually live and spend his beloved dollars? This book has reader participation. Mr. Wonderful himself has you fill out an income and expenses list to get your true financial...
Five ConcordTV videos to be awarded at upcoming ACM-NE Video Festival
Last week was a big week for ConcordTV – it was announced that five ConcordTV videos won first or second place in the upcoming ACM-NE (Alliance for Community Media – Northeast Region) Video Festival, to be held in October in New York.“This is a really big deal for our staff,” said Doris Ballard, executive director of ConcordTV. “Thanks to their hard work in 2017, their outstanding videos are getting the recognition they deserve. That...
Making good health simple: Perfect your push ups
With gyms recently opened and at least some social distancing precautions expected to continue through the summer, it might be hard to keep up the routines you are used to doing. However, it is still important to stay active for a healthy body and mind. Instructors from 43 Degrees North will be sharing quick exercises with the Insider that you can do at home. Looking for a quick, get it done efficient whole body exercise that will...
Bulletin Board: Online career expo, Audubon concert ahead
VNA offers Walk-In Wednesday Concord Regional VNA will offer Walk-In Wednesday this Wednesday from 10 a.m. to noon at Horseshoe Pond Place Senior Resource Center, 26 Commercial St. Walk-In Wednesday is held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at the same time. Walk-In Wednesday is an opportunity to get your questions answered. A Concord Regional VNA team member is available to meet with people individually regarding their specific...
Poem: Old North Cemetery
There is a place I go, quiet, sacred and full of lore, to spend time with history, men and women that made it more. Nature surrounding, I walked this dew-covered morn, with a coachmaker, a slave, two governors and a president torn. People that once walked our town, now entombed and heaven sent, lives lived so differently, though equal in the present. Each story now suppressed, their words remain to this day, for each life lived, had...
Book of the Week: ‘Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them’
Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them Jennifer Wright 2017, 310 pages Nonfiction Get Well Soon: History’s Worst Plagues and the Heroes Who Fought Them, is a surprisingly funny book, despite its grim subject matter. Structured in chronological order, the book covers some of the most dreaded epidemics endured by mankind, from the Antonine Plague, which crippled the Roman Empire, to the HIV/AIDS epidemic...
Two-time survivor benefited from center
Cancer treatment left Sara Johnson with the inability to taste or swallow. She met with Payson Center Oncology Dietician Megan Ryder, who suggested healthy alternatives for food or drinks that would work before, after and during cancer treatment. Megan worked with Sara’s insurance company and the nutrition company for food deliveries that helped keep her body strong while she was using a feeding tube.Sara also utilized HOPE Resource...
This Week in Concord History
Sept. 25, 2003: In Concord, Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announces that New Hampshire will build a new emergency management center, thanks to a $9.1 million grant. Sept. 26, 1845: The New Hampshire Courier of Concord tells readers it’s willing to take payment in forms other than cash: “Those of our subscribers who are in arrears to us for the Courier and wish to pay in wood are reminded that cold weather is at hand and...
Skatepark, courts open to small groups
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:CPL ZineThe staff at Concord Public Library are thinking of you. We made this zine to reflect the strength of our community in challenging times. You can view it here: http://www.flipsnack.com/CPLNH/cpl-quarantine-zine-final.html. It...
Fall Guide 2018: Previewing every fallish thing in New Hampshire
Sept. 20 Tito’s, Tacos N’ Tails Spreading good juju for the biggest rescue dog fundraiser throughout all of New England! Check out Tito’s, Tacos N’ Tails Event on Facebook for times and locations. Twenty-three Margaritas Mexican Restaurants in New Hampshire, Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Jersey, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and Walkin’ Pets by HandicappedPets corporate offices have partnered to make change for the rescue dogs in...
Master of mystery
How the Light Gets InBy Louise Penny(Mystery, 404 pages, 2013)When Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is summoned to the tiny village of Three Pines, he has no idea of the magnitude of the events that are about to unfold. With his homicide department in the Surete of Quebec falling apart, he looks forward to some time away in this idyllic setting. But before long, he starts to realize that a missing person in Three Pines, a woman who...
All kinds of family fun to be had in Concord this fall
Sept. 28 Capital Arts Fest The League of N.H. Craftsmen presents the Capital Arts Fest, a weekend-long festival featuring the art and fine craft work of League members, select invited artists and specialty vendors. Shop one-of-a-kind fine craft, see fascinating demonstrations and performances, and indulge in delicious food and N.H. craft beer. Through Sept. 30. From 5 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 and 10 a.m. to 4...
Go the (social) distance
COVID-19 put a stop to Rock ‘N Race in its usual format, but it didn’t stop or slow down the need for cancer services. Throughout March and April, Payson Center saw between 40 and 60 patients each day for treatment and care.Rock ‘N Race provides 50% of annual funding for programs and services of the Concord Hospital’s Payson Center for Cancer Care HOPE Resource Center. That’s cancer-fighting support for more than 1,000 people a...
Celebrate diversity at the 12th annual Concord Multicultural Festival
The 12th annual Concord Multicultural Festival, presented by The Duprey Companies, will take place on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State House. The festival takes place on the final day of National Welcoming Week 2018, an annual series of events across the nation that bring together immigrants, refugees and native-born residents to raise awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. The 2018 Concord Multicultural Festival...
Spinal stretches
For the Insider With gyms closed and at least some social distancing precautions expected to continue through the summer, it might be hard to keep up the routines you are used to doing. However, it is still important to stay active for a healthy body and mind. Instructors from 43 Degrees North will be sharing quick exercises with the Insider that you can do at home. Cat/Cow Spinal flexion and extension How: Start with a deep...
Have a taste of Cocktails for a Cause to benefit Walk a Mile
If you didn’t already know, October is domestic violence awareness month. It’s also the month in which the Crisis Center of Central New Hampshire puts on the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in downtown Concord, where men don high heels and strut their stuff down Main Street for a mile, with the point being to demonstrate in a fun way literally what it’s like to walk a mile in a woman’s shoes. The event is aimed at promoting awareness...
Catching turtles from the pond
For the InsiderWhen I was a young child growing up in Concord during the early 1960s life was simple and the people kind. There was compassion and understanding and the complexities of adulthood still allowed adults to speak to their children. Conversations were good, stories were told and life was enjoyed by both the young and old.At the age of seven I became friends with my next-door neighbor. His name was Donald and we seemed to...
Bulletin Board: A free concert, plus the return of ice skating at Everett Arena
Penacook Village Association meeting The next Penacook Village Association meeting will be on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Penacook Elementary School cafeteria, 60 Village St. Meeting goals are to work on finalizing the PVA vision statement and start an action plan and calendar for projects folks want to work on. Your help and ideas are needed! For more information, please visit penacook.org. Christine Miller Free concert at United...
Book of the Week: Vivid depictions of subterranean
Underland By Robert Macfarlane (Non-fiction, 496 pages, 2019) There are few fears as universal as darkness and claustrophobia. Few concepts as alien as the geological timescale of the Earth. Few experiences as life changing as placing your palm against a hand-print older than your language. Robert Macfarlane, a renowned naturalist, explorer, and author, wrote Underland as a bridge between our shared myths of the...
Entertainment: Lots of good music to be heard out there this week
While the music schedule in Concord is a little light early in the week, it really picks up toward the weekend. Make sure you check out the Bluegrass Tribute show at NEC Concord on Saturday, featuring five local musicians performing some classics. Music Tuesday Craig Fahey at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Dave Gerard at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Mike Morris at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Andy & Matt at Penuche’s...
