It’s that time: Go out and pick your own blueberries around Concord
We’re starting to hit the sweet spot of summer – literally. While strawberry-picking season wrapped up a few weeks ago and apples won’t be ready till Labor Day, blueberries are ripe for the pickin’ right now at farms across Concord. Not every berry on every branch is dark blue and ready for eating yet, but it’s pretty close, and it’s certainly late enough to get out there and start amassing a stockpile.Rossview Farm, Carter Hill...
The Yogi: Practice finding the good in each day
“What’s good about today?” My question was met with an icy stare. Her eyes were dark, wide open and looking straight into me. “I don’t know,” she said. “Give it a try,” I urged. “What’s good about today?” She looked away, and then at the floor. I persisted, hoping to break on through to the other side. My persistence only resulted in more resistance. The game turned into a stalemate, left to be played another day. My daughter...
Concord author tells story of Nazi Germany
There are times that Ellen Oppenheimer feels really lucky to be here.It’s not because of her age – which is a spry 88 years young – but more because of what could have happened when she was just a toddler.You see, Oppenheimer (whose maiden name is Simon) is Jewish and was born in Germany. When the Nazi Party rose to power in 1933 and began to round up Jews in the streets, Oppenheimer’s father was one of them.“My parents had heard...
This week in Concord history
March 11, 2003: Town meeting season swings into high gear as voters in towns across New Hampshire go to the polls to elect selectmen and school board members. Voters in Pembroke, Hopkinton and Barnstead vote to expand their boards of selectmen from three to five members. And voters in Barnstead, Pittsfield, Northfield, Epsom, Bow and Loudon endorse measures to slow the growth of housing development. March 11, 2000: After 15 months of...
Bulletin Board: Concert, yard sale and planning for retirement
Yard and bake sale at East Church An indoor/outdoor yard and bake sale will be held at East Congregational Church, 51 Mountain Road, on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Clothing, books, holiday decor, kitchenware, glassware, decorative items, toys, games, puzzles, and much more will be available. The $3 bag sale starts at 11 a.m. Sale will be held rain or shine. For more info and directions, call 224-9242 or visit eastchurchucc.org. Kay...
CYPN: Meet veterans volunteer Christina Baker
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Christina Baker. Each month the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks readers would enjoy getting to know better. How old are you? 38 Where do you live? Deerfield Where do you currently work? Elysian Technology Where did you go to school? Southern New...
On Stage: RB Productions to perform ‘Mary Poppins’
“Winds from the east, mist coming in, like something’s a brewin’, about to begin.” And for weeks, something has been brewin’ at the Capitol Center for the Arts. RB Productions will be presenting a mainstage production of Mary Poppins this week. Amid the rain and mist of last week, two of the leads discussed the musical and the work behind it. Candace Gatzoulis of Manchester will play the title role of Mary. Andrew Gibson of Manchester...
Poetry: A Life Past
I once knew an old man, with a life past, his history with dark shadows, some memories not to last. He spoke of adventures, of the roads he did travel, places he visited, my younger version did marvel. His life a canvas, colored so beautiful and bright, he told me the stories, from morning until night. Spoke of the old days, when life was still good, people were friendly, in his old childhood. The old man...
Entertainment: Slim schedule as the calendar flips to August
When you get to the end of the month, it’s often difficult to find lots of live entertainment listings, as many venues have minor details to be worked out before setting their schedules for the month. Nonetheless, there’s still plenty going on this week, including three different theater performances. Enjoy! Music Tuesday Kid Pinky at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. The Nevers’ Second Regiment Band at the State House at 7...
Book of the Week: Shady business
A Dream of Death: A Kate Hamilton Mystery By Connie Berry (311 pages, 2019, mystery) Kate Hamilton returns to the Isle of Glenroth, the island in Scotland where she met her late husband, Bill. She is reluctant to return and revisit scenes from her past. But her volatile sister-in-law, Elenor, has asked her to come and help her. Elenor, who has never liked Kate, is in trouble and has no one else to turn to. Elenor runs the Glenroth...
On Display: New England seascapes are an inspiration
Susan Clement is drawn to the picturesque seascapes along the New England coastlines. And let’s be honest here, who isn’t?She enjoys capturing the vibrant colors of the sunrises and sunsets in her paintings, and it’s all on display at the 2 Pillsbury St. gallery space through Sept. 28. Using oils, acrylics and watercolors, Clement’s style is mostly impressionistic – with a hint of realism – and at times venturing into the world of...
Bulletin Board: Special guest at jazz sanctuary
Make new friends The Friends Youth Mentor Program is asking you to be someone who matters to someone who matters. Do you have the passion for making a difference in someone’s life? Do you have three hours a week to give to a child at risk in your community? The Friends Program is looking for volunteer mentors who can serve as a positive role model for a child, ages 6 to 17. Adults of all ages are welcome to volunteer. If you are...
Bow Garden Club putting on Books in Bloom
In previous Insiders, you’ve seen the pairing of the art and floral worlds come together for one magical exhibit.Now it’s time to spread our wings and tell you about another unique pairing when it comes to wonderfully fragrant flowers – and this time with books. The Bow Garden Club and the Baker Free Library (also in Bow) have collaborated on a two-day only event called Books In Bloom.Members of the club are putting together...
Walker series starts 2020 season
For more than 100 years, Concord residents have been gifted free musical and cultural performances through the Timothy and Abigail B. Walker Fund. “It was so the public could become more aware of what was out in the world and beyond just Concord,” Allwynne Fine, one of the series’s trustees, told the Monitor last year. The 2020 season opens today, March 11, at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by the Freese Brothers Big Band. Freese...
On Stage: ‘The Wedding Singer’ to take over Bow stage
If you’re at all familiar with the work of New Hampshire-born actor Adam Sandler, then you’ve likely seen The Wedding Singer – or at the very least, heard of it.Well, did you know that in addition to being a box office hit, it was then turned into a stage musical? Yep, it even had quite the run on Broadway. And while Bow High School isn’t exactly midtown Manhattan, the production put on by Bow Performing Arts this weekend will no...
Wheeling it to the net
This weekend, more than 200 community members and business leaders will gather on the courts for Granite State Independent Living’s 9th annual wheelchair basketball tournament, Hoops on Wheels 2020. At this event, people with and people without disabilities compete in wheelchairs for the championship title. As players maneuver around the court, they get a small taste of what it’s like to use a wheelchair and the importance of...
Book of the Week: ‘The Orkney Scroll’
The Orkney Scroll: An Archaeological MysteryLyn Hamilton2006, 261 pagesFiction/Mystery Toronto antiques dealer Lara McClintock is asked by a wealthy client to authenticate a rare Mackintosh writing cabinet (as in Glasgow’s famous architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh). Lara thinks it is genuine, but wants to do some research to make sure. But before she can do so, the client buys the piece. When later it appears to be a...
Parks and Rec posts schedule for open gym
Concord Parks and Rec has planned out another season of activities and has recently release their spring program guide and March drop-in gym schedule. Concord Parks & Rec’s Spring Brochure is available at esuite.concordnh. gov/recreation/flipbook/index.html. Some programs have already started, so sign up soon if you wish to participate. On the gym schedule, pickleball is held at the City-wide Community Center, 14 Canterbury...
This Week in Concord History
July 31, 1860: Sen. Stephen A. Douglas, the Democratic nominee for president, comes to Concord. The crowd at the railroad station is “dense and ungovernable,” and 5,000 people jam onto the State House yard to see the most famous politician of his day. Douglas denounces his fellow Democrat, President James Buchanan, for placating the South. July 31, 1947: The Monitor is inundated with letters to the editor urging the city to build a...
Sounds of the season
While there’s no bad time to listen to Celtic music, people’s interest seems to peak in March as St. Patrick’s Day approaches. Probably something to do with St. Patrick being the patron saint of Ireland or something. The Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio will be among those Celtic music groups getting into the action with a show at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on March 14 at 8 p.m. The group has been performing in the Concord area for...
We got the full New Hampshire Wild experience at Memorial Field
Summer.The word conjures up so many images and ideas – sun, beaches, pools, ice cream, fireworks, vacations, flip-flops, frozen margaritas and, of course, baseball.America’s original pastime may be just one sport (and for that matter, recreational activity in general) among so many to choose from these days, but there’s nothing that quite exemplifies an American summer like nine guys taking to the diamond in the middle of July.There’s...
Entertainment: Month starts strong with nightly shows
Live music Today Dave Gerard at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Irish Music After Work with David Levine, Roger Duhaime and friends at Area 23 at 5:32 p.m. Thursday Brian Booth at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Llava Llama with Sonny Jim Clifford at Penuche’s at 9 p.m. Friday Classic Invasion Band at Makris Lobster and Steak House at 7 p.m. RosesFromRuins & B. Snair at True Brew Barista and Cafe at 8 p.m. Rev. Todd Seely at Area 23 at 8:30 p.m....
Entertainment: Plenty of concerts and shows to keep you busy
Boy – the weather has really been pretty much perfect lately. We’ve had a bit of rain to refresh, and the oppressive heat seems to have simmered down to a comfortable level. Fittingly, the entertainment schedule is finding its sweet spot, too, with live music every day/ night, some theater productions and a slate of good movies at Red River Theatres. Here’s what’s up this week: Music Tuesday Paul Desmarais at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m....
Bach lectures head to New Orleans
Concord Community Music School faculty member and multi-instrumentalist Eric Klaxton will present the next Bach Lunch Lecture on an exploration of how three musical mavericks made a lasting impact on American culture, in “Pioneers of New Orleans Music: Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, and Fats Waller,” The sessions will be held Thursday, March 5, at 12:10 p.m. Trumpeter Louis Armstrong, a New Orleans native, championed New Orleans...
Intown Concord hosting art walk, photo hunt
Now that Market Days has come and gone, the folks at Intown Concord have a little more time to plan more downtown events. And next up on the list is an artisan walk or more formally known as “Discover Art” as part of their Discover Downtown series on Thursday. The walk is 5 to 9 p.m. and completely free for any and all to go to. There’s no sign-ups or meeting spots, just around 20 local merchants taking part. The whole point is to...
Children meet ‘The Violin Family’
On Feb. 29, cellist Melissa Perley and her husband, Paul, a luthier, visited Gibson’s Bookstore to share their new book, The Violin Family. They also brought instruments for young readers to examine. The picture book for children is an introduction to the family of stringed instruments with a delightful pairing of fact and fiction. With the instruments personified, readers learn the anatomy, as well as the personality, of each...
The Forest Society is having a photo contest
The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests (aka The Forest Society) is hosting a photo contest and they want you to be a part of it.So enter your favorite shots taken on a Forest Society reservation or on any property conserved through an easement with the Forest Society, by Aug. 15 for a chance to have your photo published in the autumn 2018 issue of Forest Notes, free passes to Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves or a...
Fiddle Ensemble dates this spring
Next month, the New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble will begin their tour performing for charitable causes, including several shows in the wider Concord area. The group is made up of musicians ranging in age from 5 to 95 playing a variety of stringed instruments, such as fiddle, guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, harp, cello and more. A 75-year old woman rips up a bluegrass fiddle solo and a 50-year old teetotaler belts out a great Irish...
Butterflies make pitstop at Joyce Kimball’s garden
Joyce Kimball knows her way around a garden – she is a longtime member of the Bow Garden Club after all – so when she saw some monarch butterflies visiting her purple coneflowers outside her home last week, she sprang into action. She grabbed a camera and documented the happenings for Insider readers to enjoy. Great shooting, Joyce!
‘Yellow Bird Sings’ author to visit
Jennifer Rosner will visit Gibson’s Bookstore on March 10 at 6 p.m. to present The Yellow Bird Sings. In Poland, as World War II rages, a mother hides with her young daughter, a musical prodigy whose slightest sound may cost them their lives. As Nazi soldiers round up the Jews in their town, Róza and her 5-year-old daughter, Shira, flee, seeking shelter in a neighbor’s barn. Hidden in the hayloft day and night, Shira struggles to stay...
