Celebrating 85 years of the League of N.H. Craftsmen in the most logical way
Nora and Norman Stevens have amassed quite the collection when it comes to creations from members of the League of N.H. Craftsmen. The pair began attending the League’s annual fair in the early 1970s, where they started acquiring works that has resulted in an impressive catalog of pieces – a lot of which has been donated to the League for its permanent collection. And if you want to see what kinds of items the Stevenses have procured...
Poem: The Same Roads
They traveled the same roads, and sidewalks too, passed the same buildings, with similar thoughts like you. Though the sun high above, shone on another time, when life was still simple, unlike yours or mine. There are times, you have to look back too, for life to move forward, learn from what people do. Always remember, from your past mistakes few, they traveled the same roads, and sidewalks too. James W....
Another stunning Instagram shot from @michaelpmurphy
We swear we don’t play favorites, but when we see a really great photo on Instagram, we run it. It just so happens that user @michaelpmurphy takes a lot of great shots around Concord, many of which have appeared in these pages over the years. Here’s another one, this one taken somewhere on the Winant-Swope connector trail. The tall grass, the bright sun, the solar flare, the potential UFO near the top – it all works here, and it works...
This week in history
Feb. 26, 2000: Donna Sytek, the first female speaker of the New Hampshire House, informs her colleagues by letter that she will not run for a third term as speaker this fall. She cites her belief in voluntary term limits for legislators and her own health troubles as reasons for stepping down. Feb. 26, 1942: The H.J. Heinz Co. runs a large ad in the Monitor telling readers: “Blame Hitler, Hirohito, and Benito! … Don’t...
Jon’s daughter helped him change a flat tire last week
It’s everyone’s worst nightmare: You finally make it to the office for what’s going to be another long day on the job and your left rear tire is losing air – and quickly. A small piece of sharp metal had made a nice gash in Jon’s tire last week, so he did what anyone else would do — he called in his 3-year-old daughter, Julia, to help put the spare on. Good thing she was free.
Bulletin Board: Caregiver care programs and more
CRVNA clinic, support group and other programs Concord Regional Visiting Nurse Association offers a monthly Walk-In Immunization Clinic for children and adults who are uninsured, underserved, and who have no access to these needed services in order to lead a healthy lifestyle. The next will be Monday, March 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Outreach Center, 21 Centre St. in Concord. A fee of $10 is requested per...
Book of the Week: ‘If We Were Villains’
If We Were Villains M.L. Rio 2017, 355 pages Mystery Fiction Oliver Marks was a drama student before going to jail. Now that his parole has been approved, he is the only person who can finally ease the misgivings of the policeman who put him there. Oliver agrees, at last, to tell him the truth. Oliver’s story begins at a small, private conservatory of the arts, where his class of seven drama students have been eating, sleeping and...
Entertainment: Leap Day packed with music, shows
Live music Today Mikey G at Concord Craft Brewing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tim Wildman at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Irish Music with David Levine and Roger Duhaime at Area 23 at 5:30 p.m. Thursday April Cushman at Cheers from 5 to 8 p.m. Richard Gardzina at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Blue Light Rain at Penuche’s Ale House at 9 p.m. Friday Nicole Knox Murphy at Makris Lobster and Steak House at 6 p.m. The Rhythm Upstairs and Scott Solsky at True...
Bulletin Board: Swim lessons, car buying and author events
Last swim lessons begin July 30 The last session of swim lessons with Concord Parks and Rec is July 30 to Aug. 9. Thanks to Concord Housing + Redevelopment for its sponsorship, all youth in Concord/Penacook are able to take a free session of swim lessons. The registration deadline is July 25. Register in person at the Concord Parks and Rec office (14 Canterbury Road). City memo CPR and First Aid classes offered Concord Hospital...
City Newsletter: Improvements and updates
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: Concord NEXT zoning update public meetings The Phase 1 Draft of the new Zoning Code was presented in part yesterday and more today in a series of public presentations and stakeholder meetings. Come to a small group stakeholder session to...
This Week in Concord History
July 17, 1941: Playing at Cleveland, Yankee third baseman Red Rolfe of Penacook doubles and singles to help the Yanks beat the Indians 4-3. But the big news is that Cleveland and its good-fielding third baseman, Ken Keltner, stop Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak at 56 games. During the streak, Rolfe, hitting second in the Yankee lineup, batted .306 and scored 49 runs. July 17, 1967: A four-member investigating committee of Concord’s...
Son’s resilience inspires art
Photographer Mark Bolton’s work is currently on display at the NHTI library gallery through March 6 in an exhibit called “A Son’s Gift.” The pictures chronicle the life of Mark’s young son, Max, who was born with a heart defect but is now thriving. Max, now 11, had two open-heart surgeries at Boston Children’s Hospital. He currently leads an active life that includes Tae Kwon Do, swimmings, biking and playing with friends. Bolton is a...
It’s the middle of summer – and we like beer
Summer is a great time to sit down and enjoy a cold beverage – especially of the adult variety. So we found some great tastings, a pairing event (in September) and new beers for you to try. And make sure you have some for us. Concord Craft Brewing Co. The downtown brewery is hosting a “Find Your SAFE SPACE” summer contest. All you have to do is bring your Safe Space (that’s one of their newest beers in the vibrant cans) with you this...
Discovery Center aims to inspire
There’s a whooshing sensation to entering the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center – the darkened entranceway, the solemn, close-quarter hallway, and then, all at once, the massive bright atrium with aircraft and space artifacts aplenty. The effect is not unlike taking flight itself. And it’s by design, says Jeanne Gerulskis, the executive director of the Concord center. But it wasn’t always like that. Twenty-one years ago when...
New Hampshire Brewers Festival is Saturday at Riverfront Park
Now if we told you of an event that’s this Saturday – in Concord – and features more than 40 New Hampshire beer makers with a total number of beers at the event north of 120, is that something you might be interested in attending? We thought so. Well, the N.H. Brewers Association just so happens to be taking over Kiwanis Waterfront Park (the one behind Everett Arena) for its 5th annual N.H. Brewers Festival – which apparently just so...
Granite State treasure trove
The New Hampshire Historical Society, a private nonprofit – not a governmental agency – was founded in 1823. It is home to artifacts such as the first eagle to top the State House, an Abenaki dugout canoe and an early Snowmobile. The society began to collect written materials immediately upon its founding, began to collect artifacts in 1825 and began to exhibit its artifact collections in 1831. It opened in its current location in...
Lithermans did another beer collaboration
It seems like the guys at Lithermans Limited are always coming out with a new beer. Which makes perfect sense considering they’ve got more than 125 on their created list since opening a little more than two years ago. But the next one to hit the draft lines is a little different than most – and we’re not just talking about the fact it’s a cream ale flavored with blood orange and lime. The End of the Blood-Lime (catchy right!) is a...
Step back in time at Shaker Village
Canterbury Shaker Village offers visitors a variety of entertaining, educational and engaging experiences in one of the most picturesque settings in northern New England. Guided and self-guided tours, accessible historic buildings, family activities, exhibits, educational programs, special events, unique shopping, the museum cafe and picturesque grounds offer you more than you can do in a day. Canterbury Shaker Village was established...
We tried stuff for kids, seniors and everyone in between at Concord’s new City Wide Community Center
There’s been a lot of excitement around Concord’s new City Wide Community Center, which just opened a few weeks ago on Canterbury Road at the site of the former Dame School. We went and checked the place out right before they opened to the public to see what everything looked like, but it wasn’t completely finished yet.Now that it is finished – and being used by the community, as it was intended – we decided it was time to go down...
Museums outside of Merrimack County
Culture, of course, is not confined to the capital region. Here are some other museums and history-geared spots that might be worth checking out, though by no means is it an exhaustive list. Currier Museum The Currier Museum of Art features European and American paintings, decorative arts, photographs and sculpture, including works by Picasso, Monet, O’Keeffe, Wyeth and LeWitt with exhibitions, tours and programs year-round. The...
Get ready for the World Run-Paddle Biathlon
Runners, paddlers, walkers unite – the World Run-Paddle Biathlon Championship is about to return to the Merrimack River in Concord for a third year next Thursday (July 19). The event combines the disciplines of running and paddling, and is a fun workout for anyone. In total, there’s a 4K run, a 4K paddle and a 40-meter portage (which is you carrying your canoe, kayak or paddleboard) to the finish line. It will all take place at the...
While you’re in Warner
With a population of about 3,000 people, Warner isn’t the first place you might think would have five museums. In addition to the N.H. Telephone Museum, the town also has: Firefighters Museum The museum opened in 2008 in the N.H. Telephone Museum building and features a wide array of antique firefighting equipment, including an 1824 Hunneman Handpumper, a ladder truck of the same vintage, and a 1927 Chevrolet Fire Engine. Open during...
Entertainment: A whole slew of outdoor concerts as summer kicks into high gear in Concord
It’s a busy week, and space is pretty tight, so let’s get right to it! Music Tuesday Mike Walsh at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Nevers’ Second Regiment Band at the State House at 7 p.m. Bedford Big Band at Presidential Oaks at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Paul Donahue at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Thursday Richard Gardzina at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. 3-D at Makris Lobster & Steak House at 6 p.m. The Blue Sky Boys and Cookie at Eagle...
Head to Warner for a cool little museum
Mourning old technology might be a fool’s game, but I defy anybody to try out a dial phone at one of the state’s most delightful museums and not feel at least a slight pang of loss. Go ahead, spin the dial on one of the solid, heavy 1960s AT&T phones on display at the New Hampshire Telephone Museum – the curator doesn’t mind. Enjoy the way you need just the right amount of effort to turn the dial, the way you can tell instantly...
Concord City Memo: Big happenings all over
There sure was a lot going on in this week’s City Memo, so we decided to give you a bird’s-eye view of all the important stuff (at least the things that we found to be of the utmost importance). The Concord Police Department is hosting Coffee With a Cop on Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. at McDonald’s, 117 Loudon Road. Join your neighbors and police officers for coffee and a conservation. No agenda or speeches, just an opportunity to ask...
Cap Center hosts Arc Attack show
Arc Attack was staged at the Capitol Center for the Arts on Wednesday as part of the Lincoln Financial Education Series. ArcAttack’s Engineering program covers academic standards for students in fifth through eighth grades relating to engineering and design. Audience members have the opportunity to help Arc Attack solve problems, learn about the scientific method, and apply critical thinking skills. The next Lincoln Financial...
Bulletin Board: Free concert, jazz worship and saving money
Monday Concert at Penacook church On Monday at 7 p.m., the United Church of Penacook is hosting a concert featuring Holly Roadfeldt, pianist, Ann Moss, soprano, and Peter Dutilly, violist. These musicians will be in residence at Avaloch Farm Music Institute in Boscawen this July to rehearse music by composer Kirk O’Riorden. The concert is free and open to the public. Directions to United Church and more information about this concert...
Explore history of house with past owner
Kimball Jenkins School of Art is currently offering tours of the 1882 High Victorian Gothic mansion designed by architect Amos Porter Cutting, who also design the state library building. Volunteer Eleanor Poirier, often in costume as Louise Kimball Jenkins, leads the tours. You might also see Clark Todd dressed as Cutting. John Kimball settled the area in the late 1700s. For the next six generations, the Kimballs built a series of...
On Display: Adam Viens is showing in the NHTI library
For the month of July, the NHTI library is home to the mixed-media work of Adam Viens, a Connecticut-based artist.According to Viens, “These works represent a sensibility known as ‘Depressive Realism,’ a term adopted from the 1970s psychological hypotheses that the depressed individual has a more accurate depiction of reality and themselves than the non-depressed individual. This term also carries a satirical reference to the ‘isms’...
Poem: A Simple Letter
The little girl had a letter, her thoughts written most sincere, she paid her postage this late fall day, in search of a mailbox near. Her letter was very special, she spent writing each moment she had, this letter contained so much more than words, for it was written to her Dad. It was late fall nineteen seventeen, her letter was destined for the war overseas, Christmas was coming very soon, she asked him to come home...
