On the Road: We took a relaxing trip to the sunny Caribbean
Chris and Jane Pappas took a trip to the Caribbean in February aboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas and was nice enough to bring along the Insider to the island of St. Kitts, one of their many stops on the cruise. We sure owe them for taking us on their latest adventure. If you’re going on vacation, bring a copy of the paper, snap a picture and email it to news@theconcordinsider.com.Chris and Jane Pappas took a trip to...
1923
It was the summer, of nineteen twenty-three, Martin and Emily, came to be. A touch of a hand, a walk in the dark, a moment on the bridge, deep in the park. A view of the fountain, a moon so bright, that first kiss, on this special night. James W. Spain
Mr. Aaron Band, Jordan TW Trio to release albums at Capitol Center for the Arts
It’s a debate as old as time – is music better live or on a studio recording? This weekend at the Capitol Center for the Arts, you won’t have to decide because The Jordan TW Trio and the Mr. Aaron Band will both be putting on CD release parties, complete with live performances.Jordan TW Trio On Saturday at 8 p.m., local Celtic group The Jordan TW Trio returns to the Cap Center to release their long-awaited new album, Live at...
The meaning of different flowers
With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, giving flowers often comes into mind – actually the statistics show that Valentine’s Day is the most important day of the year for florists. Over the past several centuries books on the “language” a.k.a. “meaning” of flowers have been published, many accompanied by pastel drawings of the flowers and their perceived meanings. Today, there is a wonderful array of books available filled with...
Lots of new art exhibits for you to see in Concord
Mill Brook Gallery Spring and Summer Through: Sept. 2 Outdoor Exhibit Through: Oct. 14 Location: 236 Hopkinton Road Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. League of N.H. Craftsmen Celebrating 85 – The Stevens Collection Through: Sept. 21 Location: 49 S. Main St., Suite 100 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. McGowan Fine Art Streetwise – John Bonner Through: July 27 Location: 2 Phenix Ave. Hours: Tuesday...
Making Good Health Simple: Keep your body and brain active on break
Mother nature has been so unpredictable, it is almost impossible to be able to clear the clutter from the doorway. My entryway is overflowing with winter boots, rain boots, sneakers, turf shoes, cheer shoes and slippers. The coat hooks are jam-packed with snowboarding jackets, fleece pullovers, Sherpa zip-ups and windbreakers and a few umbrellas. My plans have been changed due to weather so many times this past month I can’t remember...
Book of the Week: ‘Death Below Stairs’
Death Below StairsJennifer Ashley2018, 329 pagesFiction/Mystery In this charming historical mystery set in 1881, talented young Kat Holloway takes the position as cook in a wealthy Mayfair household of the Rankins. She soon stumbles upon a murder. She cooks delicious meals for the family and numerous servants, with wonderful descriptions of the recipes and ingredients. But she also tries to uncover the motive for the murder and the...
Book of the Week: Mystery rife with twists
A Borrowing of Bones By Paula Munier 342 pages, 2018, fiction/mystery Mercy Carr, a military police officer, was shot during her last deployment in Afghanistan. Her fiancé, officer Martinez, was killed. His last words to Mercy were for her to take care of “his partner,” a bomb-sniffing Malinois dog named Elvis. Mercy retired and bought a remote cabin in Northshire, Vt., her hometown. She and Elvis have been healing and taking long...
This Week in Concord History
July 3, 1990: Stalled for four years in his effort to build a huge housing project and luxury golf course on Concord’s Broken Ground, Vermonter Barry Stem announces plans to build a 200-room hotel and conference center and a 300,000-square-foot office park on part of the site. July 4, 1899: Ten thousand people attend the dedication of the Memorial Arch in front of the State House. Cut from Concord granite, it is 33 feet 8 inches high...
City Newsletter: A new way to pay to park
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: Pay by phone with app Soon, you can pay for on-street and garage locations with the PayByPhone app. It’s the easiest way to pay, and requires just your mobile phone. Why park with PayByPhone? Never risk a parking ticket: Receive text...
Get out to a farm and pick your own food
Getting fruits and vegetables from a local farm just has a different feel to it than stocking up at the grocery store.You know exactly where your produce is coming from, and can grub down a little easier knowing that it’s only been off the plant, vine or out of the ground for a day or two – sometimes even less.And don’t get us wrong, we don’t mind having the folks who do this for a living do all the hard work for us, while we get to...
Celebrating Winter Carnival
Back in the old days, Concord celebrated its annual Winter Carnival in a most extravagant fashion. It was quite the entertainment and arrived at a time of year when people searched for a distraction from the long winter months. There were parades through the downtown, like one full of pomp in 1893. In 1895, there were many creative planners. The children of Concord, always the competitive students, formed a study group to attempt to...
Lots of fun was had at Market Days 2018
If you didn’t make your way downtown last week, that means you missed the 44th annual Market Days Festival. But don’t worry, we stopped in for an afternoon and got pictures of all kinds of fun being had.
The Yogi: A Marine learns Savasana
Once upon a time, there was a Marine. This particular Marine had a long, distinguished career in the military, from the jungles of Vietnam to the Pentagon. He was steadfast in his beliefs and worked his body hard. He lived all over the United States, and in several places abroad. When it came time to retire, he chose Concord and decided to try new things. It wasn’t easy for the former Marine to do this, as his organized, regimented...
RB Productions to kick off summer shows
RB Productions, the highly successful Concord-based youth theatre program that began in 2004, will begin its summer production schedule this week at the Capitol Center for the Arts.It’s nothing short of impressive what the young actors who sign up for RB Productions are able to do. While most professional, community or school performances are allotted weeks to rehearse and prepare, participants spend an intensive five days (Monday...
Entertainment: A bit of this and a bit of that
Live music Today Ryan Williamson at Concord Craft Brewing from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Paul Donahue at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Irish music with David Levine, Roger Duhaime and friends at Area 23 at 5:32 p.m. Thursday Dwayne Haggins at Cheers from 5 to 8 p.m. Brian Booth at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Bosey at Penuche’s at 9 p.m. Kate and Logan Live at Penuche’s at 10 p.m. Open mic at True Brew at 8 p.m. Bach Lunch Lecture on “Jazz Lives On and On!”...
McGowan is closing – and this time it’s for good
No matter how hard Sarah Chaffee tried, the numbers just wouldn’t match up.The cash coming in wasn’t matching the cash going out, and for a small gallery like McGowan Fine Art – or really any business for that fact – that’s kind of a crucial element to staying open. After announcing last year she would be closing the gallery that opened in 1980, she got a ton of community support and tried to give it another shot, moving to a smaller,...
Bulletin Board: Donate your change, get support for health
Caregiver Café Concord Regional VNA and The Birches at Concord are offering a Caregiver Café on Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Birches at Concord, 300 Pleasant St. in Concord. The Caregiver Café is held on the first Thursday of each month at the same time. Caregiving is a crucial role that at times can be challenging. To support and honor those who are giving care to loved ones, we offer a monthly Caregiver Café. Join us to...
Entertainment: Final chance to catch ‘Richard II’ at Hatbox
Another week, another set of great live music, theater and movies to help celebrate the start of summer. As always, this is what we were able to find using our investigative reporter skills, but there’s likely more out there to enjoy. Music Tuesday Nevers’ Second Regiment Band at Presidential Oaks at 6:30 p.m. Paul Hubert at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Nick’s Other Band at Concord Library, Music on the Lawn Series, at 6 p.m. Paul...
This week in Concord History
Feb. 5, 2003: A coalition of wealthy towns releases its plan to revive a version of the school aid system abandoned five years ago because of its unconstitutional reliance on widely varying local property taxes. The Coalition Communities want to eliminate the state property tax that anchors the replacement funding system and target the remaining aid – about $416 million from other state taxes – based on need. Feb. 5, 2002: The...
Tasty Brews: The Principal at Concord Craft Brewing Co.
It’s no secret that we’re big fans of beer – especially those made right here in Concord.So when we heard about The Principal Pale Ale recently created at Concord Craft Brewing Co., we were instantly sold. Then we learned that it was part of the Ales for ALS fundraising campaign, where $1 of every pint sold would go to the ALS Therapy Development Institute.So not only do we greatly enjoy pale ales, but supporting the cause is a...
February Vacation Kid Camps
The calendar has flipped to February which means students everywhere are turning their thoughts to February vacation. On the other hand, there are parents who won’t be able to drop their kids off at school for a week and will have to find something else to occupy the youngsters’ time. Well, the Insider is here to help. We poked around to find some of the February vacation camps offered in the capital area. Theatre Camp The Community...
From the Crowd: ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ is a must-see
Mention the name Mister Rogers and it certainly conjures up some fond childhood memories.For me, I spent many mornings of my youth watching the wildly popular and highly educational show on PBS. Despite the fact it debuted more than a decade before this Insider was born, it was one of those shows that just captivated your attention and drove your imagination.There was the Neighborhood Trolley, King Friday XIII, Daniel Striped Tiger...
Workout center complete
After months of construction Concord’s Planet Fitness plaza is completed on Fort Eddy Road. The workout center expanded to encompass the entire building, which used to be home to Cornerstone Design before it moved downtown. Planet Fitness Real Estate Company purchased the building and the adjacent shopping plaza a little more than a year ago for about $4.5 million.
Concord musician Andrew of the North has a new CD out
Concord musician Andrew of the North, aka Andrew Grosvenor, recently released his debut solo album, “Ursa Verde,” and is celebrating with a two-set show at Area 23 this Friday featuring a couple opening acts and his newly created trio. Grosvenor grew up in Rhode Island and began playing piano at the age of three thanks to his mom, who is also a musician. He moved to Vermont after college with his band, The Woodshed. After the band...
Finding community in return to region
We were sitting on stools, bobbing to the string strokes and lyrics at “Celtic Night,” a monthly performance that celebrates English and Celtic tradition through live music, hosted by award-winning fiddlers Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki and Liz Faiella. The rows of chairs in front of us were nearly full and we found out (by a raise of hands) that most of the attendees were not here for their first time. I was taken aback by this growing...
Learn about the White family at the Pierce Manse
Sarah Galligan, library director at the N.H. Historical Society will give a presentation, “The White Family of Concord” at Thursday’s Brigade Lecture Series. Nathaniel and Armenia White played a significant role in the development of Concord and New Hampshire during the 19th century. Nathaniel White was born in Lancaster, but moved to Concord where he became a businessman, legislator and philanthropist with interests in railroads,...
Don’t miss ‘Princess Bride’ quote-along at Red River
The beloved swashbuckling fairy tale returns to the big screen! Every line in The Princess Bride is a quote waiting to happen! Inconceivable, you say? Well, Red River Theatres challenges you to a duel of words with our Princess Bride Quote-Along this Thursday! Join Westley as he duels Vizzini and his crew, braves the dangers of the fire swamp and overcomes death for true love. Swords, masks and other surprises await you at this...
Bring some jazz to your January
Wrap up a musical month with the popular annual “Jazz in January,” on Friday, at 7:30 p.m., at Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in downtown Concord. A stellar lineup of jazz artists from the Music School faculty present a perennially popular evening of jazz, including Latin, New Orleans, swing, and band originals, with plenty of musical surprises. Since 2002, Hermanos has served a buffet, included in the cost. The Musicians...
On Display: Kimball Jenkins hosting annual student show
For the last 14 years, June is a time where the folks who use the Kimball Jenkins Estate to challenge themselves have a chance to show off their artistic skills.After taking part in the spring session of art classes, students can submit work to be hung in the Carolyn Jenkins Gallery (the one in the Carriage House) for the annual Kimball Jenkins Spring Student Show.It features all kinds of great paintings of things like animals,...
