Book of the Week: ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely FineGail Honeymoon2017, 327 pagesFiction After just a few paragraphs into Gail Honeymoon’s superbly written novel, it becomes quite clear that Eleanor Oliphant is … not completely fine. An emotionally, mentally and physically abusive upbringing, the experience of a horrifically tragic incident at the age of 10, and a young adult life spent in the foster care system has lead Eleanor to lead a very...
McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center open for fun all winter long
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center is open to the public from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, plus the first Friday night of each month from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Discovery Center will also be open for winter vacation from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed on New Year’s Day). The December planetarium show lineup covers flight, humanity’s first steps on the moon, the planets,...
This Week in Concord History
May 29, 1944: Fourteen of the 46 conscientious objectors working as attendants at the State Hospital in Concord go on a cafeteria strike, refusing to eat. The men, who are labeled “Conchies,” are protesting a rule forbidding them to mingle with regular attendants at the hospital. May 29, 1944: One patriotic full-page ad lists all the Concord young people serving in the armed forces. Another, for the Foy Tire Co., gives the number:...
Entertainment: All kinds of stage shows this weekend, from holiday-themed to comedy
Music Tuesday Paul Hubert at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Open mic at Tandy’s at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Eugene Durkee at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Tim Kierstead at Concord Craft Brewing Co. at 5:30 p.m. Irish Music After Work with David Levine at Area 23 at 5:30 p.m. Open mic at Area 23 at 7 p.m. Thursday Richard Gardzina at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Bach’s Lunch Concert: “Come, the Feast is Ready! A Shaker Christmas” at Concord Community Music School...
We stopped by some of the Cappies-winning businesses to see what they’re all about (winners in tab above!)
The time has finally come.Forget Christmas, New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July and your birthday – the best day of the year is here: It’s Cappies Day.That’s right, at long last, all your votes have been tabulated and winners chosen. You, readers, have decided which businesses are the best of the best, and since you put in so much effort, we figured we would, too. While we certainly trust the judgment of our faithful readership, this...
Public forums, free concerts, stamp meeting
Toastmasters host speaking forum Concord Toastmasters and Karner Blue Toastmasters welcomes you to a Public Speaking Forum on Tuesday, Dec. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at New Hampshire Fish & Game at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord. This open house will be an evening of engaging speakers, and introduction to the Toastmasters Public Speaking & Leadership program. It will showcase the organization that stars in Animal Planet’s North Woods...
SquidFlip opens for second summer
Owen Simoes, an 11-year-old entrepreneur, is back this month for the second year of his furniture restoration company, SquidFlip. Owen started the company last year after being inspired by his favorite HGTV show Flea Market Flip, which follows designer Lara Spencer as she restores old pieces of furniture and sells them for profit. Armed with a bucket of chalk paint and a sander, Owen went to work on flipping some of his own pieces. He...
Concord Family YMCA to host grand opening of Kid Zone on Saturday
The Concord Family YMCA has some good news for kids (and adults who have kids) and bad news for squash players – the squash court has been turned into a play area for kids, and the grand opening ceremony is this Saturday. After a steady decline in the use of the squash court, the Y decided it was time to make better use of the space. Meanwhile, there are many Y members who have kids, and many of the kids have plenty of their own...
Making soap is good, clean fun
When Bridget Overson went into a Lush store to get a bar of soap for a friend, she had no idea that a year later, she’d be making and selling her own. A graphic designer by trade, Overson said that the soap she bought at Lush sparked her creative side, and soon enough she was curing her first batches of homemade cold-processed soap. She is now the owner of Cap City Soap Co., a natural soap- and bath-product shop that she runs in...
CYPN: Erika Mattson of New York Life is the Young Professional Month
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Erika Mattson. 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? 26. Where do you live? Manchester (but born and raised in Concord!). Where do you currently work? New York Life....
Check out these garden centers and get your yard in spring shape
We told you about all the local options for landscaping a few weeks ago in our Home Improvement issue, but now it’s time to think about some of the accents to be added to your home, so we’re checking in with some garden centers.While landscaping is a big part of maintaining a yard, gardening (meaning planting flowers and such, as opposed to mowing the lawn and installing patios) can make a huge difference. With Memorial Day weekend...
It’s been real, ‘Insider’ readers, but it’s time for me to move on
The rumors are sad, but true – this will be my final Insider issue. After about five years of getting to know the ins and outs of the Concord community and relaying important, even vital information such as the best beers around, where bands are playing and how to navigate the world’s longest mini-golf hole, I’m ending my career in community journalism. It won’t be easy to leave, though. In my time with the Insider, I’ve seen, heard,...
This Week in Concord History
Dec. 10, 1991: In Concord, Pat Buchanan announces that he will challenge President Bush in the New Hampshire Republican primary. America’s Judeo-Christian heritage must be passed on to a new generation, Buchanan says, not “dumped on some landfill called multiculturalism.” Dec. 10, 1991: At St. Paul’s School in Concord, Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas tells students that if he were the Democratic nominee for president, he would not stand...
Book of the Week: ‘Curious Toys’
Curious Toys Elizabeth Hand 2019, 336 pages Fiction In 1915, Pin, the daughter of an Italian fortune-teller at Chicago’s Riverview Amusement Park, disguises herself as a boy to make a living as an errand-runner. She’s haunted by her sister’s recent murder and desperate to save money before she and her mother lose their employment at the end of the summer. Unbeknownst to Pin, a serial killer is haunting the rides of Riverview, waiting...
Despite some poor weather, the 63rd annual Kiwanis Spring Fair was a success
While the weather didn’t fully cooperate – with at least two days of rain at some point or another – the Kiwanis Spring Fair was another success. Folks braved the less-than-ideal conditions to take part in the annual fair in the parking lot of Everett Arena. This was the 63rd year for the fair, which always draws a big crowd.
Running for Riley Fun Run/Walk is another great race for a great cause
Riley Duquette was born in May 2012 with a rare disease that falls under the umbrella of Peroxisomal Biogenesis Disorders. PBD refers to disorders in the Zellweger Spectrum – rare, genetic, metabolic, terminal conditions affecting all major systems of the body. His family – mother Karly Duquette and stepfather Shawn Moseley – put together the Running for Riley Fun Run/Walk last year as a way to raise money and awareness for families...
Entertainment: Holiday shows galore, plus a slew of concerts
Music Tuesday Dan Weiner at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Open Mic with Mikey G at Tandy’s at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Joel Cage at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Dwayne Haggins at Concord Craft Brewing Co. at 5:30 p.m. Open mic at Area 23 at 7 p.m. Thursday Scott Solsky at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Mikey G at Tandy’s at 6 p.m. Brad Bosse at Cheers at 5 p.m. Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime, with Supernothing at Bank of NH Stage at 8 p.m. Tickets...
Food Snob: TGI Fridays puts twist on egg rolls
It’s no secret that to a lot of foreign countries in the world, American cuisine is known for it’s greasy, deep-fried goodness. And what’s more American than taking vegetables out of a traditional dishing and adding in more greasy, deep-fried goodness? Not much. So that’s exactly what they did for the new appetizer on the menu at TGI Fridays, and you know we had to try it.The new Philly Cheese Steak Egg Rolls at the chain restaurant...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Penacook tree lighting, fire chief retirement and more
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last week. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button on the home page. Here are some highlights from last week’s letter:Penacook tree lightingThe 13th Annual Penacook Tree Lighting Celebration at Boudreau Square will be held on Wednesday beginning at 5:30 p.m. There will be refreshments, live music from the Penacook...
It’s that time of year – start signing up for summer camps before it’s too late
With summer already right around the corner, it’s time to start planning fun stuff for the kids. Luckily, Concord is home to a wide variety of camp options, from educational to athletic to just plain fun.We rounded up as much information as we could (and as much as we could fit on the page), but don’t be afraid to poke around for other options, as we’re sure there are probably more out there.Concord Parks and RecreationConcord Parks...
The Yogi: Searching for the meaning of ‘namaste’ in the grocery store
Where does yoga come from? I was at the grocery store, navigating the crowds on the day before Thanksgiving. The store was jammed. The lines were long. I was shopping for corn masa, coffee and cod fillets. I left with a lot more. I took the opportunity to engage folks in conversation, from the produce section to the parking lot. I asked twenty-seven folks this question: “Where does yoga come from?” I wasn’t intending to launch into...
N.H. Philharmonic to perform at the Audi
Did you know that the oldest orchestra in New Hampshire was founded in Penacook in 1895? Yep, the New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra is that old and it has presented concerts every year since 1905. If you haven’t caught one yet in the 113 consecutive years they’ve been doing it, you’ve got a chance this weekend.To close out the 2017-18 season, the NHPO will perform Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Concord City Auditorium on Sunday...
Bulletin Board: Holiday programs, free movie, open forums
Penacook tree lighting ceremony The Penacook Village Association is sponsoring the 13th Annual Penacook Tree Lighting at Boudreau Square on Wednesday. Assemble at 5:30 pm for free refreshments, the lighting of the tree at 6 p.m., live music from the Penacook Elementary School Chorus under the direction of Elaine Hasham, a 50/50 raffle ($1 per ticket or $10 for an arm’s length), and a visit from Santa courtesy of the Concord Fire...
Plan for Making Strides at Happy Hours for Hope on Thursday
Come be inspired, informed and motivated to be part of the extraordinary community energy that is Making Strides Against Breast Cancer of Concord. Business and community leaders, team leaders, volunteers and anyone interested in the American Cancer Society’s No. 1 per-capita Making Strides event in the United States are welcome at Thursday’s Happy Hours for Hope at Phenix Hall. Experience the joy of being engaged with your community...
PHOTOS: Concord Christmas parade marches on down Loudon Road
The 68th annual Concord Christmas Parade, put on by the Concord Grange #322, rolled down Loudon Road in the Heights on Saturday, ringing in the holiday season.Fire trucks from several surrounding communities were included in the parade and spectators packed the sidewalks on both sides of the road, waiting for a glimpse of Santa in his sleigh at the end.The parade last more than an hour in all, starting on Hazen Drive at 9:30 a.m. and...
Mill Brook sculpture garden reopens
Concord’s Mill Brook Gallery is opening its 21st Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit to the public this week. The gallery’s founder Pamela Tarbell curates and hosts the exhibition each year at her home on Hopkinton Road. The house overlooks acres of fields and a pond and is filled inside with her spring and summer exhibit of art, which opened on May 3. The outdoor portion of this season’s exhibitions opened on May 15 for public viewing, but its...
Concord Community Music School to host two Christmas-themed Bach’s Lunch programs
This December, discover the “entertainments” that evolved to define Christmastime for the Shakers at Canterbury, and sing along with the Canterbury Singers, in two free Bach’s Lunch programs at Concord Community Music School.On Thursday at 12:10 p.m., Becky Soules, interpretation manager at Canterbury Shaker Village, presents a Bach’s Lunch Lecture entitled “Shaker Christmas Entertainments.” During the 200 years that Shakers lived at...
N.H. Furniture Masters take you way back
Walk around most homes and you’ll find tables and chairs, dressers and desks, but you’ll be hard pressed to see any furniture that is as finely crafted as the ones put out by members of the New Hampshire Furniture Masters Association.These folks have put in hours (way more than anyone could ever count) fine tuning their craft that is shown in every piece they make.The association has been around since 1996 and currently has about 20...
Public forum to address homelessness, mental health, substance abuse
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce invites members and the public to a luncheon forum next Thursday, Dec. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. at Holiday Inn, 172 N. Main St., Concord. A panel of experts will discuss the related issues of homelessness, mental health, substance misuse and public safety. Attendees will learn what strategies are being used to combat this connected crisis, and what actions community members can take to...
It was another successful year for Rock ’N Race
The 16th annual Rock ’N Race to benefit the Payson Center for Cancer Care was another huge success last week, with about 4,700 runners and walkers taking part and raising $165,000 to help those battling the awful disease. The total raised has now surpassed $4.3 million over the years.
