Check out this springy photo we found on Instagram
It finally feels and looks like spring out there, and you better believe Instagrammers all over Concord have taken notice. While we found several springy photos, this one here by user @lora.a.allison, of some flora on Eastman Street, really stood out to us. Any time there’s a flower budding straight out of a tree trunk, it should be photographed and posted to the interwebs immediately. Nice shootin,’ @lora.a.allison.Have you taken a...
Raise awareness, money for mental illness at 17th annual NAMIWalks NH
If you’re looking for something fun to do this weekend while also contributing to a great cause, check out the 17th annual NAMIWalks NH on Sunday.NAMIWalks is the nation’s largest mental health awareness and fundraising event, and the Concord event is always well-attended. As of press time, there were already more than 800 individuals and more than 100 teams registered.One of the defining features of NAMIWalks NH is that there is no...
The Arts: Artist demo at McGowan Fine Art Saturday
Mill Brook Gallery Spring and Summer Through: Sept. 2 Location: 236 Hopkinton Road. Hours: Thursday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. League of N.H. Craftsmen Fairy Tales and Fantasies Through: June 15 The Grodin Collection Through: Ongoing Location: 49 S. Main St., Suite 100 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kimball Jenkins Robert Dorr Through: May 31 N.H. Weavers Guild Through: Wednesday Location: 266 N. Main St....
Help choose the best short films at Manhattan Short Film Festival at NHTI
From Friday through Sunday, NHTI, Concord’s Community College, will join venues around the globe in hosting the 22nd Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival – a worldwide competition to select the best short films of 2019. Throughout the week, theaters in more than 400 cinemas worldwide will be screening the 10 finalists in this yearlong competition. Every viewer will have the opportunity to rate the 10 films, and all votes count...
This Week in Concord History
May 15, 1726: At Sugar Ball in East Concord, Enoch Coffin, a Congregationalist minister, preaches at the first Christian service in the future Concord. His congregation is a group of men who have come from Massachusetts Bay Colony to survey the Plantation of Penny Cook. May 15, 1727: A Congregational church, Concord’s first, is ready for occupancy. It is a 40-by-25-foot log structure at North Main and Chapel streets. The logs are...
Strap on those stilettos, fellas, for the 2019 Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event
There’s an old saying: “You can’t really understand another person’s experience until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” The sixth annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event in Concord asks men to literally walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes.You don’t have to wear high heels, but it’s part of the fun, and it gets the community to talk about something that’s really difficult to talk about: domestic and sexual violence. Walk a...
A guided tour of golf courses in the region
It’s that time of year again. If you haven’t done so already, break out your golf bag, shine up the old clubs and get ready to whack some white balls around a bright-green course over the next few months.If you haven’t played a round yet this year, it’s time you did because the season is in full swing. We checked in with courses all over the region to see what we could find out. As it turns out, each one is unique in its own special...
10 local acts to square off at inaugural CCEH Talent Show at Bank of NH Stage
Ten local acts have made it through the elimination rounds and are ready to captivate the audience at the Concord Coalition to End Homelessness’s inaugural Talent Show on Saturday at Bank of NH Stage.The performances will feature voices singing higher than the dog tricks, sizzling dance moves and a chef spinning in his cyr with the precision of a cellist.Attendees can vote for their favorite performance and participate in games....
VIDEO: We square off for an epic ‘Insider’ challenge at Chuckster’s Hooksett
When it was determined that we’d be doing a regional golf-themed issue in the beginning of May, Tim and I had dreams of cruising from course to expertly groomed course, behind the wheel of a golf cart with clubs and coolers in tow. As it turns out, the company actually wanted us to get some work done and therefore wasn’t too keen on writing us a blank check to go play 18 at every course within an hour of here. But, as always,...
The Yogi: Musical theater, yoga and – naps
It was a Sunday afternoon in the city of Boston. I was sitting in the Boston Opera House, struggling to stay awake. My wife and I were in the first row of the balcony, with a phenomenal view of the stage. The touring production of Phantom of the Opera was churning through Act I, and my head was doing a bob and weave act. I tried shifting positions and changing my breathing. I tensed and relaxed my muscles, tried some good...
Habib’s film ‘Intelligent Lives’ to make N.H. debut at Capitol Center for the Arts
Dan Habib is at it again. The Concord documentarian and former Monitor photo editor works for the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability as a project director and filmmaker creating films that highlight issues surrounding all types of disabilities. His 2008 debut documentary film, Including Samuel, followed his son’s challenges of living with a disability, and it was nominated for an Emmy in 2010.Now he has a new project,...
Making Good Health Simple: It’s hard to be perfect – so don’t even try!
It’s hard to be disciplined all the time. It’s hard to be self-motivated. It’s even harder to stay the course when you are surrounded by temptation. Here’s my advice: Don’t try to be perfect all the time. Just don’t. Adopt the philosophy of “more times than not.” What does “more times than not” even mean? Basically, it means fairly frequently, or more than or at least half the time. How does this differ from “often?” Merriam-Webster...
VIDEO: Dan Zanes and Friends play for Friendly Kitchen
Dan Zanes was joined by his wife, Claudia Eliaza and longtime friends Donald Saaf and Matthew Sharff for a pair of benefit concerts for the Friendly Kitchen last weekend at the Concord Community Music School. The fundraising concerts collected $500 for Concord’s soup kitchen that will no doubt be put to good use.
Entertainment: Carole King musical to be performed Tuesday
Music Tuesday Paul Bourgelais at Hermanos Cocina Mexicana at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Joel Cage at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Eric Lindberg at the Courtyard by Marriott at 6 p.m. Open mic at Area 23 at 7 p.m. North Sea Gas at Concord City Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Free. Thursday Eugene Durkee at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Friday Hank Osborne & Friends at Area 23 at 8 p.m. Saturday Tim & Dave at Hermanos at 7:30 p.m. 2nd annual Decades Fest at...
Garfunkel headlines a huge week of entertainment in Concord
It isn’t too often that an eight-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer comes to Concord, but this Thursday will be one of those times when legendary singer Art Garfunkel comes to play at the Concord City Auditorium. There are also quite a few films and events at Red River Theatres this week, so good luck squeezing everything into your schedule. Music Tuesday Mike Loughlin at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Open Mic Comedy at Area...
Bulletin Board: Grandparents’ workshop, free concert, etc.
Free concert at United Church On Monday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., a piano/mezzo soprano duo will perform at the United Church of Penacook as part of the fall series of concerts presented in conjunction with Avaloch Farm Music Institute. Anne Rainwater and Melinda Becker will perform three-song sets – Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Quatro Canciones Andinas” in Spanish, selections from Barber’s “Hermit Songs” in English and Debussy’s “Trois Chanson de...
We found things to do with mom on her very own holiday
While our wives would likely be thrilled if every day was Mother’s Day, it is sadly recognized (officially) just one day out of the year.That doesn’t mean you can’t do nice things for mom any and every day, but thankfully for all the moms out there, that one day of being pampered and showered with cute, thoughtful gifts is Sunday.So we figured why not find some great ways to show mom you care.FoodWe found three spots (and there’e...
City Manager’s Newsletter: Property tax bills, fall leaf collection reminder and more
On Friday, Stefanie Breton, the city’s public information officer, sent out the weekly City Manager’s Newsletter. You can read the full newsletter by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the Newsletter button on the home page. Here are some highlights: Property tax bills Property tax bills containing the July 1, 2019, and Oct. 1, 2019, payment coupons were mailed in May. If you have not received, or have lost your property tax bill,...
Suncook Valley Chorale to sing twice this week
The Suncook Valley Chorale will present its spring program on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, with Scott Lounsbury directing and Calvin Herst joining as the accompanist. This series is all about LOVE: From the very first awakenings to the possibilities of love, through first dates, explorations, squabbles, into marriage, through years of two becoming one together, and even probing the profundity of...
Shower better with EZ-Pay for WaterSense contest
Concord water customers have a chance to win a Shower Better Bundle to save water, energy, and possibly even money on utility costs by entering Concord General Services’ “E-Z Pay for WaterSense” contest. The contest is being hosted for its sixth year in celebration of October being EPA WaterSense’s “Shower Better Month.”A Shower Better Bundle includes everything needed for a luxurious water-saving shower experience. Each bundle...
VIDEO: From the Crowd: ‘8 By Eight’ will have you laughing out loud
During my time at the Insider, I’ve seen quite a few on-stage performances. Whether it be in the form of rehearsals, opening night or the second weekend of an extended run, I thought I had seen it all. Until this past weekend.Walking into Hatbox Theatre, I knew this night was going to be a different kind of show than anything I had been to before – because, well, the description of 8 By Eight by G. Matthew Gaskell ensured that.The...
This Week in Concord History
Oct. 1, 1976: In an appearance at the New Hampshire Highway Hotel in Concord, Ronald Reagan tells 700 Republicans that Gov. Mel Thomson must be re-elected. Thomson, he says, is a “politician of national stature.” Oct. 2, 1856: Near the end of his term, President Franklin Pierce visits Concord to stump for James Buchanan, the Democrat nominated to succeed him. Pierce is greeted with a great parade and reception downtown. A fine...
Concord High to perform ‘Les Miserables’
Monitor staffOn stage, France’s proletariat is threatening to tear the country apart and launch a rebellion against its leaders.But behind the curtain, the opposite was occurring. The Concord High School cast of Les Miserables was the epitome of fraternité.Thursday night, a week before the opening night, Maddie Dustin, a sophomore and the cast’s stage manager, was running the rehearsal in director Clint Klose’s absence; he was sick....
Book of the Week: ‘The Tale Teller’
The Tale TellerAnne Hillerman2019, 302 pagesMystery Retired tribal policeman Joe Leaphorn is persuaded to look into a case for Daisy Pinto, director of the Navaho Nation Museum. A traditional Navaho dress and a silver bracelet were not in a box of items donated to the museum. The dress is said to have been worn by Juanita, wife of the famous leader Manuelito. If it is authentic, it would be a very valuable item, one from a terrible...
Bulletin Board: Concord Theatre, concert and drinking water
Movies, music and posters sought Red River Theatres is looking for donations for its annual fundraiser – the Music, Movie & Poster Sale – to be held during Market Days, June 21-23. If you have any gently used records, tapes, CDs or DVDs you would like to donate they can be dropped off at the Red River box office during business hours. If you can’t make it to the theater, call Mike at 568-9241 to arrange a pickup. All money raised...
Carter Hill Orchard: Appley fun for the whole family
Concord’s two pick-your-own apple farms have a lot in common – obviously, you can pick apples at either location – but there’s plenty that makes each place unique. At Carter Hill Orchard, tucked away at 73 Carter Hill Road, there’s a lot to do beyond picking apples.One of the highlights of Carter Hill is the raptor observatory platform. This high perch next to the farmstand is often full of avid bird watchers with their cameras and...
Caldecott Honor winner Aaron Becker to speak at Gibson’s Bookstore on Monday
The Caldecott Honor-winning creator of Journey, Aaron Becker, will present A Stone for Sascha at Gibson’s Bookstore on Monday at 5:30 p.m. This year’s summer vacation will be very different for a young girl and her family without Sascha, the beloved family dog, along for the ride. But a wistful walk along the beach to gather cool, polished stones becomes a brilliant turning point in the girl’s grief. There, at the edge of a vast ocean...
Apple Hill Farm – apples, peaches, pumpkin, pie and more
Concord is home to not one but two great pick-your-own apple farms, each with similar but different offerings. Going by proximity to Insider headquarters, we’ll begin with Apple Hill Farm, which is only about 3 minutes away from our building (making it a convenient spot to pop into for a snack) at 580 Mountain Road. Apple Hill has everything you’d expect – lots of apples, and a big hill. Apart from the obvious, though, the farm also...
On Display: Merrimack River Painters are at the Audubon
Once a month, the third Thursday to be exact, members of the Merrimack River Painters gather at the Kimball Jenkins Estate.The group, which is now 16 years old and consists of 12 women, isn’t there to paint though. Instead, they get together each month to have their artwork critiqued. And that’s really how the group came to be. Way back when, many of the current members were getting instruction from Dustan Knight through classes at...
Tasty Brews: North Country Hard Cider Company’s Firestarter from Dos Amigos Burritos
During my late-college and post-college years, I was never a big fan of hard ciders. Most of the ones I had tried – Woodchuck, Magners, Angry Orchard – had a sharp tartness to them that seemed to linger in the back of my throat for hours. I would have a cider and then want to spit excess acid out for the next hour or two. Not being a big fan of that experience, I put ciders down for quite a while. Now, though, there’s such a thing as...
