We found out how the Hobey Sticks are made
Like most tournaments, the teams who takes on all comers in their division in the Black Ice Pond Hockey Championships are rewarded with some hardware.But this isn’t some boring plaque or trophy – the winners of the seven Black Ice divisions are given a Hobey Stick. Named, of course, for the hockey legend from St. Paul’s School, Hobey Baker.Sure trophies are nice to display and polish when company comes over, but this is a pond hockey...
Here’s where you can get your Black Ice American Ale
It’s that time of year again. With the 1883 Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship comes the inevitable Black Ice American Ale, the custom concoction 603 Brewery whips up for the tournament every year.The beer is a light-bodied, crisp and refreshing ale – we taste-tested it last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It even won the silver medal in the 2016 Best of Craft Beer Awards. At 5 percent alcohol by volume and 20 International Bittering...
Cheers is going to have a bar – made of ice – for Black Ice
If you’re over the age of 21, there’s a good chance you’ve been to a bar before.But, have you ever been to an ice bar? Well, if your answer is no, you might want to keep reading.Because in conjunction with the Black Ice Pond Hockey Championship being held at White Park this weekend, Cheers is putting together a little outdoor fun on their redone patio.From 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Cheers will open its patio for patrons to...
We learned how to cook a Valentine’s Day meal
If you know anything about us at all, you know we’re pretty big fans of food. You may also know that despite this fact, neither of us is particularly great at preparing it. That’s why we stopped by the library last week to learn from one of the best in the business, chef Liz Barbour. Barbour took over the library a few weeks ago with a Cooking with Chocolate program, and that program was so successful the library had to bring her back...
Go Try It: Pick out flowers for that special someone
I’ve always thought that in my previous life, I was probably a florist.For some reason, I’ve always enjoyed flowers and especially picking out a nice arrangement for that special someone. When I was much younger, that person was my mom, and these days it’s my wife, Mary.So whenever Valentine’s Day rolls around, I look forward to taking a trip to a local flower shop, looking through the selection of fresh cut flowers and putting...
We found some cool Valentine’s Day activities
The most romantic holiday of the year is right around the corner, and we’re willing to bet one or two of you still don’t have any plans lined up. In an effort to help you stay out of the doghouse on Valentine’s Day, we talked to our confidential sources and scoured the interwebs to find out everything that’s going on around here for the holiday – well, maybe not everything, but we sure found quite a bit. Here’s a sampling of some...
Fall in love with downtown this Valentine’s season
Visitors are invited to join the thriving downtown Concord community by spending time eating, shopping or just exploring all that is wonderful about the new Main Street and downtown. During Fall in Love with Downtown, Feb. 7-14, select local businesses will be offering discounts, deals, workshops and much more. Why not spread the love? People are encouraged to use #xoxoConcord on social media to share with everyone what they love...
Tim made Valentine’s Day cards with his daughter
Now that Tim’s daughter, Sophie, is growing up faster than her mom and dad would like, she’s doing all kinds of fun stuff. So this past weekend, the Goodwins pulled out the arts and crafts supplies to make some Valentines. Tim isn’t much of an artist, as you are all well aware, so it’s a good thing Sophie knows how to create something that others will actually enjoy.
The Audubon needs your help with counting birds
The New Hampshire Audubon’s Backyard Winter Bird Survey celebrates 30 years of tracking the state’s winter birds, and you can help. Biologists need assistance from residents all over the Granite State to get a clear picture of what’s really happening with our winter birds. This year’s survey will take place this Saturday and Sunday. Anyone can participate in the Backyard Winter Bird Survey by counting the birds in their own backyard...
NHTI wheelchair basketball game was a big success
NHTI’s annual Wheelchair Basketball Benefit for the Zach DeVitz Memorial Equipment Fund last week was another smashing success. Students and faculty members faced off in a fun game of wheelchair basketball, which was won (handily) by the faculty team. In the end, though, everybody was a winner – the event raised about $2,000, which will go toward buying assistive technology for students with disabilities. Nice work, NHTI!
We learned about the spots to go ice fishing in Concord and Bow
When it comes to being outside for an extended period of time in the winter months, we usually find any excuse in the book to avoid it.But the reality is that some people out there really enjoy it – like the ones who find a frozen lake, drill a hole and try to catch fish.If you live in New Hampshire, you have to experience ice fishing at least once and it turns out that around these parts there are some prime locations to drop a line...
If you like good basketball, then this is for you
If you’re a big hoops fan, then you’ll want to make your way to Bishop Brady this Sunday.Five of the top 15 prep school teams in the country will play in the fourth annual Frank Monahan Foundation Basketball Showcase, along with a couple local squads.In addition to four prep school matchups, the Bishop Brady and Pembroke Academy boys teams will play, giving fans the opportunity to see five games in one day – and for a very affordable...
Don’t pull a Sherri – bring us on your next vacation!
Well, technically Monitor ad guru Sherri Cote did take us on her lavish family cruise to the Southern Caribbean last month, but after telling us she had a copy of the Insider with her as she left the office, Cote never took us out of her suitcase. As punishment, we’re publicly shaming her for poor execution. So don’t pull a Sherri – make sure you take a picture with us on your next getaway.
Two can’t-miss events coming up at Gibson’s
If you’ve been on the edge of your seat waiting to find out what kinds of bookish events are coming up this/next week, you can now relax, because we’ve figured it all out for you.On Thursday (Feb. 9), you’ll get the rare opportunity to interact with a National Book Award finalist when Andrew Krivak comes to Gibson’s Bookstore to talk about his second novel, The Signal Flame.If you’re not familiar with Krivak’s work, shame on you – he...
Check out Kent Maxwell’s Chamber exhibit
If you can remember all the way back to last week’s Insider, we had a collection of work from the N.H. Furniture Masters on display at the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. And as it turns out, the Chamber is quite good at multi-tasking because also showing on the walls of the Smile Building location is the work of Kent Maxwell. Maxwell’s exhibit, “Horizons,” is a collection of paintings that, according to Maxwell’s artist...
Love Project at NEC to be a night of fun, love
Love and laughter often go hand in hand, just like a couple of sweethearts. That’s why The Love Project, presented by Laughta in New Hampsha, should be a perfect way to spend your Friday after Valentine’s Day. NEC Concord will open its doors at 7 p.m. on Feb. 17 for this one-time-only comedy variety show that’s all about love. If you’re not familiar with Laughta in New Hampsha, here’s a little background: “Laughta in New Hampsha is a...
‘American Idol’ star Alex Preston to play at the Cap Center
Quick – how many people do you know who have ever collaborated professionally with Jason Mraz, Jennifer Lopez or Keith Urban? While many of you probably just said, “None,” there’s a chance that some of you do, in fact, know Alex Preston, second runner-up on American Idol XIII.Preston, 23, is a Mont Vernon native who became known to the world when he appeared on the hit musical talent show in 2014. Now, after a few years of fame have...
We’re going to need a bigger trophy case
As you all well know, we like to highlight our accomplishments.Because really, if we don’t, who will? So over the last couple years, what seems like just about every few months, we’ve been recognized for all our hard work. At least what has been perceived as hard work.And of course we have to put in a little story about all the awards we’ve been winning. And you guessed it, here’s the first one for 2017.This one came from the...
Community Players to perform ‘Noises Off’
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes of a theater production? Especially one that’s got a cast engulfed in turmoil. Well, look no further than the Community Players of Concord’s performance of Noises Off at the Concord City Auditorium this weekend. Noises Off is a play within a play, and has been referred to as one of the funniest plays ever written. Director Pat Delzell is so confident in what audiences will think of it, she’s...
It’s Love, Lust & Desire time at McGowan
McGowan Fine Art is hosting the “Love, Lust & Desire” exhibit through Valentine’s Day. Here’s a look at some of the work on display.
You should go check out the Concord Ukes
It’s a Friday evening in the Oates Performing Arts Center on the campus of St. Paul’s School and if you listen closely, you can hear the light strumming of a few ukuleles.But it isn’t a concert or a class; rather it’s just members of the Concord Ukes – or CUkes – during their bi-weekly jam session.The jams happen on Fridays (the next one is this week), and really, all it consists of is a group of ukulele enthusiasts, of all abilities,...
Missed Connections
We took to Craigslist last week to see who had been posting on the missed connections pages in our neck of the woods during the month of January. And we found all these great entries to share – and that we could print, unedited, of course. Sayr if only – m4w (Concord) – Jan. 30 If only you could have seen how much you mean to me. I wish you well. And yes always in my heart. Storrs Street Liquor Storr – m4w...
This Week in Concord History
Feb. 7, 1811: Nathaniel White is born in Lancaster. He will come to Concord to run a hotel and become a successful businessman. He will be a prominent abolitionist, working with William Lloyd Garrison, an early proponent of women’s suffrage and the Prohibition candidate for governor of New Hampshire in 1875. Among many other charitable acts, he will be a prime benefactor of the Centennial Home for the aged, now the Centennial Inn....
Bulletin Board
Quilters guild to meet Friday night The Capital Quilters Guild will meet at Havenwood, 33 Christian Ave., on Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m.; all quilters and friends are welcome to attend. Four guild members will present a “Demo Night” featuring skills and techniques. For Guild Information call Jean at 223-9766. Jean Donahue Grant writing workshop Friday Educators interested in applying for N.H. State Council on the Arts’ arts...
Book of the Week: ‘Bats of the Republic’
Bats of the Republic Zachary Thomas Dodson 2015, 448 pages Fiction Bats of the Republic is an “illuminated novel,” which means that it is illustrated using computer graphics, drawings, handwriting and scans of another book (written by the author and made to look old), and it is also interactive, with plot twists that send the reader back a few pages and an envelope at the end of the book which the reader is cautioned not to open until...
