Vending machine cocoa
Sure, Main Street is just about drowning in decadent, professionally-prepared hot chocolate, but what if you can’t make the trip? What if the cruel oppressor (or your own personal version of the cruel oppressor) has you chained to a keyboard, tapping away at next week’s issue without a candy story or coffee shop in sight? Fear not! With a box of hot chocolate mix and some change for the vending machine, you can have your drink and...
Take a hot chocolate tour downtown
When the weather outside is frightful, is there anything more delightful than a steaming mug (or to-go cup) of hot cocoa? If you happen to be downtown, that warm, chocolately beverage isn’t far. And, as luck would have it, there’s something for every hot-cocoa lover, from the just-sweet-enough to stomachache-inducing deliciousness. We visited several locales that offer hot cocoa and got details on how it’s made, price and whether any...
Ask the Elders: Holiday music and movies
Dear Elders, Is there a holiday film or carol that means a lot to you? Bob Cratchit Jan Stickler Dear Bob Cratchit, Yes! It is “It’s A Wonderful Life.” I can’t stand it! It is the Christmas version of “The Sound of Music.” Both of those movies produce a mixture of cloying sweetness and nausea. I run from the room when either begins to play. It is like drowning in a vat of maple syrup. Why do they have to play the same movies over and...
Not your average gift shop
You wouldn’t want to come here by ambulance, but of your own accord, we recommend checking out Concord Hospital’s gift shop during your gift-buying pursuits this holiday season. This isn’t just a flowers and candy operation – as if! We’re talking locally-made greeting cards, Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots merchandise, Stonewall Kitchen products, candles, socks, pottery, toys and activities books for the kids and a host of decorative...
Our winter vacation to Spain
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and jump on the next plane to Spain. But since that’s not always feasible, you can thank your lucky stars for the Concord Cooperative Market, 24 S. Main St. The co-op hosted a holiday tapas tasting last Thursday, giving participants a delicious dose of Europe right here in Concord. What are tapas, you ask? A staple of Spanish cuisine, tapas are small plates or appetizers. If you’re not...
Our winter vacation to Spain
Sometimes you just need to get away from it all and jump on the next plane to Spain. But since that’s not always feasible, you can thank your lucky stars for the Concord Cooperative Market, 24 S. Main St. The co-op hosted a holiday tapas tasting last Thursday, giving participants a delicious dose of Europe right here in Concord. What are tapas, you ask? A staple of Spanish cuisine, tapas are small plates or appetizers. If you’re not...
Photo update
Last week, we showed you a photo of a farm in Concord. Did you guess correctly who it belonged to? The mystery multitasker in the Dec. 8 Insider is Dr. Robert O. Blood, a Republican who served two terms as governor of New Hampshire in 1941 and 1943, was born in 1887 and attended Dartmouth College. Blood also owned the dairy farm on Mountain Road in last week’s picture. Blood was one of the founders of the Concord Dairy cooperative,...
Laughs, carnies and summer romance
Because everyone loves a good coming-of-age flick, check out “Splinterheads” showing at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St., from Dec. 18 to 23. “Splinterheads” tells the tale of 20-something slacker Justin Frost (played by Thomas Middleditch) who meets a beautiful carnie named Galaxy (played by Rachael Taylor) who’s interests include geocaching (an outdoor treasure-hunting game using a GPS), being a con-artist and tattoos. Add a...
For the library lover
In need of a holiday gift idea? Donate a book to the Concord Public Library in honor of someone special! A book plate filled out by you will be placed in a brand new book. You'll receive a card with which you can announce your gift to the recipient. The gift cards are available at the library for a $20 minimum donation per card. Checks should be made out to “Concord Public Library.” For further information contact...
Want to be as cool as these kids?
The Youth Board of the Granite Chapter of the American Red Cross participates in a multitude of community service projects throughout the year. Last month was especially busy because November was National Youth Involvement Month. The Youth Board is a group of high school students from area schools. Currently there are 12 members from five high schools. Their purpose is to design and participate in community activities that promote the...
Cute Christmas pups
“Getting our dogs to sit still for a holiday picture was like herding cats!” Nancy Berliner of Concord wrote. We bet it wasn't easy but are we glad you put in the effort. Thanks!
Outdoor cafeteria
Another restaurant has hit the dust. That is, a woodpecker’s restaurant. An old dead tree that had been a gathering place for woodpeckers and other birds seeking morsels of grub has fallen down. Beetles and many destructive insects were on the menu of the “Dead Tree Cafeteria.” When a tree dies, it takes on a new role. It becomes a wildlife inn, providing shelter, food and nesting sites for all kinds of forest creatures. Chris...
Book of the week
Want to curl up with a good book while sipping a cup of hot cocoa? The Concord Public Library can help you out with that! For more information about the libary, visit concordpubliclibrary.net. Googled: The End of the World as We Know It Ken Auletta 2009, 384 pages Nonfiction Using extensive research, numerous interviews with present and former employees and access to Google-founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, journalist Ken Auletta...
Why? Because it's a wonderful life!
Oasis Christian Church, 70 Pembroke Road, will be hosting a free showing of the American classic film “It's A Wonderful Life” on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call 225-2009.
From NYC to the Capitol Center for the Arts
See “Les Contes d'Hoffmann” (The Met: Live in HD) at the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., on Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. Tony-award winner Bartlett Sher directs this new production, returning after the triumph of his “Met Barber of Seville” (seen live in HD in the 2006-07 season). Offenbach's fictionalized take on the life and loves of the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is a fascinating...
For the stained-glass aficionado or beginner
Come to the Slusser Senior Center, 164 Houston Drive in Contoocook, every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. to work on your stained glass projects or other crafts. If you are a skilled expert in glass making or just learning, stop by. There will be a mix of levels of skills and if you are new, we can help you get started. Some supplies are available for use, but it is best for you to have your own. Call 746-2915 for more information.
Meet the authors of 'Weather Facts and Fun'
On Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., WMUR TV-9 meteorologist Josh Judge and award-winning New Hampshire science teacher Kathe Cussen will host a special night about weather forecasting at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive. Visitors will discover interesting new facts about weather and astronomy, and what ideal conditions are for good sky watching. Judge and Cussen have recently coauthored a children's book titled...
Any puppies under the tree?
The holiday season is here – it's the time of year that makes us want to run out and buy something for someone we love. It can be hard sometimes to resist splurging on them, or maybe even making a big decision too quickly. Over the years, I have seen many people get themselves or their loved ones a puppy or dog for the holidays based on a spur-of-the-moment decision. These families struggle with the weight of that choice...
Meet business guys and gals in the a.m.
BNI Granite Referrals meets Tuesdays from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Prospect Mountain Security, 1024 Suncook Valley Highway Unit C-1 in Epsom. BNI Granite Referrals is a group of business owners and company representatives who meet weekly to talk about their business and network. For more information, call 391-1498.
That's a lot of pizza!
Purchase a raffle ticket to win one cheese pizza per week for a year courtesy of Sal's Pizza. Tickets are $5 each. The drawing will be held Dec. 30 and three winners will be drawn. All proceeds from the raffle will be donated to United Way of Merrimack County. To purchase a ticket visit Sal's at 80 Storrs St or contact Val Guy at 224-2595 or valg@unitedwymc.org.
