It’s getting pretty busy at the local orchards
Since this is the Apples Issue, we figured it was only right that we stop by both of Concord’s apple orchards last week to see what was going on in the pick-your-own world these days. And what we found is that right now, as you read this very page, apple orchards are getting pretty busy as they roll into the peak of apple season. There were families and school groups picking apples, baked goods tempting our sweet tooth and lots of...
We searched for all the tastiest apple treats
Because this is the Apples Issue – and because we love to eat, especially while on the clock – we decided to go out and search for as many apple-infused sweet treats as we could find. There was not much criteria other than it had to be sweet, and it had to have apple. This gave us a lot of freedom. We wouldn’t be restricted to simply dessert options or breakfast options or general snacking options – we had the whole world of apple...
Go Try It: Nothing says Apples Issue like apple crisp
At this time of year, folks all over the area are using fresh picked apples to make homemade tasty treats. And we didn’t want to be left out of all the delicious fun.So we figured why not pick some of our own apples, find a local recipe and head into the kitchen for a little baking. After all, desserts are one of our favorite things in the world. If you don’t believe us, check out page 22.During our preparation for this issue, we were...
Call us the Drink Snob – we tried some cider
We’re always looking for ways to keep things fresh in Food Snob land. A couple weeks ago, we strayed from the norm by going to a farm to gather some fresh veggies, which we then brought home to make a meal out of (rather than going to a restaurant and having someone make a meal for us). This week, we’re going outside the box again.Rather than reviewing a meal – or even food, for that matter – we decided to try some cider. After all,...
Picking schedules for Concord’s apple farms
Apple Hill Farm McIntosh – Early September Cortland – Mid-September Macoun – Late September Gala – Late September Red Delicious – Early October Crispin – Late October Fuji – Late OctoberCarter Hill Orchard McIntosh – Early September Macoun – Mid-September Cortland – September Empire – September Gala – September Golden Delicious – September Red Delicious – September Snow Sweet – Late September Gibson Golden – Early October Crispin –...
We found out how to find the perfect apple
It’s fall in New England, so you know what that means? At some point or another, you’ll be wandering around an apple orchard with a little bag looking for the perfect apple. Or more appropriately, apples – because who goes apple picking for just one? There’s nothing quite like apples right off the tree, so most people want to get as many as they can when the getting’s good. If you only eat an apple every once in a while, you can still...
What happens to all the apples on the ground?
As you walk around the apple orchards this fall, you’ll likely notice a lot of apples lying on the ground.And just like every other year, it’s something you probably won’t give much thought to as you proceed to step over the fallen fruit as you pick that perfect apple to add to your bag. But we’ve often wondered, “What becomes of those apples?” Is it safe to eat them? Are you allowed to pick them up? Do wild animals use them as a...
Tasty Brews: Downeast Cider House, available at Area 23
So if we haven’t hammered it home just yet, this is the Apples Issue, and we wanted to try as many appley things as we could. This issue features segments on apple desserts, apple ciders (the “soft” kind), apple trees, apple picking, apples on the ground and more. So it only makes sense that we also do an appley Tasty Brews, right? We know Area 23 is big on cider – the hard kind – so we went by the bar in the Smokestack Center (on...
Look what’s happening on stages around Concord
There’s a lot going on this week at the local performance houses and we thought you should know about it all. Hatbox Theatre Working Title Productions will present their inaugural Granite State Playwrights Workshop, staged readings of one act and full length plays by New Hampshire and New England playwrights on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The event is inspired by the creative, fast-pace of 24-hour theater festivals, where...
Join the Concord Area Homebrewers on Thursday
Have you always wanted to make your own beer, but don’t know where to start? Do you wish there were people you could ask for help? Would you like to make beer with others who are equally as passionate about beer? Well, you’re in luck because the Concord Area Homebrewers are holding an open house on Thursday at 8 Allison St.The open house officially runs from 7 to 9 p.m., but the club will be whipping up a batch of homebrew that...
Donate food to Concord police
The Concord Police Department and the New Hampshire Food Bank need your help to fight hunger and stuff a cruiser with food donations! Donations will be accepted at Shaws on Fort Eddy Road on Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m., and Sunday at Hannaford on Fort Eddy Road, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by and make a donation, meet your local law enforcement officers and make a difference in your community. Only non-glass, non-perishable items will be...
Now that’s one giant pumpkin
We have all dreams, and one of ours is to grow an award-winning giant pumpkin. Unfortunately, ours wasn’t quite competition-worthy this year. But Parker Larocque, grandson of Carter Hill Orchard owners Rob and Annette Larocque and son of orchard manager Todd Larocque, showed us how it’s done. Parker grew a gourd that weighed 161 pounds and took home first place in the youth pumpkin growing competition at the Hopkinton State Fair and a...
Get ready for fun at Weekend on the Water
It’s starting to get a little chilly out there, but don’t let that keep you away from the water, especially this weekend. Why? Because it’s time for Weekend on the Water, and that’s kind of a big deal.The Weekend on the Water event was developed by Concord Rotary in conjunction with the Concord Parks and Recreation Department as well as New Hampshire Distributors and Concord Crew as a means to provide a multi-faceted event that...
There’s a place online for art lovers to meet
You’re a huge fan of all things art, but you don’t have a ton of like-minded friends with a lot of free time to go to exhibits and shows with. It’s a predicament many of us have found ourselves in time and again, and in the past, the solution has always been to just go alone or stay home. Those days are over. There’s now a group on the website Meetup for Concord area art lovers, and it’s gaining popularity by the second. Meetup is a...
Find the End of the Rainbow at the League
The League of N.H. Craftsmen opened its final exhibit of the year last week, End of the Rainbow, at the League headquarters on South Main Street. The show will be on display through Dec. 16, but there’s no need to wait to see it. So why not go today?
The Audubon is releasing two raptors Sunday
It’s raptor migration season, and the N.H. Audubon is doing its part to add a couple more birds to the flock heading south. On Sunday, two raptors (exact species to be determined) will be released to the wild from the observatory deck at Carter Hill Orchard with the expectation that they’ll join lots of other birds heading for South America. “It’s such a miraculous occasion to see these birds get another chance,” said Phil Brown,...
Take a tour of the State House on Saturday
If you have a traditional work schedule, you’re a little busy during the daytime hours.So it might not be that easy for you to find time to take a tour of the State House. You know, that downtown building with the shiny dome where important state decisions are made?The State House is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., for either self-guided tours or for groups of 10 or more, a guided tour courtesy of the State House...
Fear of falling? Try VNA’s A Matter of Balance
For the Insider The fear of falling does not have to limit your independence. Learn what you can do to prevent falls by attending “A Matter of Balance,” a nationwide, evidence-based program offered by Concord Regional VNA that uses recommendations from healthcare professionals, exercise and experiences of participants to help older adults conquer the fear of falling. “When I registered, I thought I could get something out of it and I...
Bulletin Board
Learn about political cartoons Join the New Hampshire Historical Society’s Director of Collections and Exhibitions Wesley Balla on Saturday at 2 p.m. as he discusses how political cartoons came into wide use in the United States through the proliferation of inexpensive engraving and printing processes during the 19th century. This talk focuses on an important slice of New Hampshire history — cartoons circulated during the 1852...
Book of the Week: ‘Wolf Story’
Wolf StoryWilliam McCleery2012, 82 pages Genre: Children’s Five-year-old Michael asks his father for a story; he’s addicted to stories, especially ones with wolves in them. Michael’s father makes up a story about a wolf who is defeated by a clever hen named Rainbow. Then comes along young Jimmy Tractorwheel (an excellent name for a farmer’s son, don’t you think?) who outwits Waldo the wolf at every turn.It’s a charming story that...
This Week in Concord History
Sept. 20, 1992: The first Sunday Monitor is published. Sept. 20, 2002: State and federal officials approve a plan that allows the Concord Municipal Airport to reconstruct a 3,200-foot runway and make other improvements while protecting the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Sept. 21, 1838: A Mr. Lauriat displays his hot air balloon in Concord. He takes off from the State House plaza, touches down at Shaker Village in...
