Christmas in Washington
Debbie Butler and her son, Ben Savard, a senior at Concord High School, scored an invitation to a recent White House Christmas party. Other Concord attendees included Jim Demers and Ned and Sally Helms. Ben took photos for his photojournalism class and, at the behest of his mom, shared them with us. Thanks, Debbie and Ben! Click on a photo to read the caption.
Real green tree
'Twas almost the night before Christmas, and that green sign of the season in your living room is looking a little droopy. You added the packet of tree food, you mixed sugar into the water, but it's shedding more than Fido and Fluffy combined. You've said it before, but this time you really mean it: The day after Christmas, you're making a beeline for the nearest sale on artificial trees. Well, before you swear off...
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone
Can't wait until January to watch “American Idol”? Thanks to the Pit Road Lounge, 388 Loudon Road, you don't have to! Okay, so Simon and Randy aren't exactly hanging out in Concord, but there is a karaoke contest going on at the Loudon Road lounge, Wednesday nights at 9. Much like “American Idol,” contestants have to pick a song each week from the genre the DJ specifies. Then, three judges...
Old photo of the week
This mystery Concord leader, in bowtie at right, received a high public office from President Dwight D. Eisenhower, at left. At the same time, one could observe that the mystery man helped Ike get the job he held in 1957, when this picture was taken by a White House photographer. The mystery man is one of many lives remembered in “Crosscurrents of Change,” the history of Concord in the 20th century, written by the Concord...
To all those who helped Carrie's kids
I would like to thank those who participated in the Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 5. This year's race was dedicated to Carrie Cates, a long-time Epsom/Pittsfield resident. Carrie, a single mother of five, was killed in October by a hit-and-run driver while running. She had been planning to participate in the Jingle Bell Run again this year. Carrie's children, ages 10 to 20, had just weeks before moved to...
Wowza, that's mighty impressive!
Five-year-old Amy Cohen, a kindergarten student at the Walker School and resident of Concord, was recognized by the New Hampshire Hunter Jumper Association as the Walk-Trot Champion of 2009 at a recent banquet held at the Center of New Hampshire in Manchester. Amy received the ribbon and trophy for the pision and was also awarded the Chester Perpetual Memorial Trophy. The engraved silver bowl is awarded annually to the high point...
The Fish and Game Department wants to know excellent people
Time is running out to recognize an inpidual or organization for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Commission Award of Excellence. These awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in furthering the department's mission. Nomination forms can be found at wildnh.com, Fish and Game offices or by calling 271-3511. Mail your nomination postmarked no later than Dec. 31 to: Commission Awards Program, N.H. Fish and Game Department, 11...
Book of the week
Santa says reading is cool – and considering the time of year, you don’t want to get on his bad list. Be sure to pick up a book at the Concord Public Library. For more information, visit concordpubliclibrary.net. The Sharper Your Knife, the Less You Cry Kathleen Flinn 2008, 290 pages Nonfiction When she loses her executive job at a software company, Kathleen Flinn takes a leap of faith and decides to pursue her dream to go to the...
Free holiday meal
Do you need a meal this holiday? A free holiday meal will be served by volunteers at the Grappone Conference Center on Dec. 25 from 2-4 p.m. Bus transportation to and from the dinner is available beginning at 1:15 p.m. at the following stops: Bus 1: Heights Alton Woods Salisbury Green Morning Star Christian Ave./Eastside Dr. Havenwood Ormond St./Christian Ave. Thomas St. (Dunkin Donuts) Ft. Eddy Road NHTI Delta Dental Bus 2: Downtown...
Ask the Tweens: Playing in the snow
Dear Tweens, Are you too old to play in the snow, or can you still make the occasional snow angel here and there? Matt Dube I say there is no age limit. Some kids like to go outside and make snow angels. Some kids do not want to. They don’t want to go outside. They don’t want to get cold and wet and, worse, have the bitter cold biting their face and skin. But for the ones who do not mind it, I say, go outside and enjoy yourself! Ben...
Primer on last-minute gifts
By this time, if you haven’t finished your shopping yet, we’re sure you’re waking up in the middle of the night panicked and in a cold sweat. We feel for you, but may we point out that Christmas is always the same date, year after year? We know people say it “sneaks up on them,” but c’mon! Okay, we’re done being judgmental and are ready to help. We’ve compiled a list of truly last-minute gift ideas that can easily be found in the...
Holiday store hours
In the days leading up to Christmas and the subsequent family gatherings, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to run out to the store at some point, whether it’s because you forgot the cranberry sauce or that coworker you hardly know got you a gift and now you need to reciprocate, fast. Lucky for you, we’ve got a list of holiday hours for grocery stores, drugstores, big box stores and even where you get your caffeine and French fry fix....
School vacation activities
Keep the kiddos busy with these camps and activities happening over the next two weeks! N.H. Audubon Celebrate the end of 2009 by joining us for Winter Solstice Camp! We’ll keep your child active with educational games, outdoor adventures, live animals, crafts and stories. We’ll explore the winter world, find out who is still out and about, look for evidence of animal activity and share good times. Join in the fun for just one day or...
Apples on an oak tree
Have you ever seen the golf-ball-sized, apple-like objects growing on oak trees? They are caused by a tiny wasp that enlists the help of the mighty oak tree to shelter and care for its offspring. The female wasp, which is wingless, crawls up the trunk of the tree in the spring and goes out on a limb to implant an egg in a tender oak leaf bud. The result is an oak apple gall. Inside the oak apple gall, the egg hatches into a larva that...
The eggnog challenge
With the holidays come special food and drink that you only see this time of year. One of my favorites is eggnog. Why do I love eggnog so much? Is it the creaminess? Perhaps the piles of sugar per glass? Or maybe – just maybe – I love the way it goes so nicely with rum. I don’t know – I just know I like it. Still, I’m glad it’s only available once a year. I don’t think I can stomach more than one glass every 12 months. To get my fix,...
