One of the most thrilling survival stories ever told was a real- life event that unfolded in the Antarctic in 1914 to 1916. The story of Sir Ernest Shackelton's failed expedition and his eventual success in saving all members of his team was written by New Hampshire author Caroline Alexander and re-created on film by New Hampshire filmmaker George Butler. Area residents had the opportunity…

Concord firefighters are hosting a registry drive for potential bone marrow donors on Saturday, Oct. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fire department's headquarters training room located at 24 Horseshoe Pond Lane. The drive is sponsored by Dana Farber Cancer Institute and is for the benefit of Ms. Jane Merrow, a teacher at Rundlett Middle School and a former fifth- grade teacher at Beaver Meadow Elementary School. Merrow is the wife of a retired Concord firefighter. She has a rare form of leukemia that will require being matched to a donor. The procedure takes about 15 minutes and includes completion…

Oh, Tom Aspell, you've outdone yourself again. This week's memo from the city manager is a whopping four pages of municipal goodness. We've included some the highlights, of course: We've got some good police officers Concord Police Officer Nicole Murray received a certificate of appreciation earlier this month for her efforts to keep traffic under control near city schools. The Greater Concord Safe Community Coalition honored Murray at its annual police appreciation breakfast on Sept. 21. During the 2009-10 school year, Murray completed 60 school-zone patrols, the most of any officer in the department. Way…

Road race in memory of beloved teacher The Concord community lost a great teacher and friend this year when Sue Ann Martin tragically died unexpectedly. Sue Ann touched many people in this community, from her Broken Ground students and their families, her coworkers, her neighbors and church friends to her friends in the running community. Education was Sue Ann's love, and Broken Ground School was where she shared this love with her students and fellow teachers. We want to continue her love and support of education and of Concord's youth. The Sue Ann Martin Fun Run will support a scholarship fund…

Wow, Red River, we can’t believe you’re almost 3! As a nearly 4-year-old publication, we Insiders know firsthand how tough those first few years can be. You survived the worst of it – teething, the terrible twos, cloth diapers – with style, grace and delicious popcorn. We remember the first time we walked through your shiny new doors, nervous and a little shy. You greeted us…

We both hitched a ride on a launch – a boat for you landlubbers – with Charmie Curran, the Concord Crew coach for the novice girls. We watched the novice girls practice their boating skills (maybe they plan on being Vikings). Here is a glossary of six terms Concord crew mates use that you probably didn’t know about. Surf: A move in which rowers stand up and, well . . . SURF! Way…