A fruitcake experiment
Fruitcake has something of a bad rap, but is it justified? After perusing recipes for my first-ever attempt at making it, I determined that yes, it is. For starters, I had a difficult time finding a recipe that didn’t involve rum. I didn’t think the cruel oppressor would be too thrilled when I submitted a reimbursement for hard liquor. Thankfully, Cassie scouted out an alcohol-free version and one that didn’t involve 10 types of fruit...
Get the low-down on college financial aid
The Merrimack Valley High School guidance department and the New Hampshire Higher Education Assistance Foundation will be presenting a college financial aid night on Dec. 14 at 6:30 p.m at the school. This program will help high school seniors and their families understand the financial aid process. Financial aid experts and MVHS counselors will help clarify the types of aid available, what forms to file, the importance of deadlines,...
Sophia and Ella go global
About a week ago, we two correspondents met two hockey players from Finland named Aki and Niko Uola. We interviewed Aki and Niko because Sophia is going to Finland and she needs to get the scoop. Here is what the twin Finns have to say for themselves (they are not in trouble): Aki and Niko are from Turku, Finland. That is where Sophia is going to be living for five months. Their favorite place in Finland just happens to be home,...
Pick of the week
“Concord Coachmen Harmony” is a new show on Concord TV sponsored by the Concord Coachmen, spotlighting New Hampshire choruses, directors and award-winning regional quartets. Viewers will not only enjoy learning about barbershop music, but also listening to select quartets so that, as stated in the Barbershop Harmony Society's motto, we can “keep the whole world singing.” Watch “Concord Coachmen...
Holiday shopping: BYOB (bag)
'Tis the season for shopping and the requisite bags that come with it. My educated guess is that most of those bags we accumulate will end up in the trash. A better alternative would be to recycle them at the grocery store. The best alternative is to decline the bags in the first place. In other words, bring your own bags to the stores where you shop. As challenging as it is to get people to bring reusable bags to the grocery...
Thursday's jam-packed evening of poetry
Take a break from shopping and give yourself the gift of poetry! You might even find someone else a gift while you're at it. Join us on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m for “The Gift of Poetry” as we welcome some great poets to Gibson's Bookstore, 27 S. Main St. Scheduled to appear are James Hofford, Martha Carlson-Bradley, Don Kimball, Glenn Currie, Martha Donovan, Maura MacNeil, Meg Kearney, Don Wellman, Nate Graziano, Maggie...
Help for online shoppers
Want to beat the lines? You can shop local and online. What's better than shopping in your bathrobe while helping out local businesses? Answer: nothing! Well, unless instead of a bathrobe you're wearing a Snuggie and sipping hot cocoa. Here are 10 spots for local online shopping: Nhmade.com – New Hampshire-made specialty foods, pottery, artwork, candles, gift baskets, books and so much more. The site even has a section...
St. Paul's ballet brings us 'The Nutcracker'
This December a group of children from the Friends Program will take a featured role in St. Paul's School Ballet Company's annual production of “The Nutcracker.” The dancers of St. Paul's – also joined by top local student dancers – return to the Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 S. Main St., with their cherished, full-length version of Tchaikovsky's holiday masterpiece with shows on Dec. 18...
Dear Tweens,
Dear Tweens, What's the best game system to buy for the holidays? Do kids play them too much? Brian Galvin Out of all of the game stations, I would rate them like this: 4: Nintendo 3: Playstation 2: X-Box 1: Wii I definitely think Wii is the best game system ever invented so far. You actually get to play the game with your body, not just your hands. The game makes you feel like you are really in control of your character. It is a...
Christmas in Connecticut . . . in Concord
On Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in NHTI's Sweeney Auditorium, the Friday Night Film Series presents the holiday classic “Christmas in Connecticut.” Admission is by donation. Here's a synopsis: Barbara Stanwyck's a cooking columnist who's built up an image of living on a small Connecticut farm with husband and baby, cooking marvelous delicacies. Trouble is, she's unmarried, childless, writes her column from...
This weekend's artsy open house
Just in case you didn't get enough gift ideas from our center spread, here's another – on Dec. 12 and 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Mill Brook Gallery and Sculpture Gardens, 236 Hopkinton Road, will be holding a holiday open house. During the open house, you're invited to drop in and scope out (and purchase!) an array of art, sculptures, jewelry and pottery, while munching on home-made cookies and sipping a tasty beverage....
Something for everyone on your list
The holiday season can quickly go from gleeful to glum when you consider all of the people you have to buy presents for. Particularly if you've been buying for the same person for many years, it's tough to come up with something new. Because we like being helpful, we forced our e-mail list of Insider Advisers to tell us what was on their wish list this year. We organized the lists by age to make it even easier (you're...
You'll find plenty of unique gifts at Corrections Creations
Driving down State Street, you've probably noticed the giant prison facility, but have you taken note of Corrections Creations across the street? As the name suggests, the shop is affiliated with the New Hampshire Department of Corrections. It carries furniture and other handcrafts made by inmates from around the state. The store is especially useful for getting quality furniture at rock bottom prices, but there's plenty of...
Do you recognize this house?
This is the home of a man who was multitasking before the word was invented. He was a dairy farmer and a founder of the Concord Dairy cooperative that marketed milk produced by city farmers. He was a doctor who had a practice on State Street and at the newly merged Concord Hospital. And he led New Hampshire through World War II. Who is it? This photo is one of the many pictures of times gone by in Concord that will be in...
Give the gift of beer
A couple of weeks ago, we took a trip to Vintner's Cellar to check out their wine-related goods for our off-beat gift guide. We felt it would only be fair to show some love for the beer-drinkers, too. That's where Barb's Beer Emporium, 208 N. Main St., comes in. Barb's not only has approximately 300 varieties of beer to choose from, assorted snacks, chocolates and gifts for the beer lover – but they can throw...
A gift idea for the cooks in your life
Here are two additional sources for holiday gifts that will benefit the work of the respective nonprofit, charitable organizations, both of which I am actively involved with. The Concord Community Concert Association is offering a special holiday price of $20 per ticket for the Hunt Family Fiddlers (Feb. 18) and NUBE (March 11). Call 224-9692 or visit concordcommunityconcerts.org The association is an all-volunteer, charitable...
It's that time again
The Merrimack County Stamp Collectors regular monthly meeting will be held at Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., Bow, on Dec. 15 at 1:30 p.m. All people interested in stamp collecting are invited to attend. For further information, call Dan Day at 228-1154.
Sweet Irish tunes
On Dec. 12 at 11 a.m. in the Concord Public Library's auditorium, the group Reaganta, Regina Delaney and Claudia Altemus, will perform “Irish Music of the Season.” Regina is an Irish harper, singer and dancer, and Claudia plays the tin whistle, sings and tells stories set in Ireland. We welcome this talented duo back again this year. Relax in the midst of the holiday rush – stop by and enjoy some traditional...
Those tots need toys
Complete Car Care has teamed up with the Marine Corps and Freedom Cycle to collect as many toys as possible for Toys for Tots. Toys can be dropped off at Complete Car Care, 1 Eastman St., through Dec. 19, seven days a week until 9 p.m. For more information, call 224-2288.
Congrats Rotarians!
Noreen Christensen of Bow and Dr. Warren Emley of Concord recently received the Rotarian of the Year award from the Rotary Club of Concord. Christensen and Emley created and produced “Hot Hits Cool Harmony Celebrating the Great American Songbook ,” a musical that raised more than $30,000 for the hungry and homeless in the capital area. For more information, visit concordnhrotary.org.
It takes a village (and a tree) to get into the holiday spirit!
The Penacook tree lighting event held on Nov. 30 was a success. Several people and organizations deserve thanks for their contribution. The Penacook Elementary Chorus, under the direction of Elaine Hashem, ushered in the holiday spirit with songs of the season! Councilor Liz Blanchard was the master of ceremonies. Three years ago she gave the star at the top of tree to the city in memory of her husband. Her grandson, Zachary, provided...
Hmm . . . we wonder what dreamy fish will be Mr. January
If you need a new calendar and love the outdoors, the 2010 New Hampshire Fish and Wildlife Calendar is your ticket to a wild year. It features professional photography of New Hampshire wildlife, plus many hunting, fishing and snowmobile season dates. This wall calendar will remind you through the seasons of the state's wildlife and exciting outdoor opportunities – the perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts. The calendar,...
Book of the week
Curl up with a good book from the Concord Public Library – they have plenty! For more information about the library, visit concordpubliclibrary.net. A Long, Long Time Ago and Essentially True Brigid Pasulka 2009, 354 pages Setting: Southern Poland, 1939 to 1947 and mid-1900s Pasulka, a teacher and daughter of Polish immigrants, weaves together a messy family history in parallel tales of the Polish grandmother Nela (during World War...
Seniors and high fashion
Havenwood-Heritage Heights was decked out for its “Winter Wonderland Fashion Show” last week. A winter-themed floral arrangement donated by Cobblestone Design, a white Christmas tree decked with colorful ornaments and a stage with lights that resembled hanging icicles adorned the auditorium. The purpose of the fashion show was to show off items for sale in the Havenwood-Heritage Heights Boutique. The shop stocks gently used clothing...
New Hampshire made goodies and more
Bishop Brady High School's class of 2013 will be having its fifth annual holiday craft fair on Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a juried craft fair featuring the finest of crafters and artisans in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Made and New Hampshire League of Craftsmen members will be filling the cafeteria and gymnasium with their products. Products will include jams, jellies, pickles, wood turnings, gourmet dog biscuits and...
