This week in Concord history
– Nov. 9, 1869: Josiah L. Pike, slayer of an old couple in Hampton Falls, is hanged – the first person executed in New Hampshire since colonial times. In the days leading up to his death, ministers’ wives and daughters brought him flowers, sang to him and held his hands. An observer describes Pike’s final days as “a surge of sentimental gush that scandalized the state and aroused the stinging sarcasm of Mark Twain.” Afterward,...
Behind the scenes
Every time some little hooligan sticks a piece of gum under a chair at the Concord City Auditorium, Allwynne Fine thinks of her late husband, Edward. In 1991, Edward took on the arduous task of scraping all the gum off the theater’s carpets and floor. “Now every time I see gum left behind by a patron, I think of how diligently he worked at removing years of dried-out gum balls!” Fine said. Edward’s not the only person who has spent...
‘Art in Focus’ and ‘Granite State Open Mic’
Two shows to look for on Concord’s community television involve the arts. There’s a lot of talent and creativity in our fine city and ConcordTV captures it on your Channel 22. ConcordTV’s monthly episode of “Art In Focus” features the Capitol Center for the Arts and its 15th season celebration, local traditional musician Sylvia Miskoe and the Concord Literary Festival. Scheduled airings include: – Thursdays at 7 p.m. –...
Online ‘dating’; my husband’s dirty addiction
Dear Casper and Bill, I met the most wonderful woman. She’s smart, funny and we have a ton in common. The only problem is: I’ve never met her in person. We have been chatting online almost daily for three years now, but I’m too afraid to meet her in person. What if she’s not attracted to me? What if I’m not attracted to her? She wants to meet and I can’t keep putting it off, but I don’t want to ruin the good thing we already have....
Book of the week
The Sandwich Swap Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan with Kelly DiPucchio Illustrator: Tricia Trusa Date: 2010 Children’s picture book Queen Rania lives in Jordan, located in the Middle East, and known for many conflicts. She explains that this book was inspired by an incident in her childhood. Lily and Salma are best friends forever who love to play, create and eat together. All is fine until the day that Lily tells Salma that her...
The Insider visits Machu Picchu
Gary Sobelson sent us this photo of him and the Insider at Machu Picchu in Peru. “The air was thin, but the Incan architecture remains a true wonder of the world,” Sobelson wrote. “Amazing what these Amerindians could do without iron tools or the wheel. And, of course, the Insider has something the Incans never had – written language!” Don’t forget to bring the Insider on your next trip. Send photos to news@theconcordinsider.com. Let...
The Bulletin Board
Dolls, cards and more The Merrimack County Artisans’ craft fair will be held at the Bektash Shrine Center, 189 Pembroke Road, on Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will showcase unique and perse wares, including jewelry, dolls and doll clothes, photographs, floral bouquets, cards, ornaments and more. – JENNIFER ELLIOTT And when you’re done there, go here! A fair trade craft sale will be held at Sacred Heart Parish, 52...
The long journey to Concord
Chances are, you don’t know Alexander Kotsekon. But if you live in Concord, you benefit from his work every day. It flows through your pipes, floats your goldfish and freezes in your ice cube trays. Kotsekon is Concord’s water treatment plant operator, which means he’s in charge of all the water that you probably take for granted. And, just as that water winds its way through the hidden pipes of Concord, Kotsekon’s path to the capital...
That’s right, it’s time to get in the gift-giving spirit
Each year, the Insider puts together a Guide to United Way Giving issue. In it, we publish wish lists from local groups and nonprofits that are in need of something this holiday season, be it food, clothing, toys, etc. We’re doing it again this year, and we want your help. If you work for or know an agency that would like to participate and be included in the guide, please contact Val Guy, director of community impact building for...
So you think you can pie?
Do family members always ask for seconds of your homemade pumpkin pie? Have you been told that you have the best cherry pie in town? Is your meat pie to die for? To help you with your Thanksgiving baking, readers, we’re holding our third annual pie bake-off. We hope you’re ready. Here’s how it works: We’re looking for volunteers to bake their signature pie for our famished taste-test panel (a scrupulous bunch of Monitor reporters,...
City briefly
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the highlights from City Manager Tom Aspell’s weekly memo. Enjoy. Wanted: Your parking opinions When we say “overnight parking,” how does that make you feel? Angry? Happy? A little hungry? The City of Concord’s parking committee wants to know. “Currently, Concord allows overnight parking in the downtown and portions of the South End,” Tom wrote. “The parking committee is exploring whether overnight...
