The Merrimack County Stamp Collectors' regular monthly meeting will be held Oct. 16 at 1:30 p.m. at the Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., Bow. Anyone interested in stamp collecting is invited to attend. For more information, call Dan Day at 228-1154. 0

The Concord Public Library is offering a free backpack to any Concord kindergartners who register for a library card. The backpacks include a book, a coloring book and crayons. In order to be eligible for a library card, the kindergartner must live in Concord and must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. We ask that those adults please bring in a photo ID and something with the… 0

Want to go hunting for wild mushrooms to eat? Here is some good advice: Have adequate knowledge to correctly identify edible mushrooms, or go mushrooming with someone who does. In early September, I went on a mushroom foray sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute of Concord with our guide, Reta MacGregor,… 0

When Concord High School senior Kaitlyn Kelleher dons her band uniform every week, it doesn't carry the same thrill it used to.In fact, by her own admission, it's a little pathetic.Concord saw a monstrous growth in band this year, with nearly 40 new members. That's good. What's not so good is that the… 0

Name: Jamie RoyOwner, Checkmate PizzaHow did you get into the business? How long have you been doing it?I started working in pizza restaurants when I was in high school at 17 years old, and I've been doing it ever since. I opened Checkmate in April 2002.What is the secret to the perfect pizza?Good cheese. And good… 0

"The next big step in the fight against cancer is the one we take together."That's the tagline for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer movement, and it's a fitting one. This annual fundraising walk, celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, is all about coming together with the community for… 0

Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell throws on a bodysuit, gets out the ol' paintbrush and goes to work on the outside of City Hall. By the time he's done, you'd barely recognize the place, as he's written the city memo on the walls in bright mauve.You'll never believe thisBut there's road workThis week on the Route 3/North State Street corridor, the contractor… 0

Each week, we at the Insider scour Craigslist's Missed Connections to see if anyone is secretly in love with us what kind of love Concordians are searching for. Here are some of those entries, presented unedited (obviously - that's half the fun!).Pink Dress & Big Sunglasses - m4w - 33I drove past you toady and waved. You gave me a big smile. You were wearing a pink dress,… 0

Oct. 2, 1856: Near the end of his term, President Franklin Pierce visits Concord to stump for James Buchanan, the Democrat nominated to succeed him. Pierce is greeted with a great parade and reception downtown. A fine horseman, he himself rides in the procession down Main Street.Oct. 2, 1918: Two Concord soldiers - Marine Lieutenant Paul Corriveau and Private Herbert C. Drew - die… 0

Sure, canine mayors are old hat at this point - but a feline mayor? (Record scratch!) It's true! Ronnie the Cat was elected as the first feline mayor of Concord, and we've got the scoop on this story, too.You are a native of Florida. Have you found Concord to be more or less feline-friendly?I am a native of… 0