Poem: Compassion
As we enter times unknown, social distance a common thought, people draw together, the same enemy now fought. Initial reaction on the street, fear of something not known, the people of the world gather, compassion has finally shown. Our current climate has changed, not the politics or parties any more, reach within yourself, help the poor. Faith restored once again, in our fellow mankind, it was really there all...
The Yogi: Napkins and 6 reasons to love soap and water
‘Napkins!” I grew up in a family of six. We had dinner together every night, and often played a game that involved the exclamation: “Napkins!” The rules were simple. Anyone at the table could make the call, and everyone at the table would hold up their napkins. Yes, we used actual paper napkins at dinner time. As you might imagine, the conditions of the napkins varied wildly. Some would be crumpled or torn. Some were in...
Book of the Week: Trace Elements
Trace Elements Author: Donna Leon (Mystery, 278 pages, 2020) Commissario Guido Brunetti and his co-worker, Claudia Griffoni are called to a hospice to hear the words of a dying young woman. The patient, Benedetta Toso, says that her husband, Vittorio Fadalto, took “bad money” from someone to pay for her care. And then Fadalto dies in a motorcycle accident soon after. Was it just an accident? Did Fadalto, an exhausted and grieving...
This week in history
April 2, 2003: After nearly 14 months of searching, the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire has found five potential bishops from around the country from which its members can choose, officials announce. The five finalists include the Rev. Canon Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who, if elected, would become the first openly gay man to head an Episcopal diocese in the United States. Despite considerable controversy, Robinson will be...
Tackle solo pursuit of planting
Gardening is a great way to practice “social distancing” during the coronavirus crisis and a garden is a great place to be these days for several reasons. First of all many of us are coming down with bad cases of “cabin fever” and working in our gardens would go a long way to freeing us from the confinement of our homes. There is a lot that can be done out there — and all by yourself! The COVID-19 outbreak is happening at a time...
Poem: When Life Was Simple
The storyteller told stories, researched across the land, gathered much information, each story told was grand. The storyteller visited many places, different generations seen too, traveled in time together, with both your ancestors and you. Years provided the topics, the adventures on pages wrote, the readers gathered around newspapers, enjoying each story of note. Remember all the nostalgic times, when life was...
Book of the week: Ghosts abound
A House of Ghosts By W. C. Ryan (372 pages, mystery, 2019) It is the winter of 1917 and Kate Cartwright is in London in the intelligence service working on codebreaking. But she is asked by her superior to join her parents and her former fiancé to a house party at Blackwater Abbey, an island off the Devon coast. Lord Highmount, an armaments manufacturer, has arranged for a séance with a spiritualist. He and his wife are hoping to...
COVID-19 virus lasts longest on shiny, hard surfaces
As the COVID-19 shutdown spreads, we know not to get close to other people. But what about pets? Swingsets in the park? The daily copy of the Concord Monitor? Should we stay away from those, too? This virus is so new that answers are still being developed, but a study published Tuesday provided some guidance. Scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases sprayed the virus in an aerosol that duplicated the...
What’s open near you: A resource list
We all know many places have closed. But others remain open for business. A list will be maintained at concordmonitor.com, and we’ll published edited versions daily ‘Monitor’ in the paper as space allows. To be added to the list, email jmattes@cmonitor.com. (Last updated March 23, for most updated list, visit concordmonitor.com/coronavirus.) ALLENSTOWN Olympus Pizza: Normal hours for pick-up and delivery BEDFORD Ameriprise Financial:...
This week in history
March 25, 2003: The House votes to require doctors to notify the parents of girls under 18 seeking abortions. The margin is slim, 187-181. But the outcome marks a momentous political shift in the House, which has rejected dozens of attempts to limit access to abortion over the last 20 years. March 25, 1998: Concord officials propose a change in the city’s policy toward low-income housing. If the council approves, Concord...
Meet Chamber’s student leaders (part 2)
The Chamber’s Capital Area Student Leadership program encourages students to become active, effective participants and leaders in their schools and community. Last week, you met the first half of this year’s cohort, this week is the second set. For more information about the Capital Area Student Leadership program, visit concord-nhchamber.com/casl. Eliza Fisher Pembroke Academy One word that describes you: Confident Two qualities of a...
Explore maple sugaring
Maple Weekend and Month festivities might have been damped by social distancing, but sugar houses continue to operate for as long the sap flows and there is syrup to sell. Contact sugar sellers to see if you can stop by or see if online ordering is available to get that sugar rush. Here’s a sampling of where you can find maple syrup in the capital area: Concord Mapletree Farm 105 Oak Hill Road. 224-0820, mapletreefarmnh.com. Carter...
Celebrating Maple Weekend from home
The annual celebration of the state’s maple syrup industry, featuring events and open houses at scores of sugar houses throughout the state, was scheduled for this coming Saturday and Sunday. The New Hampshire Maple Producers Association’s board of directors announced Monday that “with heavy hearts” it is being canceled, along with the rest of New Hampshire Maple Month events. Sugar makers still have maple syrup and maple products...
City newsletter: Parking updates, building closures
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Boat registrations Boat renewals are sent from the state in January and can be mailed in to the state or processed at the City Collections Office. (There are additional fees when processing at the Collections Office). The City of Concord...
Sing it out like the rockin’ robin
The robin is the punk rock singer of the songbird world. In a world that includes the voices of Aretha Franklin and Freddie Mercury, Patsie Cline and Pavarotti, the American Robin is the Patti Smith, the Lou Reed, the Johnny Rotten of songbirds. In a state that includes the Wood Thrush and Common Loon, the American Robin doesn’t really care how good its song is. It just opens the old beak and lets it fly. The robin has something to...
Visit the library virtually
Libraries now offer a wide variety of digital services in addition to traditional physical materials. From electronic books, movies and music, to online classes and study tools, your library has something for everyone. All of the digital services mentioned in this article can be used with a valid Concord Public Library card that is in good standing. Speak to a librarian by phone or appointment to learn how to get started, or watch...
This week in history
March 18, 2002: At least a dozen top state officials earn retirement benefits meant for police officers and firefighters with hazardous jobs, even those administrators rarely – and in some cases, never – get called into the line of fire, the Monitor reports. Lawmakers recently extended the benefits to additional administrative positions within the Department of Safety. But legislators, saying they have to draw the line somewhere,...
Meet the Capital Area Student Leaders (part 1)
The Chamber’s Capital Area Student Leadership program encourages students to become active, effective participants and leaders in their schools and community. The goals of CASL are: To recruit sophomores from area high schools who show leadership potential and young adults likely to assume greater community responsibilities. The CASL program has graduated over 675 students over the last two decades. To inspire students to develop,...
Book of the Week: Improve connections
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts By Gary Chapman (203 pages, 2015, nonfiction) We all receive love differently. How we receive love may not be how our partner receives love, which can cause miscommunications. There are five different love languages: words of affirmation, actions, gifts, quality time, and physical touch. This book goes over each love language and even has a quiz, so you can find out your and...
Embrace springtime gardening without back pain
Spring will soon be here, and if you are at all like me, you are more than ready to enjoy the outdoors and start growing things! In my opinion, there is nothing more gratifying than watching something you planted become a beautiful flower or mature into a delicious tomato or cucumber. But all that planting, hoeing, digging and watering – as enjoyable and satisfying as it is – can be a workout for the body, especially as we “mature”...
Poem: The Politician
The politicians did gather, on our Main Street they did stand, regardless of political party, they came from across the land. Many sets of opinions, luncheons were all the rage, they canvased the town together, speaking of turning a new page. Each door was knocked, each bell rung most forlorn, they have now departed, only to return next November morn. James W....
Events canceled
In an effort to stop the spread of coronavirus, events involving large groups are being canceled and postponded. That holds true for much of the city’s arts scene, too. Capitol Center The Capitol Center of the Arts is canceling shows at its two venues though April 12 (and some after that). It is working to reschedule as many of these performances as possible. The following is a list of what has been rescheduled or canceled as of...
Entertainment: Second Bach lunch of the month Thursday
Live music Wednesday Freese Brothers Big Band at the Concord City Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Nihco Gallo at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Irish Music After Work at Area 23 at 5:30 p.m. Thursday Bach Lunch Lecture: “New Orleans Traditional Music” at Concord Community Music School at 12:10 p.m. State Street Combo at Hermanos at 6:30 p.m. Carbon Leaf at the Bank of N.H. Stage at 8 p.m. Duo Del Inferno at Penuche’s Friday Alan Roux Band at Makris...
Head downtown for breakfast
For the breakfast issue, we popped in at one of downtown’s newest spots that serves up breakfast fare. The Post Downtown opened on May 1, 2019, at 58 N. Main St. It’s a second location of the Newell Post, founded in 2012 by David and Deborah Newell, on Fisherville Road. Current owner Victoria Johnson took over the business in November 2018 – and after hearing the Gyro House would be leaving downtown decided to explore the idea of...
Breakfast options in the city
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and with so many places to grab a bite in Concord, there’s no excuse to skip a meal. From Manchester Street to Penacook Village and points in between, there’s plenty of places to pick up breakfast favorites like waffles, eggs, bagels and more. While not an exhaustive list, there’s enough breakfast options here to keep you fed for a while. Tucker’s Voted best breakfast...
City newsletter: Spring is in the air for the city
The city manager’s office sent out the City Manager’s Newsletter last Friday. The full newsletter can be found by going to concordnh.gov and clicking the “Newsletter” button. Here are some highlights: Daylight savings Daylight savings began Sunday. The Concord Fire Department wants to remind you to test your smoke alarms and change replaceable batteries at least once a year. Road Load Limits The City of Concord began posting “No...
The Yogi: Practice finding the good in each day
“What’s good about today?” My question was met with an icy stare. Her eyes were dark, wide open and looking straight into me. “I don’t know,” she said. “Give it a try,” I urged. “What’s good about today?” She looked away, and then at the floor. I persisted, hoping to break on through to the other side. My persistence only resulted in more resistance. The game turned into a stalemate, left to be played another day. My daughter...
CYPN: Meet veterans volunteer Christina Baker
The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Christina Baker. Each month the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks readers would enjoy getting to know better. How old are you? 38 Where do you live? Deerfield Where do you currently work? Elysian Technology Where did you go to school? Southern New...
This week in Concord history
March 11, 2003: Town meeting season swings into high gear as voters in towns across New Hampshire go to the polls to elect selectmen and school board members. Voters in Pembroke, Hopkinton and Barnstead vote to expand their boards of selectmen from three to five members. And voters in Barnstead, Pittsfield, Northfield, Epsom, Bow and Loudon endorse measures to slow the growth of housing development. March 11, 2000: After 15 months of...
Poetry: A Life Past
I once knew an old man, with a life past, his history with dark shadows, some memories not to last. He spoke of adventures, of the roads he did travel, places he visited, my younger version did marvel. His life a canvas, colored so beautiful and bright, he told me the stories, from morning until night. Spoke of the old days, when life was still good, people were friendly, in his old childhood. The old man...
