Don’t miss these local holiday performances
Dec. 15 A Celtic Family Christmas Award-winning fiddle virtuosos Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy celebrate the holidays with an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and storytelling for the young and the young at heart. To fans of fiddle music, MacMaster needs no introduction. Throughout a 25-year recording career, this Order of Canada recipient has released 11 albums. She has won two JUNO Awards and 11 East Coast Music Awards...
Red River showcases holiday movies
Red River presents your holiday movie favorites! Classically crafted to enhance your holiday season you’ll love them regardless of how many times you may have watched them. Especially enjoyable when seen on a big theater screen with an appreciative audience! And since we’re in the holiday spirit, we’re offering Polar Express tickets for only $6 which includes free hot cocoa and festive fun, so bring the whole family! “Polar Express”...
Shop holiday gift baskets downtown
Caring Gifts, a gift basket store in downtown Concord, carries a large assortment of gourmet foods, wine, champagne, specialty gift baskets, chocolates, baby clothes and much more. Below are some baskets currently on sale this holiday season. Peruse their seasonal offers at 18 N. Main St., Suite 101, in Concord. Santa’s Holiday Sleigh Christmas box of nuts, peppermint bark, double chocolate cocoa, Santa snack mix, chocolates, and...
Week in history for Dec. 14, 2023
Dec. 14, 2001: William King, former chairman of the state Republican Party, a state delegate and manager of Merrill Lynch on Main Street, dies at the age of 90. Dec. 14, 1999: For the first time in more than a decade, the Concord teachers union authorizes its leadership to call for a strike vote if a settlement on a new three-year contract is not reached within the week. Dec. 14, 1774: A crowd of 400, led by Thomas Pickering, a...
Thank you: A magical Midnight Merriment
Thank you for turning Midnight Merriment into a magical night despite the rain. Your attendance, volunteerism, sponsorship, and overall support made it a very special event that brought our community together. Shopping locally during the holidays strengthens our community and boosts the local economy. Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Xfinity, and Capitol Center for the Arts for providing a rain location for Santa and Mrs....
Book review: ‘Erik vs. Everything’
“Erik vs. Everything” by Christina Uss (2021, 282 pages, Juvenile Fiction) Erik Sheepflattener is a worrier. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as it turns out), he is a worrier who was born into a family of warriors of Viking descent! His sisters (Brunhilde and Allyson), parents, and extended family love a good brawl and there is no challenge or sport they are not willing to tackle. Erik on the other hand, is afraid of almost...
Bulletin board for the week of Dec. 7, 2023
Veterans to be honored The Pierce Brigade, the membership organization dedicated to preserving the home and legacy of President Franklin Pierce, has adopted Old North Cemetery on North State Street as part of Wreaths Across America. Wreaths will be laid on the graves of 200 veterans located in the historic cemetery. On Saturday, Dec. 16, at 10 a.m., the public is invited to join representatives from each of the eight military service...
Embracing the darkness in winter
PILLAR Gallery + Projects is a new exhibition space in Concord. Its second exhibition, “As the Light Wanes,” opens Dec. 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.The group exhibition explores nocturnes, quieter reflections, personal narrative and yearning as the days get shorter.Artists include Mia Bergeron, Rachel Burgess, Doug Breault, Erica Walker, Ellina Chetverikova, Boyan Moskov and Melody S. Boone. Media includes monotype, paintings, experimental...
Shop for books by Granite State writers
Know a book worm who’s looking for some more pages to flip? Check out these novels written by members of the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. Non-Fiction Covered Bridges of NH By Kim Varney Chandler Covered Bridges of New Hampshire is a must have book for covered bridge enthusiasts and historians. The book is an engaging and well-illustrated history of the remaining covered bridges in the Granite State. It is the most...
Book review: ‘The Secret Bridesmaid’
‘The Secret Bridesmaid’ By: Katy Birchall (2021, 400 pages, romance) Sophie Breeze is a bridesmaid who lives in London. She is not your average bridesmaid, though, she is a professional. That’s right – not a wedding planner but a professional bridesmaid. Her job is to let brides and their families make the plans they want while she unobtrusively works out all of the details so that the wedding goes off without a hitch. She is so good...
Winterfox Market is a collaboration of artists
Joining DIY Craft and Thrift in the former CVS on Main Street is an artistic pop-up shop, which will be open through the end of December. Winterfox Market is a community of artists working together including illustrator and graphic designer Ty Meier of Hopkinton, wood-burning expert Jo Grubman of Hopkinton, furniture-maker Eli Sproles, sheep-shearing wool-spinner and knitter Kris McCosh of Raymond, painter Charlotte Thibault of...
Boys & Girls Club auction celebrates 50 years
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Concord will celebrate its 50th Annual TV Auction with a special, live broadcast on Dec. 9. Featuring local celebrity emcees and auctioneers from years past, the event will air on ConcordTV and bid4kids.org from 3 to 8 p.m. The live auction is preceded by two days of online bidding starting Dec. 7 at 8 a.m. Hundreds of items will be available starting Thursday at bid4kids.org, with a special...
This week in Concord history
Dec. 7, 2003: Mother Nature dumps 4 inches of snow on the ground, after giving central New Hampshire 12 inches the day before. The endless frozen shower leaves Department of Transportation road crews in a constant state of motion, keeping roads clear for those who ventured out in the storm. Dec. 7, 2002: The Monitor reports that the public will get access to thousands of pages of church personnel records if the Roman Catholic Diocese...
Concord Chorale holds December concert
On Dec. 9 and 10, Concord Chorale will be performing a concert titled “A Testament to Peace.” This concert focuses on the themes of peace and gratitude and features brass, organ, piano, and percussion. Joining Concord Chorale will be the young voices of The Purple Finches, a youth choir from Concord Community Music School under the direction of Maria Isaak. The concert will also feature a set showcasing the talents of the chorale’s...
This week in Concord history
Nov. 30, 2003: Speaking at a house party in Bow, presidential candidate Howard Dean says that an independent Palestinian state is the best hope for an Arab-speaking democracy in the Middle East. And only an American president can broker the Israeli-Palestinian peace accord needed to establish such a state, he says. Nov. 30, 2001: Robert Tulloch, a teenager accused of killing two Dartmouth College professors will use an insanity...
Holiday happenings
Through Dec. 23 ‘A Christmas Carol’ Come celebrate the holiday season as the Palace Theatre tradition continues with Charles Dickens’ classic story of Scrooge and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. Tickets, $28 – $49, and showtimes at palacetheatre.org. Through Dec. 10 ‘It’s a Wonderful Life” Joe Landry has re-envisioned the beloved film classic as a 1940’s style radio play. Five seasoned...
Bulletin board for the week of Nov. 30
New date for ‘War in Gaza and Israel’ The next Humanities at Home program “The War in Gaza and Israel: Background and Context” will be held Dec. 1 at 5 p.m. via Zoom. It is free and open to the public. Why is the Israeli-Palestinian conflict so complicated and difficult to resolve? Will there ever be peace in the region? Join us on Dec. 1, as Dr. Tarek El-Ariss of Dartmouth College leads a discussion about the events that continue to...
Midnight Merriment returns to downtown Dec. 1
The enchanting Midnight Merriment is poised to make its triumphant return to downtown Concord on Friday, Dec. 1. From 5 p.m. until midnight, the streets will come alive with the joy and magic of the holiday season, welcoming residents and visitors to partake in a festive celebration. As the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season, Midnight Merriment symbolizes a time of hope for downtown businesses and eager shoppers alike. The...
Spread Joy, Shop Concord for the holidays
In an age dominated by online shopping, the personal touch and sense of community that comes with supporting local businesses can often be overlooked. Engaging with business owners, retail workers, and fellow shoppers contributes significantly to the holiday spirit and the quest for the perfect gifts. Fortunately, Concord’s retail stores continue to thrive, offering a warm, small-town ambiance that fosters a strong sense of community...
Book review: ‘Mr. Campion’s Memory’ by Mike Ripley
‘Mr. Campion’s Memory’ By Mike Ripley (228 pages, mystery, 2023) London 1972, Mr. Campion’s nephew, Christopher, a public relations man, asks for Campion’s help at Christopher’s father’s funeral. He needs to have Campion search his memory from 40 years ago. Christopher handles public relations for Lachlan McIntyre, a wealthy businessman who owns construction vehicles – earth movers. McIntyre is in line for a peerage and so his...
Discover the Legacy of Joseph Plumer
On Nov. 25 at 10 a.m., Bob Manley, co-founder of Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery, invites you to join him on a hike to visit the grave site of Joseph Plumer, the renowned Hermit of Meredith Hill. Joseph, who passed away in 1862 at the age of 88, rests beside the foundation of his house and barn in the heart of the Hermit Town Forest — an area that played a pivotal role in inspiring the name of Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery. A...
‘Christmas Carol’ returns
“Dickens’ A Christmas Carol” adapted by Jill Pinard returns to the Hatbox from Dec. 1 to 17. For some, the spooky season is over, but at Hatbox Theatre, it’s just getting started. “A Christmas Carol” will haunt the Hatbox stage; for this incarnation, Jill Pinard of Three Witches Productions takes the helm once again directing the script she adapted for Hatbox in 2016. In this original adaption of the holiday classic, Hatbox Theatre...
Poem: Holidays
There are times that we gather, we recall thoughts from the past, embracing our nostalgia, precious thoughts we want to last. Holidays have a special place, times together close, these are the very best memories, with peace in my heart the most. Thanksgiving will be bittersweet, Christmas will too, new memories will be made, I miss the people I once knew. Past will meet the present, these special times without contrast, there are...
Book of the week: Ithaca
‘Ithaca’ by Claire North The literature of ancient Greece has provided inspiration for thousands of years. Every year sees a new translation or a reinterpretation – or several – of the stories of Greek gods, goddesses and heroes. It must be said, though, that the gods and heroes have taken up most of the space until lately, when many women have begun to imagine what it was like to be a goddess, or a heroine or a Greek queen, or the...
Capital Region Food Program celebrates 50th Holiday Project
This year, the Capital Region Food Program (CRFP) marks a milestone 50th edition of its Holiday Project. The Holiday Project has been a cornerstone of CRFP’s efforts to combat food insecurity. Through five decades of tremendous support from volunteers, donors, and the community, CRFP has been able to provid food for over 250,000 individuals facing food insecurities in our community year round. That’s more than 3,500 tons, or $5.1...
Michael Cunningham on Main and other bulletins
Cunningham guest of literary event Gibson’s Bookstore, in conjunction with New Hampshire Public Radio and the Capitol Center for the Arts, will welcome best-selling author Michael Cunningham to the Bank of New Hampshire Stage for an evening of literary discussion of his first new novel in 10 years, “Day,” as part of their author series, “Authors on Main.” A “quietly stunning” (Ocean Vuong) exploration of love and loss, the struggles...
Enjoy a night of nature
The Walker Lecture Series invites you to “A Night of NH Nature: The Brilliant Beaver and an Uncommon Look at the Common Loon,” on Wednesday, Nov. 29. Considered pests by some and a keystone species by others, beavers are fascinating mammals with a reputation as large as they are. Did you know they can max out around 100 pounds? Willa Coroka will introduce the Walker audience to North America’s largest rodent, recognized in fables and...
This week in Concord history
Nov. 22, 1963: New York Gov. Nelson Rockefeller’s schedule for a three-day campaign visit to New Hampshire is on the front page of the Monitor, but the trip will be canceled because of the lead story of the day: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Nov. 23, 2002: The Holiday Magic Parade, which has marked the beginning of the holiday season in Concord for 51 years, marches up Loudon Road in Concord. The procession includes...
This week in Concord history
Nov. 16, 2001: The Verizon Wireless Arena opens with a sold-out Monarchs hockey game. Nov. 17, 2001: The plan to build a senior center in Concord, one of two state capitals in the country without such a facility, receives a positive response from the planning board, the Monitor reports. Nov. 17, 1965: Opening Day at Concord’s Everett Arena draws thousands of skaters. “They came streaming across the river bridge and down the hill from...
Community Players of Concord stage ‘Sound of Music’
The Community Players of Concord will present the classic musical The Sound of Music at Concord City Auditorium on Friday, Nov. 17 and Saturday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. The show features a score by Rodgers and Hammerstein including “Do Re Mi,” “My Favorite Things” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” Based on the memoir, “The Trapp Family Singers” by Maria Augusta Trapp, the musical tells the story of an ebullient...
