Gourd-geous
We Insiders are pretty jazzed to go trick-or-treating this weekend, and this display of giant pumpkins on River Road really put us in the spirit (well, except for maybe the jack-o-lantern on the left. He looks a little sad). Happy Halloween!
Hard-knock life
It was a hard life for the inmates incarcerated in the first state prison on Tremont Street in Concord. The prison, built in 1812, didn’t have enough funding through the Legislature to keep the men alive, so it operated on a model of contract labor. Inmates spent their days working, employed as blacksmiths, stonecutters, weavers, tailors and shoemakers. They worked from sunrise to sunset, ate meals in silence and returned their cells...
It's our birthday!
The Insider turns 4 years old this week so, like any smart 4-year-old, we decided to throw ourselves a HUGE rager. Okay, so didn’t really throw ourselves a rager (the Cruel Oppressor cut off funding when she saw the order for diamond-encrusted chamagne goblets), but we did gorge ourselves on a nice little marble cake from the market. We know what you’re wondering: “What can I possible buy the Insiders to show my love and gratitude for...
This week in Concord history
– Oct. 27, 1908: A throng fills Concord’s Phenix Hall with hundreds standing as the state’s two U.S. senators campaign for the November election. “What a whirlwind (Sen. Joseph) Gallinger is for incessant work, work, work,” Charles Corning, the city’s mayor and the emcee for the night, writes in his diary. – October 29, 1795: Concord Bridge, the town’s first span across the Merrimack, opens with a party and parade. It is...
A romantic dinner for two; sequins and glitter
Dear Bill and Casper, I’d like to make my spouse a romantic dinner, but Italian is out of the question (my wife hates garlic). What do you suggest? And what’s your favorite kind of wine? Dear Romeo, Here are four steps to success: 1. Create an atmosphere – a dozen roses, plenty of candles, soft lights, mood music and Martini’s. 2. Cure her: Schedule a visit for her to see the famous Italian food-ologist Dr. O. Regano to cure your...
A campaign to support local stores
Readers, meet Katy Brown Solsky. You’ve probably heard her name around town. She founded the Concord Arts Market and now she’s writing a column for us, “Concord Got Cool.” With elections just around the corner, we’re all full to our eyeballs with political ads and choices that pide us along lines that many of us aren’t totally comfortable with. The key word here is choice: We all have the power to make our own choices, and thankfully...
Downtown T-shirt shop has a simple message: just be
Where there once was ice cream and chocolates, there will now be T-shirts and local products. This week, the Just Be Boutique will open its doors and bring life back to 62 N. Main St. Since Cool Moose Creamery closed two years ago, the storefront has been empty. The vacant space and its large, empty windows have served as a constant reminder that Main Street business isn’t exactly booming. Enter Michelle Lienhart. The Webster resident...
City briefly
Where to vote ‘n’ stuff In the spirit of Halloween, we thought we’d give you the fright of your life and not include City Briefly in this week’s Insider. But, we couldn’t go through with it – we’re not that cruel. Plus, how would we fill this page? So here you go, you little ghosts and goblins, the highlights from City Manager Tom Aspell’s weekly memo: Nov. 2 is state general election day. Some of you may have already known that, but...
The Insider goes to Istanbul
Concord High School juniors Sara Aybar (left) and Lindsey Stevenson traveled to Istanbul, Turkey in August. During their trip, the duo visited the ruins of Pergamon – an ancient Greek city in modern-day Turkey. We want to know where you bring the Insider. Send your photos to news@theconcordinsider.com. Tell us who’s in the picture and where you went.
The Bulletin Board
Opera singers to compete at the Audi Just Love to Sing! Productions will present its annual opera competition on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. This competition will feature young opera singers from all over the country who will compete for more than $5,000 in cash prizes and performance contracts for the Just Love to Sing! 2011 summer festival season. At the finals there will be prizes of $1,500 from...
Compost away
Want to reduce the amount you throw away in your purple bags? Want to help recycle your yard and food waste? Fall is one of the best times for a family to begin composting their kitchen, yard and garden waste. To help you get started, the Merrimack County Conservation District has some composting information at merrimackccd.org or we can mail you composting fact sheets. The district also has a limited supply of Earth Machine...
Work hard at Presidential Oaks, get rewarded
Presidential Oaks hosted a banquet on Oct. 12 to honor employees who had reached significant milestones in their employment at the facility. The event was held at the Common Man Restaurant and included a social hour and a meal followed by the presentation of Presidential Oaks Longevity Awards. Award recipients were joined by family members and friends to hear directors explain the specific contributions and achievements of each...
