This Week in Concord History
April 12, 1917: Six days after the United States declares war on the Axis powers, the Legislature passes a law prohibiting walkouts, strikes and lockouts in New Hampshire industries that produce war material. A state Committee of Public Safety is established to report any union or other radical activity to federal agents based in Concord.April 12, 1827: On Fast Day, Rev. Nathaniel Bouton, 27, delivers the first temperance sermon in...
Baby bok choy for supper?
Visit one of the area's late winter farmers markets – technically, early spring – and you're sure to encounter baby bok choy. You'll also find it right now in the produce section of the grocery store and, if you're lucky, it'll be from a farm not too far away.This cute little vegetable is part white, crispy stalk and part leafy green. No more than 5 or 6 inches long and a couple of inches wide, its...
Monthly meeting
The Merrimack County Stamp Collectors' regular monthly meeting will be held at Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St., Bow, on April 19 at 1:30 p.m. All people interested in stamp collecting are invited to attend.For further information about the Merrimack Valley Stamp Collectors, contact Dan Day at 228-1154.
Musical comedy
NHTI's “Stage Lynx” drama club makes one of its rare forays into the realm of musical comedy with the lighthearted “25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a show that stars an unlikely company of adolescent misfits who seemingly have just one thing in common: They are all outrageously good spellers. The cast will invite four guest spellers from the audience to join the show every night. These guests will...
Art opening
The work of two New Hampshire artists will be showcased in the upcoming exhibit “Reclamation,” April 12 through May 30 at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests' Conservation Center. The exhibit features the work of Linda Graham and Emily Hague.The public is invited to the opening on April 15 from 5-7 p.m.The exhibit is open for viewing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Forest...
Looking for crafters
The Merrimack County Artisans, a local crafters' group, are looking for crafters for our annual fall fair. The fair will be held Nov. 12 at the Bektash Shrine in Concord. Interested crafters should contact merifred@comcast.net.
226th birthday
Join naturalists and friends for an afternoon of theater, learning, hiking and birds. On April 17 from 1-4 p.m., NH Audubon is hosting a birthday celebration for the 19th-century artist, John James Audubon, as played by state Environmental Services commissioner Tom Burack. Scheduled activities begin at 1:30, with an optional walk in the woods or an indoor talk on backyard birds with bird expert Bob Quinn. There will be ongoing...
A small-town girl with a big voice
By BEN CONANTInsider staffWhen one thinks of country music, several geographic locations pop to mind. Tennessee, home to Dollywood and the Grand Ole Opry. West Virginia, with its hard-working coal miners and their doleful daughters. And of course Texas, the patron state of all things be-cowboy-hatted. New Hampshire may well be the next state to do-si-do its way into the conversation. Country's next big thing might just be located...
Ball & Chain
Dear Casper and Bill,I'm somewhat of an amateur thespian. I've been developing my acting skills in community theater. At the same time, I've been developing a crush on one of my female co-stars. In our next play, she has a kissing scene – with someone else! Now every rehearsal I have to see my crush lock lips with some other dude! Should I quit acting? Tell her I love her? Poison the male lead and take over his...
Under the dome
Concord's most notable and noticeable landmark has got to be the State House. Its giant golden dome is visible from almost anywhere downtown, and it has presided over everything from livestock auctions to protest rallies.Built in 1819, the State House is the oldest capitol building in the United States in which the legislature uses its original chambers. Step inside, and the history it houses is immediately evident.The front door...
The power of youth
Judy French's sixth-grade students were asked to give up five things that use electricity.”It's so much more realistic and inspiring than saying 'Read these six pages,' French said.The students gave up their televisions, video games and computers, took shorter showers and didn't use their blow-dryers or hair straighteners. They logged the amount of hours they saved, journaled about what they did instead, and...
City Briefly
Each week, City Manager Tom Aspell whips out his dual-neck flying V guitar and shreds us up a gnarly city memo. This week is no exception. Bang your head, memo health will drive you mad!Swoop the basketlax-adaisicalOver the winter, the Parks and Recreation Department partnered with Concord's new youth lacrosse league and is handling all the registrations for the league. The department is pleased to announce that this new...
Concord Fables
Gather 'round the fire, kiddies, it's time for some Concord Fables. The Insider dug up stories of Concord's legendary figures, and we think these historical heroes are every bit as exciting as Daniel Boone or Davy Crockett. Those guys just had better representation. We've taken these stories, with little or no editing, straight from the pages of “The History of Concord,” by Nathaniel Bouton. Buckle up your...
