■Every May, the Penacook Community Center Senior Program participates in our nation’s observance of Older Americans Month. The 2019 theme, “Connect, Create, Contribute,” encourages older adults and their communities to connect with friends, family, and services that support participation; to create by engaging in activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment; and to contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others. Communities that encourage the contributions of older adults are stronger. By engaging and supporting all community members, we recognize that older adults play a key role in the vitality of our neighborhoods, networks, and lives. For more information on the Penacook Community Center Senior Program and for a calendar of activities, you can go to penacookcommunitycenter.org or contact Kristen Pinard-Kenney at 753-9700, ext. 102.
■The Penacook Winter Farmers Market is open Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. at Riverhill Grange, 32 Horse Hill Road.
■Happy Mother’s Day!
CHERYL STINSON
news03303@aol.com
■Concord Grange No. 322 would like to invite everyone to attend the annual Grange and Community Recognition Awards Night tomorrow, Monday, at 7 p.m. at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall, 48 Airport Road. This is also the Grange’s 105th anniversary on the Concord Plains/Heights. Grange Master will be presenting the outstanding police officer, firefighter, educator, first responder, citizen and more. The Grange will also honor members who have reached a certain level. There will be refreshments served prior to the presentations. The Grange was formed on May 11, 1914 on the Concord Plains. Their meeting hall was located at the corner of Ormond Street and Christian Avenue. The Grange has been delivering new dictionaries to the public schools in Concord, Dunbarton, Boscawen, Webster, and Salisbury. This is the 11th year in which the Grange has participated in this National Grange Project. The members are now planning for the annual Meet, Eat, and Greet at Keach Park on July 23 with Nevers’ Band presenting a concert. This is open to the public. There will be more information coming. Please contact Dick Patten at 496-2917 for information.
CHRIS WEEDEN
224-1715
clweeden@comcast.net
■Unitarian Universalist Church, 274 Pleasant St., is having their annual Spring Plant and Yard Sale on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be lots of perennials, annuals, herb plants, garden accessories and a yard sale with something for everyone. This annual sale is always popular, so come early for the best selection. It is undercover so plan to come rain or shine. For more information, visit concorduu.org.
■The Greater Concord Chronic Pain Support Group will meet Tuesday, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 274 Pleasant St. Whatever pain you are experiencing, learn from each other, from speakers and from resources. Non-denominational. Accessible. Free. No registration necessary. For more information, contact painconnection.org or call 540-3119.
■The Concord Chorale presents “The End is the Beginning,” a spring concert cycle, on Saturday and next Sunday. The program speaks to the departure of music director Kristofer Johnson, offering a study of what is and what is to come. Performances include solo works by internationally acclaimed soprano Martha Guth, and pianist Andrew Harringer performing a four-hand arrangement with the Chorale’s collaborative pianist Molly Lozeau. The concert will be performed at the South Congregational Church, on Saturday, 7 p.m., and Sunday, 3 p.m. Pre-purchased tickets are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors; at the door they are $25 or $20. Purchase from Chorale members, online at concordchorale.org, Gibson’s Bookstore and Merrimack County Savings Bank. Students free with tickets acquired only at the door. More information at concordchorale.org and or on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcordChorale.
LYNDA PLANTE
717-1632
soxpatscats@gmail.com
■The Abbot-Downing School PTO is having a Bike Safety Fun Day on May 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Abbot-Downing School. Also, the PTO is seeking help in planning/organizing the 5th Grade Graduation. It will have a Barbecue Graduation Celebration date on June 12, but we need help to organize and run this event! Please reach out to the PTO if you are interested in helping at abbotdowningpto@gmail.com or come to the meeting Tuesday from 6 to 7 p.m.
■Ever been curious about improvisational comedy? Have you done improv and want to brush up on your skills? Want to meet some fun, new people? Intro to Improv is a perfect way to connect with the community you’ve been looking for! Across each four-week series, you’ll learn the foundational skills of improv in real time. Cost for the four-week series is $138 with early birds $119 (paid one week in advance). The next series begins on May 26 for four Sundays from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Yoga Center, 28 S. Main St.
Dialogues des Carmelites comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts at 6 p.m. on Monday. The opera focuses on a young member of an order of Carmelite nuns, the aristocratic Blanche de la Force, who must overcome a pathological timidity in order to answer her life’s calling. The next evening at 6 p.m. see Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Live. Daniel Tiger and all of his friends invite you for a brand-new adventure in Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. On Friday at 8 p.m. is Finding Neverland: Official Broadway Tour. Based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award winning film, it tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland.
■From one theater to another, it’s Discovering Magic at the Hatbox Theatre in the Steeplegate Mall. Once upon a time. In the beginning. A long time ago. Memorable stories start with a great opening line. While the performing arts tend to focus on telling stories in which the audience are mainly observers, the wonderful thing about a performance of magic is that it creates a story in which the audience is an active participant. Discovering Magic has been a feature of the Concord performing arts scene since 2013. Using only the most ordinary of objects, accomplished actor, conjuror, puppeteer, storyteller, and award-winning performer Andrew Pinard brings the ordinary to life with the most surprising results. See it at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Tickets are $17 adults; $14 members, students and seniors; $12 senior members.
■Looking for elusive ancestors? Sarah Galligan, library director at the N.H. Historical Society and Brian Nelson Burford, director of the N.H. Division of Archives and Records Management, can help you at the Genealogists Spring Meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St. Cost for historical society members is $35, non-members $50, which includes lunch and continental breakfast. For more information email president@nhsog.org. Deadline is Monday.
■The free Artisan & Wellness Fair takes place on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. at 51 S. Main St. Get a free chair massage and Reiki. Local artisans, practitioners and refreshments will be available. Hosted by All Elements Healing and Sage Wellness and Massage. Go to allelementshealing.com/wellness-fair for more information.
■Concord Chorale Spring Farewell takes their leave at 7 p.m. on Saturday and at 3 p.m. next Sunday at South Congregational Church on Pleasant Street. “The End is the Beginning,” a spring concert cycle. The program speaks to the departure of music director Kristofer Johnson, offering a study of what is and what is to come. Performances include solo works by internationally acclaimed soprano Martha Guth, and pianist Andrew Harringer performing a four-hand arrangement with the Chorale’s collaborative pianist Molly Lozeau. Tickets purchased in advance are $20 general admission, $15 for seniors and at the door are $25/$20. You can buy from Chorale members, and online at concordchorale.org, Gibson’s Bookstore and Merrimack County Savings Bank. Students free with tickets acquired only at the door. More information at concordchorale.org and see us on Facebook at facebook.com/ConcordChorale.
■Sweater: Something you wear when your mother gets cold. “I’m warning you. If you fall out of that tree and break both your legs, don’t come running to me!” Minimum: A small mother. “Why is a computer so smart? It listens to its motherboard.” “Do you say prayers before eating? I don’t have to. My mum’s a good cook.” “Mom, can I get twenty bucks? Does it look like I am made of money? Well isn’t that what M.O.M stands for?” All mothers have intuition. Great mothers have radar. At 3 years: “Mummy I love you.” At 10 years: “Mum, whatever.” At 16 years: “Mum you’re so annoying.” At 18 years: “I’m leaving this house.” At 25 years: “Mum, you were right.” At 50 years: “I don’t want to lose my Mum.” At 70 years: “I would give up everything to have my Mum here with me.” To all the mothers here and beyond, a very Happy Mother’s Day, especially mine, Margaret Briggs Ver Hoeven.
JEAN VER HOEVEN
856-304-5830
jeanann@voicenet.com