■The recent Christmas Parade, co-sponsored by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles and Concord Grange #322 was a big success. A big thank you to Brian Blackden and his committee for their help. The results in the fire department contests were: Manchester Fire Department (oldest), Loudon (oldest privately owned), Bow (newest), Madbury (antique fire truck). Webster and Tilton-Northfield fire departments tied for farthest traveled. The Granite State Baptist Church float won first place in the non-commercial float category. Smart Nail Salon won first place in the commercial category. Best Youth Entry was won by Girl Scout Troop 58710, Best Decorated Vehicle was won by Miss Souhegan (Amherst), Best Walking Entry was won by Bektash Temple Shrines, Best Overall Float was won by Live and Let Live Farm (Chichester), Best Public Safety Unit Float was won by The Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Awards for Performance/Display were won by the Eastern Ballet Institute (first place), The Irish Dancers (second) and the NHSCOT Bagpipes (third).
■Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Immanuel Community Church, East Congregational Church, Grace Episcopal Church, Concordia Lutheran Church and Granite State Baptist Church are all having services online. Be sure to check church websites or Facebook pages for specific information.
■The Kiwanis Club of Concord will meet Dec. 14 at noon at the Red Blazer Restaurant. The members will be ringing the Salvation Army bells for the Red Kettle Drive.
■Concord Grange #322 will meet Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Lecturer Gary Ford will be sending out the instructions to join. The Grange voted to accept the application for membership of Donald Hartshorn by demit. The Grange voted a monetary donation in memory of the late Rodney Huntoon to the Food Pantry at First Congregational Church in Concord where he and Shelley have been members. The Grange will be working with the Friends Program for Christmas gifts for the children who are residing at Thompson Street. Debbie Patten is coordinating this project. If you would like to assist her, please call 228-1803 for information. Thanksgiving cards have been sent to members.
■Our prayers and well wishes go out to Tim Riel who is recovering at Concord Hospital. Tim’s brother Mark and his wife Andrea Riel have been parade judges for many years.
■The Dairy Queen on Loudon Road is now reopened!
RICHARD PATTEN
496-2917
dickpatten7@gmail.com
■The Zonta Club of Concord is holding a campaign to fund scholarships for local women. If supporting female students in their quest for a higher education and economic independence appeals to you, please consider a donation to the group’s Ante-Up for Education Scholarships and Awards Campaign. To donate or for more information, go to zontaclubofconcordnh.org. and follow the links on the welcome page or click on the 2020 Campaign tab to donate by check or credit card.
■The menu has been set for the Dec. 13 Greek Dinner to Go from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 North State Street. Pick up will be from 12-1 p.m. This month’s offering is stuffed grape leaves (either with meat or vegetarian), dinner roll, Greek style roasted vegetables and a Greek dessert. Please specify whether you want the meat or the vegetarian option (the order cannot be mixed, if you want some of both, you need to order two meals). The price is $15 per meal. To order, call 953-3051, email ordermygreekfood@gmail.com or visit holytrinitynh.org. You can pay online at the website, send in a check to the church or bring the money when you pick up your food.
■The Food Pantry at West Congregational Church (499 North State Street) is open on Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Good wholesome food, as well as pet food, is available. Enter through the door with the Food Pantry sign between Johnson Hall and the church. Staff will greet you with more instructions. For more information or questions, call 224-4142.
■The Concord Public Library is offering a children’s Virtual Storytime. Join the librarians on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. to enjoy music and stories through Zoom. Register online to attend and receive further instructions by going to concordnh.gov/588/Library or call 225-8670 for more information.
■Reserve your spot now as space is limited at the Pope Memorial SPCA low-cost vaccination clinic on Dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. Online forms must be completed and sent in before the appointment. Bring your cats, dogs and ferrets for rabies vaccination ($20), microchip ($25), kennel cough vaccination ($15) and distemper vaccination ($15). Proof of past rabies vaccinations must be provided to determine if a pet needs a one- or three-year vaccine. Cats must be safely in carriers and dogs on leash. Payment is due at the time of online registration. Follow COVID-19 protocol. For more information or to reserve your spot, call 856-8756. Walk-ins are not allowed.
LYNDA PLANTE
717-1632
soxpatscats@gmail.com
■Mike Pride returns to Gibson’s Bookstore on Tuesday to virtually present “Storm Over Key West: The Civil War and the Call of Freedom” at 8 p.m. Signed copies are available from Gibson’s Bookstore. Pride ran the newsroom of the “Concord Monitor” from 1978 to 2008. This event will be over Zoom. Go to eventbrite.com/e/128147148571 for more information or contact Gibson’s at 224-0562 or gibsonsevents@gmail.com.
■Queen City Improv will perform on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Hatbox Theatre in the Steeplegate Mall. “Scene Changes” will perform on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., Dec. 11-20 at Hatbox Theatre. Go to hatboxnh.com to learn more.
■Gibson’s Book Club has gone virtual! On Dec. 7 at 5:30 p.m., the group will discuss “The Cold Millions” by Jess Walter. Registration is free, but required. Register at us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMld-mqqTosGNZMeeG-aDlDhL87Qja28BNb. Contact Gibson’s at 224-0562 or gibsonsevents@gmail.com with questions.
■Bulk leaf collection will continue as weather permits through Dec. 11. In order for crews to practice safe social distancing, traditional leaf vacuums will not be used for bulk leaf collection this year. Instead, crews will operate trackless leaf loaders. Residents that participate in bulk leaf collection are required to rake all leaves loosely (unbagged) into the street along the edge of the road or sidewalk. Any leaves that are not along the edge of the road or sidewalk will not be reachable for collection. Avoid piling leaves and keep leaves tight along the curb to keep streets clear. Crews can only come by once and work as weather permits, focusing on residential roads with drainage areas to keep the city’s storm water system clear. For more information, call 228-3727 or visit concordnh.gov/545/Leaf-Collection.
JEAN VER HOEVEN
856-304-5830
jeanann@voicenet.com