4-way speech contest
Bow High School senior Albushies wins first place
BowRotaryheldits annual4-Way SpeechConteston March19attheBakerFree Library.Atotalofseven contestantsfromBow HighSchoolparticipated.Allcontestants spokeaboutpersonalexperiencesinvarioussubjects.
JosephAlbushies,who wonfirstplace,spoke abouttheneedforacommunitycenterinBowand howitwouldcreateahub andaplaceforcommunity andbuildmoremeaningful relationships.Secondplace wenttoMatthewKropp whotalkedabouthomelessnessandhowkindness andvolunteeringcould buildmoregoodwillto
thoselessfortunate.Emily Fauteuxcameinthirdplace andspokeaboutfamily hardshipwhenheraunt hadcancerandhowittook
avillagetostepintohelp raisethechildrenwhenher auntwasinthehospital. Prizeswereawardedto thewinnersintheamounts
NH State Archives
Ever
ERIC ANDERSON Courtesy
More than 30 people attended the 4-Way Speech Contest held at the Baker Free Library.
of$500,$300and$200,respectively.
ThefourotherparticipantsincludedLiamMiller, whospokeaboutcommunityservice,AnnabelleCattabriga,whospokeabout thewaysthatlearninganotherlanguageexpands culturalunderstanding, HannahMiller,whospoke aboutthepositiveimpact ofunifiedsports,and CarterMonroe,whospoke abouthowesportsisallinclusiveandprovidesopportunitiestomakefriends
andgrowthroughexperience.
Congratulationstoallthe participantsfortakingthe timetowritespeechesand presenttothemorethan30 attendees.Thankyoutothe judges:JudyGoodnow,Ian Flanagan,DuaneFord,Matt PoulinandMaryAnn Wells.
Albushieswillgoonto competeintheRotaryDistrictsemifinalsattheHennikerCommunityCenter onSunday,April6at1 p.m.
ERIC ANDERSON Courtesy
Firstplace winnerJoseph Albushies,second placewinner MatthewKropp andthirdplacewinner EmilyFauteuxspeak with Rotarian Ben Kiniry.
Margaritas holding 40th anniversary bash concord
By RACHEL WACHMAN
Tocelebrateits40thanniversary,Margaritas MexicanRestaurantin Concord’sBicentennialSquarewillholda birthdaybashonFriday,
April11from3p.m.tomidnight.
TheConcordrestaurant, locatedinaformerjailwith sometablesinsideoldcells, wasthefirstinachain ofbusinessesfoundedby brothersJohnandDavePel-
letier.MargaritashaslocationsinNewHampshire, Maine,Massachusetts,Connecticut,NewJersey,and Pennsylvania.
“Thoughbusinessandthe worldaroundushas changed,thecoreservice –foodandmargaritasand ourcommitmenttogiving theguestavacationexperiencelikegoingtoMexico withoutgettingonaplane–hasnotchanged,”said founderandCEOJohnPelletier.
TheConcordrestaurant servesseasonalMexican foodandspecials, alongwithavarietyofcocktails,everydayoftheweek.
Margaritas in Concord will celebrate its 40th anniversary withabirthday bashonApril 11. Brothersand cofounders Dave(left) andJohnPelletier (right) opened a chain of restaurantsacross theeast coast.
Pelletierandhisbrother beganopeningrestaurants in1985,beginningwithTio Juan’sinConcord,laterrenamedMargaritasafterthe pairopenedarestaurantof thesamenameinMaine,beginningthechain.They traveledtoMexicomany timestofinddecorations andfurniturefortheir eateriesandhaveevenorganizedgrouptripsfor stafffromtheirdifferentlocationstoimmersethemselvesinMexico’sculinary scene.
Pelletiersaidhelovesall thefoodMargaritasserves butfeelsaparticularadora-
tionforchickenenchiladas andcarnitastacos.
Lookingpastthe40thanniversaryattheiroriginal locationtothefuture,PelletierhopesMargaritaswill continuetogrowandserve thecommunitiesinwhich theyexist.
“Let’sjustkeepinnovating,havingagoodtime, shakingthosemargaritas, andsharingthelove,”he said.
Formoreinformationon Concord’sMargaritas, visitmargs.com/locations/margaritas-mexicanfood-restaurant-nh/concord/.
Rouse your mind, body, and spirit
Thehighlyanticipated5th EvolutionExpoissettotake placeonSunday,April6, 2025,attheGrapponeConferenceCenterinConcord. HostedbyHolisticPros,this eventisdedicatedtoempoweringindividualswith alternativeandcomplemen-
tarycareoptions.
TheEvolutionExpowas createdtobridgethegapin holisticwellnessbyprovidingindividualswithmore opportunitiesandchoices fortheirwell-being.This year,morethan40holistic andwellnessbusinesses
fromNewHampshireand surroundingcommunities willgatherunderoneroof, offeringanimmersiveexperiencewithpresentations, workshops,anddemonstrationsthroughouttheday.
Attendeeswillhavethe opportunitytoexploreadi-
verserangeofhealing modalities,includingbodywork,assistedstretching, mentalhealth,andinnovativewellnesspractices.The eventwillfeature13insightfulpresentationsand workshops,suchasFrequencyTherapies,When
SelfCarefeelsOverwhelming,andGroup HealingwithaMedicalIntuitive,providingvaluableinsightsandhands-onexperiencesforattendees.
Inadditiontotheseworkshops,theEvolutionExpo offersanopportunitytoengagewithavibrantcommunitywhoseprimaryfocusis fosteringhealing.Visitors canexperiencelivedemonstrations,connectwithwellnessprofessionals,anddiscovertime-testedandcutting-edgehealingtechniques.Whetheryouare seekinginformationongeneralwell-being,holistic treatments,oruniquewellnessproducts,theEvolution Expoisdesignedtoem-
powerattendeeswith knowledgeandresourcesto takechargeoftheirhealth journey.
“Ourgoalistoempower peopletochoosetheirpath intheirhealthandwellness journey,”saideventcoordinatorSoniaGaudette.“The EvolutionExpoisaspace wherepeoplecanconnect withexperts,explore holisticoptions,andfinda supportivecommunityfocusedonhealing.”
SponsoredbyGraniteLeaf TherapeuticCannabis,TerraMuneHealthandthe HerbalPathPharmacyin DoverandPortsmouththe EvolutionExpocordiallyinvitesyoutogetyourticket today!
Foundedin2019,Holistic ProsLLCisaprofessional membershiporganization dedicatedtopromotingalternative,complementary, andholistichealingforall livingbeings.Byleveraging mediaandtechnology, HolisticProsaimstobridge thegapbetweenholistic wellnessandmainstream awareness,ensuringthatindividualshaveaccesstodiversehealingopportunities.
Formoreinformation, visitholisticnh.org/evolution-expo
TheEvolution Expo,a wellnessconvention,returns tothe GrapponeConference CenteronApril 6,offering atransformative experience for attendees seeking holistic healing, personal empowerment, and spiritual growth.
A plethora of scholarship opportunities education
PlanNHisexcitedtoannouncethatapplications areopenfortheScholarshipandFellowshipProgram.ThisprogramincludesthePlanNHFellowshipFund,theAlfredT. GrangerStudentArtTrust Fund,andthePaulandAnn HarveyScholarshipFund, allofwhichsupportstudentswhocallNewHampshirehomeandare studyingafieldrelatedto thePlanNHmission.Eli-
giblefieldsofstudyinclude architecture,construction management,engineering, environmentalstudies,and more.
In2024,ninestudents acrosstheGraniteState wereawarded$23,000by PlanNHtosupporttheir educationalpath.
“PlanNHisveryproudof ourscholarshipprogram,” saidexecutivedirector TiffanyTononiMcNamara.
“Supportingstudents
throughourscholarship programisaninvestmentin thenextgenerationof leadersandinnovatorsfor thedesign,architecture,engineering,andconstruction fieldsinourregion.”
PlanNHhasbeeninvolvedinawardingscholarshipssinceitsfoundingin 1989andhasbeenhonored tohavesupportedcountless studentsovertheyears.
CurrentPlanNHBoard MembersCarolineCor-
riveauofWarrenstreetArchitectsandSteveHebsch ofNovoStudioArchitects werePlanNHScholarship Awardrecipientsinyears past,andtheyhavenotonly carvedoutsuccessfulcareers,buthavecontinuedto payitforwardbyservingon thePlanNHBoardofDirectors,aswellasthePlan NHScholarshipCommittee.
PlanNH’sScholarship Committeeiscomposedof
professionalsfromacross thecommunitydevelopmentfield,manyofwhom areformerrecipientsthemselves.ThiscommitteeadministersthePlanNHFellowshipFund,theAlfredT. GrangerStudentArtTrust Fund,andthePaulandAnn HarveyScholarshipFund throughtheNewHampshire CharitableFoundation’sonlinescholarshipapplication platform.Thisuniversalapplicationensuresthatstudentsneedonlyapplyonce tobeconsideredforthese andotherscholarshipsavailablethroughtheNew HampshireCharitableFoundation.
Moreinformationonthe PlanNHScholarshipand FellowshipProgramcanbe foundatplannh.org/programs/scholarship-and-fellowship.Theapplication deadlineforthisyear’sprogramisApril11at5p.m.
Klezmer Conservatory Band at The Audi
TheConcordCommunityConcertAssociationwelcomesthe KlezmerConservatory BandonSunday,April6at 2p.m.attheConcordCity Auditoriumasthefinal concertoftheCCCA202425ConcertSeries.
Aleadingvoiceinthe worldofklezmermusicand Yiddishsongforover40 years,theKlezmerConservatoryBand(KCB)continuestothrillaudiencesall overtheworld.Witha repertoirerangingfrom Yiddishstandardsto rousingdancemedleysand little-knowngems,the KCBmusicianshaveserved asimportantambassadors
inpromotingtheuniversal appealofJewishmusic.
Sincethelate1990s, ItzhakPerlmanhasfeatured theKlezmerConservatory BandinhisCD,video,and touringproject,“IntheFiddler’sHouse,”including performancesatWolftrap, GreatWoods,RadioCity MusicHall,theRaviniaFestival,theSaratogaMusic Festival,Moscow’s BarvikhaConcertHall,the MiznerParkAmphitheatre inBocaRaton,andthe MannMusicCenter (Philadelphia).InDecemberof2002,theKCB performedaconcertoforchestralarrangementsof klezmerandYiddishvocal
musicwiththeAtlanta SymphonyOrchestra.In 1988,world-renowned choreographerBillT.Jones choreographedapiece basedonmusicfromtheir CD,“AJumpin’NightInthe GardenofEden”forthe BostonBallet.
Theband’srecordingsincludeYiddisheRenaissance,Klez,andATouchof KlezontheVanguardlabel; OyChanukah,AJumpin’ NightintheGardenof Eden,OldWorldBeat,Live! TheThirteenthAnniversaryAlbum,Dancinginthe Aisles,ATasteofParadise andthehighlyacclaimed DanceMetotheEndof LoveonRounderRecords.
TheKCBwasprominently featuredinthe1988documentaryfilm,“AJumpin’ NightintheGardenof Eden.”
Thisconcertisthefinal performanceoffiveconcertsoftheConcordCommunityConcertAssociation’s94thseasonatthe ConcordCityAuditorium.
VisittheConcordCommunityConcertAssociation websitetopurchasetickets onlineatwww.cccaaudi.org.Ticketsarealso availablefor$20each,cash orcheck,atthedooronthe eveningoftheconcert. Youth18andunderarefree whenaccompaniedbyan adultticketholder.
Old School Comic Show coming to Concord
Getreadycomicbook fans!TheDouglasEverettArenainConcordwilltransformintoa paradiseofrarecomicbooks whenJasonBrodnickbrings hisOldSchoolComicShow totownonSaturday,April5. Thisonce-a-yearall-day event,foundedin2018,is expectedtoattractattendees fromasnearbyasConcord andasfarawayasFrance, AustraliaandSingapore. Brodnick,whosewife ownsandoperatesLittle GiantComics&Collectibles inLawrence,Mass.,started theshowafterlosinghisjob toaseverebackinjury.Battlingdepressionandunable tostanduprightforsix years,Brodnickwalkedinto theEverettArenaforayard saleeventandsaidhe“heard thehornsofValhallaasI walkedintothevenue.I knewwhatIwantedtodo
then.”Thatwas2013.Brodnicklefthisnameand numberwiththearenaand fiveyearslaterlaunchedthe comicbookshow.
“Ibuilttheshowtobe whatIrememberoldschool comicshowstobeabout–comics,artists,andart,”he said.“Therestofthestuff justkindofgetsinthewayof thethrillofthehunt!Don’t getmewrong,Iloveagood popcultureconventionwith acosplayparade,rootbeer wagonsandfleamarket fodder,butthisissomething different.Thisisabout comicsandtheartiststhat createthem.”
Theshowattractssomeof theworld’sbestcomicbook dealers,includingHeritage AuctionHouse,theworld’s largestcollectibleauction house.CGC,theworld’s leadingthird-partygrading service,willbeonsite.Brodnickencouragedpeopleto submitcomics,trading cards,magazinesand postersforgrading.
Therewillbearound125 differentboothswithvendors.Lastyear,about1500 attendeesflockedtothe show.Brodnickhopesthis yearwillbeevengreater.
Event Highlights:
■ Therewillbeover50 milliondollarsinrare comicbooksandoriginal art,includingthefirstappearanceofcharacterslike Spider-Man,Batman,Supermanandmore.
■ MeetlegendarycreatorslikeDavidMichellinie, creatorofVenomandScott Lang(Ant-Man),JimSteranko,creatorofIndiana Jones,MikeRoyer,who workedwithJackKirbyon BlackPanther,AllenMilgrom,creatorofRoguefrom theX-MenandtheBlack Cat,andformereditorin chiefofMarvelComicsJim Shooter,whocreatedthe blacksuitthatlaterbecame Venom.
■ Supportlocalartists
KJELD MAHONEY Courtesy
The Old School Comic Show will take place on April 5, at the Everett Arena in Concord.
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andvendors:Localcomic storeDoubleMidnightwill beattheshowaswellasnumerouslocalcomicbook artistslikeRickParker (Beavis&Butthead), MatthewDiMasi(Shattered Comics)&more.
■ CGCGradingCompany: Forthefirsttimeever,CGC gradingcompany,the world’slargestthird-party
gradingcompanywillbeonsitetohandleallyour gradingneeds. Formoreinformation, visitwww.oldschoolcomicshow.com/.
KJELD MAHONEY Courtesy
The Old School Comic Show will take place on April 5, at the Everett Arena in Concord.
April 3
■ Adult Drop In Basketball: Noon to 2 p.m. Green Street Community Center, 39 Green St, Concord.
■ Bach’s Lunch: Raga Music Composition (Lecture): 12:10 to 12:50 p.m. Free. Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St, Concord. reception@ccmusicschool.org.
■ College Transfer Visit: UNH: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. NHTI, 31 College Dr., Concord. (603) 2716484.
■ Craft Stories Exhibition: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 49 South Main St., Suite 100, Concord.
■ Drop In Pickleball: Noon to 2 p.m. Gymnasium, 14 Canterbury Rd., Concord.
■ Drop in Pickleball: 8 to 10 p.m. Green Street Community Center, 39 Green St., Concord.
■ Drop In Volleyball: 6 to 8 p.m. Gymnasium, 14 Canterbury Rd, Concord.
■ Evil Woman: 7 p.m. Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 South Main St., Concord.
■ Katee Robert - Sweet Obsession tour!: 7 to 8:30 p.m. “Sweet Obsession” $39. Tickets include a paperback copy of the book. BNH Stage, 16 South Main St., Concord. 603-2240562. gibsonsevents@ gmail.com.
■ Savvy Seniors Trip: Fan Favorite: 2 to 6 p.m. Texas Roadhouse, 317 Loudon Rd., Concord.
■ Silver Screen Social: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. $150. Pembroke Pines Country Club, 42 Whittemore Rd. #3128, Pembroke. (603) 227-7162. heismith@ crhc.org.
April 4
■ Bishop Brady Friday Night Fish Fry is Back for Season 7!: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Eat in or takeout a delicious and hearty meal –choose hand-battered fried or
baked haddock dinner, delicious fish tacos, clam chowder. $7 - $19. Seniors get $2 off Hand-Battered Fried Haddock Dinner. Bishop Brady High School, 25 Columbus Ave, Concord. 603-224-7418. fishfry@ bishopbrady.edu.
■ Drop in Pickleball: 9 to 11 a.m. Green Street Community Center, 39 Green St., Concord.
■ Drop In Pickleball: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Gymnasium, 14 Canterbury Rd., Concord.
■ First Friday - Go Green Concord: 4 to 8 p.m. Concord New Hampshire, Concord. katesullivan324@gmail.com.
■ Fraggle Rock Live: 7:30 p.m. Capitol Center for the Arts, 44 South Main St., Concord.
April 5
■ Black Hawk Tours: Tour 1: 10 to 11 a.m. Army Aviation Support Facility 26 Regional Dr., Concord. Program is full
■ Hoops on Wheels: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free. NHTI - Wellness Center, 31 College Dr., Concord. 603.228.9680 . development@ gsil.org.
■ Lecture: Batter Up! The Legacy of New Hampshire’s Draper & Maynard Factory: 2 to 3:30 p.m. Learn more about the company that helped shape modern sports in America and pioneered the idea of sports marketing. Admission is free for Society members, $10 for nonmembers. New Hampshire Historical Society, 30 Park St., Concord. 603-228-6688 . sbooth@nhhistory.org.
■ The Little Giant Comics Old School Comic Show: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. USD. Douglas N. Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Rd., Concord.
■ Mother of a Comedy Show!: 8 p.m. BNH Stage, 16 South Main St., Concord.
■ PMSPCA Dirty Paws 5k: 9 to
11 a.m. Run or walk our 5k with your friends and dog! $35/adult and $25/teens. Banks Humane Education Center, 95 Silk Farm Rd., Concord. 603-856-8756. bnemchick@pmspca.org.
April 6
■ Bank of NH Stage: 7 p.m. BNH Stage, 16 South Main St., Concord.
■ English Country Dance: 2:30 to 6 p.m. English dances draw
from the court and country dances of the 17th century through the 21st. The dances are taught and called to live music. $10. Auditorium at Howard Recreation Center on Gallen State Office Park, Brown & Kent Roads, Concord. 603397-0042. nhecds@comcast.net.
■ Klezmer Conservatory Band: 2 to 4:30 p.m. USD. Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord.
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