Extraordinary love story
“Whispering to Dostoevsky” will run from Jan. 3 through the 19. See details on Page 3.
Jan 2 to 8
Free and freezing
inside Insider
jvanfleet@cmonitor.com)
(amacneill@cmonitor.com) INSIDER
(news@theconcordinsider.com) ADVERTISING
STEVEPARE (spare@cmonitor.com,3693229)
A love story comes to the Players’ Ring Theatre
Theextraordinarylove storyofFyodorDostoevsky andthewomanwhobecame “thearchitectofhislife,” willbeonstageatthe Players’RingTheatrein Portsmouth,fromJan.3 throughthe19,writtenand directedbyRichardMcElvain.
Whenhisunscrupulous publisherhadaguntohis headtocompleteabookina month,FyodorDostoevsky reachedouttoaschoolthat taughtanewsciencecalled stenography.Thewomanhe hired,Anna,wouldsoonbecomehisindispensablecollaborator,hislover,hiswife andeventuallyhispublisher.
Togethertheysurvived hisboutswithepilepsy, gamblingaddiction, dreadfuldebt,andthedeath oftwochildren.Throughout itall,theyremainedhopelesslyinloveasDostoevsky
climbedtobecomeoneof thegreatestnovelistsofall time.
McElvainwasinSaintPetersburgperforminghis one-person-play“TheChess Player,”atTheBolshoi DramaTheatre,ahighpoint inhistheatrecareer.One dayaftertheshowwasup, andhehadsometime,he visitedDostoevsky's homewithhispartner LyndaRobinson.
“Hisplacehasbeen turnedintoamuseum,andI amafanofhisworks,” McElvainsaid.“Itwasa thrillwalkingupthestairs hewalkedupeverydayand seeingthedeskwherehe worked.Therewerecards youcouldreadineachroom andinthediningroomthe cardread‘InthisroomDostoevskydictatedhisnovels tohissecondwifeAnna.
PHOTO BY BEN BAGLEY
“Whispering to Dostoevsky,” written and directed by Richard McElvain, will be at thePlayers’ Ring Theatre Jan. 3-19.
“Annie” comes to Concord
RBProfessional,abranch ofRBProductions,willpresentaproductionofAnnie attheCapitolCenterforthe ArtsinConcordthisJanuary.Theshowwillfeature amixofprofessionalactors andlocalcommunityperformersinaheartwarming taleofhopeandresilience.
Performanceswilltake placeintheChubbTheatre, locatedat44S.MainStreet, Concord.Showtimesareas follows:
■ Friday,Jan.17,at7p.m. (doorsopenat6p.m.)
■ Saturday,Jan.18,at1 p.m.(doorsopenat12
p.m.)
■ Saturday,Jan.18,at7 p.m.(doorsopenat6p.m.)
Anniefollowsthestoryof aspiritedorphansearching forherfamily,accompanied bybelovedsongslike“Tomorrow,”“It’stheHardKnockLife,”and“Easy Street.”Theproduction combinesprofessionalexpertisewithcommunityenthusiasmforacollaborative experience.
Ticketsarenowonsale. Formoreinformationorto purchasetickets,visitthe CapitolCenterfortheArts websiteorboxoffice.
Share what’s happening in your community.
Email snapshots to communitynews@cmonitor.com.
Susan Roemer is Specially Trained InSeniorTransitionsWith20+Years of Capital Region Knowledge Call or Email for a Confidential Consultation 603-491-0833 | SRoemer@masiello.com
The history of the Grappone’s book review
By MATTHEW CAHILLANE
“TheFounding”isavivid anddetailedstory ofEuropeanimmigrantlifeattheturn ofthe19thcentury inNewEngland,by localauthor AmandaGrappone Osmer.Thetalefollowstheorigin journeyofawellknownNewHampshirefamily throughdifficulttimeson theirwaytosettlinginConcord.Thestorytelling
sourcesawidevarietyof newspaperaccounts, weatherconditions,ships’ logs,andfamilydiariesinto awell-documented accountofhowdifficultandprecariousdailylifewas formostpeoplea hundredyearsago. Attimes,thebook readslikeaMartin Scorsesescreenplay settingthescenes withreferencesto organizedcrime, tenseinteractions,and threatsoractsofviolence. Variousfamiliesde-
scribedinthebooklivedan immigrantexperiencedefinedmorebylossthanby gain,ashardworkwasno guaranteeofsuccessoreven survival.Theauthoravoids theyellow-huednostalgiaof dayspast,insteaddescribing immigrantlifeforwhatitreallywas–anuncertain battlewithperiodsofunemployment,failedventures,theburdensofillness orinjury,terribleworking conditions,anduntimely deaths.Conflictcomesfrom thefamily’slackofopportunityinAmerica–andalthoughconditionswere muchbetterthanItaly-it stillcarriedhighrisksgiven thecompetitivenessinan economywithanabundanceofcheaplaborand fewprotectionsforworkers orentrepreneurs.Thereis alsoconflictbetween peopleinpositionsofmore andlesspower;fromolder
toyoungerbrothers,toinequalitiesbetweentheroles formenandwomen,with ongoingtensionsbetween nativeandimmigrant forces.
Theblackandwhitebook coverphotoshowsthetwo maincharactersinearly 19thcenturyclothing,with sternfacesstaringintothe cameralens.Thestoryline followsthejourneyofthese people,RoccoGrappone andEmanuelad’Orlando, whoemigratedseparately fromItalyandmetin America.Roccoisacharacterwithanuncertainpast whopursueshisfamilytraditionofstonecuttingto makeabetterlifeforhimselfandhisfamily.The recordsarenotclearif RoccoescapedItalytoavoid organizedcrimeorifhegot mixedupwithcriminalelementsoncehearrivedin America.Eitherway,he
risesabovethesestruggle andcommitstothehard, honestworkofafamily man.Emanuelaor‘Emma’is therocksolidwomanatthe homefront,yetshealso workswithherdaughtersin nearbyfactoriestokeepthe familyafloatfinanciallyor saveforthatnextbusiness venture.Inherlife,Emma boresixchildrenandlost two,allthewhilemanaging alargegardenandlivestock forsupportingagrowing family,helpingneighbors, andevenfeedingthe passinghomeless.
Thebooktellsasweeping storyofimmigrantstruggles overanextendedperiodof socialinstabilityandintegrationintoanew,difficult world.Untilyoureadabook likethisone,it’seasyto forgethowdangerousthe workconditionswere,how oftenbusinessesfailed,and howextendedfamilywas
theprimarysafetynet againstillness,injury,death, andothermisfortunes. Thebookcoversinterestingeventsfromtheperiod,includinga1919car tourofthe‘FourVagabonds’ thatincludedindustrialist HenryFord,inventor ThomasEdison,tireguy HarveyFirestone,andthe naturalistJohnBurroughs. Thisquartetoffamous Americansrodewith family,friendsandreportersona50-carconvoy todemonstratethatautomobiletravelwasbothreliableandadventurouseven ontheroughroadsofNew Hampshire.
Overall,“TheFounding” metitsgoaloftellingacaptivatinghistoryofuncertain timeswheretwopeople heldtogetheranextended immigrantfamily,tookcare oftheirneighbors,and
foundedafledglingautomobilecompany.Thebookdescribeshowfamiliesstruggledandsurvivedanonslaughtoftroubles,while takingbigchanceswiththe limitedcapitaltheysavedas daylaborersandfactory workers.Readersfamiliar withdowntownConcord mayalsoenjoyreferencesto locallandmarksthatremain afteracentury,including theStateHouse,Phenix Hall,andtheWatersFuneralHome.
Theauthor,Amanda GrapponeOsmer,isthe great-granddaughterofthe maincharactersandnow theco-owneroftheautomobilecompanycalled GrapponeAutomotive basedinBowandConcord. ThebookiscurrentlyavailableatGibson’sBookstore inConcordandmultiplelocationsacrosstheregion.
The Apartments at Cranmore Ridge feature 1-2 bedroom units, contemporary cabinetry, upgraded flooring, stainless steel appliances, smart features, and keyless entry, as well as multiple onsite amenities. Contact us TODAY for your personal tour. 603.836.8460 | 169 Portsmouth Street, Concord, NH | www.cranmoreridge.com
Sco� Lounsbury, director Jacqueline Morin, accompanist
FIT4MOM celebrates expansion to Concord
Concord moms are abouttogetanew community.
FIT4MOM - the nation’s largest wellness company with programs exclusively designed for moms - ex-
pandsitspresencewith its newest location in the Concord-Kearsarge area,currentlytheonly FIT4MOM location in New Hampshire. A grand opening class willbeheldattheBoys & Girls Club (55 Bradley St. Concord) on Jan. 22 at 9 a.m.; this will include a free Stroller Strides class, giveaways, prizes and refreshments. Lianne Roux and Anne Laraia willbeonhandtomeet fellow mamas and lead the fun stroller-based total body workout.
RouxandLaraiaaresisters-in-lawandclose friends.Overtheyears theyhavebondedover theirpassionforstrength inwomanhood,andafter becomingmomsthey bondedoverstrengthin
motherhood.Previously involvedwiththe FIT4MOMvillageinConnecticut,theydecidedto bringthispowerfuland specialfitnesscommunitytoNewHampshire. Theyarebothcertified pre-andpost-natalfitnessinstructorsandare excitedaboutbuildinga villageofmomscentered aroundfitnessandwellness.
“Wearethrilledto bringtheamazing FIT4MOMcommunityto womenandmamasin Concord,” saidRouxandLaraia.
“FIT4MOMcreatesasupportivecommunityfocusedonwell-beingand Gtitnessthatcanultimatelychangethetrajectoryofyourlife,andwe arehonoredtolead momsingainingstrength inmotherhood.”
Anyandeverymomor mom-to-beiswelcometo attendthefreeGrand OpeningeventonJan.22 at55BradleySt.,Concord.Formoreinformation,visithttps://concord.fit4mom.comor emailconcordkearsarge@ fit4mom.com.
Historical Society to host talk on democracy pembroke
ThePembrokeHistorical Societywillpresent“Why Democracy,”atalkbyDr. JoshuaDuclosofSt.Paul’s School,onMonday,Jan.6,at 7p.m.atthePembroke TownLibrary,313PembrokeSt.
Thepresentationwillexploretheconceptofdemocracy,historicalandcontemporarycriticismsofit,and argumentssupportingits value.Dr.Duclos,ahumanitiesprofessoratSt.Paul’s School,isaformerFulbright scholarandtheauthorof
Wilderness,Morality,and Value
Thiseventisfreeand opentothepublic.Itispart ofaseriesco-sponsoredby thePembrokeTownLibrary,thePembrokeHistoricalSociety,andtheFriends ofthePembrokeLibrary. TheprogramisunderwrittenbyNewHampshire Humanitieswithsupport fromtheNationalCouncil ontheHumanities.
Formoreinformationon theevent,call603-4857851.
Adoptable Pets Looking For A New Home You
seacoast
Theme shows for 2025 Artist Association
TheSeacoastArtistAssociationindowntownExeter hasannouncedtheir2025 ThemeShowcalendarand allSeacoastartistsareinvitedtoenter.Allthemes areannouncedaheadof time,soartistshaveplenty oftimetocreate.Members receivehalfpriceentry,so nowistheperfecttimeto joinorrenew.Thiscanbe doneinpersonatthegallery oronlineatseacoastartist.org
Thefirstshowoftheyear is“WinterWonderment.” Youcansubmitupto2 piecesofframedworkwith wirehanger,upto16”x20” Formembers,$10perpiece uptotwopieces.Piecesover 16”x20”countas2pieces. Youmayenteronelarge under22x26andonesmall. Seecompletedetailsaton thewebsiteseacoastartist.orgwhereyouwill alsofindtheformtobring withyouatdrop-off. Emailyoursubmissionby Jan.3withyournameand phonenumberandinclude labelinformationoftitle, medium,andprice,along withagoodjpegforpublicityifyouhaveone,to themeshowsubmissions@ seacoastartist.org.Dropoff isJan4from10a.m.to2 p.m.(only).Acommittee choosesBestinShow,the winnerreceivingafree entryinafutureTheme Show.
TherewillbeaSecond Fridayartistreceptionon Jan.25,from5to7p.m., whereattendeescanvote
forthePeople’sChoice. Artistsareencouragedtoattendandaddsomethingto theirrefreshmenttables, andtherewillbeasignup sheetatdrop-off.This month’sentertainmentwill
beprovidedbySeacoastfavoriteGreenHeron,featuringBetsyHeronon fiddle,banjoandvocals,and ScottHerononguitar,banjo andvocals.Themusicof GreenHeronstretches
acrosstheentirefolklandscapeofold-time,folk,bluegrass,country,Celticand blues.
InFebruary,therewillbe aValentinetheme,“All Heart.”DropoffisJan.
25,whenpickuphappens fortheJanuaryshow.Emails dueJan24th.TheSecond Fridayreceptionfallson Valentine’sDay,sothereceptionwillbeespecially festive!Seetheentiretheme showscheduleatseacoastartist.organdintheflyerat thegallery
TheSeacoastArtistAssociationislocatedinhistoric downtownExeterat130 WaterStreet.Postholiday hoursareWednesday throughSaturday,10a.m.to 5p.m.,andSunday1to4 p.m..Parkingisfree.Follow themonFacebookandInstagram.Emailthegalleryat gallery@seacoastartist.org withquestions.
history
Jan.2,1784:TheLegislaturegrantsConcordofficial townhood.
Jan.2,1942:Thestateencourageswomentogoto workinfactoriestoreplace menwhohavejoinedthe armedforces.WalterM. May,deputystateeducation commissioner,sayshewill throwthestate’s13defense schoolsopentowomenat oncesothattheycanlearn mechanicalskills.Tonow, womenhavetriedinvainto gainadmittancetosuch classes.
January2,1843–New HampshirenativesBenjaminBrownFrenchand SarahJosephaHalevisitthe WhiteHousetogetherfor thecustomaryNewYear’s greetingofthepresident. TheyshakehandswithJohn Tyler,minglewiththelarge crowd,thenleavetovisit JohnQuincyAdamsandpay him“thecomplimentsofthe season.”
Jan.2,1920:Federal agentsandlocalauthorities
teamuptoarrest260menin eightNewHampshirecities andtowns.Thearrestscome inthePalmerraids,anationaldragnettoroundup “radicalaliens.”TheJustice Departmentplanstodeport theimmigrantstowardoffa Bolshevikrevolutioninthe UnitedStates.
Jan.3,2003:Nearly1,000 attendthefuneralofFather RichardLower,apriestat OurLadyofFatimaChurch inNewLondon,aweekafter hisapparentsuicidefollowingallegationsofsexual abuse.
Jan.3,1990:BrendaElias issworninasFranklin’s mayor.“Thepeopleobviouslywantedachange,”says defeatedincumbentChet Wickens.“Hardwork doesn’tscareme,”saysElias.
Jan.3,1852:VisitingConcord,HenryHubbardslips ontheicywalkwayonhis waytotheEagleHotel.The fallbreakshisleftarm.Hubbardwillsuethetownand winajudgmentof$800.
Jan.3,1870:Anauroraborealisappears.At4a.m.,“the northernportionofthesky wasnearlyallaflame,”apatrioticobserverwrites.Directlyoverhead,“Streamers ofred,whiteandbluewere seenstreakingupfromthe horizon.”
Jan.3,1983:Schoolsand moststatebuildingsare closedforanofficialdayof mourningasGov.Hugh Gallenisburied.Hometown friendsandfamilyfilla simplewood-and-stone churchinLittletonforthe funeralMass.TheRev. PatrickIrwineulogizes Gallenasacompassionate manwho“diedhopingthe futurewouldbekind”tothe lessfortunate.Earlier, Gallenwashonoredina publicmemorialserviceat theStateHouse.Morethan 1,200peopleattended,includingformerPresident JimmyCarter.
Jan.3,1979:TheWashingtonPostreportsthata collectionofRobertFrost
memorabiliahasbeendonatedtotheUniversityof NewHampshire.ThecollectionincludesacopyofNew Hampshireinscribedby Frosttohiswifein1923.The worklaterwonhimthefirst offourPulitzerPrizes. Amongtheotheritemsin thecollection:apatchwork quiltmadefromtheacademichoodsreceivedbythe poet.
Jan.4,1859:TheCoosRepublicanofLancasterprints alistofalltownresidents whohaddiedtheyearbefore -andthecauseofdeath.The tally:11fromconsumption, 3fromapoplexy,fourfrom typhoidfever,3fromlung fever,1fromscarletfever, twofrominflammationof thebowels,2fromconges-
tionofthelungs,1from cancer,1fromparalysisand onefromoldage.Ofthose 29deaths,morethanhalf wereunder30yearsold.
Jan.4,2001:Elizabeth McLaughlin,a101-year-old residentofConcord’s Havenwood-Heritage HeightsRetirementCommunity,getssomeextraattentionforadayafterbeing invitedtothegovernor’sinauguraladdressattheState House.“It(was)adayI neverexpected,” McLaughlinsayslater.“I’m notanimportantgirlatall.”
Jan.4,1950:ThetemperatureinConcordclimbsto68 degrees,makingthisthe warmestJanuarydayofthe 20thcentury.
Jan.4,1946:TheNashua
Telegraphannouncesthat theBrooklynDodgerswill bringaminorleaguebaseballteamtoNashua.Unknowntoresidentsis DodgerPresidentBranch Rickey’splantobring AfricanAmericanplayersto NewHampshireaspartof hiscampaigntobreakmajor leaguebaseball’scolorline.
Jan.5,2002:TheConcord policefoundfirsthandevidenceofmethamphetamine’screepingpresencelastmonthinanattic crawlspaceonNortheast VillageStreet,theMonitor reports.There,inthe Heightshome,officers foundapHtesterandchemicalbottles.Methamphetamine,alsoknownat “crank”and“speed,”has longbeenatopconcernfor lawenforcementofficialsin theWestandMidwest.But onlyrecentlyhasthenarcoticturnedupinNewEngland,lawenforcementofficialssaid.
Jan.5,1776:Inthefirstof
fiveProvincialCongresses inNewHampshire,delegatesadoptatemporary constitution.Thedocument makesNewHampshirean independentcolonysix monthsbeforethecolonies jointlydeclaretheirindependence.RecallingtheobjectionableactionsofrecentlydepartedRoyalGov. JohnWentworth,the
framersmakenoprovision foragovernor.Meschech WearebecomesNewHampshire’spresident.Thepermanentstateconstitution willnottakeeffectuntilJune 1784.
Jan.5,1813:Thefirst productsfromstateprison industriesgoonthemarket: axes,madeintheprison’s blacksmithshop,at10
shillingsor$1.50bythe dozen.
Jan.6,2003:SeveralPenacookresidentsaskthecityto savetheirbeloved,butmost likelydoomed,Rolfebarn: Theyaskthecitytoseizeit througheminentdomain. Therequestismadeinapetitionfiledjustminutesbeforecityhallcloses.After monthsofbattlesbetween
historybuffsandproperty developers,thePenacook HistoricalSocietywillown thebarn.
Jan.6,1790:George Hough,31,whohashauled inahandpressandtype casesfromWindsor,Vt., publishesConcord’sfirst newspaper,TheConcord HeraldandNewHampshire Intelligencer.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Carpentry
RALPH A. POTTER Building, Remodeling. Decks, Small jobs. Roofing & Metal Roofing 603-228-2366
Dump Runs
LOOSENZ
Junk, Appliances, Furniture, Cleanouts, Small Moves, Houses, Garages, Basements & Attics From Truck Loads to Dumpsters Snow Plowing
Serving Central New Hampshire 7 Days a Week 603-753-8555 603-568-7291
Handyperson Services Pest Control
MJG HANDYMAN LLC
Power Washing, Tree trimming, Brush hog mowing, Interior painting, Small odd jobs Call mike 603-491-8676
Home Improvement
STEVE'S BUILDING REPAIRS
Specializing in small home repairs 45 years experience in building and remodeling
Replacement Decks Kitchen Installs Bath Remodels Trim Work Replacement Doors call (603) 748-4902 or email: sedgecomb01@gmail.com for more information
Masonry
MASONRY
Repairs Chimney Sweeping & all Masonry needs 603-674-0492
For Details Visit www.FixPaintEtc.com
603-203-4800 FixPaintEtc@gmail.com
WILDLIFE REMOVAL
Experienced, dependable, reasonably priced and licensed Wildlife Control Operator. Humane wildlife removal.
Woodchucks, porcupines, skunks, raccoons, possums. Feel free to call for wildlife advice! 603-491-6044
Roofing
99 Clinton Street, Concord
* Two bedroom gardenstyle and townhouse apartments in a beautiful country setting
* fitness facility and tennis court
* Covered parking and storage available
* Garden-style units include heat
Call (603) 224-2268 for hours and info.
www.MesitiRealEstate.c om
Rooms
Autos Wanted AUTOMOTIVE & BOATS THE WHITFIELD HOUSE, 86-86 1/2 Pleasant St.,Concord. Semi-Private Lodging. 603-225-9734
Absolutely All Cars & Trucks Wanted Will pay up to $600. Call Murray's Auto Recycling 425-2562
Save on Windows & Doors!
Sciatica
Digestive
Headaches
love how the Dr and staff are at this location. The greet you name every time you walk in and as you leave for the day. They were able to help get answers to my 6 years of and discomfort after for so my care. I