Festival receives Academy Award qualifying status
TheNewHampshire FilmFestivalrecently achievedstatusas anAcademyAwardqualifyingfestivalfortheShort FilmAwardsinanewcategory:documentaryshorts. Thefestivalpreviouslyreceivedthisdistinctionin thecategoriesofliveaction shortsandanimation shorts.Thisthirdmilestone solidifiesthefestival’sstatusasaplatform forshortfilmmakersworldwide,providingadirect pathwaytoOscareligibility.
“Formorethantwo decades,we’vebeencommittedtocelebratingandelevatingtheartofshortfilmmaking,”saidDanHannon, festivalco-founderandindustrydirector.“Thisexpansionfurthersourmissiontosupportandreward extraordinarywork,connectingfilmmakerswith unparalleledopportunities.”
TheNewHampshireFilm Festivaljoinsarosterofinternationalfestivals,suchas Cannes,Sundance,and Toronto,thatcarry AcademyAwardqualifying statusinmultiplecategories.ThefestivalcontinuestoamplifythecreativevoiceofnorthernNew Englandwhilechampioning independentfilmmakers fromacrosstheglobe.
“EarningthisAcademy Awardqualifyingstatushas beenagoalsincethefestival’sinception,andit’sincrediblyrewardingtosee ourhardworkrecognized inthisway,”saidNicole Gregg,festivalfoundingdirector.“Ourteam’sdedicationandpassionhavebeen thedrivingforcesbehind thisachievement,andit’s
anhonortoprovidefilmmakerswithsuchasignificantopportunity.”
Thefestival’sawardeesof theLiveActionShortsJury Award,AnimationShorts JuryAward,andnow, theDocumentaryShorts JuryAward,willqualifyto entertheShortFilmscompetitionfortheconcurrent Oscarseason.Recipients willbeeligibleforAcademy Awardsconsideration withoutthestandardtheatricalrun,providedcompliancewiththeAcademy’s rules.
SeveralConcordlocals havegarneredaccoladesat thefestivalovertheyears. Lastyear,father-sonduo DanandSamuelHabibwon bestfeaturedocumentary for“TheRideAhead,”and IanScurareceivedtheFilmmakeroftheYearawardfor directing“AHandmade Life”and“Liquid,Fragile, Perishable.”Otherlocal awardeesincludeChris Stinson,whowonthe2011 VanMcLeodAward,Adam Jones,whoreceivedthe 2019AudienceChoiceDocumentaryAwardfor“FISH &MEN,”andMichaelBar-
nett,awardedNewHampshireFilmmakeroftheYear in2019andBestNHFeatureDocumentaryfor“The MarsGeneration”in2017. The23rdAnnualNew HampshireFilmFestival willtakeplaceOct.16-19 inPortsmouth.Filmand screenplaysubmissionsare nowopenthroughthefestival’swebsite:www.nhfilmfestival.com
COURTESY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL
Concord father-son duoDan and Samuel Habibwon bestfeaturedocumentary atthe New Hampshire Film Festival in 2024.
COURTESY OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL
Concord local Ian Scura won NH Filmmaker of the Yearat the 2024 NewHampshire Film Festival.
TCivil War monument presentation
hroughoutNew Hampshire,towns, individuals,and veterans’organizations haveerectedanassortmentofmemorialstothe CivilWar.Beginning withobelisksofthe 1860sandcontinuing ontore-masteredworks ofthe21stcentury,historianGeorgeMorrison ofBowwillpresentadiverseselectionofNew Hampshire’scommemorationsandtheirstories atapresentationatthe PembrokeTownLibrary onThursday,Feb.13at7 p.m.
HostedbythePembroke HistoricalSociety,Morrison’stalk,entitled“Van-
ishedVeterans:AnIllustratedIntroductionto NewHampshire’sCivil WarMonumentsand Memorials,”comesasthe latestinstallmentofthe NewHampshireHumanitiesspeakerseries.
MorrisonearnedaB.A. inHistoryattheUniversityofNewHampshire.A high-schoolteacherfor 27-yearsandalong-time researcherofunpublished primarysources,Morrisonhastraveledover 18,000milestoresearch monumentsandmemorials.
Thepresentationisfree andopentothe public.Formoreinformation,call603-566-1031.
Art & Bloom awardees
TheConcordGardenClub ispleasedtoannouncethe winnersofitsPeople’s ChoiceAwardsfromtheannualArt&Bloomexhibition, heldattheKimballJenkins EstateattheendofJanuary. Eachyear,clubmembersand localfloristscreatedisplays tocomplementartworkcreatedbymembersofthecommunity.
GardenClubmember RobynCottonwonthemost votesforherinterpretation of“HeavenNorth”byNicki French.Usingmostlyforaged anddriedbotanicals, Cotton’spieceinsoftpastel colorsreflectedthebeautiful symmetryandserenityofthe wintersunrisecreatedbythe artist.HerbotanicalrecreationofaRussianwheat sheaftiara(headdressworn byRussianpeasantsandroyaltyalikeforspecialoccasions)completedtheevocationofapeacefulwinter morningjustpriortothe RussianRevolution.
TheConcordGardenClub wouldliketothankitsparticipants,partnersandsponsorsforawonderfulArt& Bloomexhibitthatfeatured floralinterpretationsof worksofartfromthemem bersoftheNewHampshire chapteroftheWomen’s CaucusforArtandputsmiles onthefacesofcloseto900 visitors.
Communitymember LorrieCareydrewaccolades forherinterpretationof RobinCornwell’sfeltedtextilework,“AttheEndofthe Day.”Withherbotanicals, shepickedoutthevaried colorsofthesunsetoverthe treesandhills,thebrilliant accentsoftheflowersinthe foreground,andthecolorsof thequiltedframe.
“Wethankourcollabora tors,KimballJenkinsEstate andtheWomen’sCaucusfor Art,andalloursponsors,” theGardenClubsaidina statement.“Theseinclude CobblestoneDesign,Merri mackCountySavingsBank, RuedigRealty,Sal’sPizza, GoldsmithGallery,McLane Middleton,Gibson’sBookstore,Gondwana&Divine ClothingCo.,SusanneSmithMeyerLandscapeArchitect, ClaudeGentilhommeArchitect,Osborne’sFarm andGardenCenter,aswellas in-kindgivingbyPolarisDirectandConcordHospital.”
COURTESY OF CONCORD GARDEN CLUB
Lorrie Carey drew accolades for her interpretation of Robin Cornwell’s felted textile work, “At the End of the Day.”
Horror Fiction Fest and Poetry Society open mic
Twoexcitingeventswill takeplaceatGibson’sBookstoreinConcordnextweek.
Fourenigmatichorrorauthorswilldiscussthe catharsisofdarknessinan ever-darkeningworldat HorrorFictionFeston Tuesday,Feb.18at6:30p.m. Comelistentothepanelas theytalkaboutfindingjoy, control,andescapismin readinghorrornovels.
andwe'vefoundthat,despite thedarkandspookythemes oftheirmaterial,horrorauthors(andreaders!)areconsistentlythemostoutgoing andfriendly!”
TheauthorsattheeventincludeEricLaRocca,Clay McLeodChapman,E.K. Sathue(apseudonymforauthorErinMayer), andDennisMahoney.For moreinformation,visitgibsonsbookstore.com/event/horrorpanel-2025.
andfilm,“TheElephantofSilence,”cameoutinspring 2024withLSUPress.He worksasacontracteditorfor FrontenacHouse,lecturesin theWritingProgramatDartmouthCollege,andliveswith hiswife,philosopherTiina Rosenqvist,inVermont.
“Hostinggenrepanels atGibson'sBookstoreisa wonderfulwayforustoprovideourreaderswithacommunityevent,”saidevents coordinatorElisabeth Jewell.“Wehaveastrong horrorfollowingamongour customers,andofferinga placeforreaderstobuild theircommunityandmake newfriendsandconnections makesusveryhappy.We've becomefriendswithmany horrorauthorsovertheyears
ThePoetrySocietyofNew Hampshireinvitesyoutojoin thematanopenmicnightat Gibson’sonWednesday, Feb.19at6p.m.The eveningwillfeaturea readingfromauthorJohn WallBarger,whohas pennedsixcollectionsof poems,including“Smog Mother”(Palimpsest,2022). Hisbookofessaysonpoetry
ThePoetrySocietyofNew Hampshirehostsanopen miceventonthe thirdWednesdayofeach monthfrom4:30-6p.m.and invitesthelocalcommunity tojoinforanafternoonof verse.Eachinstallationfeaturesadifferentpoetreading workbeforeopeningthemic uptoaudiencemembers.Theeventisfreeand opentothepublic.Newcomersarewelcomedand encouraged.Bringyourfavoritepoemtoread,orsomethingyou’vebeenworking on,orcomewithappreciativeearstolisten.
GET THE E-EDITION APP
Did you know you can read the e-edition right on your phone? The Concord Monitor electronic edition app lets subscribers read the paper on a phone or tablet with all the stories, ads and photos shown exactly as it appears in print. Download the Monitor's e-edition app through Google Play or the App Store.
LOVE AND CHOCOLATE granite state candy shoppe
By RACHEL WACHMAN
Fromheart-shaped chocolatesandcandieswith lovemessagestopinkand redgummiesandfloweradornedconfections,Valentine’sDayatGraniteState CandyShoppeisquitethe occasion.
Inpreparationforoneof thebiggestholidaysinthe chocolateandcandymakingworld,chocolatiers atthecompanyhaveproducedhundredsofsweet treatsinthepastfew weeks.
“Notonlydowegetto makefunchocolatesand candies,butit’sthisimportantpartofpeople’slives andholidaycelebrations,” saidownerJeffreyBart, whosegrandfatherfounded GraniteStateCandyShoppe in1927.
Hewantshissugaryconfectionstotapintothe senseoflineagehefeels aroundthebusiness,andhe strivestocreatenostalgia forthecommunitymemberswhohavebeenshoppingthereforyears.
“It’sthisideathatthisis theplacethatsomebody wentwhentheywerelittle becausetheywerebrought therebytheirparentsand nowthey’redoingthesame thing,”Bartsaid.“It’sgenerationalconsistencythat we’reabletoprovidetothe community.”
Inadditiontooffering classicValentine’sDay sweets,GraniteStateCandy Shoppeseekstoinnovate
RACHEL WACHMAN / MONITOR STAFF
Chocolatiers at the Granite State Candy Shoppe factory on Hall St. Concord prepared chocolatesfor Valentine's Day on Monday, Feb. 3.
eachyearwithnoveltycandieslike“SharetheLove Gummies,”whichcomeina varietyoffruit-flavored, rainbow-sandedhearts,accordingtogeneralmanager TalSmith.
Smithpicksouttheholidaypackagingeachyear andsaidsheenjoyscreatingnewdesignsfordifferentbagsandboxes,especiallytheheartcontainersofassortedcandies.
“Ilovemakingthings beautiful,”Smithsaid.“I lovegettingthemreadyfor people,sowhentheygiveit tosomeone,theyfeelthat love.”
Othernoveltycandiesfor thisValentine’sseasonincludethe“SendingLove Heart,”aboxthatevokes theideaofstampsusedto sendloveletters,andthe chocolatesmidgens,which comeinpackagingdecoratedwiththeword“love” indifferentlanguages.
Chocolatiers at the Granite State Candy Shoppe factory on Hall St. Concord prepared chocolates for Valentine’s Day on Feb. 3. Kate Hayden prepped chocolate heart lollipops in molds.
Thecandycompany’smerchandiseincludesaValentine’sDay stapleandhallmarkofromance:chocolate-covered fruit.
“Forchocolate-dipped strawberries,wedothe standardonesinmilk,white anddarkchocolate,”Bart said.“Thenwedothefancy berriesthataredippedin chocolateandsprinkledin allsortsofcoolstuff.Wealwayshavenewonesthere too.”
Foraninsidelookinto howGraniteStateCandy Shoppeproducestheir Valentine’sDaycandies, checkouttheConcord MonitoronInstagramand Facebook(@concordmonitor).
RachelWachmancanbe reachedatrwachman@ cmonitor.com
Fri/Sat, Feb 14/15, 7:30 pm Sunday, Feb 16, 2:00 pm Concord City Auditorium
Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to each performance.
RACHEL WACHMAN / MONITOR STAFF
The art of Azalea Park
Lastfall,fifthand sixthgradestudentsatthe HennikerCommunity Schoolstudiedtheartofillustration.Theylearned abouttheworksofHelenOxenbury,Dr.Seuss,andShel Silversteintogatherknowledgeaboutinkstyle,useof color,andbackground.At
thebeginningoftheproject, thestudentstookawalking fieldtripdownthrough AzaleaParktogatherinspirationfortheirnextartproject.
SusanAdamsoftheAzalea ParkCommitteetalkedto thestudentsaboutthepark’s historyanditsplansforthe
future.Thestudentswere taskedwithrepresentingthe parkandwhatitmeansto themthroughtheirillustrations.
Barbara Townsend, Betty White, John A Caglione, Jake Andy, Darlene French, Leah Gray, Hendrika C Van Dongen, Jonathan Charles Miller, Kaylee A (Doubleday) Huckins, Jennifer Sampson, Sullivan, Ryan Christie, Shirley Pierce, Nancy R DeStefano, Rhonda L Borey, William "Bill" Sipe In Memory Of In
Andy, Ava, Bombur T Cat, CJ, Spaz , Jasmine & Ruby, Cooper, Fluffy, Haley, Maggie May McGahan, Moki Young , Molly, Rags, Rosie & Ruby, Tigger, Tarsha, Symba & Pooh, Allie & Bella, Bob & Chance, Daisy
In Honor Of Pet In Honor Of
Elizabeth Poole, Karla Heck, Mary Estee, Nancy Clark
Bailey, Curly, Cheeto & Rosie, Cayman, Jack Sparrow, Lilly-Belle, Seamus, Zellbessroll
WhenAdamsheardofthe newartgalleryattheTucker FreeLibrary,shereachedout tolibrarydirectorLynnPiotrowiczseeiftherewas spaceforthe80piecesgeneratedbythestudent.The artwork,colorfulandcreated withintent,illustratesthe naturalbeautyofthepark.
Thestudentartexhibition openedattheTuckerFree LibraryGalleryonJan.24 andwillremainondisplay untilFeb.25.AnopeningreceptionwillbeheldonFeb. 7from3to6p.m.inthe galleryonthemainfloorof thelibrary.
“Wearesohappytohave thislargedisplay,”Piotrowiczadded.“Itisexactly whatweimaginedwould happenifwemadethisspace availabletothecreativeentitiesinHenniker.”
book of the week
“In
Every Life,” by
Marla Frazee
(2023,30pages,Genre: Children’sPictureBook)
If,perchance,yourecentlyspiedalibrarian discreetlyweepingin CPL’sChildren’sRoom, don’tworry:itwasjustme beingliterallymovedto tearsbythisbeautifulpicturebook.AuthorandillustratorMarlaFrazeeexplains,inabriefintroduction,thatshestructuredthis workafterbeingsimilarly touchedby“acall-and-responseversionofaJewish baby-namingblessing”ata 1998churchservice.In everybirth,blessedisthe wonder.Ineverysmile, blessedisthelight Calland response.Hypnoticand consoling.
Thetextofthestoryis simpleandstraightforward: thewholeworkisjust50 wordsaltogether.It’s Frazee’spencilandgouache (watercolorpaint)illustrationsthatreallybringthe wordstolife.Eachverse (thecallandtheresponse) isaccompaniedbyabouta dozendrawings:groupsof friendsandfamilies,children,andadultsofallages sharingthesmiles butalso thetearsandfrustrations andcomfort thatmakeup lifeinallitsexquisiteemotionalcomplexity.Sometimes,wecrywith,orfor, theoneswelove.Occasion-
ally,anobstacleismade bearablebythepeoplewho helpusthrough.Andalways,weshouldcultivatea senseofwonderinthe worldaround us.Frazee doesn’tjusttell usthese lessons;she showsus and it’sbrilliant. Thisisanexcellentreadaloudoptionto helpdevelop pre-literacyskillsandemotionalintelligenceinyoung children.Therepetitive structureiscomforting,and therichillustrationsinvite closeexaminationanddiscussionateverypageturn. “Whatdoyouthinkishappeninghere?Howdoyou thinkthelittlegirlfeels?
WhatwouldYOUdoifyour friendwascrying?”These arerealisticscenariosthat don’tshyawayfromthe toughpartsoflife.Weget sad.Wegetsick. Wefaceobstacles andweget throughit,together.Ilove thisbookbecauseit’sreally astoryabout whatitmeansto behuman.Ultimately,love in allitsmanyforms iswhat getsusthroughthegood andthebadtimes.This bookwouldmakeanexcellentgiftforachildoranexpectantparent.
VisitConcordPublicLibraryatwww.concordpubliclibrary.net
Faithe Miller Lakowicz
scholarship opportunities
New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs
TheNewHampshireFederationofGardenClubswill awardtwocollegescholarshipsthisyear–a$2000New HampshireFederationof GardenClubs,Inc.ScholarshipandtheJeanL. ThompsonScholarship,establishedinherhonorbyher daughters,Lindsay ThompsonandElizabeth Thompson,fortheamountof $1000.Theywillbeawarded toundergraduate(sophomores,juniorsorseniors)or graduatestudentsattending anaccreditedtwo-orfouryearcollegeoruniversity listedontheofficialwebsite oftheU.S.DepartmentofEducation.
Qualifyingstudentsmust beinaprogramandconcentrationrelatedtoplantscience,agriculture,forestry, ecology,conservationorenvironmentalsciences,suchas plantbiology,environmental horticulture,foresttechnology,environmentalconservationandsustainability
studies,wildlifemanagement,andothercloselyrelatedprograms.Recipients mustbeNewHampshireresidents.Theywillbeselected basedonacademicperformance,character,service, andleadershipintheirfields.
Moredetailscanbefoundon atnhfgc.org/scholarships2/.
Aviation & Aerospace Education Center at Winnipesaukee (WinnAero)
WinnAero,aSTEMeducationforyouthnon-profit,announcesreceiptofaunique grantthankstoadonation
fromWatson-MarlowFluid TechnologiesofGreat Britain.Thecompany,which hasaU.S.locationinManchester,awardedWinnAero severalthousanddollarsfor theexpresspurposeofattractingmorestudents,especiallyyoungwomen,tostudy STEMapplicationsinaviation andaerospace.Thisgrantwill enableWinnAerotooffertuitionscholarshipsranging frompartialtofullforgirlsin middleandhighschooltoattendasessionofAce Academies,aseriesofoneweeksummerdaycamps. Thecampsruninthe secondandthirdweeksof
JulyattheLaconiaAirport underthesponsorshipofthe LaconiaAirportAuthority andtheFederalAviationAuthority.Individualamounts awardedwilldependupon
thenumberofapplicants,so interestedstudentsshould downloadanapplication soonerratherthanlater. Moredetailscanbefoundat winnaero.org.
Carpentry
RALPH A. POTTER Building, Remodeling. Decks, Small jobs. Roofing & Metal Roofing 603-228-2366
Dump Runs
Looking to get rid of unwanted items and don't know who to call?
Bin N Out is here to help!
We service most of NH and are always willing to help!
We provide unbeatable service and reasonable pricing.
CALL TODAY
603-818-9347
AND WE WILL TOSS IT AWAY
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
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
Custom Additions
Replacement Decks Kitchen Installs
Bath Remodels Trim Work
Replacement Doors Hardwood & Laminate Flooring Painting call (603) 748-4902 or email: sedgecomb01@gmail.com for more information
Masonry
CW MASONRY EXPERTS Roof Repairs Chimney Sweeping & all Masonry needs 603-674-0492
Pest Control
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
Seeking dynamic candidates for the 2025 spring trimester (March-June) for the following positions: PT
Successful candidates should seek to inspire students and spark creativity by cultivating a learning environment that promotes collaboration, innovation, critical thinking and self-direction. Both positions require a passion for teaching, fostering engagement, and encouraging student growth. All positions are open until filled. NH Certification required. Salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefit package. or statement of eligibility is required.
Gilford School District is
Short wait times with flex scheduling
Affordable family plans for wellness care
For over 24 years people from all over
Low Back Pain
Digestive Problems
Enhanced Performance Headaches and Migraines Asthma Numbness/ Tingling in Hands
“From the moment (my son) was born he had severe colic. He would cry for hours and had problems with all bowel movements… After Dr. Stephanie adjusted him just once he became a different child he was happy he wasn’t spitting up all the time, he began having regular bowel movements, he stopped crying in pain, and he also started turning his head, which I never noticed he wasn’t until he started doing it.”
“From the moment (my son) was born he had severe colic. He ould cr for hours and had ith all bo el mo ements… After Dr. him once he became a different child he was happ he asn’t up all the time, he ha ing bo el mo ements, he cr ing in pain, and he also started turning his head, which I ne er noticed he wasn’t until he started it.” – Mr. and Mrs. M.
For over 24 years people from all over New Hampshire have come to us for help with: Sciatica Neck Pain
Carpal Tunnel Allergies
Sports Injuries
Chronic Constipation
