There’s a joke that goes: “What are the four seasons in New England? Winter, still winter, and three months of bad sledding.” Any shrewd Yankee – or wise visitor – chuckles at this saying but knows it just ain’t true. Rather, winter in the northeast is a wonderland of opportunity. As the sage Henry David Thoreau observed, “a healthy man, indeed, is the complement of the seasons, and in winter, summer is in his heart.” And in Concord, where Thoreau tread across snowy dells and meadows blanketed in white, hearts are “warm and cheery, like cottages under drifts, whose windows and doors are half concealed, but from whose chimneys the smoke cheerfully ascends.”
For me, the change of seasons from fall to winter is about memories of holidays with loved ones and the sweet and savory family favorite recipes that we can’t help but love year after year. The flavors of apple and caramel were a tradition at my grandmother’s home over the holidays. Each year she’d set out traditional southern dishes alongside New England favorites.
The Spiced Candied Apple cocktail pairs well with cured meats, cornbread stuffing, rich mac and cheese, roasted veggies, and savory dishes. Or enjoy it for dessert.
In the late nineteenth century, Currier and Ives made beautiful and iconic engravings of New England winter scenes. They depicted gleeful children sledding, or skating on frozen ponds, surrounded by a snowy landscape. Fast forward 150 years or so, and you can still do those things, and more, in Concord during the winter. Let’s look at how you can have your own Currier and Ives adventure in Concord, with all the rich winter sports opportunities we have today!
Chanukah will once again be celebrated by the Town of Concord and Temple Kerem Shalom at Rideout Park on December 21st. Families will enjoy the blessing (and lighting) of the menorah, music, games, stories, and delicious latkes from Debra’s Natural Gourmet. And another beloved tradition will also take place this winter. The stunning display of menorahs in the window of Debra’s Natural Gourmet will be there for people to admire and enjoy all December long.
People often ask me to recommend a cozy cocktail for chilly fall evenings. A Pumpkin Bash is my answer. This drink is so popular, in fact, that I bottle it in batches to keep on hand for friends dropping by. Cheers!
West Concord is embracing Fall fun, with events and activities for the whole family this year. From music and arts to the village’s biggest annual birthday bash, you won’t want to miss the chance to discover what makes West Concord such a vibrant place for shopping, eating, and exploring.
The foundation of Discover West Concord Day (October 19 from 10-3) is the annual birthday bash for Debra’s Natural Gourmet. This tradition is now in its 35th year and the whole community jumps in to make it an event to remember! Like any great party, it’s more fun with friends, so please come out to join us. You are warmly invited to be a part of a fun-filled day of celebrating the character, charm, and family fun vibe that makes this part of town so special.
Inside the stately 1929 former Emerson School building at 40 Stow Street, The Umbrella Stage Company’s recently constructed theater wing is a surprise and delight to all who discover one of the “best kept secrets” of the Greater Boston/Metrowest theater scene.
Since becoming a professional theater company in late 2019, The Umbrella Stage Company (the live theater division of The Umbrella Arts Center) has strived to produce high quality work. Its reputation has steadily grown as audiences begin to return to live theater.
Concord has many historic sites of interest. Here is contact information
for each, along with their hours of operation. Please check the website before visiting, as sites may be closed on
holidays or for private events.