LATEST NEWS

A massive crowd gathered in Monument Square in 1975 for the Bicentennial of the Concord Fight. - Photo courtesy of the Concord Free Public Library

State fires a funding shot for Concord’s 250th celebration

Every year, Concord hosts a celebration of the historic North Bridge Fight, marking the 1775 beginning of hostilities between the future United States and Great Britain. This year, the celebration and parade will attract the usual visitors. In 2025, that will change, as the town hosts the 250th anniversary of the events that put Concord on the historic map permanently. If recent history is a predictor,…

Nashoba Brook Bakery expands

Twenty-five years ago, John Gates and Stuart Witt set up shop in an old warehouse on Commonwealth Avenue alongside Nashoba Brook. Their enterprise, Nashoba Brook Bakery, flourished. Bread baked in…

Spring Pops concert will help raise the roof at 51 Walden

A gala Spring Pops concert on April 14 will help repair the roof at 51 Walden, the performing arts center that The Concord Band, The Concord Orchestra, The Concord Players, and Opera 51 call home. The building is owned by the Town of Concord but…

Thank the Irish for Thoreau’s cabin

In June 1844, Concord took a step into the future when the Fitchburg Railroad arrived. No longer deterred by muddy roads, people and goods could travel with greater ease by rail between the town and the port in Charlestown. The railroad inspired budding transcendentalist Henry…

Candidate statement: Carrie Rankin, School Committee

A year ago, I was honored to be elected in a special election to serve on the Concord and Concord Carlisle Regional School Committees. During my term, I have learned a great deal about our school system and town. Now, I am running for a…

Candidate statement: Carmin Reiss, moderator

On March 28, Concord voters will elect a moderator. The moderator presides over Town Meeting, Concord’s form of legislature, making all procedural decisions, taking all votes and maintaining an orderly process. The office of moderator is an old one, shaped by history. As early as…

Comprehensive transportation plan in the works

Transportation Advisory Committee Chair Laura Davis appeared before the Select Board on March 6. Top of mind is an upcoming comprehensive transportation and mobility study. The study is intended to dovetail with the town’s sustainability principles with an emphasis on traffic calming, walking, bicycling, neighborhood…

Town budget moves beyond the middle school

At the special Town Meeting in January, Concord residents ticked a major capital expense off the docket, agreeing to add $7.2 million to close the budget gap to pay for the new middle school. Voters reinforced support for the school in February. With that added…

Concord for Ukraine plans March 25 rally

Concord for Ukraine will hold a rally on March 25 to honor one year of resistance by the Ukrainian people against the Russian invasion. The rally will be at 3 p.m. in Monument Square.  Speakers include U.S. Brigadier General Leonid Kondratiuk (retired); State Rep Simon…

SLJ Mobile 1

Concord Conservatory welcomes Okee Dokee Brothers

Grammy Award-winning Okee Dokee Brothers return to the Boston area for one show only, bringing their new album “Brambletown” and all their fan-favorite songs for singing and dancing.  On Saturday, April 1, at 2 p.m, the Concord Conservatory of Music…

Police log: March 3 – March 9

Friday, March 3 12:12 a.m. Police arrested a person in a vehicle in a Main Street parking lot for possible operating under the influence. The car was towed. $350 bail was set. 3:16 a.m. A caller requested a well-being check…

It’s not too early to celebrate Earth Day

The Concord Public Library, Concord Public Schools, The First Parish of Concord and The Umbrella are planning a wide range of programs in recognition of Earth Day beginning in mid-March and continuing throughout April. Concord Public schools will celebrate Earth…

OPINION

Letter: Karlen Reed for Select Board

We, along with many of Karlen Reed’s colleagues interested in town government, have for years been amazed by the depth and quality of her knowledge of Concord’s decision making, boards and committees. We…

Letter: Ukraine Embodies the Spirit of 1775 

As everyone knows, brave Ukrainians are fighting for their lives, to retain their freedom and sovereign state, against Russia. The free world has not seen anything like this since the Nazis invaded Poland…

The Concord Bridge welcomes letters from readers, which can be emailed to letters@theconcordbridge.org or mailed to: The Concord Bridge, 56C Winthrop St., Concord, MA 01742

Letters must be a maximum of 300 words. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. Readers are limited to one letter per month, must include an address and phone number for confirmation purposes. Letters will be printed at the discretion of the editor. 

GRAPEVINE

Where is your Bridge? In Key West and… Key West

Where do you take your Bridge? Whether you’re traveling the world, visiting a favorite spot in Concord or just reading at home, we want to see you with the paper! Send your photos to jenn@theconcordbridge.org.…

D.A.R. awards scholarships to area students

The Old Concord Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution has, since 1934, presented a good citizen and scholarship award to one student from each of the participating high schools in the area. The award is given in recognition of the student’s qualities of dependability, service,…

Calling All Concord Tree-Lovers

I read with interest Peter Alden’s article about the holiday season bird count in the January 20, 2023 issue “Birders of a feather count Concord’s birds together”. I suspect many more Concordians participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count over Presidents Day weekend.  Now, what…

Time Outdoors: How Animals Survive the Deep Freeze

An arctic blast a few weeks ago brought nighttime temperatures of -25 to some parts of New England. Brrrr. While we humans can cheat winter’s wrath in our warm, insulated homes, wild animals have no “indoors” to retreat to. Yet most survive these deep freezes.…

CALENDAR

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Calendar submissions may be sent to news@theconcordbridge.org.

march, 2023

OBITUARIES

Scott Wheaton Anderson, 69

Scott Wheaton Anderson, of Concord, died unexpectedly on the afternoon of March 9, after walking his beloved dog. Scott was born on Aug. 4,1953 in…

William Cotter, 87

William “Bill” Reckling Cotter, 87, who split his time between Concord and Sarasota, Florida died peacefully at his Concord home on his 87th birthday, March…

Margaret Hedeman, 84

Margaret (Oliver) Hedeman, affectionately known as Peggy, passed away peacefully in Concord, Massachusetts on March 5, 2023, following a period of declining health. She was…

R. Christopher Sur, 55

Richard Christopher “Chris” Sur, of St. Paul, Minnesota, passed away suddenly on February 25 doing what he loved, skiing in Theodore Wirth park with his…

Sally Nelson, 83

Sally Kane Nelson, 83, of York, Pennsylvania, formerly of Concord, died peacefully at SpiriTrust Lutheran, the Village at Sprenkle Drive on February 28. She was…

Obituary policy:
Obituaries for The Concord Bridge must be submitted to obits@theconcordbridge.org by noon on Friday for publication the following week. Deadlines may change due to holidays or other factors. Obituaries may not exceed 400 words and may be edited. The cost for an obituary is $200. Obituaries must include the name of the funeral home that is handling services and a contact number for the person who is submitting it. The Concord Bridge will print obituaries for current and former residents of Concord and those with current local family connections.

The Concord Bridge Est. October 2022
56 C Winthrop Street, Concord, MA 01742

The Concord Bridge is a non-profit weekly newspaper.
Delivered FREE to all residents and businesses in Concord.

Staff:

Jennifer Lord Paluzzi, Editor-in-Chief
Betsy Levinson, Editor
Jessalyn Frank, Production Manager
Anne O’Connor, Assistant Editor