Here’s a message from the Concord Police Department: Concord Police received information from the Bedford Police that people are going door-to-door in the Rte. 62 area, selling driveway paving services. This type of activity is prohibited under Concord bylaws. Individuals encountered in the past, who engaged in this type activity, have been less than reputable. Anyone who is approached by one of these individuals is encouraged to contact the Concord Police immediately. There is no reason to be alarmed, though. This message is informational only, intended to alert residents to the potential of this happening.

A Very Busy Week Ahead in Concord

Hello and welcome to Monday. For those of you who were away, welcome back. We have a busy week ahead, with lots to remember.

Public schools are back in session, so traffic should be heavier than last week. Remember to drive carefully and keep an eye out for our junior citizens.  

Tonight, the first session of our Annual Town Meeting convenes 7 p.m. at CCHS. It begins the same time each night this week through Thursday and into next week, as necessary. Remember, Town Meeting counts on our participation, so be sure to attend and participate.   

The big news of the day is that today, April 25, marks the start of the weeklong “Days of Remembrance.” The Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council, an all-volunteer group, has organized a program and activities that will run through Sunday, May 1, encompassing Holocaust Day, or Yom HaShoah, as a time to remember the victims of the Nazi Holocaust. The U.S. Congress designated these eight days for remembrance programs and ceremonies, such as the one by the HR Council. Holocaust Memorial Days now exist in many countries throughout the world at various times of year.  

The CCHRC Proclamation reads that Concord and Carlisle recognize "the six million Jews and millions of other Europeans, including political prisoners, gypsies, homosexuals, sick people and members of various religious groups, that were murdered as part of a systematic program of genocide from 1933 to 1945.”

Their intent is to raise awareness of the sorrows, hardships and losses suffered by victims of the Nazi Holocaust and by all victims of religious and sexual discrimination, hate crimes, and individuals victimized because they are physically or mentally ill.  While many of us learn much of such crimes through history books, the media and the movies, some of our neighbors and friends have actually survived such atrocities.

This week, when you blow a tire in a pothole, your coworker takes credit for your achievements, the dry cleaner ruins your favorite suit, or your teenager says she is going one place and really intends to go to another, just relax. Breathe in, breathe out. Yes, we deal with varying degrees of frustration daily, but be thankful that we are not persecuted for our beliefs, ethnicity or lifestyles.  

To learn how horrible life can really be, I urge you to attend the town-wide observance, sponsored by the Board of Selectmen, on Sunday, May 1, 7:30 p.m. at the Town House. This year's speaker is Faye Speert, the child of a survivor from Norway. The observance also includes songs by Rosalie Gerut, cantor from Kerem Shalom and the child of two Holocaust survivors. Father Austin Fleming, pastor of Holy Family Church, will give a meditation.

The event typically attracts about 100 people each year, said Polly Attwood, chair of the Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council. There is no charge, but it is not recommended for elementary school-aged children and younger.

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at mcb23@comcast.net and I will be happy to help you spread the word.