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Business & Tech

Walk, Run and Eat

Orchard House hosts a fundraising walk/run, Verrill Farm hosts a Farm Day, and there's another place to get frozen treats.

Good morning, all, and welcome to September! Yes, I know we’re four days into the month, but I’m guessing you spent Labor Day weekend as I did -- squeezing every last drop out of summer, meaning this is really the first day back to reality.

I spent part of the past four days visiting my friend Lydia’s dog, Lady, taking her for walks and pretending she’s mine. So much easier than owning my own dog, really! We did a lot of walking: from the center down Monument Street and over the Old North Bridge is a nice loop, plus you can end in the center and grab a scone over at . I do like to end my exercise with a little reward.

Walking is one of my favorite forms of exercise, and so much less painful than running. But whether you like to walk or run, you’ll have an opportunity to do both at the seventh annual Benefit 5k Walk/ 10k Run for Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House. It’s happening Sunday, Sept. 16, over at the . Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., and the walk/run starts at noon. Once again, three-time marathon winner Uta Pippig will be the honorary chair. You can download the brochure with all the registration information by going to their website here; first 300 registrants get a gift.

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The Orchard House is where Louisa May Alcott wrote her famous novel, Little Women, based on her life growing up with three sisters during the Civil War. It takes a lot of tender loving care, and money, to keep the house in decent enough condition that people can visit it. And visit they do. I know it’s easy to live here and get caught up in the day to day of life, and forget all the history we’re surrounded by. So if you haven’t yet toured Orchard House, make a plan to get over there and check it out; it’s really a fascinating peek into the life of someone so famous, who lived over 150 years ago. And then register for the benefit to help keep it afloat.

Fun at the farm

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It’s nice to know how easy it is to eat locally, with places like Verrill Farm right here in town. This Saturday, Sept. 8, Verrill is hosting a Barbeque and Farm Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., over at their farm stand on Wheeler Road. It sounds like old-fashioned fun, with a sheep shearing demonstration, hay and pony rides (for a small fee), barbeque and desserts for sale, and their first ever Apple Pie contest.

If you want to enter a pie in the contest, attach a card with your name and phone number and bring it to the judging table between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Judging will take place between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m.. Dust off Grandma’s pie recipe, put on your apron, and peel some apples; this could be your moment to shine. For all the good info, check out their website here.

More ice cream

A few weeks ago, I listed what I thought were all the places to get ice cream here in Concord. Turns out I left one out: Farfalle Italian Market over in Concord Crossing, behind the Concord Depot. They sell Italian gelato, a somewhat denser, creamier version of ice cream that they import from Italy. So if you’ve been yearning for this special type of frozen treat, or if you’ve never had the joy of actually eating gelato, head on over and give it a try. Their new flavor, dulce de leche, is to die for. Yes, I had to try it. I told you, this is a difficult job.

 

Do you have something you would like to share? Contact me at stefanieac@comcast.net and I will be happy to help you spread the good news. And follow me on Twitter: @stefanie3131.

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