Concord Prepares for 'Bottle Ban'

With the town about to bid adieu to bottled water, Concord On Tap Camelbaks hit shelves.

Time will tell whether Concord’s bottled water-banning bylaw, which goes into effect with the start of the New Year, will be more flash flood or 40-year storm.  Either way, local merchants are bracing for it by stocking shelves with Concord On Tap-stamped Camelbak reusable water bottles.  According to Jill Appel, the Concord On Tap campaign manager, the bottles, which come in eight different colors, sizes and materials, are available at a number of local shops and eateries, including: The bottles that hit the shelves last week are a one-time order, and they were going fast heading into the holiday, according to Appel. The Camelbak initiative is meant to support local businesses, said Appel, and to follow through on a promise made at annual…

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PHOTOS: A Second Serving of Crucolo Day in Concord

You saw the video last week, but now feast your eyes on these cheese-filled photos and read all about the third annual Crucolo Day in Concord.

It’s no secret that Concord loves a parade. Everybody knows about the history-rich suburb's Patriots’ Day celebrations, but this town also parades on Earth Day and sometimes on its birthday. Delivery Day even gets a turn once in a while. Yes, really. It’s happened three times now. It’s called “Crucolo Day.” And it’s the cheesiest thing ever. The brainchild of Cheese Shop owner Peter Lovis, “Crucolo Day” features a cheese parade down Waltham Street to celebrate the delivery of a wheel of Crucolo cheese, which at 400-pounds is reportedly the largest wheel in the Western Hemisphere. “Well, they make a 400-pound wheel of cheese, and who can resist buying a 400-pound wheel of cheese,” said Lovis. “It’s a big cheese.” “Crucolo Day” debuted three…

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WATCH: Crucolo Day in Concord is Wicked Cheesy

When a 400-pound wheel of crucolo gets delivered to the Concord Cheese Shop, proprietor Peter Lovis rolls out the red carpet. Literally.

Whet your appetite with this video of Crucolo Day held Thursday, Dec. 6 at The Concord Cheese Shop and check back on Patch tomorrow for more photos and additional coverage of the event.

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Denise J. Dubé

8:44 am on Friday, December 7, 2012

You made my day!   more ›

No Need to Ham It Up: The Big Cheese is Coming Back to Concord

A 400-pound wheel of cheese will ride triumphantly into town at 3:30 p.m. this Thursday, Dec. 6, for The Cheese Shop's award-winning Crucolo Day promotion.

If playing with your food is wrong, then Peter Lovis probably doesn’t want to be right. Lovis, the longtime proprietor of The Concord Cheese Shop, will once again play host to a Crucolo Day parade this Thursday, Dec. 6, to celebrate the arrival of a 400-pound wheel of Italian cheese to his shop on Walden Street. Last year’s event – which you can see video of here on Patch – featured Lovis proudly reading a proclamation from the Board of Selectmen and rolling the wheel down a red carpet. He then cut the cheese (his words, not ours) and passed out samples to the delighted crowd as Crucolo Dancers frolicked merrily in the street. While the delightfully cheesy event, which started in 2010, probably didn’t strike those who know Lovis as much …

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A Few More Days for Mahoney's 'Trees for Troops' Christmas Tree Campaign

Purchase a Trees for Troops tree for $24.50 at any of the eight Mahoney's locations.

Members of the military and their families make many sacrifices, especially during the holidays. Starting this Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, locals have been able to show support and appreciation to an active member and their family, by donating a Christmas tree through the “Trees for Troops” program. Mahoney’s Garden Centers is again the host of the Trees for Troops program in Massachusetts. To participate in the program, visit any of Mahoney’s eight locations in eastern Massachusetts beginning Nov. 11, and purchase a Trees for Troops tree for $24.50. Special tree cards are available to write a note of thanks or holiday wishes to the family. Or, new this year, call the Mahoney’s Trees for Troops hotline at 781-721-4691 to purchase a tree over …

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About Town

Kudos to Cross Country, Literary Trees and Shopping for a Cause

CCHS Girls go to States, Concord Museum opens their Family Trees exhibit, and Barrett & Company hosts a holiday shopping event.

  Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving! This has to be my favorite holiday: It’s all about the eating. No gifts to buy, no eggs to dye, just food, food, and more food! And then three days to recover. Seriously, how could anyone not love this?? Since everyone will be sacked out recovering from all that eating, I thought I would take the opportunity to congratulate the CCHS Girls’ Cross Country team. They came in second at EMASS two weekends ago, which gave them the opportunity to compete at the MIAA Eastern State Championships last weekend, where they placed 12th. This is the only team at the high school still competing this late in the season, with the exception of football, so they really deserve kudos for their achievement. The meet took …

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SPEAK OUT: Do You Plan to Spend More Money this Holiday Season?

How will your finances affect your holiday spending?

  Two-thirds of respondents to a recent poll by the NPD Group said they “plan to spend about the same” as last year, while 10 percent planned to “spend more.” With the economy and job situation still in flux for many families across the country, we want to know what families in Concord plan to do for holiday gifts in 2012. Will you be more creative with your gifting? Use sites like Groupon, Living Social, etc? Brave the Black Friday sales? Cook or bake for family and friends? Leave your comments in the box below.

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TELL US: Should Mass. Blue Laws Be Eliminated?

Blue laws prohibit retailers from opening before midnight on Black Friday.

Black Friday is starting earlier than ever, as some national retailers have announced they will open the night of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 22. However, here in Massachusetts, state blue laws prohibit stores from opening until midnight, according to an article in the Boston Globe.  Current blue laws prohibit retailers in the state from opening on Thanksgiving, thus preventing them from getting an early start on Black Friday sales, according to the Globe article. Some exceptions are restaurants, health care facilities and gas stations.  The laws, instituted in the 17th century, are intended to make sure holidays are properly observed, according to the Boston Globe.  Are Massachusetts' blue laws outdated? Should they be eliminated? Tell …

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Concord Man Appointed New CFO of ConforMIS

As the new chief financial officer, Peter Traynor brings more than 30 years of industry experience to the Bedford-based ConforMIS.

The following information was provided on behalf of ConforMIS, Inc. ConforMIS, Inc., a privately held medical device company pioneering patient-specific orthopedic implants,has announced the appointment of 30-year business and financial management veteran Peter Traynor as the company’s Chief Financial Officer. The addition of Mr. Traynor bolsters the executive management team as the company continues to grow following the recent launch of its iTotal G2 total knee replacement system.  Prior to joining ConforMIS, Traynor spent 10 years at Genzyme Corporation where he served as the Chief Accounting Officer and most recently as the Senior Vice President of Business Unit Finance. In this role he had responsibilities for SEC filings, …

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