Brogan: Much To Be Thankful For!

Last week I had the good fortune to be the guest speaker at The Rotary Club meeting. The fact that the meeting was held in the former Concord Theatre, now the Bank of New Hampshire Stage, contributed considerably to the enthusiasm I displayed while speaking.

Growing up locally, I knew that The Rotary Club existed and my parents had many friends who were members. I did not, however, realize the level of good they provide locally as well as throughout the country. I took a crash course in their local history and was overwhelmed at the amount of time and energy not to mention monies they provide to help organizations and people within our area. And like so many other organizations, it's volunteer driven.

Concord has an extraordinary number of people, non-profits, organizations and other entities that help to make the lives of thousands better. And the people of Concord have an extraordinary history of stepping up to make a difference.

At this time of being thankful, I am sure we all have experiences over the past year for which we are most grateful. It seems an apropos time to pause for a few minutes and reflect on some of the people or experiences that brought a bounty of good into our lives.

I have been fortunate to be able to have in my life an abundance of loving, honest and caring people from Alan to my mom to many friends, who encourage, inspire, critique and tolerate my being who I am. I only hope that everyone else can say the same.

I am grateful for the Concord Theatre being, not only saved from demolition, but finding a new life as the Bank of New Hampshire Stage, an entertainment site that has already brought tens of thousands together to enjoy a cornucopia of entertaining options. For 25 years I tried to keep the memories of the theater I was associated with for over a quarter of a century, alive. Steve Duprey, Nicki Clarke, Joe Gleason, a host of dedicated folks from the Capitol Center as well as architects, builders and impassioned people in our community who felt as I did about the past and future possibilities for the site, made it happen. Thank you all.

Our local book emporium, Gibson's, is far more than a bookstore. It is a hub of activity and a destination stop for many. If they don't have it or cannot get it for you then it hasn't been written yet. They are especially amazing in their treatment of local authors. Their support, encouragement and book events are the perfect launching pad for every author.

My latest book, The Concord Theatre and Concord's Love Affair with the Movies, was launched at Gibson's in May. The energy in that packed room and the expertise displayed by the store's staff, made those 1,835 hours spent writing the book, well worth it.

Once upon a time, Community Access Television was sometimes a punchline for a joke. It wasn't taken seriously by many. However, Concord TV has changed all of that during the past decades as it has become an important resource within our community. The variety of programming available and the talent that has worked to make it "must viewing" has brought it to the forefront of our local media.

It's been exciting over the past year and a half of hosting Capital Area Chats, to work with some of that talent at the station. I've been able to understand why it matters to them, that the end result be the best it can be. From Doris Ballard to new Director, Josh Hardy as well as Mike and Jim and Matt and the rest, I am thankful each time I walk into Concord High where the studio is located.

Concord is a great place to live, work and play, as I often say during my program. I mean it, too, because it has always been a place where you can dream and turn that dream into a reality. It's a city filled with good hearts, hard workers, and an open acceptance for anyone.

Back in 1965 when I was a youngster, I wrote a song about our city and submitted it for consideration during that year's Bicentennial Celebration. It was turned down but the last lines still resonate with me and what I believe.

By the river's shining shore, sits the city we adore

Concord, you have conquered me

Happy Thanksgiving to all.