Park Theatre To Host Red Cross Blood Drives

Three blood drives at Park Theatre are scheduled, with first on June 27

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 13, 2022) The Park Theatre will host three blood drives with the American Red Cross this summer. The first date is Monday, June 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The next dates are July 18 and August 29.

All blood drive donation events will happen in the Michael B. King Auditorium on the second floor of the performing arts center.

The theatre will give each blood donor a gift card for a free "Huge" size bucket of popcorn. Additionally, the Red Cross will give each donor at the June 27 drive a $5 e-gift card to a merchant of their choice.

"We are so proud to host these blood drives at the theatre. There is an urgent need for increased blood supplies. We know our surrounding communities will be strong participants. We thank the American Red Cross for all the amazing work they do," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park Theatre.

Donors are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: theparktheatre to schedule an appointment. All blood types are needed.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The facility is fully accessible. The theatre's telephone number is (603) 532-9300.

Park Theatre Debuts Summer Theatre Camp For Children

ParkArts Summer Theatre Camp begins August 2 in Jaffrey, NH

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 15, 2022) The Park Theatre announced today that its education arm, ParkArts, will debut its first program, a summer theatre day camp, on August 2.

ParkArts has been on the drawing board since the re-opening plan of The Park Theatre was first developed over 15 years ago. ParkArts will offer performing arts education programs for children (and adults) throughout the year. Programs will include theatre crafts, screen and play writing, filmmaking, communication/presentation skills, puppetry, stand-up comedy, and improv.

The first program is a 3-day summer theatre camp. Children aged 8 to 12 will experience theatre games, movement, puppetry, stagecraft, and playmaking. The day camp operates from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. each day. All activities occur at The Park Theatre auditoriums and event spaces. Tuition is $75 for the 3-days, and it includes a ParkArts t-shirt for the camper.

Susan Schenk will be the director of the summer theatre camp. Susan spent 27 years in public education as a teacher, reading consultant, and theater program coordinator. During this time, she produced and or directed plays and musicals at high, middle, and elementary school levels. In addition, she worked as an educational consultant. Susan has attended the Broadway Teachers Workshop in New York City and the Goodspeed Opera House Professional Development Course in East Haddam, Connecticut.

"We are very proud to be taking this first step to bring ParkArts to life. Being a center for creativity and youth development has always been part of The Park Theatre's dream," said Susan Shaw-Sarles, The Park Theatre board vice president and principal of the Jaffrey Grade School.

Registration has begun for the Aug 2 - 4 camp. Parents can register their children with a credit card at theparktheatre.org/parkarts or call The Park Theatre at (603) 532-9300.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The facility is fully accessible.

Park Theatre Debuts Open Mic Night

Talent prospects must register by June 30

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 16, 2022) If you think you have the talent and the guts to get in front of a live audience, you may be a good prospect for The Park Theatre's new Open Mic Night. The first event is scheduled for Thursday, July 7 at the new performing arts center in Jaffrey, New Hampshire.

The Park Theatre is looking for talented individuals in comedy, music, poetry, storytelling, and anything else that’s entertaining. There is a $5 fee to register and enter. There are a maximum of 8 performers for the evening. Each performer is asked to have an act that is between 5-10 minutes in length.

You can also be an audience member for the Open Mic Night. Tickets cost only $5 each. The program begins at 8pm on July 7. The theatre’s bar will be open.

Potential performers can register at theparktheatre.org/openmic. Additional information and guidelines are also found at that link.

Audience members can buy their tickets at theparktheatre.org.

Questions can be answered by calling The Park Theatre at (603) 532-9300 or by emailing programming@theparktheatre.org.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The facility is fully accessible.

Nova Arts Events This Weekend

Come see what's going on at Nova Arts! On Friday, June 17, the duo Anteloper will be performing, 23 Ensemble will be opening. Saturday, June 18, Kristin Hersh of the legendary Throwing Muses comes to Keene, with Fred Abong opening!

Anteloper is the duo of Jaimie Branch (trumpet, synths, vocals) and Jason Nazary (drums, synths). Their new album Pink Dolphins was produced by Jeff Parker (Tortoise, The New Breed), using improvisations the duo recorded at Pioneer Works in Brooklyn. Pink Dolphins presents a fully-molted and firing-on-all-cylinders expression of the duo/project, as realized by Parker in the lab.

23 Ensemble is a dynamic, effusive collective of musicians creating auditory environments in which to skry the aethyrs for new sonic possibilities. They have been an evolving group of musicians since their first "large ensemble" shows in 2008. The seed of the idea was gestated by drummer Andy Kivela (Sisters and Brothers/Bourgeois Homes/The Impenitents) as a way to explore a more fully improvised based musical approach.

Kristin Hersh has had the best of both musical worlds. Although she launched her solo career in 1994, she has continued to perform and record with the Throwing Muses, the seminal college band she helped found in the 1980s. This point was underlined when her record label released the solo album The Grotto simultaneously with Throwing Muses in 2003. Hersh has also divided her modes of musical expression between acoustic and electric formats, creating lush pop songs and spare, haunting folk songs.

For both Friday's and Saturday's events doors are at 7:00 p.m. and the event starts at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets for these events can be accessed on our website novaarts.org, under the event tab. Located at 48 Emerald St., Keene, NH.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive.

June 2022 Events at Dunn State Park

All programs are free and open to the public, a parking fee may apply. Bring water, wear sunscreen/bug spray, and dress for the outdoors. Sturdy footwear is strongly recommended for hiking programs. An adult must accompany all children. Inclement weather cancels hiking programs. For more information call (978) 632-7897 or visit: www.mass.gov/locations/dunn-state-park

There will be no programs from June 5 through June 11.

Dunn State Park is located at 289 Pearl St., Gardner, MA 01440.

EXPLORE NATURE HIKE
Mondays, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Take a hike with us through the woods as we explore the Natural World with guided walks, games, and activities. Each week we will cover a different topic from creepy crawlies to trees, to birds.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 6 and above. Approximately one mile over easy to moderate terrain.

FITNESS HIKE
Saturdays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Why pay for a gym when you can exercise outdoors? Hike with us and use the exercise equipment along the way.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 16 and above. Talk to a doctor before starting any exercise routine.

KIDLEIDOSCIPE
Fridays, 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Join us each week for Kidleidoscope! We will read a short book, followed by a light outdoor activity or a hike. Afterwards, enjoy a kid-friendly craft that relates to the story. Each week has its own theme, so stop by often!
Meet on the Visitor Center deck. Deigned for ages 3 to 6. Siblings are welcome. During inclement weather, this will be held in the Visitor Center.

MOBILE NATURE CENTER
Sunday, Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
We bring the nature center to you! Check out pelts, skulls, and other items related to the animals that live in the park. Stay for five minutes or an hour! Bring your questions.
Meet on the path next to the beach. Suitable for all ages.

MUCKING ABOUT
Saturdays, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Take a peek under the surface of the Dunn Pond! Explore the bugs, tadpoles, newts and other creatures that live here. We'll use nets and buckets to catch (and then release!) some cool critters. Stay for five minutes or the whole time.
This program takes place at the northeast corner of the pond. Follow the signs to get there. Appropriate for ages 6 and above.

SUPER SENSES HIKE
Saturdays, 9:30 am to 10:30 am
Come join us as we walk the Woodland Trail and explore our 5 senses. See how our senses relate to the animals that call the woods home.
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 4 and above. An Alternate program will be held at the Visitor Center during inclement weather.

THE FALLEN LOG
Sundays and Fridays, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm
It's amazing how many things live in and on rotting logs. We will take a close look at some fallen logs and see what kind of insects we can find. Be ready to get your hands dirty!
Meet at the Visitor Center. Appropriate for ages 6 and above. About one mile over easy terrain.

WBJ Hosts "The Business of Cannabis"

The Worcester Business Journal will host "The Business of Cannabis" on Wednesday, June 29 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the DCU Center in Worcester.

WBJ's annual cannabis forum will feature discussions around business development opportunities, challenges and innovation among the region's leading cannabis industry leaders and service providers.

Attendees will gain a fresh perspective on the latest economic data, business opportunities, and lingering obscurities and risks that remain for cannabis industry participants, whether as a licensee, ancillary service provider, or consumer.

Breakout Panel A
Opportunities: What's New in 2022?
In this panel, we'll discuss the new and evolving trends and growth opportunities that will help keep this ever-evolving industry propelling forward in 2022.

Breakout Panel B
Challenges for a Cannabis Business Owner
In this panel we'll discuss some of the common challenges that could stand in the way of the growth and success of your busines and offer some tips for overcoming them.

For more details, full speaker lineup or to register, visit www.wbjournal.com/cannabis. $65, pre-registration required.

Christopher McCarthy to Chair North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

(NORTH CENTRAL, MA) - Christopher W. McCarthy, president and COO of Fidelity Bank has been elected Chair of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for 2022-2023. The announcement was made at the chamber's Annual Meeting on June 9, 2022.

McCarthy was named president and COO of Fidelity Bank in 2015, after more than twenty years of experience in community banking. Headquartered in Leominster, Fidelity Bank is one of the oldest and continually growing independent, local community banks in Central Massachusetts. Fidelity offers a full range of banking, investment and insurance products and programs, and operates full-service branches in Leominster, Worcester, Fitchburg, Needham, Gardner, Shirley, Barre, Millbury, Paxton, Princeton and Winchendon.

McCarthy earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration degree from Nichols College. He also holds a post-graduate degree from the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado.

In addition to his involvement with the chamber, Mr. McCarthy also serves on a number of boards and charitable organizations, including the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, the Worcester Business Development Corporation and Saint Vincent Hospital. He is also active in his alma mater, Nichols College, serving as a member of the College's Board of Advisors.

He succeeds Rachel Lopez, president of Resource Management Inc. (RMI) who now moves to the position of Immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors.

"It is an honor and privilege to have been elected Chair of this dynamic and respected organization that plays such an important role in North Central Massachusetts," expressed Mr. McCarthy, "I am excited to continue Rachel Lopez's efforts and make sure the Chamber remains a strong resource for the local business community."

McCarthy was first elected to the Chamber's Board of Directors in 2016 and has held several leadership positions including Vice Chair, Treasurer and has served on the Chamber's Leadership Council, the One North Central leadership committee and the executive committee. As the Chair of the Chamber's Board of Directors, Mr. McCarthy will work with the Board, Chamber staff, and membership to champion the Chamber in its mission to serve the region's business community.

"As Chair, Chris will play a significant role in advancing the Chamber's goals and initiatives," noted Roy Nascimento, Chamber president & CEO. "We are fortunate to have his respected leadership. We look forward to working with him to advance the interests of our members and promote North Central Massachusetts."

In the same election, James L. Vander Hooven, Ed.D., president of Mount Wachusett Community College in Gardner was elected Vice-Chair; director Barbara Mahoney, president & CEO of Leominster Credit Union was elected to the position of Treasurer; and Dr. Richard Lapidus, president of Fitchburg State University was elected to the position of Assistant Treasurer. Board members elected for new terms were Winfield Brown, president & CEO of Heywood Healthcare in Gardner; Jackie Cullen, Owner of RiverStyx Brewing in Fitchburg; Melissa Glenny, founder and CEO of Franklin Professional Associates in Leominster; Michael Johansen, president of Bemis Associates in Shirley; and Lori Richardson, president & CEO of Aging Services of North Central Massachusetts.

Continuing current terms on the Board of Directors are Allie Catlin, co-owner of Smith's Country Cheese in Winchendon; Tony Fields, president and owner of Cleartech Group in Leominster; Matthew Fournier, president of Elite Construction & Design in Fitchburg; Bruce Platzman, co-founder & vice chairman of AIS, Inc. in Leominster; Steve Rocheleau, president of Rocheleau Tool & Die in Fitchburg; Rodrigo Souza, owner of Comeketo Brazilian Steakhouse in Leominster; Henry Tessman, general manager of Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg; and John Zarrella president of Research Results, Inc. in Fitchburg.