Freese Brothers Big Band To Play Monadnock Region For First Time

Concord-based 18-piece orchestra makes their Monadnock Region debut at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey on Saturday, August 20

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (August 15, 2022). The Freese Brothers Big Band have been performing for 40 years, and now they are finally making their Monadnock region debut this weekend. They will be playing at the acoustically acclaimed Park Theatre in Jaffrey on Saturday, August 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20.

The band is an 18-piece orchestra with a featured singer. They will be playing all of the big band favorites and more. The Park Theatre will also have their dance floor ready for swinging and swaying in the 333-seat Eppes Auditorium. The bar will be open before and during the performance.

The band has an extraordinary legacy. The Freese Brothers Big Band was formed in 1982, and the four Freese brothers (George, Courtland, Bill, and Jack) had been playing music together for 50 years. They grew up in Pittsfield, New Hampshire, and performed in a family troupe called the "Homespun Broadcasters," joining their sister and parents in a family musical tradition in the 1930s.

The brothers organized or performed in college bands and played for decades in various groups before all four put together a group of talented musicians for a performance for a company party on the M/S Mount Washington in 1982. They thought it would be a one-time gig, but the word got out, and requests for more performances came in. "Before we knew it, we were a big band," Jack said. "We just fell into it."

With George and Courtland on trumpet and Jack and Bill playing saxophones, the Freese Brothers Big Band was born--and the brothers recruited musician friends to fill out the band. Ever encouraging and supporting their fellow band members, the brothers have been a musical inspiration and more for the band. When Jack suffered a stroke and no longer had the skill to play the saxophone, he learned the trombone.

The original Freese Brothers have all passed on, but their memory continues robustly. Based out of Concord, the band plays concerts all year round.

Tickets for The Freese Brothers Big Band Concert can be purchased by visiting theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office (603) 532-8888.

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

United Way of North Central Massachusetts Awards over $1 Million in Grants to Local Agencies

Grants Distributed to 44 agencies through Community Impact Fund and After School and Out-Of-School Time Program

FITCHBURG, MA: August 16, 2022 - United Way of North Central Massachusetts (UWNCM) has distributed $1,151,063 in funds to 44 local agencies through two grant programs. The grants will support programs that target pressing community needs and offer after school and out-of-school time activities for children and youth.

Through its Community Impact Fund for 2022-23, UWNCM awarded $599,663 to 30 organizations, funding 40 programs. The Community Impact Fund is a long-standing UWNCM initiative that supports programs that address the region's highest priorities in the areas of Early Education and Youth Development, Basic Needs and Economic Opportunity/Financial Literacy.

This year's grants are expected to create positive impacts for nearly 70,000 people, spanning the entire North Central Massachusetts region. Recipients range from Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry in Devens to the Wendell Clark YMCA in Winchendon. Donna Bulger, Vice President of grant recipient Clear Path for Veterans New England, says she appreciates the grant as well as on-going assistance from UWNCM.

"Clear Path is pleased to have the support of UWNCM, which includes funding that helps us extend the impact we have in the community, serving a population that includes elders, disabled veterans, children and families," says Bulger. "What has meant the most to us is the spirit of collaboration we have with UWNCM staff. They reach out frequently with opportunities to supplement our materials, partner with other nonprofits and just to check in with us."

UWNCM also recently distributed $551,400 to 17 agencies through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) After School and Out-of-School Time (ASOST) program. Funds were made available through a $4.5 million grant awarded by DESE to a regional effort of United Ways located in Central, North Central and South-Central Massachusetts with the goal of helping after school and out-of-school time programs rebound from impacts of COVID-19.

Through the program, UWNCM previously distributed $398,800 in funding to 18 local agencies for 2022 spring and summer programs at non-profit organizations, public school systems and towns and municipalities. The latest round funds 2022 school-year programs ranging from camping opportunities for disabled youth to teaching young people about film making and media production.

Kelli Feigley, Founder and Managing Director/Executive Producer of grant recipient Fresh Films, says, "Thanks to this grant, Fresh Films is able to continue helping transform the lives of underserved diverse youth at Fitchburg High School and the Boys and Girls Clubs in Fitchburg and Leominster. This amazing grant funds our weekly after school film program that teaches filmmaking fundamentals as part of our year-round career pathway for training youth to enter the fast-growing and very lucrative media and entertainment industry. Our expanded learning programs are critical while students are still in high school, so they can have equal access to college and career opportunities."

Speaking about both recent grant distributions, UWNCM President Kory Eng adds, "We appreciate the opportunity to support these critical programs through our Community Impact Fund. We are further appreciative of our expanded partnerships with DESE and Central Massachusetts United Way, which have enabled us to nearly double our investments in community programs when the demand for services is at an all-time high. We thank our volunteers, donors, and community partners for their dedication and look forward to our continued work together to support those most in need."

United Way of North Central Massachusetts serves the communities of Ashburnham, Ashby, Athol, Ayer, Devens, Fitchburg, Gardner, Groton, Harvard, Hubbardston, Leominster, Littleton, Pepperell, Lunenburg, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston, Shirley, Templeton, Townsend, Westminster and Winchendon.

August 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.