Park Theatre Announces Shamrock Fest Schedule For 2023

St. Patrick's week festival includes a parade, concerts, comedy, events, films, and more

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (March 2, 2023) The Park Theatre's Shamrock Festival is back, and its centerpiece, The Jaffrey St. Patrick's Day Parade, returns after a three-year hiatus due to Covid and bad weather. The theatre manages and produces the parade and the festival, a week-long celebration of music, comedy, special events, and movies.

The Jaffrey St. Patrick's Day Parade began in 2018 and came back in 2019 with an audience that made it the second-largest St. Pat's parade in the state after Manchester. Sadly, Covid's effects made it necessary to cancel 2020 and 2021. Bad weather canceled the 2022 parade. But, it is back in 2023 with more bands, floats, marchers, and performers.

The parade will start the festival on Saturday, March 11 at 2pm. It begins at St. Patrick's Parish on Main Street in Jaffrey and winds its way downtown and past The Park Theatre. The snow/rain date for the parade is March 19. The theatre will sell food, drinks, hot chocolate, candy, snacks and more for the event.

On the evening of March 11, the crowd pleasing, critically acclaimed Celtic rock band, Waking Finnegan, takes the stage of the Eppes auditorium at The Park. The concert is at 7:30pm, and all tickets are $20. The Lounge bar opens at 5:30pm.

On Tuesday, March 14, at 7pm, the theatre presents the award-winning documentary film entitled The Irish Pub. In Ireland, pubs are more than a place to have a pint, but an institution in society.Traditional Irish publicans (pub owners) tell the story with warmth and heart. Tickets are $9/$8.

The Park Theatre produces a monthly "Open Mic" series of regional talent performances. During Shamrock Fest week on Wednesday, March 15 at 6:30pm, there will be a special open mic showcase for only high school student talent. This event is not a school-sponsored event. Students from any high school can enter. Applicants can register by going to theparktheatre.org or by calling the theatre office (603) 532-9300.

A film considered by many as one of the greatest movies ever shot in Ireland is John Ford's The Quiet Man. It stars John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. This restored classic will be shown on Thursday, March 16 at 1:30pm and 7pm in the Eppes 333-seat auditorium on the big 27-foot wide screen. Tickets are $9/$8.

On St. Patrick's Day, March 17, an Irish whiskey sampling event will start at 5:30pm in The Lounge at The Park Theatre. Patrons can purchase a sampling of three different whiskies or just a single whiskey. John Brickley will provide music. John sings a mix of country, folk and soft rock.

The Shamrock Festival ends with comedy relief on St. Patrick's Day at 7:30pm. Comedian Mike McDonald presents his Boston Irish Comedy night featuring acclaimed Boston comedians Kelly MacFarland and Graig Murphy. Tickets for the event range from $25 to $32. They can be purchased by going to theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office (603) 532-8888.

The Shamrock Festival is sponsored by Red's of Jaffrey and Monadnock Disposal Service. The media sponsor is WKNE-FM and the Monadnock Broadcasting Group. Information and schedules for the festival can be found at theparktheatre.org.

"We are so proud to produce the Shamrock Festival and the Jaffrey St. Patrick's Day Parade. These are tremendously entertaining events for the whole family that showcase so much talent as well as our beautiful town of Jaffrey," said Steve Jackson, CEO, Managing Director of The Park Theatre.

All tickets for events at The Shamrock Festival can be purchased online at theparktheatre.org, via phone (603) 532-8888, or at the theatre box office at 19 Main Street in Jaffrey, NH. The Park Theatre is 95 minutes from downtown Boston.

This Weekend at Nova Arts

This week at Nova Arts we kick off the month of March with two awesome shows that'll be fun for all ages! The Irish Session is on deck to bring your monthly dose of traditional tunes. Then we jump from Ireland to Finland as we welcome the Olli Hirvonen Trio!

Thursday, March 2, Randy Miller and Matt Harris will lead a fantastic performance of traditional Irish and Scottish music. A great time to grab a bite and a drink while listening to some Irish jigs! The show starts at 5:00 and is by donation, which can be made online at our website or can be collected at the door.

Saturday, March 4, come listen to guitarist Olli Hirvonen as he and his trio come to Keene. Originally born in Lappeenranta, Finland, Olli made his way across the Atlantic to make his mark on the New York Scene. Influenced by his home roots, Olli offers a Nordic and American blend to create the trio's sound. We also have the Carr Rose Uman Trio performing a set! Jesse Carr has provided soundtracks for some of Ken Burns' films; Genevieve Rose is a nationally recognized bassist who has played at the Kennedy Center, and Eugene Uman leads the Vermont Jazz Center, having studied with the legendary Kenny Barron. Before the pandemic, this trio would often get together at Burdick's in Walpole, so hosting them for this show will be a reunion of sorts. Doors open at 7:00 with the music starting at 8:00! Tickets are $20; and are available on our website and at the door.

Nova Arts is supported by and under the fiscal sponsorship of Arts Alive, and is supported by the Putnam Foundation and the Osier Fund. Events take place at 48 Emerald St, within Brewbakers Cafe & Terra Nova Coffee. novaarts.org

Mount Grace Public Comment Period is Now Open for Renewal of Accreditation

The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open.

The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant's policies and programs. “Accreditation is our moral compass,” says Mount Grace Executive Director Emma Ellsworth, “It tells us and the world that we are successful in fulfilling our mission to conserve our region's farms and forests with care and diligence. Completion of the accreditation process confirms that we are meeting our obligations to the community and provide public benefit to all.”

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how Mount Grace complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices.

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org, or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments, 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on Mount Grace's application will be most useful by May 27th, 2023.

Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry Celebrates Selection as Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good Program Beneficiary

Ashburnham, Massachusetts - Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry has been selected as a beneficiary of the Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good Program for the month of March.

The Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good Program, which launched in August 2021, is an easy way for shoppers to give back. Every Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a nonprofit organization local to the Hannaford in which it was purchased.

Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry was selected as the March beneficiary by local store leadership at the Hannaford located at 21 Timpany Blvd, Gardner, Mass. Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry will receive a $1 donation for every Bloomin' 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker purchased at this Hannaford location in March.

"The Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry currently serves 25+ local families in need! With money donated we are able to purchase hearty meal staples such as meat proteins, side dishes, vegetables, fruits, juices, cereals and goodies for our families. Thank you for your support." said Brenda Brown, Executive Director of Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry.

Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry is a nonprofit based in Ashburnham, Mass. The Food Pantry is open every third Wednesday from 5:30-7:00pm. Ashburnham Community Church Food Pantry is located at 84 Main St, Ashburnham, Mass. Please enter through Chapel Street. If you have questions please contact (978)827-5553. Learn more about them by visiting www.facebook.com/AshburnhamCommunityChurch

For more information about the Hannaford Bloomin' 4 Good Program, please visit hannaford.2givelocal.com

Open Sky announces new EVP/Chief Clinical Officer, and VP of Business Development

Worcester, Mass. - Open Sky Community Services, a human services agency based in Worcester with 1,200 employees and over 100 programs throughout Central Massachusetts, has promoted two senior staff members to executive roles. The organization is moving to a structure where services, business growth, and transformation operate under the same leadership, with the goal of strengthening service delivery and support for employees.

Nancy Bishop, MSW, has been promoted to the role of Executive Vice President & Chief Clinical Officer. Bishop has been with Open Sky, previously The Bridge of Central Mass, since 1989 serving most recently as SVP of New Business and Systems Transformation. She will oversee service delivery, business development, transformation, and strategic growth throughout the agency. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Anna Maria College and a Master's degree in Social Work from Boston University. Nancy is a member of NASW, and a former board member of NAMI of Central MA.

David Lambert, MPA, has been promoted to the role of Vice President of Business Development. Lambert has been with the organization since 2017, most recently serving as Director of Business Development and Health Integration. With over 20 years of experience in Health and Human Services in both the public and private sectors, he will work collaboratively with service leaders throughout the agency to develop and implement plans for sustainability and growth that are aligned with the agency's strategic initiatives. Lambert earned his Bachelor of Arts from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and his Master's of Public Administration from Clark University. He also served for 10 years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.

About Open Sky:
Open Sky Community Services, Inc. offers a wide range of services for adults, adolescents, and children experiencing mental health challenges, developmental and intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders, brain injury, homelessness and other complex challenges. Formed in 2018 through the affiliation of Alternatives Unlimited, Inc. and The Bridge of Central Massachusetts, Open Sky today has 1,200 employees and an annual budget of over $100 million with more than 100 programs throughout the region. For more information, please visit www.openskycs.org.