Roomful of Blues Returns to Park Theatre on August 5

Internationally acclaimed blues group schedules concert in Jaffrey

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 14, 2023) Five-time Grammy® nominated blues legends, Roomful of Blues will return to Jaffrey's Park Theatre performing arts center on Saturday, August 5 at 7:30 p.m. Their concert will be in The Park's acoustically acclaimed 333-seat Eppes Auditorium.

Even though Roomful of Blues' lineup has changed much over the years, the band has always been one of the world's tightest, most joyful blues ensembles. The band has never sounded fresher or stronger in an eight-piece unit led by guitarist Chris Vachon. Singer Phil Pemberton brings his sweet and soulful vocals, adding another bright new dimension to the jazzy, jump-blues musical roots. Their winning combination of jump, swing, blues, R&B, and soul remains their calling card, as does their ability to fill the dance floor. Along with bassist John Turner, trumpeter Carl Gerhard, drummer Chris Anzalone, keyboardist Rusty Scott, baritone and tenor saxophonist Alek Razdan, and tenor and alto saxophonist Rich Lataille, Roomful keeps on rockin' into the next decade!

With a non-stop performance schedule for over 50 years, Roomful of Blues has earned critical, popular, and radio success and a legion of fans across the globe.

DownBeat magazine says Roomful of Blues "is in a class by themselves." With their masterful combination of jumping, horn-heavy, hard-edged blues, and R&B, it's no wonder why the great Count Basie called them "the hottest blues band I ever heard." Since 1967, the group's deeply rooted blend of swing, rock 'n' roll, jump, blues, and soul has earned it 5 Grammy Award nominations and a slew of other accolades, including 7 Blues Music Awards and the prestigious DownBeat International Critics Poll for "Best Blues Band."

Advance reserved seat tickets for Roomful of Blues are $35 each. Day of concert tickets are $40. They 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 heart of Mount Monadnock. The facility is fully accessible. The theatre's Lounge Bar will be open before and during the concert. Bernie & Louise Watson will be playing in The Lounge from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.

OKLAHOMA! from London's National Theatre To Screen at Park Theatre

Acclaimed stage production starring Hugh Jackman screens exclusively at the Jaffrey theatre on July 26 & 29

Cast members of Oklahoma!
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 14, 2023) London's National Theatre production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's musical OKLAHOMA! will screen exclusively at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey on July 26 & 29.

The high definition film of the multi-award-winning Royal National Theatre production features the famed actor and singer, Hugh Jackman and multi award-winner Maureen Lipman. Directed by Trevor Nunn, artistic director of the Royal National Theatre and director of Cats, Starlight Express and Les Miserables and featuring new choreography by Susan Stroman (The Producers, Crazy For You, Showboat). Ms. Stroman won the Olivier Award for Best Choreography for OKLAHOMA!

This production broke box-office records in London and was recognized by the Hammerstein estate as the definitive version of this immensely popular musical. The transition to screen was just as successful with the film winning an International Emmy award.

OKLAHOMA! marked the beginning of Rodgers & Hammerstein's partnership, the legendary team who went on to create Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music. Featuring such well-known songs as "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin," "The Surrey with a Fringe on Top" and "I Can't Say No." OKLAHOMA! changed the face of stage musicals by telling an emotional story through music, lyrics and dance as never before.

"There is such truth in this production that I don't want to see another. I want the entire world to see it. It's got plenty of laughs, but it is also deeply touching."
- Mary Rodgers, daughter of the late Richard Rodgers

"It's a terrific, historic production, with a passion I have never witnessed before."
- Jamie Hammerstein, son of the late Oscar Hammerstein

"The best we are likely to see in the rest of a lifetime."
- International Herald Tribune

"Gut-busting energy... a cracking good show."
- The Independent

The filmed stage production will be screened in the 333-seat Eppes Auditorium with its giant 27-foot wide screen and 17-speaker sound system.

Showtimes for this special cinema event are Wednesday, July 26 at 2:00 pm and Saturday, July 29 at 6:30 pm. Tickets for OKLAHOMA! are $15 each. They can be purchased by visiting theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office (603) 532-8888. Group sales can be arranged with the box office.

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

The Park Theatre presents Deep Water--The Murder of William K. Dean on August 12

Acclaimed stage production will be presented at Jaffrey performing arts center

Ken Sheldon in Deep Water
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 18, 2023) The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, presents a true-crime murder mystery, Deep Water--The Murder of William K. Dean, on August 12 at 7:30 p.m.

On a sweltering day in August of 1918, at the height of World War I, William K. Dean was brutally murdered at his hilltop home in Jaffrey, a crime that shocked the entire region. Was the murderer his wife in the early stages of dementia? Was it his best friend, a powerfully connected banker? Or was it a mysterious stranger who had lived on Dean-s property and was considered by some to be a German spy?

Deep Water--The Murder of William K. Dean features author Ken Sheldon in a one-man, multi-media performance that includes hundreds of historical images, video footage, and voiceover actors portraying the witnesses and investigators of the crime. The production is based on transcripts of federal and state investigations, the Grand Jury report, FBI interviews, newspaper accounts, and other historic documents. It has been called "outstanding," "amazing," and "a spectacular presentation."

Playwright Ken Sheldon is a former columnist for Yankee Magazine and perhaps best known for his appearances as Yankee humorist Fred Marple. In Deep Water, he plays Bert Ford, a reporter for the Boston American newspaper who covered the Dean murder and acts as narrator for the multi-media production. Following the performance, Sheldon will take part in a talkback during which he will answer questions about the Dean murder, discuss the writing of the play, and sign copies of his book based on the murder.

The Jaffrey Historical Society commissioned Deep Water through a grant from the Bean Family Foundation. The Park Theatre is a state-of-the-art film and performing arts center providing diverse artistic, cultural, and community-focused experiences to entertain, educate, enrich, and inspire.

Deep Water will be presented Saturday, August 12 at 7:30 p.m. at The Park Theatre, 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Tickets are $15, available at the box office at 603-532-8888 and online at theparktheatre.org. The Lounge Bar at The Park will be open with live music at 5:30 pm until curtain.

Community Harvest Project Prospect Hill Community Orchard in Harvard, Massachusetts Preserved with Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) Thanks to Collaborative Effort

Harvard, Massachusetts - July 17, 2023 - Community Harvest Project (CHP) has successfully closed an Agricultural Preservation Restriction (APR) on the Prospect Hill Community Orchard, a magnificent 75-acre apple and peach orchard. This significant achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of Sudbury Valley Trustees, the Town of Harvard, the Harvard Conservation Trust, U.S. Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR).

Prospect Hill Community Orchard, owned and operated by the non-profit organization Community Harvest Project since 2014, has played a vital role in engaging volunteers in the fight against hunger. With a mission to address food insecurity, CHP has donated over 1 million pounds of apples to hunger relief organizations, thanks to the dedicated work of thousands of volunteers.

The completion of the APR on a 70-acre portion of the orchard marks a major milestone in the preservation of this important agricultural land. The APR will be jointly held by MDAR and the Town of Harvard, with the Harvard Conservation Trust holding an easement for a trail along the orchard's southern edge. By extinguishing development rights and ensuring farming can continue, this initiative safeguards critical farmland and strengthens local, regional, and state-level conservation efforts.

The APR program, run by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, offers a non-development alternative to farmers.The program pays farmland owners the difference between the "fair market value" and the "agricultural value" of their farmland in exchange for a permanent deed restriction protecting the farmland for future agricultural use.

"Through collective effort and dedication we have safeguarded the future of this orchard and with it, the ability to continue to feed those experiencing hunger in our community," said Tori Buerschaper, Executive Director of Community Harvest Project. "We are grateful to all who contributed to this milestone we celebrate today."

In addition to protecting valuable farmland, the Prospect Hill Community Orchard contributes to the preservation of an extensive conservation corridor. The orchard, along with Dean's Hill, Fruitlands, and the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, will form a cohesive network of conserved lands. To promote public access and passive recreation, the constructed trail will be accessible throughout most of the year, allowing visitors to engage in activities such as hiking and birdwatching.

For more information please visit www.community-harvest.org.

Healey-Driscoll Administration, United Way Announce Farm Resiliency Fund to Support Flood Relief Efforts

EASTHAMPTON (July 20, 2023) - The Healey-Driscoll Administration and the United Way of Central Massachusetts (UWCM) today announced the Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund. The fund is a partnership between philanthropic organizations and private foundations intended to support Western and Central Mass farms impacted by recent flooding and strengthen farm resiliency in the long term. Officials made the announcement in Easthampton at Mountain View Farm, which had much of its crop destroyed by flooding.

The Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources estimates at least 75 farms have been hurt by flooding, with about 2,000 acres in crop losses at a minimum value of $15 million. That number will likely climb as more damage is assessed and the longer-term impacts set in.

"As the Lieutenant Governor and I have visited farms across the state, we've been deeply moved by the devastating impacts we've seen and heartbreaking stories we've heard. We're grateful to our philanthropic and private partners for quickly answering the call to action and creating this fund to deliver relief directly to farmers," said Governor Healey. "This is about Team Massachusetts - where we come together to support farmers and their livelihoods, build resilience for our farms and food supply, strengthen our economy, and create a stronger future for our children and families."

"Governor Healey and I have heard firsthand from dozens of farmers who are grappling with the aftermath of extreme flooding and trying to figure out how they're going to make ends meet and keep their farms," said Lieutenant Governor Driscoll. "We've been inspired by their resilience and the pride they take in their businesses, which play an essential role in our state's food supply and economy. The Mass Farm Resiliency Fund will be a lifeline for so many dedicated farmers and their families."

"For generations, our farms have been part of our cultural heritage and the fabric of our local communities," said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle. "As heartbreaking as it has been to see our farming community hit hard this past week, I'm truly inspired to see the community step up and rally around our farmers with this partnership that will bring much needed relief."

"The Massachusetts Farm Resiliency Fund is a most beautiful demonstration of real partnership; united in compassion and united in purpose to support and assist our Farmers," said Tim Garvin, President and CEO of United Way of Central Massachusetts. "We at United Way are proud to be partners in this effort. We are hopeful that many will be inspired to contribute."

To ensure farmers can begin recovery as quickly as possible, all funds will be distributed rapidly by the United Way through a deliberate selection process. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and private foundations, including the Eastern States Exposition, Community Foundation of Western MA and Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA), have already announced their support. More information about the fund can be found at https://www.classy.org/give/503065/#!/donation/checkout and at https://unitedwaycm.org/farmfund/.