"Hundreds of Beavers" Invades Park Theatre

Critically acclaimed independent comedy film arrives in Jaffrey on April 19. Free admission if you dress up as a beaver

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (April 12, 2024) Cult films (Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Big Lebowski, Clerks) usually become cult films years or so after they premiere. It is highly unusual for a film that has just been released to achieve that status. A new film, Hundreds of Beavers, from director Mike Cheslik and producer Ryland Brickson Cole Tews (who co-wrote the script, and stars in the film) opened nationally on March 8. Already the slapstick comedy has taken the independent film industry by storm. It opens at Jaffrey's Park Theatre on Friday, April 19 and runs through the 25th.

The story is bizarre and simple. Fur-trapper Jean Kayak finds himself stranded in a surreal winter landscape with nothing but his dim wits to guide him. Against a backdrop of ruthless elements and sinister creatures--all played by actors in full-sized beaver costumes--Kayak develops increasingly complex traps in order to win the hand of a mischievous lover.

Produced on an unheard of budget (even in independent film circles) of less than $200,000, the film has been praised by critics and audiences alike. 95% of movie critics give it a "thumbs-up" and 93% of audiences give it a "go see" (RottenTomatoes.com). Fans are seeing the film over and over again. Many theatres are having 24-hour marathon screenings. Patrons are attending dressed as beavers.

Hundreds of Beavers has been called "slapstick lunacy," "visionary," "unbridled creativity," as well as "strange...yet resolutely adorable."

The Park Theatre is offering free admission to anyone who dresses up as a beaver (as determined by the box office). Beavers will also get preferred seating.

Hundred of Beavers will be shown in The Park's King Screening Room. Groups sales and private screenings are available.

Tickets are $10 ($9 for seniors 62+, children, students, teachers, and active military). For full schedule information or to purchase in advance, go to theparktheatre.org or call the box office (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston.

Ralph Fiennes as Macbeth at Park Theatre

Filmed London stage production of Shakespeare's masterpiece presented in Jaffrey on May 2 and 9

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (April 12, 2024) The just finished UK tour of Macbeth starring Ralph Fiennes and Indira Varma is arriving at cinemas worldwide thanks to Trafalgar Releasing. This visually captivating new production was filmed live at Dock X in London exclusively for cinema audiences. The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire is one of the exclusive theaters to present this critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's masterpiece story of ambition, fate, freewill, power, and guilt. The Park will only have two screenings: Thursday, May 2 at 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, May 9 at 1:30 p.m.

Ralph Fiennes, known for his Tony and BAFTA Awards, and Indira Varma, an Olivier Award winner, headline this fresh Shane Godwin-directed adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth. With an intricate custom stage and an iconic play transformed for the modern day, this is an unmissable cinema trip for all theatre enthusiasts. After having played London, Liverpool, and Edinburgh, the production has traveled to the United States for a run in Washington D.C.

Macbeth's cast also includes the talents of Ewan Black as Malcolm, Levi Brown as Angus, Ben Allen as Ross, Keith Fleming as King Duncan, Jonathon Case as Seyton plus many more.

Tickets for this Park Theatre Stage2Screen HD event are $20 with reserved seating. For full schedule information or to purchase in advance, go to theparktheatre.org or call the box office (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston.

"Monadnock Comic Con" Debuts in Jaffrey

The Monadnock Region gets its own Comic Con on May 3 & 4

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (April 16, 2024) Comic book conventions began in New York in 1964. They were small events and focused solely on comic books. Today there are "comic-cons" all over the world. The big daddy of comic conventions, San Diego Comic-Con draws close to 150,000 attendees every year. Now the Monadnock region gets its own convention, the Monadnock Comic Con. The Park Theatre, Escape Hatch Books, and Team Jaffrey have joined together to produce the event on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4. It will include 2 days of comic books, characters in costume, movies, vendors and much more. The event coincides with the National Free Comic Book Day (May 4).

Escape Hatch Books, one of New England's leading comic book stores, will be handing out free comic books on Saturday.

The Park Theatre will present the two newest (and critically acclaimed) animated Spider-Man movies, Into the Spider-Verse, and Across the Spider-Verse on both days. Additionally, the new hit documentary, William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill will be shown continuously starting at 12:00 noon (every 2 hours) on Saturday, May 4.

Comic book and other characters will be in full costume for photographs and videos: Spider-Man, Beaver Boy, Mickey Mouse, T-Rex, Beauty & The Beast's Belle and more. You will see them at the theatre or the book store (both located on same side of Main street) and anywhere in-between on both days.

The theatre will also house Comic Con vendor tables from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Vendors will include comic books, collectibles, crafts and food. (Potential vendors can call (603) 532-8888 to reserve a table, $20/day).

For full schedule of events and to purchase advance tickets to Monadnock Comic Con films, go to theparktheatre.org/comic-con or call the box office (603) 532-8888.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston. (theparktheatre.org)

Escape Hatch Books is located at 27 Main Street in Jaffrey, NH (https://escapehatchbooks.wordpress.com/)

Worcester Country Car Asociation Hosting Law Day Breakfast

The Worcester County Bar Association will host a breakfast on May 1, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. at the Beechwood Hotel, 363 Plantation Street, Worcester. Eric D. Batista, City Manager of the City of Worcester is the featured speaker for the breakfast.

The Massachusetts Bar Association's Community Service Award will be presented to Attorney Akosua Agyepong, Sequel Law, Worcester. The award is given to a local attorney who has performed acts of outstanding public service. This award will be presented by Massachusetts Bar Association President, Damian J. Turco.

The Worcester County Bar Association will present its Liberty Bell Award to Sandra M. DiLuzio, Executive Director of the Worcester County Bar Association. The Liberty Bell award is given to a non-lawyer or organization that encourages greater respect for the law and the courts and has contributed to the administration of justice. The award will be presented by Leonardo A. Angiulo, President of the Worcester County Bar Association.

The Worcester County Bar Association will also present an award to Julianis Zayas Rivera from Southbridge Middle School. Julianis is the winner of the Law Day Essay contest for 8th grade students in Worcester County. The topic of this year's essay was "In Your Opinion, are there Voices that are Missing in our Current Democracy." This award will be presented by WCBA President-Elect Ryan P. Avery.

Activities for Law Day were planned by the WCBA Law Day Committee, which was chaired by WCBA President-Elect, Ryan P. Avery.

Members of the local bar and judiciary will be in attendance.

In recognition of Law Day, there will be a special sitting of the Massachusetts Appeals Court, at 9:30 a.m. at the Worcester Court Complex, Courtroom 19, 225 Main Street, Worcester on May 1, 2024. The judges sitting are: Associate Justice Vickie L. Henry, Associate Justice Marguerite T. Grant and Associate Justice Andrew M. D'Angelo.

A Memorial Service in memory of the Honorable Charles B. Swartwood, III, former Chief Magistrate Judge of the United Stares District Court, is scheduled for May 1, 2024, 3:00 p.m., at Hanover Theatre, 2 Southbridge Street, Worcester.

President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1958, as the first Law Day to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. Every year on this day we reflect on the significance of the rule of law and rededicate ourselves to promote public understanding of its importance to American democracy. Through our community and award's programs the Worcester County Bar Association encourages the entire community to share in the Law Day celebration allowing the community as a whole to reflect on our rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Legislature Recognizes American Legion Auxiliary--Department of Massachusetts and Celebrates Purple Up Day for Military Children

(BOSTON, MA) - On Monday, April 8, the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives adopted a Joint Resolution recognizing the American Legion Auxiliary--Department of Massachusetts and celebrating Purple Up Day for Military Children on April 15, 2024. This Resolution was led by Senators Jo Comerford and John Velis and Representatives Jon Zlotnik and Susannah Whipps.

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger first designated April as the "Month of the Military Child" in 1986, acknowledging the significant role military-connected children play in our communities. On a designated day during the Month of the Military Child, communities throughout each state join and wear purple to honor military children. Purple is a combination of Army green; Marine Corps red; and Coast Guard, Air Force, Space Force, and Navy blue. As such, it represents military children from all branches.

"Here in Massachusetts, we not only recognize and appreciate the selflessness our active duty military members, we also recognize the challenges that their families and children face, whether that be going periods without seeing a parent to frequently moving around and switching schools," remarked Senator John Velis (D-Westfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. "Last session the Legislature took tremendous strides with the SPEED Act to ease the transition of military children and families moving to the Commonwealth, and I am proud to join Senator Jo Comerford, Representatives Zlotnik and Whipps in continuing that work to recognize the many military connected children across Massachusetts this April."

"Children who have parents or caregivers in the military face unique and often difficult challenges that should be recognized," said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), co-presenter of the Resolution. “I am deeply grateful to partner with Senator Velis and Representatives Zlotnik and Whipps to lead the legislature in recognizing the American Legion Auxiliary--Department of Massachusetts for celebrating Purple Up Day for Military Children."

"It is critically important that we recognize the sacrifices that our service members make each and every day in service to our nation," said Representative Jonathan Zlotnik (D-Gardner). "It is also important that we recognize that families of service members also make immense sacrifices while they are away from home. I was happy to work with Senators Comerford and Velis and Representative Whipps to help recognize the important contributions and the sacrifices that military children and families throughout the Commonwealth make each and every day."

"The sacrifices made by our military families, especially the children of those serving, warrant praise," said Representative Susannah Whipps (I-Athol). "We are grateful for their contribution, and I feel it is very fitting to recognize military children across the Commonwealth and across the nation."

Senate authorizes $200 million for maintenance and construction of roads and bridges

In addition to $25 million for rural roads program

(BOSTON, MA) - On Thursday, April 11, the Massachusetts Senate unanimously approved $375 million in bond authorizations for statewide transportation projects. These authorizations include $200 million in funding for the state's Chapter 90 program and, for the second year in a row, $25 million for cities and towns through the rural roads program.

Every city and town in the Commonwealth would receive a share of $200 million in funding to be used on maintenance and construction of roads and bridges distributed according to the Chapter 90 formula. The $25 million for rural roads will only be available to rural municipalities.

"There is an age-old understanding that the Chapter 90 formula, based on population, road miles, and economic activity, has disproportionately shorted western and north central Massachusetts municipalities," said Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). "I am proud to join rural legislators and municipal leaders to push hard and consistently for formulas based primarily on road mileage. I am grateful to Senator Brendan Crighton, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, and Senate President Karen Spilka for hearing us."

A previous version having been passed by the House of Representatives, the legislation now awaits final enactment in each branch, before being sent to the Governor's desk for her signature.