Arts and Recreation
Ray Brewer To Moderate Q&A of "76 Days Adrift" Documentary Screening with Executive Producer of Film at Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 16, 2025) Ray Brewer, recently retired reporter of WMUR-TV, will host and moderate a single special screening of the new award-winning documentary film at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey entitled "76 Days Adrift." The film runs from June 20-22, 2025. This gripping documentary, executive produced by Ang Lee, chronicles Steven Callahan's harrowing 76-day survival at sea after a whale sank his sailboat in 1982, based on his New York Times bestseller "Adrift: 76 Days Lost at Sea." Directed by Joe Wein with a haunting score by Patrick Stump, the documentary is a powerful meditation on human resilience.
On Saturday, June 21, at the 2:00 PM screening, co-executive producer Rob Sennott accompanies the film for a live Q&A talkback session afterward, offering audiences a unique opportunity to explore the making of this extraordinary story. Ray Brewer will host the event and moderate the talkback with Mr. Sennott.
About Rob Sennott, Executive Producer
Rob Sennott is an entrepreneur, investor, and producer. Most recently, he was an Executive Producer of the documentary WBCN The American Revolution, which was short-listed for the 2021 Academy Awards by The Wrap. He has built several real estate information service companies that sold to NYSE companies. Rob served on the board of The Upper Valley Haven, a housing shelter and food pantry in Hartford, Vermont, for six years. During that time, he innovated a funding effort by producing and promoting music concerts to raise awareness and capital for the Haven attracting artists Richie Havens, Arlo Guthrie, Suzanne Vega, Little Feet, Bruce Hornsby, John Hiatt, Bud Guy, Cyndi Lauper, and more. He is a major donor and advisor to the non-profit organization, GroundTruth, which supports the next generation of journalists to do high-impact reporting in under-covered corners of America and across the world.
Rob has known Steve Callahan for more than fifty years and has followed his story with keen interest and great admiration. He is excited to share the story of hope and resilience that is captured in Adrift.
Screenings are scheduled for Friday, June 20 at 7:00 PM; Saturday, June 21 at 2:00 PM (with talkback) and 7:00 PM; and Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $15 and available at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office (603) 532-8888.
The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, is New England's unique showplace for live entertainment and film. Don't miss this chance to experience "76 Days Adrift" and engage with its inspiring narrative of survival and hope.
Park Theatre Filmmaker Series in Jaffrey Presents Screening of Oscar-Winner Ernest Thompson's New Short Film The Constituent
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
Jaffrey, NH – June 19, 2025 – The Park Theatre is thrilled to announce a special Filmmaker Series screening of The Constituent, a new short film by Academy Award-winning writer Ernest Thompson, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM. This exclusive event will feature a post-screening Q&A talkback with Thompson and his co-stars, Emmy Award-winner Gordon Clapp and acclaimed actress Lisa Bostnar.
The Constituent showcases Thompson's signature storytelling, blending heartfelt drama with poignant insights and unique sense of humor. This compelling short film marks another milestone in the illustrious career of Thompson, best known for his Oscar-winning screenplay On Golden Pond.
The screening will take place at The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH. Following the film, Ernest Thompson, Gordon Clapp (known for his Emmy-winning role in NYPD Blue), and Lisa Bostnar will participate in a lively Q&A session, offering insights into the making of The Constituent, their creative process, and their experiences bringing this story to life.
"We are honored to host this special screening before it heads to the International Film Festival circuit, and to welcome such talented artists and friends of The Park Theatre," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park, "This is a unique opportunity for our community to engage with world-class filmmakers and performers in an intimate setting."
Tickets for the special screening and Q&A are $18 each and are available now at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Seating is limited, so early booking is recommended.
Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of cinema and conversation at The Park Theatre!The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, is New England's unique showplace for live entertainment and film.
Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene
Friday, June 20: Argentine guitar wizard Cecilia Zabala Returns to Nova w/ Marisol Zilske!
Argentine singer-songwriter and master guitarist Cecilia Zabala brings her mesmerizing and genre-spanning South American voice. Her spectacle "Colors of the south" is an invitation to celebrate ourselves in the fire of the collective, in the warmth of the embrace.
A woman, her voice, and her guitar. Such an apparently simple and intimate aesthetic has, inside, a rich and complex network of textures, dialogues, moods and different timbres that are revealed throughout the concert. In this opportunity Cecilia will be joined by Wes Brown (bass) and Julian Gerstin (percussion): A powerful proposal, which calls the audience to a ritual in search of beauty.
Keene singer/songwriter Marisol Zilske has been playing music in Keene for close to four years now. She's most often found at Nova Arts playing with a wide array of local musicians in Jim Murphy's Blues band. She'll be playing an eclectic set of covers by some of her favorite artists, and a few of her originals too!
Doors are at 7:00 p.m. and music will begin at 7:30! Seating is first come first served!
Thanks to a grant from TD Charitable Foundation, these shows have an Access For All option which lets you name your price (you can't buy multiples of this option at the same time, so to buy more than one ticket, it is necessary to do each additional ticket in a different transaction).
As always, shows are all ages, and we encourage you to get tickets in advance via https://www.novaarts.org/events or at Brewbakers / Terra Nova Coffee. They are also available at the door! Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH.
Friday, June 27: Delicate Steve comes to Keene with Modern Fools!
Steve Marion, the critically acclaimed–and completely wordless–songwriter and guitarist known as Delicate Steve, has unveiled a new album called Delicate Steve Sings. Is the album title a reference to the instantly recognizable “voice” of his guitar? Does he actually sing this time? Has he not been singing all along? That's the crux of Sings—Marion is the rare guitarist where you can put on any of his records and know exactly who's playing. In an indie rock landscape stuffed end-to-end with guitars and amplifiers, nobody else sounds like this.
That unique voice has kept Steve busy in an unpredictable variety of settings. The sheer spread of his work outside his own records—collaborating with Miley Cyrus and Paul Simon, playing in Amen Dunes and the Black Keys, and being sampled by Kanye—doesn't mean Steve's a chameleon. It means he's singular.
Despite their name, there's nothing particularly modern or foolish about the songs of this New Hampshire foursome. Unless you count devising their name by trying to fit letters into the Waffle House logo. Since that fateful, syrup-soaked morning, they've been refining a sound best described as "seriously retro, cosmic Americana", with songs that meld together the country rock of Gram Parsons with the song-craft and harmonies of Dr. Dog.
The group's members have been making music together for between 1 and 16 years, depending on which combination you pick... But as Modern Fools, this iteration took shape in 2019, and has continued to hone in on their particular brand of dream country, while opening for the likes of Steve Earle, Charlie Parr, Ryan Montbleau and Bonnie "Prince" Billy.
This show is happening Friday 6/27 at Nova Arts in Keene NH! Doors are at 7:00 pm and music will begin at 7:30! Seating is first come first served!
Thanks to a grant from TD Charitable Foundation, these shows have an Access For All option which lets you name your price (you can't buy multiples of this option at the same time, so to buy more than one ticket, it is necessary to do each additional ticket in a different transaction).
As always, shows are all ages, and we encourage you to get tickets in advance via https://www.novaarts.org/events or at Brewbakers / Terra Nova Coffee. They are also available at the door! Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH.
Regional News
Applications Now Being Accepted for Community Leadership Institute Class of 2026
North Central Mass. - Applications for the Community Leadership Institute (CLI) Class of 2025 are now being accepted through Friday, August 15, 2025. Organized by the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce, CLI is the premier community leadership program in North Central Massachusetts. Since 1988, the program has helped to shape over 300 community leaders with immersive educational experiences and engagements.
Starting during the Fall of each year, participants gather monthly for day-long, community educational sessions focused on topics including Personal Leadership; Non-Profit Governance/Volunteerism; Education; Media and Crisis Communications; Healthcare; Law and Justice; Legislation/Public Policy; Arts and Culture; and Economic Development. In addition, the class will break into smaller groups during the year to identify, manage and execute community service projects. The experience culminates with a commencement ceremony at the Chamber's Annual Meeting and Business Expo where the class and their service projects are recognized.
Participants are typically nominated and sponsored by their employer. Those who are self-employed may also self-nominate to participate. Successful candidates must demonstrate motivation and potential to lead within their business or community; be considered high performers in their organization and on a leadership track; seek to understand issues facing North Central Massachusetts; be committed to the success of his or her sector and community; be curious and interested in developing new relationships; want to enhance their network of professionals; and be open to challenging their own point of view.
Tuition is $2,050 and includes all program materials and lunches. CLI participants will also receive season tickets to the Chamber's Good Morning North Central executive breakfast series and other Chamber events for additional educational opportunities. A limited number of half-tuition scholarships are available. Applicants seeking scholarships for the CLI program must provide a letter of request to be considered for one of the scholarships. Those who commit to CLI must fully participate in all sessions, and nominating employers must commit to support their candidate's participation.
To learn more and apply, visit North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce/CLI. Applications for CLI will be reviewed by the CLI Steering Committee and applicants notified no later than September 26, 2025.
For questions or more information, contact Maureen Babcock at 978.353.7600 ext. 222 or via email at mbabcock@northcentralmass.com.
Local Resident Surrenders 52 Cats to Second Chance
Nonprofit Providing Critical Care
EAST BROOKFIELD, MA (June 17, 2025) - Second Chance Animal Services has taken in 52 cats surrendered by a well-intentioned local resident who had been rescuing homeless cats but is now facing medical issues. Although none of the cats were spayed, neutered, or vaccinated, they were clearly loved and cared for.
"These cats are remarkably well socialized," said Danielle Bowes, Foster Coordinator & Adoption Counselor. "Many of them came right to the front of the cage for head boops." Among the group is a mother cat with seven babies, who have already gone into a foster home.
The cats received exams from Second Chance Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Jackie Celmer and her team, who began the process of updating vaccinations and identifying those in need of further medical treatment. Two underweight kittens and a pregnant mom will also be going to foster homes, while twelve cats are being treated for upper respiratory issues. The remaining cats will be scheduled for spay and neuter surgery in the coming weeks.
"With this many cats, the medical care quickly adds up," said Lindsay Doray, Chief Development Officer at Second Chance. "In addition to 52 spay and neuter surgeries, these cats require hundreds of vaccines, two weeks of medication for upper respiratory infections, and specialized care for underweight and pregnant cats. They also need foster care, food, litter, and daily staff support. Based on initial examinations, the total cost is expected to exceed $18,000. We're asking for the community's support to defray this large expense and also, once they are ready for adoption, to adopt these wonderful cats."
Second Chance is accepting donations to help defray the cost of care. Contributions can be made online at secondchanceanimals.org, through the Second Chance Facebook page, or by mail to Second Chance, 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515.
"We know this pet owner had the best of intentions," Doray added. "Sometimes compassion alone isn't enough to keep up with the needs of so many animals. That's where Second Chance steps in, thanks to the generosity of our supporters."
Second Chance asks those interested in adopting one of the rescued cats to please watch the adoption page at secondchanceanimals.org/adopt, where they will be posted as they become available--alongside many other amazing pets currently looking for homes.
Gardening
Maximize Your Harvest with Succession Planting,
A second planting after harvesting your first crop is possible if there is enough time for it to mature and be harvested before the end of the growing season.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Make the most of every square inch of garden space and containers with succession planting. As you harvest your first crop of the season, consider replanting the space with a vegetable that will mature and can be harvested before the end of the growing season.
Start by calculating the number of frost-free days remaining in your growing season. Next review the plant tags and seed packets for the number of days from planting to harvest. Compare these two to see if you have time to replant one or maybe even two more quick-maturing vegetables in that space.
Keep in mind that cool season crops like lettuce, spinach and radishes perform and taste best when grown and harvested during the cooler months of spring and fall. Consider using these quick-maturing vegetables as your last planting of the season.
Others, like broccoli, collards and kale, taste even better after a light frost. Planting these so they mature in fall is another way to extend the harvest for maximum flavor and nutrition.
Warm season vegetables, like beans and cucumbers, are perfect for a summer planting. They prefer warm air and soil for the best growth and productivity.
Here are a few vegetables you may want to include in your succession planting this summer. Leaf lettuce and spinach prefer cooler temperatures and depending on the variety are ready to harvest in 30 to 60 days. If you can't wait for cooler weather, try growing more heat-tolerant greens, like Sandy and Red Sails lettuce, and although they are not true spinaches New Zealand and Malabar are more heat tolerant and provide a similar flavor.
End the season with a harvest of peas. Short varieties, like Patio Pride and Sugar Ann sugar snap peas and Maestro and Laxton's Progress #9 shelling peas, are perfect for containers and small spaces.
Root crops make great additions to succession plantings. Salad radishes are ready to harvest in 25 to 30 days, beets in 50 to 60 days, and carrots in 60 to 70 days.
Bush beans prefer warm temperatures and are ready to begin picking in 50 to 80 days. Mascotte compact snap beans are productive compact plants perfect for containers and window boxes. You'll start harvesting these in as few as 50 days.
Cucumbers and summer squash are another option for summer plantings. Vining varieties can be trained onto a support to save space or crawl over the ground. Bush types are perfect for containers and small spaces. Check the seed packet for the number of days from planting to harvest.
Increase the health and productivity of your second planting by preparing the soil before planting seeds and transplants. Mix an inch of quality compost into the top six inches of soil. You'll improve drainage in heavy soil, increase water retention in fast-draining sandy soils, and add micronutrients that feed the soil, building microorganisms.
Once your seeds and transplants are in the ground, be sure to water properly. Keep the seedbed and roots of transplants moist the first few weeks. Gradually reduce watering frequency as seedlings sprout and grow and transplants become established.
You may need to adjust your succession planting schedule based on the weather. Hotter and cooler than normal temperatures can delay seed germination, harvest times, and flavor.
With a bit of planning, succession plantings, and regular harvesting you can enjoy fresh vegetables throughout the growing season.
Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including The Midwest Gardener's Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses "How to Grow Anything" DVD series and the nationally-syndicated Melinda's Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and her web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.