Arts and Recreation
CatVideoFest Returns To Park Theatre with 2025 Edition
A portion of ticket sales benefits Monadnock Kitty Rescue & Adoption
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 25, 2025) CatVideoFest will return to The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire with their 2025 edition of the cat video festival on Sunday, August 3 at 4:00 p.m. A portion of ticket sales is donated to Monadnock Kitty Rescue & Adoption. The doors will open at 3pm with Kitty Rescue in the lobby with kitties that are up for adoption and information about how to help the organization.
CatVideoFest 2025 is a compilation reel of the latest and best cat videos culled from countless hours of unique submissions and sourced animations, music videos, and classic internet finds. CatVideoFest is a national joyous communal experience, only available in theaters. It raises money for cats in need through partnerships with local cat charities, animal welfare organizations, and shelters to best serve cats in the area.
The producers and The Park Theatre are committed to raising awareness and money for cats in need around the world. A percentage of the proceeds from each event go to local animal shelters and/or animal welfare organizations. Since 2019, over $150,000 has been raised for local shelters in addition to adoptions, fostering, volunteer sign-ups and much more at shows.
"By focusing our fundraising efforts on behalf of local shelters and organizations, we're able to divert money and attention directly to the places and causes that need it most. We trust local people working on behalf of cats to know and understand the problems that need to be solved," said the festival.
The 75-minute-reel of cat videos is family-friendly and can be enjoyed by anyone. The wide demographic appeal draws anyone and everyone, cat owners and non cat owners.
Tickets are $12 per person ($10 for children 12 and younger) and can be purchased in advance online at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office just before the film.
The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston. The facility is completely accessible.
4K Restored "GoodFellas" To Be Screened at Park Theatre in Jaffrey with Talkback with Actor from Film
35th Anniversary screening at The Park with actor Lisa Bostnar doing talkback Q&A on August 8
From left, Ray Liotta, Robert DeNiro, Paul Sorvino, Martin Scorsese and Joe Pesci
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 28, 2025) GoodFellas (1990), directed by Martin Scorsese, is a seminal gangster film that chronicles the rise and fall of Henry Hill (Ray Liotta), a young man seduced by the allure of the Mafia. Based on Nicholas Pileggi's book Wiseguy. This film has become part of cinema history and has gone through an extensive 4K video restoration along with Dolby® sound enhancement. In celebration of the film's 35th anniversary, the film will have a special one-time screening at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire on Friday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. Actor Lisa Bostnar will have a talkback Q&A with the audience about her experience of being in the film. The film is part of the theatre's Filmmakers Series and tickets are $10/$9. The screening will take place in The Park's 330-seat Eppes Auditorium with a giant 27-foot wide screen and 17-speaker surround sound.
GoodFellas follows Hill's journey from a starry-eyed teenager to a seasoned mobster, navigating the violent and glamorous world of organized crime alongside associates like Jimmy Conway (Robert De Niro) and Tommy DeVito (Joe Pesci, whose iconic "Funny how?" scene remains legendary). With a stellar cast, including Lorraine Bracco as Henry's wife Karen, the film blends gritty realism with Scorsese's kinetic storytelling, featuring rapid-fire dialogue, freeze-frames, and a pulsating soundtrack. The synopsis centers on Hill's immersion in the Lucchese crime family, his descent into drug addiction, and his eventual betrayal as an FBI informant, offering a raw, unromanticized portrait of mob life.
GoodFellas redefined the genre with its innovative narrative style and moral ambiguity, earning six Academy Award nominations, with Pesci winning Best Supporting Actor. Its influence endures, shaping films and series like The Sopranos.
Critics past and present laud its impact: Roger Ebert in 1990 called it "a breathless, exhilarating tour de force" (Chicago Sun-Times), while a 2020 retrospective in The Guardian praised it as "a masterclass in storytelling that still feels fresh."
The film's preservation has ensured its legacy for future generations. The 35mm negative of Goodfellas underwent a meticulous 4K digital restoration by Warner Bros. and The Film Foundation, spearheaded by Scorsese. This process corrected color fading and repaired physical damage, preserving the film's vibrant visuals and dynamic energy. The restored version, released in 2015 for the film's 25th anniversary, was screened at festivals and re-released on Blu-ray, earning praise for its clarity and fidelity. Variety in 2015 noted, "The restoration brings Scorsese's vision into sharper focus, making every frame pop with intensity." Goodfellas holds a significant place in cinema history for its stylistic innovation and unflinching portrayal of the American underworld, cementing Scorsese's reputation as a cinematic titan. Its inclusion in the National Film Registry in 2000 underscores its cultural importance, with modern reviews, like a 2023 IndieWire piece, calling it "a timeless blueprint for crime cinema." The restoration ensures that its visceral storytelling and technical brilliance continue to captivate audiences, solidifying its status as a cornerstone of modern filmmaking.
Lisa Bostnar is an actor with an extensive background in film, television and New York theatre. Last fall, Ms. Bostnar starred in the new play Thistles at the 59E59 Theatre in New York. Additionally, she played at the Peterborough Players for many seasons. Her television work includes Blindspot, Blacklist, Law & Order, Criminal Intent, and Pan Am. Most recently, her films include Ernest Thompson's new short film, The Constituent as well as the provocative new independent film, Pointing Fingers, which just wrapped production in Boston.
Please note the film is for mature audiences only. It is rated "R" for violence, language, and sexual references.
Tickets for GoodFellas are $10/$9 and available online at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office one hour before the film.
The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston. The facility is completely accessible.
Jaffrey's Park Theatre Presents Art Documentary, "Renoir: Reviled and Revered"
The film is part of their Exhibition on Screen Series and is presented August 13
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 29, 2025) The Park Theatre is delighted to announce a special screening of Exhibition on Screen's production of Renoir: Reviled and Revered on Wednesday, August 13, at 1:30 PM and 6:30 PM. This captivating documentary offers an in-depth look at Pierre-Auguste Renoir, the iconic Impressionist painter whose vibrant works and evolving style continue to inspire and provoke. Tickets are priced at $18 and can be purchased at theparktheatre.org or at the box office. The critically acclaimed film is shown on The Park's giant 27-foot wide screen with 17-speaker surround sound.
Renoir: Reviled and Revered explores Renoir's artistic journey, from his celebrated early Impressionist works, known for their luminous colors and lively scenes, to his later, more experimental pieces that divided critics and audiences. Through breathtaking high-definition visuals, rare archival footage, and insights from leading art historians, the film captures Renoir's innovative techniques and his profound influence on modern art, while addressing the controversies surrounding his later career. It also poignantly highlights his personal resilience, showcasing how he continued to create despite severe physical challenges from rheumatoid arthritis.
The documentary has garnered widespread acclaim. The Guardian calls it "a visually stunning tribute to Renoir's genius, bringing his paintings to life with remarkable clarity." Art Monthly praises its "engaging balance of scholarship and storytelling, making Renoir's complex legacy accessible to all." Critics have lauded its ability to illuminate both the artist's triumphs and struggles, with The Times noting, "A compelling exploration of an artist who dared to evolve, even in the face of criticism."
Enhance your experience by joining your fellow art lovers for lunch at The Park before the 1:30 PM screening. Starting at 12 noon on August 13, enjoy a specially curated meal by noted area chef, Carolyn Edwards. Pre-order your lunch at parklunch.org to complement your day of art and culture.
Tickets for RENOIR: Reviled & Revered are $18 and available online at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office 90 minutes before the curtain.
The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, is committed to delivering exceptional cultural experiences to the Monadnock region. It is just 95 minutes from downtown Boston. The facility is completely accessible.
NRBQ In Concert at The Park Theatre August 17
Internationally acclaimed rhythm & blues band in Jaffrey, NH, joined by the Whole Wheat Horns
NRBQ
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (July 28, 2025) The legendary NRBQ (New Rhythm and Blues Quartet) will take the stage at The Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, on Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., for a night of genre-defying music and infectious energy. Known for their eclectic blend of rock, pop, jazz, blues, and Tin Pan Alley styles, NRBQ promises an unforgettable performance filled with spontaneity, humor, and musical virtuosity. The event holds special significance as it features Jaffrey's own Carl Querfurth, a trombonist who has been a key part of the band's iconic Whole Wheat Horns who will be performing with NRBQ.
Formed in 1965 in Shively, Kentucky, by pianist Terry Adams, guitarist Steve Ferguson, and bassist Joey Spampinato, NRBQ--originally the New Rhythm and Blues Quintet--has carved out a unique place in American music history. Over nearly six decades, the band has released 21 studio albums and 11 live albums, showcasing their chameleon-like ability to blend styles while maintaining an unmistakable sound. From their 1969 self-titled debut, which featured covers of both Eddie Cochran and Sun Ra, to their collaboration with rockabilly legend Carl Perkins on Boppin' the Blues (1970), NRBQ has consistently pushed boundaries. The classic lineup from 1974 to 1994, featuring Adams, Spampinato, guitarist Al Anderson, and drummer Tom Ardolino, is widely regarded as a high point, producing fan favorites like At Yankee Stadium (1978) and Wild Weekend (1989). Today, NRBQ continues to captivate audiences with its current lineup: Adams on keyboards, Scott Ligon on guitar, Casey McDonough on bass, and John Perrin on drums.
NRBQ's live shows are renowned for their unpredictability and joy, often incorporating audience requests via their famous "Magic Box" routine and delivering performances that AllMusic's Mark Deming calls "a stellar and wildly unpredictable live act." The band's influence spans generations, earning praise from icons like Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney, Elvis Costello, and Keith Richards. They've shared stages with everyone from R.E.M. to the Sun Ra Arkestra and even served as the unofficial house band for The Simpsons during Seasons 10-12. Their 2020 rarities collection InFrequencies* and 2021 album Dragnet reaffirm their enduring creativity.
Carl Querfurth, a Jaffrey resident, adds a hometown connection to this special performance. As a member of the Whole Wheat Horns alongside saxophonist Klem Klimek, Querfurth's trombone work has been a highlight of NRBQ's live shows, bringing a ska-inflected, rock-steady groove to tracks like "Howard Johnson Gets His Ho-Jo Workin." A review from Live Music News & Review raved, "The best tunes...featured the two-man horn section of saxophonist Klem Klimek and trombonist Carl Querfurth...delivering a first-rate solo" that elevates the band's dynamic sound.
The Park Theatre, a state-of-the-art live performance venue in the heart of Jaffrey, is the perfect setting for NRBQ's virtuoso performance talents.
"NRBQ are that rare group that's eclectic, stylistically innovative, and creatively ambitious while also sounding thoroughly unpretentious and accessible," notes a review on The Park Theatre's website.
Bonnie Raitt, a longtime fan, declared, "I would put them on the level of the Beatles," while Rolling Stone praised, "If you were to take every NRBQ album ever released and grade it for sheer joy and listenability...the good albums bearing that combo's name simply never stop."
Tickets for NRBQ's August 17 performance are $40 and $45 (orchestra) and available online at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office one hour before the curtain. The theatre's bar (ID required) will be open along with concessions.
The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston. The facility is completely accessible.
Fitzwilliam Cornhole Tournament and Fun Day
Come support the Danny Baker Fund (benefitting Fire/EMS/Public Safety) by playing in the Annual Cornhole Tournament on August 9 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Bring the family as there will be food, music, games, and raffles. A fireworks display over Bowker Pond will end the day. All games, parking, and fireworks are free of charge. There is a fee to enter the cornhole tournament, and food and raffle tickets will be for sale. The Family Fun Day will be at the Drill Yard, 156 Bowkerville Road, in Fitzwilliam NH.
For more information, contact: admin@fitzpolice.us or 603-585-6561.
The Danny Baker Fund is a 501(c)3 organization and has given over $85,000 worth of fire/ems/public safety equipment to the towns of Troy, Fitzwilliam, and Richmond over the past 3 years. This event is the main fundraiser for the organization.
Regional News
Senate passes Comerford bill facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder
(Boston, MA) July 25, 2025 - The Massachusetts Senate on Thursday voted to pass An Act facilitating better interactions between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder (S.2558), also known as the "Blue Envelope" bill, filed by Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton).
For drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder, being stopped by a police officer can be particularly challenging. At times, law enforcement officers or other first responders have had little or no training about how to communicate appropriately with people with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The bill creates a voluntary program to make available special blue envelopes to people with autism spectrum disorder that hold the driver's license and registration, and which can be handed to a police officer in the event of a traffic stop. On the outside of the envelope are specific instructions for law enforcement officers on the driver's diagnosis, impairments, triggers, emergency contact information, as well as best practices for communicating.
In other states, like Connecticut, a similar voluntary program has been shown to reduce stress, facilitate better communication, and improve safety.
"I am deeply grateful to Senate President Karen Spilka, Ways and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Transportation Chair Brendan Crighton and my colleagues for passing this important legislation," said Comerford. "The Blue Envelope bill makes our Commonwealth a safer place for people who are neuro-diverse. It moves us closer to equal opportunity and access for people of all abilities."
In April 2024, the Massachusetts State Police in partnership with the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts, and The Arc of Massachusetts implemented the Blue Envelope Program statewide. To date, between the State Police and the Chiefs of Police Association, more than 8,500 envelopes have been distributed to Massachusetts residents.
"The Arc of Massachusetts applauds the Massachusetts State Senate's passage of the Blue Envelope bill, an Arc legislative priority. This crucial legislation will provide a simple, effective tool to help drivers and passengers with autism feel more confident and safer during traffic stops or accidents, while also enabling Massachusetts Police to better engage with and assist them," said Maura Sullivan, CEO of The Arc of Massachusetts. "We are deeply grateful to Senator Comerford for her unwavering leadership in championing the Blue Envelope. We appreciate the opportunity to work with hundreds of advocates and stakeholders on this bill. The Arc is now focused on securing its passage in the House of Representatives, raising community awareness about the Blue Envelope, and continuing our work toward more inclusive communities for all people across the autism spectrum."
"The 'Blue Envelope Bill' would be a game changer for our family and for so many Massachusetts residents," said Ilyse Levine-Kanji, an Executive Committee member of Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts (AFAM). "Like many people with autism, my 27-year-old son Sam does not have any physical characteristics that indicate he has autism. In a stressful situation, where split second decisions must be made, I'm relieved that a police officer could see a blue envelope in Sam's car and immediately understand that any unusual behavior or speech pattern is a result of his autism. This bill could thereby dramatically decrease the possibility of a tragic misunderstanding. Advocates for Autism of Massachusetts is extremely grateful for Senator Commerford's leadership in introducing and championing this common sense initiative and to the Senate for moving so quickly to pass the bill."
"Massachusetts police officers conduct thousands of traffic stops each year. While most of these interactions are relatively 'routine,' officers do not know who they are interacting with before the traffic stop so they proceed with caution. Each driver reacts differently when they are pulled over by the police," said Tyrone Parham, UMass Amherst Chief of Police. "As a number of communities across the Commonwealth have already rolled out the Blue Envelope Program, I've heard nothing but successes from both the police and motorists. The early rollout prior to the law being in effect shows the commitment and importance of this initiative, and the passage of this legislation is instrumental to continuing to bridge the communication gap for both motorists and police officers."
For more information on the bill, see senatorjocomerford.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/blue-envelope-fact-sheet-25-26.pdf.
Comerford's remarks on the Senate floor prior to the vote may be seen on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9whwb59CJE.
This bill will now move to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for consideration.
Gardening
Plant a Bit of Shade
Norway maples providing shade and cooling the yards, sidewalk and street.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Summer heat may have you seeking comfort from a nearby shade tree. You immediately experience as much as a 15 to 20 degree drop in temperature and enjoy the relief it provides.
Bring this shady relief home by looking for ways to include trees in your landscape. First, monitor patterns of sun and shade on and around your home throughout the day and throughout the year as the angle and position of the sun changes. Observe the impact your home, neighboring homes, sheds and existing plantings have on the sunlight reaching your landscape.
Consider providing welcome shade where needed during the hottest hours of the day and weeks of the year. Look for opportunities to plant trees where you can make a difference in your comfort and money spent cooling your home.
Plant trees, if space allows, near those areas where you spend time outdoors. Shading patios and decks makes them more inviting on a hot summer day. Deciduous trees that drop their leaves in winter allow you to soak up some welcome sunshine during the cooler months of the year.
Maximize the cooling benefits to your home by planting trees on the east and west side of your house. Shading the roof, walls and windows greatly reduces heat gain and energy needed to cool your home. Since about 75 percent of the heat gain in a building comes through the windows, shading them can greatly increase your comfort and reduce money spent cooling your home. Once again, deciduous trees provide needed shade in summer and allow warming sunlight into homes during the cooler months.
Don't overlook paved areas near your home that greatly impact the air temperature. Shading paved drives and walks reduces heat absorbed that is released back into the surrounding air. Lowering the temperature of the space around your home helps lower the indoor temperature.
Shading an air conditioner can increase its efficiency by as much as ten percent, reducing energy use and saving you money. If space is limited, consider planting a shade-producing shrub or vine trained on a trellis. Be sure to provide space around the unit for needed airflow.
Avoid underground and overhead utilities when planting trees. Tall trees that eventually grow into the wires or structures may interfere with utilities and power transmission, creating a real hazard. Improper placement results in pruning that ruins their beauty or requires removal, eliminating any benefit they provided. Always call 811 as you plan new plantings and at least three business days before placing the first shovel in the ground. It can help reduce the risk of injury and avoid the inconvenience that can happen when you damage an underground utility.
Consult your local university extension service and energy company for plant selection and placement recommendations for your area. Those living in wildfire prone areas need to also consider fire-safe landscaping practices.
No room to plant trees on your property? Consider joining the local tree board or other tree planting group. Adding trees to your community can help you and your neighbors create a healthier, cooler environment that everyone can enjoy.
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" instant video 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.