Arts and Recreation
The New Hampshire Big Band Dance Contest & Concert with the Freese Brothers Big Band at Park Theatre
Jaffrey's performing arts center holds statewide dance contest on August 29
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (August 18, 2025) Get ready to swing and dance the night away at the New Hampshire Big Band Dance Contest & Concert featuring the renowned Freese Brothers Big Band! This exciting event will take place on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH.
Event Highlights
Dance Contest with a $250 Cash Grand Prize: Show off your best moves in our all-ages dance contest! Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just love to groove, everyone is welcome to participate. No pre-registration required--just bring your energy and join the fun! Second and third place prizes as well!
Open Dance Floor: Not interested in competing? No problem! The dance floor is open to all attendees to swing, sway, and enjoy the music.
Tickets: $25 per person, available online at theparktheatre.org or at the box office (603-532-8888).
All Ages Welcome: This family-friendly event invites music and dance lovers of all ages to join the celebration.
Bar Open: Refreshments will be available at the bar (ID required for alcohol purchases). Concessions open as well.
About the Freese Brothers Big Band
Formed in 1982 by brothers Jack, Bill, George, and Courtland Freese, the Freese Brothers Big Band has been a cornerstone of New Hampshire's music scene for over four decades. Originating from Pittsfield, NH, the band carries forward a family musical tradition that began in the 1930s with the "Homespun Broadcasters." This 20-piece ensemble, featuring a mix of volunteer musicians and talented high school students, specializes in swing and classic big band music, performing iconic tunes by legends like Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra, alongside contemporary hits arranged in the big band style.
The Freese Brothers Big Band is more than just a musical group--it's a community-driven organization dedicated to fostering young talent. Through their Memorial Scholarship Fund, established in 1986, the band has awarded over $100,000 to support aspiring high school musicians across New Hampshire. Their performances, ranging from free monthly dances at the Henry J. Sweeney American Legion Post in Manchester to concerts at venues like The Park Theatre, embody a commitment to preserving the big band tradition while nurturing the next generation of musicians. As band vice-president David Tirrell-Wysocki aptly stated, "What makes us different is that we play good music for a good cause."
Financial Focus®
529 education savings plans: More flexible than you think
Planning for your child's education can feel overwhelming, but a 529 education savings plan offers a powerful way to build a financial foundation for their educational future. One in 4 parents currently invests in a 529 plan, according to 2025 research by Edward Jones and Morning Consult. Perhaps it's because of the tax benefits--earnings are generally tax free if the money is used for qualified educational expenses. Or perhaps it's because of their flexibility.
Types of education. While most people know 529 plans can help cover college and university tuition, these versatile accounts can also pay tuition for vocational and trade schools, making them suitable for students pursuing careers in skilled trades like plumbing, electrical work or culinary arts. Additionally, some apprenticeship programs qualify for these funds. And even K-12 tuition expenses are covered, up to $10,000 per year for private, public and religious elementary and secondary schools.
Beyond tuition. Withdrawals from a 529 plan can move beyond tuition and cover the cost of room and board for students enrolled at least half-time. They can help pay for books, computers and qualified educational supplies. And a big surprise for some: A 529 plan can help with student loan repayment up to $10,000 per beneficiary.
Who can contribute. Fortunately, 529 plans welcome contributions from anyone — parents, grandparents, other family and friends. Contributions are treated as gifts to the beneficiary, so most contributors will want to stay within the annual nontaxable gifting limit (which for 2025 is $19,000 for individuals or $38,000 for married couples filing jointly).
Interestingly, 1 in 5 parents would prefer for their child to receive 529 contributions as gifts from loved ones, making these accounts perfect for birthdays, holidays and other special occasions.
Multiple children. If you have multiple children, you have options in how you structure your 529 savings. You can maintain separate accounts for each child or use one account for all your children.
Unused funds. You may be concerned about what happens if your child doesn't use all the money. Fortunately, these accounts offer numerous penalty-free options. You can easily change the beneficiary to another qualifying family member, including siblings, nieces, nephews, grandchildren or even yourself as the account owner.
You can also roll funds to another family member's existing 529 plan. If your child receives a scholarship, you can withdraw up to the scholarship amount without penalty (though you'll pay income tax on a portion of the money). The IRS allows an option to roll up to $35,000 into a Roth IRA for the beneficiary if certain requirements are met. You should consult with your tax advisor on this 529/Roth IRA rollover issue.
State options. It's important to note that 529 plans vary from state to state, and you're not limited to your home state's plan. However, it's smart to examine your home state's offerings first, as many provide special incentives like tax breaks for residents.
When comparing plans, consider factors such as tax benefits, fees, investment options and ease of use. A good financial advisor can help you navigate these choices and identify the plan that makes the most sense for your family's specific situation and goals.
529 education savings plans offer flexibility and tax advantages that help make them an excellent tool for education planning. With their expanded uses and multiple options for unused funds, they can help provide families with both security and adaptability in preparing for their children's educational futures.
This content was provided by Edward Jones for use by Jordyn Lynds, your Edward Jones financial advisor at 978-297-7452 or stop by 113 Central St. Winchendon, MA 01475.
Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C., Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C., and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Gardening
Grow a Bee-friendly Lawn
Boost the bee and pollinator appeal of your lawn by incorporating a microclover, like this Miniclover, found to attract and support a diverse group of native bees.
Photo courtesy of Outsidepride
Boost the bee and pollinator appeal of your lawn by incorporating microclover, self-heal, creeping thyme, crocus, grape hyacinths and other bee-friendly flowering plants in your lawn. You'll create and enjoy a carpet of green with splashes of color and one that requires less ongoing maintenance. The pollinators will benefit from the nutritious sources of nectar and pollen your bee lawn provides.
Flowering bee lawns include traditional lawn grasses combined with other hardy grasses, like fine fescues as well as warm season centipede grass. Kentucky bluegrass and Bermuda grass also combine well with bee-friendly plants but require more ongoing care than fescues and centipede grass. You'll be creating a more diverse lawn that not only appeals to bees but also is more resilient to pests and environmental stressors than traditional lawn grasses. Consult your local university extension service for help in selecting the best lawn grasses and bee-friendly plants.
Like any new addition to the landscape or garden, it does require some effort. But once established, you'll be spending less time with ongoing care like watering, mowing and fertilization.
Start by evaluating your current lawn situation. If grass is growing well in the area, so will a bee lawn. This is not an all or nothing endeavor and like any new undertaking, starting small is always a good strategy.
Consider converting just lesser-used spaces. This allows bees and butterflies to forage in peace. And even though native bees are docile and typically don't sting, neither the kids nor bees want to share the same space.
Keep your neighbors in mind when selecting a space for your bee lawn. Those neighbors with pristine lawns may be less tolerant of your bee lawn. Selecting areas surrounded by walks and drives will also help keep aggressive plants inbounds.
Consider starting your bee lawn by overseeding the white microclover into your existing lawn. Clover is adaptable, tolerates foot traffic and drought, and blooms for a long period, providing bees with high-sugar-content nectar and protein-rich pollen. Microclover can also be combined with other bee-friendly plants. You can seed these at the same time or add them later as you expand your bee lawn.
Sow microclover seed in late winter, early spring, or late summer in the south and early spring or late summer in the north. Outsidepride's Miniclover® with Nitro-Coat (outsidepride.com) aids in establishment and allows you to use no-till, minimum-till, and broadcast seeding techniques. Even though it is not native, research found clover attracts and supports a diverse group of native bees.
Once your bee lawn is established, mow high, at least three inches, so the flowering plants can bloom and support the bees and other visiting pollinators. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn. This is a good practice for both traditional and bee lawns. Short clippings break down quickly, adding moisture and nutrients back to the soil. Once established, you'll only need to water during extended dry periods, and seldom if any, fertilization. Skip the pesticides that can harm the pollinators you are trying to attract.
Increase your landscape's pollinator appeal further by growing more bee- and pollinator-friendly plants in your gardens. Helping these important members of our community is good for the environment and all of us.
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 was commissioned by Outsidepride for her expertise in writing this article. Myers' web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.