Arts and Recreation

"Movies For An Art Tour Weekend" Curated By Park Theatre in Honor of Annual Fall Event

4 Films about artists presented at Jaffrey, NH performing arts center October 10-12

Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (September 29, 2025) The Park Theatre is honored to announce a special weekend of cinematic celebrations, Movies From An Art Tour Weekend, taking place from Friday, October 10 to Sunday, October 12, in honor of the annual art tour held throughout the Monadnock Region during Columbus Day weekend. This curated selection of films celebrates the lives and works of iconic artists, offering a perfect complement to the region's vibrant art scene.

The Park Theatre, located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH, has carefully selected four compelling films that delve into the worlds of renowned artists Johannes Vermeer, Georgia O'Keeffe, Vincent van Gogh, and Mary Cassatt. These screenings provide an immersive and inspiring experience for art enthusiasts and moviegoers alike, aligning with the creative spirit of the Monadnock Region's annual art tour.

Tickets are $10 for general admission; $9 for seniors, children, students, teachers, and active military. Tickets can be purchased online at theparktheatre.org or at the box office or via their tickets line 603-532-8888.

Friday, October 10, 7:00 PM
Girl with a Pearl Earring (2015)
From the acclaimed Exhibition on Screen series, this encore screening explores Johannes Vermeer's iconic masterpiece. With exclusive access to the Mauritshuis Museum, the documentary offers fresh insights into Vermeer's artistry and the painting's cultural significance. Critics praise its "stunning paintings in high-definition glory" (This is London) and "gallery-going experience--minus the jostling" (National Post, Canada).

Saturday, October 11, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
Georgia O'Keeffe: The Brightness of Light (2025)
A brand-new documentary form Oscar® winning director Paul Wagner celebrating America's "Mother of Modernism." Narrated by Hugh Dancy with Claire Danes as the voice of O'Keeffe, this film has been hailed as "the finest movie about an artist I have ever seen" and "a classic and authoritative biographical documentary" for its deep insight and vivid visuals.

Sunday, October 12, 2:00 PM
Vincent & Theo (1990)
Directed by Robert Altman, this biographical drama explores the complex relationship between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo. Starring Tim Roth and Paul Rhys, the film is lauded for its raw performances and sensitivity in portraying the artist's life and legacy.

Sunday, October 12, 7:00 PM
Mary Cassatt: Painting the Modern Woman (2023)
Another fan and critical favorite from Exhibition on Screen, this documentary highlights Mary Cassatt's groundbreaking work as a leading Impressionist. Critics call it "a gem" and "a beautiful virtual exhibition," praising its immersive exploration of Cassatt's radical vision and the social changes of the late 19th century.

"Movies From An Art Tour Weekend" is designed to complement the Monadnock Region's annual art tour, a beloved Columbus Day weekend tradition where local artists open their studios to the public. The Park Theatre's curated film series enhances this cultural celebration by showcasing the lives and works of artists who have shaped art history, offering audiences a chance to engage with their stories in a cinematic setting.

"We're excited and honored to present this unique film series that celebrates the intersection of art and storytelling," said Steve Jackson, CEO of The Park Theatre. "These films not only honor the legacy of remarkable artists but also resonate with the creative energy of our region's artists. We invite everyone to join us for this inspiring weekend of cinema."

The Park Theatre is a state-of-the-art performing arts center in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, dedicated to enriching the community through diverse entertainment. With its mission to provide accessible, high-quality cultural experiences, The Park Theatre is proud to host events like "Movies From An Art Tour Weekend" that celebrate creativity and community.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to explore other upcoming events, visit theparktheatre.org or contact the box office at (603) 532-8888. The Park Theatre is a totally accessible venue.

New England Animation Festival Returns To Park Theatre For 2nd Year

Over 800 films submitted to Jaffrey, NH based festival from around the world

from Fleischer Fairy Tales
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (September 30, 2025) The Park Theatre has announced their 2nd Annual New England Animation Festival, will be taking place on Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18, in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. This vibrant celebration of animation showcases a diverse selection of animated films from New England, the United States, and around the world, highlighting both emerging and established talent in the animation industry.

This year, the festival received an impressive over 800 film submissions from around the world across three competitive categories: Best New England-Produced Animated Film (under 20 minutes), Best Global Animated Film (under 20 minutes), and Best Global Animated Film (over 20 minutes). Festival-goers will have the opportunity to view finalist films in all three categories, alongside a curated selection of new and classic recently 4K restored Fleischer Studio animated short films (Betty Boop, Koko the Clown, Popeye and many more).

Friday, October 17:
6:00pm - 8:30pm: Continuous screening of Festival Finalist Films in the King Screening Room.
6:30pm: Screening of Flow (2024) in the Eppes Auditorium. (2025 Oscar® winner for Best Animated Feature Film)

Saturday, October 18:
11:00am - 8:30pm: Continuous screening of Festival Finalist Films in the King Screening Room.
11:00am: Fleischer Fairy Tales in the Eppes Auditorium.
1:00pm: Screening of Boys Go To Jupiter (2025) in the Eppes Auditorium.
4:00pm: Cartoons of Max Fleischer in the Eppes Auditorium.
6:00pm: Festival Awards Winners Announcement in the Eppes Auditorium.
6:30pm: Screening of Rocks in My Pockets (2014) in the Eppes Auditorium (note: contains adult themes).

The New England Animation Festival is a premier event celebrating the art of animation, bringing together filmmakers, enthusiasts, and audiences to experience a wide range of creative and innovative works. From local New England talent to international animators, this festival offers a unique platform to showcase short and feature-length animated films, fostering a community of creativity and storytelling.

The judging panel includes Keene State Professor Emeritus of Film, Larry Benequist.

"We are incredibly excited to once again host the Annual New England Animation Festival," said Steve Jackson, CEO at The Park Theatre. "With over 800 submissions, this year's festival promises an extraordinary lineup of films that highlight the diversity and artistry of animation from around the globe. We invite everyone to join us for two days of captivating screenings and to celebrate the winners at our awards ceremony."

Individual film tickets are $10 and $9. A Festival Pass, granting access to all screenings and events, is $35. Purchase tickets and find more details at https://theparktheatre.org/ne-animation-festival/.

For more information, to purchase tickets, or to explore other upcoming events, visit theparktheatre.org or contact the box office at (603) 532-8888. The Park Theatre is a totally accessible venue.

Regional News

Worcester County District Attorney Receives Behavioral Health Spirit of Service Award

SHREWSBURY - Last week, Veterans, Inc. presented Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. with their Behavioral Health Spirit of Service Award at their 4th Annual Recovery Summit, in recognition of his work to address addiction.

This award recognizes District Attorney Early's leadership in expanding diversion programs and improving access to treatment, efforts that have strengthened recovery-oriented systems of care across Worcester County.

"I am deeply honored to receive the Behavioral Health Spirit of Service Award from Veterans Inc. Veterans Inc. is a leader on so many issues in Worcester County," said District Attorney Early. "This recognition reflects the hard work of all the hard workers in our office and also our many treatment providers, veterans' advocates, community leaders, and the citizens who believe that recovery, compassion, empathy, and justice can go hand in hand. Together, we're proving that early intervention and strong support networks can change lives and strengthen public safety."

Mr. Early is dedicated to addressing the root causes and impacts of the polysubstance use crisis, as well as the effects of trauma, especially on children. In 2015, he formed the Central Mass. Opioid Task Force, now known as the Prevention and Support Network, which has more than 800 members in the network. Additionally, Mr. Early launched the Critical Incident Management Systems (CIMS) software in 2020, which allows police throughout Worcester County to track overdose incidents as they occur and follow up with survivors to assist them with obtaining treatment. In 2021, Mr. Early also established the Worcester County Drug Endangered Children's Alliance to identify and support children who have experienced a traumatic event. Federal grant funding was awarded in 2022 to support the expansion of the Alliance and the implementation of the Handle With Care programs to schools throughout the county, through which schools are notified by local police when a student has experienced a trauma such as viewing a drug overdose or violence, allowing the school to reach out to the affected child.

Veterans Inc. is a national nonprofit organization and the largest provider of support services to veterans and their families in New England. Presented annually, the Behavior Health Spirit of Service award celebrates individuals who demonstrate exceptional advocacy and commitment to behavioral health initiatives, with a particular focus on supporting veterans and people affected by mental health and substance use challenges.

"Recovery is not just about treating addiction, it is about restoring lives," said Lt. Col. Vincent J. Perrone, USAF (Ret.), President and CEO of Veterans Inc. "At Independence Hall, we surround veterans and their families with the clinical services they need, while also connecting them to housing, employment, and support programs that ensure long-term stability. The Recovery Summit is our opportunity to convene the best minds in the field so that together, we can advance the future of recovery care."

Financial Focus®

When investing, one of the best abilities is durability

You've probably heard about "genius" investors or those who got in on the "ground floor" of a company that grew to be a huge success. These stories may be interesting, but they are also rare--and sometimes not even true.

The truth is that successful investing isn't glamorous, and it isn't necessarily quick. Instead, a well-founded investing strategy is a durable one--one that can withstand the test of time.

Here are some actions that can help you build durability.

Take your time: Most individual investors make their money over time, not overnight. Despite stories about fortunes made on one or two trades, you're more likely to be successful making money over time. You'll want to own a well-diversified portfolio of quality investments--and plan to own those investments for the long term.

A long-term perspective can help you ignore the constant noise in the markets and stay invested. When you hear about the latest "hot" investment tip, especially if it's already performed well, the best advice is this: Ignore it. Although it may be tempting to buy a popular investment, it may not fit with the rest of your portfolio, it may have already peaked and it may be riskier than you expect. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Invest in quality: When building your investment portfolio, quality should be a top priority. For stocks, quality is frequently measured by the steadiness of earnings and dividend growth over time. For bonds, one measure of quality is an investment-grade credit rating, which indicates that the borrower has a good track record of making its promised interest and principal payments and the bond has a relatively low risk of default.

Quality investments are more likely to overcome temporary challenges, which is why a good track record can be an indication of quality. Don't reach for yield by looking for investments offering the highest dividend or interest rate without considering the risk. Remember, there is no perfect investment--a higher rate generally means higher risk.

Stick to your strategy: Building a long-term strategy can anchor your decisions and provide a roadmap for your investment choices. Your strategy should consider your goals, tolerance for risk and the time needed to save toward each goal.

Within that strategy, you can be flexible. Buy and hold, for example, doesn't mean buy and forget. Over time, your goals may change, or you may choose to hold more conservative investments. But it's important to make changes for the right reasons, not simply because stocks or your other investments may have dropped in price.

Perhaps one of the biggest mistakes you can make is trying to time the markets, moving in and out in response to short-term declines or the latest prediction. This often results in getting into and out of the market at the wrong times, costing time and money--and resulting in lower returns over time.

Remember that investments don't all move up or down at the same time but portfolio diversification can help smooth the ups and downs of the market. A long-term perspective can help you see past short-term fluctuations in some investments.

Successful investing isn't about making dramatic moves or chasing the latest trends. It's about developing a durable strategy personalized for your life, then sticking with it through market ups and downs. In investing, as in life, slow and steady could help win the race.

Gardening

Plant Flavorful and Nutritious Garlic in Fall

Separate garlic cloves right before planting and plant the largest cloves with their papery covering.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com

by Melinda Myers
Lower your blood pressure and cholesterol, fight heart disease, boost your immune system, and add a bit of flavor to your meals by growing your own garlic. This vegetable has been used as both food and medicine for thousands of years.

Purchase firm, healthy bulbs of garlic sold for growing in the garden. One pound of garlic typically fills a 30' row but this can vary depending on the variety. It's best not to use garlic sold at the grocery store as it may have been treated to prevent sprouting and it may not be suitable for growing in your climate.

Select the best variety for your growing conditions and preferred flavor. Hardneck garlic typically prefers colder climates while most softneck garlic prefers warmer climates, but this varies with the varieties within each group. Hardneck garlic varieties develop a stiff flower stalk, tend to have larger cloves, and flavors ranging from mild to spicy. Softneck varieties vary in their adaptability to long cold winters, cool moist springs and warm summers. They lack the stiff flower stalk so the leaves can be braided, and the bulbs tend to have a longer shelf life.

Garlic bulbs typically contain seven or more individual cloves. The larger the clove you plant, the bigger the bulb you'll harvest. Separate the cloves right before planting and do not remove the papery covering. Use the largest cloves for growing and the smaller ones to flavor your favorite fall and winter meals.

Grow garlic in a sunny location with well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by adding organic matter like compost and a low nitrogen slow-release fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen, fast release fertilizers that promote top growth with smaller bulbs. Fertilize again in spring as growth begins.

Plant the cloves in the fall about six weeks before the ground freezes in cold climates and late fall or early winter in warmer regions. Space individual cloves six inches apart with the pointed side up and the base of the clove two to three inches below the soil surface. Space single rows 12 to 14 inches apart or double rows six inches apart with 30" between each set of double rows. For more intensive wide row and square foot growing, plant multiple rows with four to eight inches between cloves.

Spread a six-inch layer of weed-free straw over the soil surface after planting to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. This also provides added insulation in colder regions and helps prevent frost heaving that occurs when temperatures fluctuate, causing soil to alternately freeze, thaw and shift throughout the winter. Cover the straw with evergreen boughs in windy locations to help hold the straw in place.

Water newly planted garlic thoroughly at planting and as needed in fall to encourage the roots and a shoot to form. Water often enough to keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season. Inconsistent moisture when the plants are actively growing results in smaller and misshapen bulbs. Keep the soil around the plants covered with organic mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

Make this the season you plant garlic. Then enjoy the homegrown flavor and health benefits it provides.

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 website is www.MelindaMyers.com.