Arts and Recreation

Theatre at the Mount Announces Auditions for Willy Wonka Jr.

Gardner, MA - Theatre at the Mount invites young performers to audition for its upcoming production of Willy Wonka Jr., the magical musical based on Roald Dahl's beloved tale of imagination, kindness, and candy-coated adventure.

Auditions will be held by appointment on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Theatre at the Mount, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA. Roles are available for children and teens, and all experience levels are welcome.

Directed by Emily Smith, Willy Wonka Jr. features iconic characters like Charlie Bucket, Veruca Salt, Augustus Gloop, and the mysterious Willy Wonka himself. With toe-tapping songs and a heartwarming message, this junior version of the Broadway hit is perfect for family audiences and young performers alike.

Audition Details - What to Expect:

• Vocal: Auditioners will be asked to sing a short vocal selection that will be taught at the audition.
• Dance: All auditioners (including chorus) will participate in a dance audition. The combination will be taught at the audition. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear.
• Acting: Some performers may be asked to do cold readings from the script.

Rehearsals begin in early February, with performances scheduled for April.

Don't miss your chance to be part of the magic--step into the world of pure imagination and help bring this colorful story to life!

For more information and to schedule an audition, email box-office@mwcc.mass.edu or call 978-630-9388.

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Rear Defrosters / Last Minute Larry! This Weekend!

This weekend we've got you covered for music AND art in Keene!

Saturday, December 20, The Rear Defrosters return with a special Hometown Holiday Album Release Show! Check out the band's new LP, which you can buy with your ticket or at the show!

Michael Roberts has been writing songs for decades. He's studied folk music in America, Mongolia, and Uganda, settling down wherever in the world he is and making every place he goes the better for it. His longest running project is a truly unique honkytonk ensemble called The Rear Defrosters; I'll save you some time: they're the best goddamn country band in New England, and maybe anywhere. Mike's a wily and wiry amalgam of Michael Hurley, Link Wray, and Roger Miller. With both his voice and guitar he is playful, deft, and inspired.

Roberts' affable nature, experience, and reputation has afforded him the uncanny ability to attract the best players around, creating a veritable force of reliable, energetic, and ripping bandmates. At this point in their storied career, the band are a cohesive unit, and they realize these songs both like technicians and mind readers, each holding their end of the songs with soft and sure hands, allowing for the confident creativity that one finds in the great combos throughout time.

The Way Down is their first LP of original songs and it goes a long way to delivering the full breadth of their capabilities as a crucial unit. You get heartfelt accompaniment and intricate solos ranging from subtle to fiery, though always within the container of the song. Generally I've always felt that it is pretty impossible to ask for this caliber of songwriting, and even if you get it, how could you expect such a deep outfit to themselves become equitable conduits? The source is real, and Roberts has tapped it by way of Texarkana, stoner pill-popping truck drivers, the real old-time country, bluegrass, rockabilly, and the outlaw set, all filtered through his worldly adventures and the brains and hands of this wonderful band.

The doors open at 7:00 p.m. and music will start around 7:30.

Access For All tickets available thanks to a grant from the TD Charitable Foundation. (Note: To purchase more than one Access For All ticket, each must be done in a separate transaction.)

Shows are all ages and seating is first come first served.

And then Sunday, December 21, it's this year's Last Minute Larry, a vibrant arts market featuring artisans from Keene and beyond! Great food, drink, gifts, and company! 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., free!

Tickets and more info available at novaarts.org/event.

Nova Arts is located at 48 Emerald St, Keene, NH.

Regional News

Should You Give a Pet as a Gift?

Second Chance Shares How to Welcome a New Pet the Right Way This Holiday

EAST BROOKFIELD, MA (December 18, 2025) - The holiday season brings sweet videos of puppies and kittens bursting out of gift boxes and into someone's arms. These moments feel magical, and it can be tempting to surprise a loved one with a new pet of their own. Second Chance Animal Services encourages families to take a thoughtful approach that sets pets and people up for success.

"What those videos don't show is the confused Christmas and birthday pets who arrive at shelters weeks or months later," said Second Chance CEO Sheryl Blancato. "Welcoming a pet can be incredibly rewarding, but it is also a long term responsibility. Every family should take time to research, talk about expectations, and decide what type of pet fits their lifestyle. Adopting is a lifetime commitment."

Blancato notes that no one should be surprised with a pet. "We always hope our pets find loving homes for the holidays, but the best homes are prepared for all that comes with pet ownership. When a pet is given as a gift, the odds are much greater that they will be returned to a shelter, which is emotionally hard for an animal. It is heartbreaking to watch them wait for an owner who is not coming back."

Instead of gifting a live animal, Second Chance recommends giving items that celebrate the idea of a future pet. A cozy pet bed or bowls with a note that your family is ready to begin researching can be a thoughtful and exciting gift. A hand made certificate for a shelter visit paired with a child friendly book about caring for pets can help young animal lovers learn what to expect. This year, Second Chance is also offering adorable hand-crafted wooden ornaments at all their locations that make perfect gifts while supporting shelter pets.

Families who take time to plan and prepare are more likely to enjoy a successful adoption and create a loving home for years to come.

Financial Focus®

Take control: Why budgeting doesn't have to feel restrictive

Let's be honest: The word "budget" doesn't exactly spark joy for most people. It can feel restrictive or even generate feelings of guilt about past spending choices. But what if budgeting could feel empowering? When done right, it's simply about understanding your money and making sure it aligns with what truly matters to you.

Who needs a budget? While nearly everyone can benefit from budgeting, it's especially helpful if you're just starting out on your own, if your expenses exceed your income or if you're working toward a big goal like buying a home or retiring. Major life changes--marriage, a new baby, a job change or even retirement itself--are also perfect times to take a fresh look at your finances.

If your spending causes you stress or you simply want clarity about where your money goes each month, budgeting can help. Here are a few tips to help get you started:

Dispense with the dread. Often, the hardest part of budgeting is just getting started. Try breaking it down into small, manageable steps, and dedicate 30 minutes a week to tracking your income and expenses. Pair budgeting with something enjoyable--a favorite coffee or a relaxing activity--to make it less of a chore.

If you have no idea how much you spend, start by simply observing your buying habits for a few months. Review your checking and credit card accounts to see money coming in and going out. You can't change the past but you can adjust for your future.

Find your level of detail. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to budgeting. You might start by tracking just total income and expenses or by using the popular 50/30/20 rule: 50% for necessities, 30% for wants and 20% for savings and debt reduction. Some people prefer to build detailed categories for everything from groceries to entertainment, while others keep broader categories that work better for their lifestyles.

Technology can be your friend here. Budget apps and Ai-enabled spreadsheets can pull information directly from your bank and credit card statements, making the process much easier.

Make it work for you. Once you've tracked your spending, look for areas to adjust. Can you swap brand-name items for generics? Are there subscriptions you're not using? Sometimes the biggest impact comes from examining your largest expenses--housing, utilities, transportation, insurance--to find opportunities to save.

If you can't make room in your budget, you may need to revisit and reprioritize your financial goals. A financial advisor can help you understand your options and any trade-offs.

Stay on track. Check in with your budget monthly, quarterly or annually--whatever works for you. When life changes, your budget should too. Salary increases, bonuses, new expenses or significant life events are all good reasons to review and adjust.

Above all, the goal of a budget isn't perfection. It's progress toward financial confidence and peace of mind. A good budget shouldn't limit you--it should free you to spend guilt-free on what matters while saving intentionally for your future.

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

Holiday Plant Legends and Lore

by Melinda Myers
The holidays are here and you are probably seeing many traditional holiday plants for sale at your favorite flower shop and garden center. These may or may not be part of your holiday traditions but knowing a bit about their lore can be something fun to share at holiday gatherings.

The traditional carol "The Holly and the Ivy" mentions two of the evergreen plants associated with the holidays. Ivy, holly and mistletoe were three green plants that brightened the deciduous British forests in winter.

Winter greenery was prized for its beauty and symbolic assurance that spring would come again. Ivy along with holly and mistletoe were the standard holiday decorations for homes and churches before the Christmas tree.

English ivy is a popular houseplant that thrives in a bright location. Purchase or train English ivy into a wreath or tree for the holidays. Or grow it on an obelisk or orb and enjoy its year-round beauty.

Outdoors, English ivy is used as a groundcover or trained on a trellis or home for vertical interest. It is considered invasive in some parts of the United States, so check before adding this plant to your landscape.

The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe started in England in the 19th century. According to mistletoe etiquette, a man should remove a berry each time he kisses a woman. And when the last berry is gone, the kissing is over.

This parasitic plant was believed to have magical powers since it seemed to mysteriously appear in tree canopies and grow without roots. What original observers did not realize is fruit-eating birds deposited seeds in the trees. Once the seeds sprouted, they formed a parasitic relationship with the tree.

Mistletoe hunting is one traditional way this high-hanging plant has been harvested. Hunters take aim and shoot. Unfortunately, some of the mistletoe can be blown to pieces, adding to the challenge of this harvesting technique.

Some cultures believed mistletoe could cure diseases, bestow fertility, and protect homes from ghosts. The Druids used branches of mistletoe to welcome in the New Year and thus the plant became associated with Christmas.

Be sure to hang your mistletoe high or opt for the artificial sprigs as the berries are poisonous to people and pets.

You may be surprised to know Wassailing is another plant-related tradition. In England, people would visit apple orchards caroling along the way. Once there, they would sprinkle cider or liquor over the trees' roots while chanting to help ensure a good crop the coming year.

You may have already purchased a poinsettia or two to give or decorate your home. It was once cultivated by the Aztecs who called it cuetlaxochitl and used its colorful bracts for dye and the milky sap as medicine. The name poinsettia comes from Joel Poinsett, a U.S. Ambassador to Mexico in the 1820s, who happened upon a blooming poinsettia shrub and brought cuttings back to the United States.

The legend of the Poinsettia is also of Mexican origin. It is said on the first Christmas two small children wanted to visit the baby Jesus but were too poor to buy him a present. So, they picked weeds along the road to decorate his crib. The other children made fun of their gift, that is, until their gift of love turned a beautiful red.

Take time to enjoy family, friends and of course your favorite holiday plants and traditions.

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.