Arts and Recreation

All Aboard for Titanic the Musical at Theatre at the Mount!

Theatre at the Mount is thrilled to announce the next stop on our 2026-2027 season journey: Titanic the Musical--a sweeping, emotionally powerful Broadway masterpiece that brings to life the hopes, dreams, and humanity of the passengers aboard the legendary ship.

Show Dates:
February 26, 27, 28; March 5, 6, 7 (2027)

Step onto the grandest ship ever built as stories of ambition, love, class, and destiny unfold against one of history's most unforgettable events. With a soaring Tony Award-winning score, richly drawn characters, and breathtaking theatrical storytelling, Titanic the Musical delivers a voyage filled with heart, drama, and awe-inspiring beauty.

This exciting addition joins our already announced blockbusters:
Footloose - August 2026
Murder on the Orient Express - October 2026
White Christmas - November 2026

Don't miss this incredible line-up! - Season tickets go on sale February 1 for renewing patrons; new subscription sales start March 1.

Theatre at the Mount is located at Mount Wachusett Community College, 444 Green Street, Gardner, MA. mwcc.edu/campus-life/tam

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Kicking off 2026 at Nova Arts--Isness Ensemble with Cannon Mountain Recordings Saturday, January 3!

In the heart of musical exploration and artistic camaraderie, the Isness Ensemble emerges as a beacon of sonic diversity, weaving together the timeless threads of roots, rock, and jam. With a lineup of six exceptional musicians, each a virtuoso in their own right, Isness Ensemble creates a melodic tapestry that captivates the soul and propels audiences into a realm where genres dissolve, and musical expression reigns supreme.

Cannon Mountain Recordings is a small group of young musicians hailing from Stoddard, New Hampshire. It consists of Santiago Liceaga, James Crisman, and Sean Nelligan. The group started out as three friends getting together to jam and turned into an outlet for creative and artistic expression. Their songwriting style consists of soothing acoustics, honest lyrics, and gripping melodies. They find ways to cover songs from a multitude of genres and draw inspiration from a handful of artists. They're here to have a good time, sing about their neighborhood, and make meaningful music.

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

Access For All tickets available thanks to support from Savings Bank of Walpole. (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.

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

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

Financial Focus®

New Year's financial resolutions: Making them stick

As the calendar flips to a new year, millions of Americans pledge to improve their financial lives. But without a concrete plan, those well-intentioned resolutions often fade quickly. Financial goals consistently top the list of New Year's resolutions. A 2025 CFP Board study shows that financial resolutions are prominent, with saving more money (45%) and reducing debt (32%) ranking among the top three goals. Unfortunately, most resolutions don't last. A 2023 Forbes Health poll found that over half of people give up on resolutions by the four-month mark and only 1% make it the full year.

The challenge isn't a lack of desire for change. People may set the same resolution year after year, revealing a disconnect between intentions and action. Or it may be that they try to tackle too many goals at once, or aim higher than is realistic, setting themselves up for disappointment.

Set smart financial goals. Before crafting your action plan, consider which financial priorities matter most to you. If you need ideas, here are some areas where you may want focus in 2026:

• Regularly review your financial goals and track progress toward meeting them
• Increase your 401(k) contributions or max out your IRA and/or HSA contributions
• Pay down debt strategically and negotiate lower interest payments
• Build an emergency savings fund of six to 12 months
• Save more consistently

Be specific. Vague resolutions like "save more money" rarely succeed. Instead, it can help to make goals specific and measurable. For example, rather than making a resolution to "start an emergency fund," commit to a specific goal, such as, "I will put $100 a month into an emergency fund."

This shift from general to specific transforms wishful thinking into actionable steps. When goals are attainable, it's easier to track progress and stay motivated.

Find an accountability partner. Don't go it alone. Having someone to check in with can help you stay on track. This could be a spouse, friend or family member who shares similar goals.

Consider working with a financial advisor who can help you create a realistic plan, monitor your progress and adjust strategies as needed. A professional can provide expertise and accountability, making it easier to stay on track throughout the year.

Start small and build momentum. Rather than overhauling your entire financial life all at once, focus on one or two priority areas. Identify where the largest gap exists between your current situation and where you want to be, then concentrate your energy there.

Breaking larger goals into smaller, manageable actions makes them less overwhelming and more achievable. Each small win builds confidence and momentum for tackling the next challenge.

The new year offers a fresh start and renewed motivation to improve your financial health. With specific goals, a solid action plan and the right support system, this could be the year your financial resolutions finally stick.



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

Winning Perennials for Your Gardens

by Melinda Myers
When creating a new garden or looking for new additions, check out the Perennial Plants of the Year (PPOY). Selected by members of the Perennial Plant Association, winners must be suited to a wide range of climate conditions, low maintenance, and provide multiple seasons of interest.

The 2026 PPOY is Blackhawks big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii 'Blackhawks'), a cultivar of one of the dominant grasses of the North American tallgrass prairies. Its smaller stature makes it easier for most gardeners to include in home landscapes. It grows five feet tall and two feet wide as opposed to the species that can grow up to eight feet tall and readily self-seed, dominating a garden.

Combine Blackhawks big bluestem grass with other early and late season perennials in natural and cottage-style gardens. Watch as the foliage emerges dark green in the spring then develops red tips in summer and ends the season with deep purple leaves and stems. Its three-parted flower tops the plant in late summer, providing additional texture and motion in the garden.

Grow Blackhawks in full sun with well-drained soil. It is hardy in zones three to nine and drought tolerant once established. Just cut it back in late winter or early spring and watch as new growth emerges.

This grass combines nicely with past winning perennials. The Arkansas bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), a 2011 winner, is still popular thanks to its fine foliage that turns amber in the fall. This, along with its light blue, star-shaped flowers that appear in late spring to early summer, provide season long beauty. It is hardy in zones four to nine, drought tolerant once established and the deer tend to leave it be.

Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) was selected as the 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year. This North American native grass adds beauty, texture and motion to the landscape. Grow the species or one of the cultivars like Jazz, The Blues, Standing Ovation or Blue Heaven that is best suited to your growing region.

Calamint (Calamintha nepeta nepeta), the 2021 winner, is a long-blooming, drought-tolerant perennial. Its small white flowers cover the plant summer through fall, attracting bees and other pollinators while deer tend to leave it alone. It works well with ornamental and native grasses and other perennials in meadow, natural or more formal gardens.

For those shadier spots in your landscape consider Aralia 'Sun King'. It grows best in full to part shade where the bold foliage combines nicely with other shade-loving perennials. A bit of sun increases the yellow in the leaves while they are more chartreuse colored in shadier spots.

Variegated Solomon's Seal (Polygonatum odoratum var. pluriflorum 'Variegatum') is another shade-tolerant PPOY. The upright arching stems, subtle leaf variegation and yellow fall color make it a welcome addition to any shade garden. Its fragrant white flowers appear in late spring and dangle from the stems and are followed by bluish-black berries in fall.

Consider one or more of the Perennial Plants of the Year as you create your 2026 plant list. Then watch for future winners suited to your garden design.

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.