Arts and Recreation
Jaffrey's Park Theatre Presents NH Premiere of John Prine Tribute Concert Film
"You Got Gold" features some of the best singers & musicians of the last 50 years
Brandi Carlile and Bonnie Raitt in You've Got Gold
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
AFFREY, New Hampshire (January 21, 2026) The Park Theatre, New England's premier venue for live entertainment and film, is proud to announce special event screenings of the highly anticipated concert documentary You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine. This star-studded tribute honors the legendary American songwriter John Prine, widely regarded as one of the greatest songwriters in history. The screenings dates are Friday, January 30, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m.
Filmed over two unforgettable nights in October 2022 at Nashville's iconic Ryman Auditorium, the film captures heartfelt performances, behind-the-scenes stories, and personal reflections from family, friends, and acclaimed artists. Featuring an all-star lineup including Bonnie Raitt, Brandi Carlile, Tyler Childers, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Isbell, Lyle Lovett, the Grateful Dead's Bob Weir, and many more, the documentary celebrates Prine's enduring legacy through his timeless songs and the profound impact he had on generations of musicians and fans.
The Park Theatre will host two special screenings in the award-winning 330-seat Eppes Auditorium, boasting a 27-foot wide screen and state-of-the-art 17-speaker ULTRA surround sound for an immersive cinematic experience:
The film has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Tickets are priced at $15 and can be purchased online at parknh.org, the box office, or by calling (603) 532-8888.
"We are thrilled to bring this moving tribute to our community," said Steve Jackson, CEO of The Park Theatre. "John Prine's music resonates deeply with so many, and this film offers a rare opportunity to experience his songs performed by some of today's finest artists on the big screen, right here in Jaffrey."
You Got Gold: A Celebration of John Prine is a production of Oh Boy Pictures and RadicalMedia, directed by Michael John Warren, and distributed by Abramorama. It has been praised as an engaging and heartfelt memorial to Prine's life and artistry.
Before the Friday Jan 30 screening, celebrated local musician Jim Reiman and friends will be performing the songs of John Prine live in the theatre Lounge from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This is a free-of-charge event. The Lounge bar will be open for cocktails, beer and wine (ID required).
The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston & 60 minutes from Worcester, MA. The theatre is fully accessible.
Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene
Winterpills with Slow Pony January 23 at Nova Arts!
The critically acclaimed Massachusetts quintet Winterpills returns with their first album in nine years. "This Is How We Dance" deepens their catalog of elegant chamber pop that's "haunting...downright glorious when the harmonies start, as crisp and shining as crystal" (The Washington Post). Consummate masters of the slow burn, Winterpills have nurtured a singular aesthetic over the course of their 20 years together: lush and often gritty instrumentation, poetic and vulnerable lyrics, celestial harmonies, and cinematic arrangements that stealthily pull you in.
Emerging from the hiatus of the pandemic, Winterpills dove hearts-first into crafting the album's 12 songs, in a string of inspired creative sessions in the band's living rooms and basements. The resulting album feels at once personal and universal, and showcases the evolution of a band still restless and exploring new ways to collaborate. Teaming up with producer Dave Chalfant--who had a production role in the band's first 2 albums--brought the new record full circle. "Like all good things, this is a band that defies easy labeling...aswirl with voices, guitars and other shimmering delights." (MAGNET)
At the intersection of traditional and contemporary music, Slow Pony is the accordion-centered, organ-adjacent collective led by Eli Dworkin. Drawing from Balkan, blues, tango, klezmer, cumbia, jazz manouche, punk, and Americana, their music is unpredictable, hypnotic, and unmistakably their own. For over two decades, Eli has defied genre as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, songwriter, storyteller, and performer, bringing together an ever-changing cast of accompanists to navigate intricate, fiercely composed-yet-improvised material.
Known for dark humor, collective awkwardness, and hypnotic instrumental shredding, Slow Pony captivates audiences from weddings, to festivals, to burlesque shows, to mosh pits. Cutting his teeth on the street, which remains one of his favorite venues, Eli is practiced at stopping the passerby in their tracks, connecting with audiences through music where it's least expected. With the combined powers of technical mastery and a relentless drive to create, connect, and revolt, every show is a singular experience, impossible to predict and impossible to forget.
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.
Regional News
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts Announces Opening of 2026 Activation Fund Grant Cycle
WORCESTER, Mass. (Jan. 12, 2026) - The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts today announced the opening of the application period for its 2026 Activation Fund grants, which will provide capacity-building support for organizations working to address community-identified health needs of those living or working in Central Massachusetts.
With grants typically ranging between $50,000 and $125,000, the Activation Fund supports discrete, one-year projects in Central Massachusetts aimed at helping organizations advance to their next level of capacity and effectiveness that can be sustained over time. The deadline for submission of a brief concept paper to express interest is March 1. Organizations invited to submit full applications will be notified in late March and final funding decisions will be made in mid-June so that projects can launch in July.
"Over the years, we have seen how strategic one-time investments can transform the capacity of organizations and achieve sustained health impacts," said Dr. Amie Shei, president and CEO of The Health Foundation. "The Activation Fund allows us to support innovations and improvements beyond organizations' regular activities to activate greater change and improve health in Central Massachusetts."
The Health Foundation has awarded nearly $13 million in Activation Fund grants in its 26-year history. Examples of previously funded projects include requests for building or renovation projects, or equipment purchases that enable the expansion of service delivery and professional development activities aimed at building internal capacity for upskilling staff. A list of Activation Fund grant recipients from 2020-2025 with brief project descriptions may be found on The Health Foundation's website at thfcm.org/grantmaking/grant-recipients.
Those interested in applying for an Activation Fund grant should visit The Health Foundation's website to access information on the application guidelines and register for a virtual information session to learn more about the grant opportunity.
This year also marks the launch of The Health Foundation's new 2026-2030 strategic framework, which outlines priorities for strengthening community-based organizations, empowering local communities, promoting effective and equitable policies and systems, and stewarding assets. These strategies will guide The Health Foundation's grantmaking and broader work in Central Massachusetts in the years to come.
About the Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts
The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts is dedicated to improving the health of those who live or work in Central Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on vulnerable populations and unmet needs. Through its unique and impactful approach to grantmaking, The Health Foundation supports community-identified health issues, with health defined broadly to include social determinants of health and with a focus on promoting health equity. As a health conversion foundation launched in 1999 following the sale of the not-for-profit HMO Central Massachusetts Health Care Inc., The Health Foundation's grants have totaled over $62 million to 250 unique organizations over its history. For more information, visit www.thfcm.org.
Second Chance Launches Emergency Fundraiser to Replace Failed Heating System at Adoption Center
Two-month-old Hanny is just one of the pets currently at the Adoption Center.
Photo courtesy of Second Chance Animal Services
EAST BROOKFIELD, MA (January 16, 2026) – Second Chance Animal Services has launched an urgent fundraising campaign to replace the heating system at its Adoption Center after the existing system failed and was deemed unsalvageable despite extensive repair efforts.
"The Adoption Center is home to vulnerable animals every single day, including puppies, kittens, seniors, and pets recovering from illness or surgery, all of whom rely on a warm, stable environment to stay healthy and comfortable," said Lindsay Doray, Chief Development Officer at Second Chance. "The failure of our heating system during a period of extended cold weather makes this replacement especially urgent. We brought in professionals who explored every possible option to repair the system, but unfortunately there is no way to save it. Heat is not optional for the animals in our care, and while replacing the system is a major, unexpected expense, delaying is simply not an option."
Charlton Oil, a longtime supporter of Second Chance, helped set up temporary heat to keep the building open and staff are monitoring the temperature around the clock until the new system can be installed.
In addition to serving as an Adoption Center, the building functions as an emergency placement facility for pets displaced during natural disasters and other emergencies. During events such as the historic ice storm that knocked out power for a week, Second Chance provides critical shelter and care for affected animals. Without a functioning heating system, the organization's ability to respond in similar situations is at risk.
Second Chance is working to raise $14,000 to cover the cost of replacing the commercial heating system as quickly as possible. Funds raised will go directly toward installation so the organization can continue providing lifesaving care and remain prepared for emergencies.
Community members are encouraged to support the fundraiser or help spread the word.
For more information or to donate, visit givebutter.com/shelterheat.
Find more information at www.secondchanceanimals.org.
Gardening
Winning Vegetables for Gardens and Containers
Rubybor kale with its outstanding flavor and beauty is a 2026 All-America Selections Gold Medal Winner in both the flower and vegetable category.
Photos courtesy of All-America Selections
Include some winning vegetable varieties in this year's garden. Look for the 2026 All-America Selections (AAS) winners that have been tested nationally and selected for their suitability in home gardens and containers. Winners must have improved appearance, flavor, performance or other features than those varieties already on the market.
Whether you like kale for its beauty, flavor or nutritional value, consider the Gold Medal winner Rubybor. This kale is both pretty and edible. The deep purple ruffled foliage is uniform and compact, making it perfect for ornamental planting beds, vegetable gardens and containers. You'll enjoy a continuous harvest of tender non-bitter kale all season long.
This breakthrough in breeding resulted in a kale with outstanding flavor and beauty, causing Rubybor to become an AAS Gold Medal Winner in both the flower and vegetable category. This award is only given once or twice in a decade. Some past winners include Ruby Ball Cabbage, Sugar Snap Pea, Profusion Zinnia, Purple Majesty Millet, and Fresh Look Red Celosia.
Grow the award-winning Treviso basil for use in pesto, pastas, sides and your other favorite recipes. This basil was selected for its disease resistance to powdery and downy mildew, its tight compact growth habit and season long productivity. The flavorful leaves stay tender longer and maintain quality even late in the season. The AAS judges, volunteers with horticulture expertise, were impressed with its vigor, heat tolerance and its slow-to-flower nature.
Wait for the danger of frost to pass and air and soil to warm before planting any basil in the garden. This is about the same time you plant your tomatoes. You can start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before moving transplants into the garden. Wait for the soil to warm when planting seeds directly in the garden. Grow basil in a sunny location and water thoroughly and often enough to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy wet.
Boost the disease resistance in your tomato patch with BadaBing! Tomato. This large cherry tomato boasts resistance to septoria leaf spot, early blight, late blight and other diseases. You'll enjoy the 1.5-inch diameter juicy red fruit that resists cracking. This indeterminate tomato will keep flowering and fruiting until frost but only grows 36" to 40" tall.
It was selected as a regional winner in the Great Lakes, Heartland, Mountain/Southwest and the Southeast. AAS judges praised BadaBing! for its productivity, flavor and meaty texture.
Check out other AAS winning vegetable and flower varieties. This nonprofit organization has been trialing never-before-sold varieties and selecting winning plants for home gardeners for more than 90 years. Trial gardens are located at seed companies, universities and botanical gardens. Judges are volunteers who monitor and rate varieties' performance compared to similar varieties already on the market.
Plan a visit to one of the nearly 200 AAS Display Gardens located at public gardens, extension offices and some retailers. You'll have a chance to see the winners in a garden setting to help you plan for future additions. In the meantime, look for the AAS Winner logo when searching catalogs and your favorite garden center.
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.