Arts and Recreation
New Art Documentary "Turner & Constable" Debuts at Park Theatre
Jaffrey performing arts center screens their new ArtsCinema Series film on March 11
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (February 25, 2026) The Park Theatre will present, as part of its ArtsCinema Series, the new art documentary film, Turner & Constable, on Wednesday, March 11 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $18.
The film is directed by David Bickerstaff and it is part of the acclaimed UK produced Exhibition on Screen 2026 series. The documentary celebrates the 250th anniversary of the births of two of Britain's most revered landscape painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable. Released in cinemas starting in March 2026, the film delves into their intertwined lives, fierce rivalry, and lasting legacies, drawing parallels to the groundbreaking Tate Britain exhibition "Turner and Constable: Rivals & Originals" (running from November 2025 to April 2026).
With exclusive access to the Tate show, the documentary offers intimate glimpses of the artists' sketchbooks, personal items, and masterpieces, while featuring insights from leading experts. It highlights how Constable embodied old-school realism and pastoral nostalgia--think meticulously observed English countryside scenes--while Turner pioneered emotional, dreamlike impressions and abstraction, often likened by critics to a dramatic clash of "fire and water."
Critics have praised the film for its thoughtful and immersive approach, making it an excellent companion or alternative to visiting the Tate exhibition. One review describes it as deepening and even reshaping understanding of the artists, leaving viewers eager to revisit the show or discover the paintings anew through close examinations of key works and personal artifacts. Another highlights its role as an "excellent alternative" for those unable to attend the London exhibition in person, serving as an enticing appetizer that brings the extraordinary art and stories vividly to the big screen. Overall, the documentary is lauded as unmissable, thoughtfully capturing the rivalry and innovation that defined these pivotal figures in British art history.
Tickets are $18 or ACS Pass. For tickets and information, go to theparktheatre.org/artscinema or call the box office (603) 532-8888.
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 facility is totally accessible.
Financial Focus®
International Women's Day: Thriving after gray divorce
March 8 is International Women's Day, a time to celebrate everything women have achieved and to honor their strength and resilience. It's also a chance to have honest conversations about real-life challenges many women face.
One of these is the growing trend of divorce among those ages 50 and older, often called "gray divorce." While finding yourself in this situation can feel overwhelming, it also can be an opportunity to reclaim your independence and create a life that reflects your dreams and values.
Today, one-third (36%) of divorcing adults are 50 or older (The Journals of Gerontology, 2022) and 77% of women who experienced gray divorce remain single 10 years after divorce ("Repartnering following gray divorce," 2019). While that might sound surprising, many women view this as a time to focus on goals, dreams and well-being without compromise.
Of course, there are financial realities to consider. Women older than 50 often experience a 45% drop in their standard of living after divorce (compared to 21% for men), and household income can fall by 23% to 40% in the first year ("The Economic Consequences of Gray Divorce for Women and Men," 2020). So, building financial confidence isn't just important; it's empowering.
If you are 50 or older and recently divorced, take the following steps with your financial advisor. You don't have to do it all at once; small steps can help lead to greater financial security over time.
1. Find a financial advisor who truly listens. If you've ever felt unheard or dismissed, don't settle. Your future deserves someone who respects your voice.
2. Get clear on your finances. List your assets, debts, income and expenses to understand your financial situation — the first step toward taking control.
3. Create a flexible plan. Include your current needs, short-term goals and retirement aspirations. Instead of feeling intimidated, you can let a financial advisor help make this simple and manageable.
4. Learn about money. Read, attend workshops and join online communities focused on women and finance. Every bit of knowledge adds confidence.
5. Build an emergency fund. Work toward having three to six months of living expenses in a low-risk, liquid account. This may take gradual, consistent contributions, but ultimately, this cushion can help provide a sense of security as you navigate your new circumstances.
6. Review insurance and your employer benefits. Make sure your medical insurance coverage is adequate. Consider long-term care insurance to help preserve your retirement assets.
7. Estate planning. Work with an attorney to review beneficiary designations on bank and brokerage accounts while updating your will, powers of attorney and, as needed, a revocable living trust.
8. Social Security. If you were married 10 years or longer, understand your rights to Social Security benefits from your ex-spouse.
Rather than being the end, gray divorce can represent a new chapter. This International Women's Day, celebrate your resilience and your potential. The future is yours to shape, and it can be as bold, bright and fulfilling as you want it to be.
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
Boost Your Landscape's Beauty with Bee-Friendly Shrubs
Kalm's St. John's Wort is a bee-friendly shrub.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Plant a variety of bee-friendly shrubs and enjoy year-round beauty and loads of pollinator appeal. Include a mix of spring, summer and fall bloomers, providing nectar and pollen for visiting bees throughout the season. Selecting bee-friendly shrubs suited to the growing conditions and the available space also boosts your landscape's beauty and reduces maintenance.
Start the season off with dwarf fothergilla (Fothergilla gardenia). Its honey scented white flowers first appear before the leaves, offering food to early foraging bees and other pollinators. The blue-green leaves turn shades of red, orange and yellow in the fall.
Include black (Aronia melanocarpa) and red chokeberries (Aronia arbutifolia) with white flowers in spring, great fall color and the black or red fruit that persists into winter. These plants tolerate some shade, wet and occasionally dry soil.
Grow the native ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) in those sunny well-drained locations. This durable drought-tolerant shrub also tolerates occasionally wet soil. White flowers with a pinkish tinge appear in late spring and the rugged exfoliating bark adds texture to the winter landscape.
If you are dealing with black walnut toxicity and dry locations, consider planting New Jersey Tea (Ceanothus americanus). This North American native shrub is deer-resistant and prefers full-sun and well-drained soil. White flowers appear in summer that not only support bees and other pollinators, but this plant is also a host for several butterflies.
Your garden will be abuzz with bee activity when growing Kalm's St. John's Wort (Hypericum kalmianum). This small shrub is covered with bright yellow flowers in mid-summer. Grow this drought-tolerant shrub in full to part sun and well-drained soil.
For moist to wet locations consider Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Its round white flowers appear mid-summer, inviting a variety of pollinators to the garden.
Summersweet (Clethra alnifolia) and Virginia sweetspire (Itea virginica) are two more summer-blooming shrubs that are shade and moist to wet soil tolerant. Look for varieties of these deer-resistant shrubs that fit your available space and garden design.
For dry shade consider dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). This is not one of the invasive honeysuckles but rather a native plant with yellow summer flowers and leaves that turn from yellow to orange and red then purple in fall.
Brighten your late summer and fall landscape with Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). This large shrub appeals to several specialized bees, prefers full sun to partial shade and is moderately deer resistant.
Finish off the season with Seven-son flower (Heptacodium miconioides) considered a large shrub or small tree. You and the many visiting pollinators will appreciate the late season fragrant white blossoms. The rosy-purple calyx persists and the attractive exfoliating bark extends its ornamental appeal through winter.
Protect shrubs that are susceptible to animal damage with an organic repellent like Plantskydd (plantskydd.com). It is safe for pollinators and rain and snow resistant, which means fewer applications are needed. Apply any repellent you select before animals start feeding and according to label directions for best results.
Adding bee-friendly shrubs is an excellent way to support these important members of our community. Don't stop there. Consider including some pollinator-friendly flowers in your gardens to further extend the bloom time and beauty of your landscape.
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.