Arts and Recreation

Park Theatre to Award Six Scholarships for Summer Youth Theatre Camp Programs

Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 19, 2026) The Park Theatre will award six scholarships to local students for its 2026 Park Arts Summer Theatre Workshop Camp programs, helping make arts education more accessible to young people throughout the Monadnock Region. Scholarship recipients will be selected and announced on July 1, 2026.

The scholarships are intended to ensure that financial circumstances do not prevent young people from experiencing a program that builds confidence, communication skills, creativity, teamwork, and academic success. Studies consistently show that participation in theatre programs helps children develop public speaking skills, reading comprehension, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and self-confidence—valuable life skills that benefit them both inside and outside the classroom.

Four full scholarships, each valued at $350, will be awarded for the Park Arts Summer Theatre Workshop Camp for students in grades 3 through 8. The two-week program begins July 6, 2026, and will culminate in a production of the beloved classic fairy tale, Pinocchio. Through rehearsals and performance, participants will develop skills in acting, voice, movement, teamwork, and stage presence while bringing the timeless story of the wooden puppet who longs to become a real boy to life on The Park Theatre professional stage.

In addition, The Park Theatre will award two full scholarships, each valued at $175, for its Theatre Craft Workshop for high school-age students. This one-week program (begins July 13) introduces participants to the behind-the-scenes aspects of theatre production, including stagecraft, lighting, sound, set construction, props, and other technical elements that make live performances possible. The workshop provides students with hands-on experience and a deeper understanding of the many creative and technical careers available in the performing arts.

"We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to explore the arts, regardless of financial circumstances," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of The Park Theatre. "Theatre education helps students build confidence, learn to communicate effectively, work collaboratively, and discover talents they never knew they had. These scholarships help open doors for students to gain skills and experiences that can benefit them throughout their lives."

Park Arts and the scholarships are made possible by a grant from The Eppes-Jefferson Foundation.

The Park Arts Summer Theatre Workshop Camp and Theatre Craft Workshop Camps provide much more than a performance opportunity. Participants learn discipline, responsibility, creative thinking, and collaboration while working toward a common goal. Parents frequently tell us that their children leave the program with greater self-confidence, new friendships, and a sense of accomplishment that lasts well beyond the summer.

Students and families interested in applying for one of the scholarships (or regular tuition payment) should contact The Park Theatre by calling 603-532-8888. Applications must be received prior to the July 1 award date. A limited number of openings are still available in both summer programs. Additional information can be found at theparktheatre.org/parkarts/.

About The Park Theatre
The Park Theatre is a nonprofit performing arts and movie theater located in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Since reopening in 2021 following a major restoration and expansion project, The Park Theatre has served as a cultural center for the Monadnock Region, presenting live music, theatre, film, comedy, educational programs, and community events throughout the year.

The Park Theatre performing arts center is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, New Hampshire, just 90 minutes from Boston.

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

Friday, June 26 - Princess Kikou / Shokazoba New World Funkestra

On Friday, June 26th, join us for a night of serious funk and Afro-Cuban vibrations. Featuring Princess Kikou and the Shokazoba New World Funkestra, this performance promises an energetic, soul-stirring experience to get you moving. Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with music beginning at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20, with pay-what-you-can "Access For All" options available.

Nova Arts is an all-ages venue located at 48 Emerald Street, Keene, NH. Seating is first come, first served. Access For All tickets are available thanks to support from Savings Bank of Walpole. Tickets and more info available at www.novaarts.org/events.

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

Nova Arts Awarded $20,000 Music in Action Grant by Live Music Society

KEENE, N.H. - June 24, 2026 - Nova Arts, an all-ages, non-profit collaborative arts venue in Keene, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a $20,000 "Music in Action" grant from the Live Music Society. This funding will support the launch of "Awareness for All," a new initiative designed to expand public awareness of Nova Arts' programming and accessibility efforts.

The "Awareness for All" project, which will run from August 2026 through July 2027, addresses the need to connect a wider audience with Nova Arts' programming. The grant provides essential resources to implement a comprehensive outreach strategy, including professional marketing support, strategic community partnerships, and the creation of a "Nova Ambassador Program"--a volunteer network dedicated to fostering grassroots engagement across the Monadnock region.

Another goal of this initiative is to also increase awareness of Nova Arts' "Access for All" ticketing program. Launched in 2025, this initiative offers a "pay what you can" option to remove economic barriers for students, working families, and community members who might otherwise be unable to attend performances.

"We are honored to receive this support from the Live Music Society," said Eric Gagne, Programming Director at Nova Arts. "While our venue has established a reputation for presenting adventurous music and community-driven events, we have historically lacked the marketing budget to reach our full potential. This grant allows us to bridge that gap, ensuring that our programming is visible, accessible, and truly welcoming to everyone in our community."

Nova Arts serves as a multipurpose space for artistic discovery, community gathering, and dialogue in Keene. As a hub for both touring acts and local creative inquiry, the venue is committed to fostering a vibrant regional arts ecosystem. This grant reinforces that commitment, ensuring that cultural experiences remain an accessible public good.

For more information about Nova Arts, upcoming events, and the "Access for All" initiative, please visit www.novaarts.org/events.

Regional News

New Dawn Arts Center Presents "America at 250: Then and Now" on July 1

New Dawn Arts Center, 84 Main Street, Ashburnham, will present one night only of "America at 250: Then and Now", a staged reading created and directed by Kevin Scott Hall. In addition to the speakers, there will be musical guests and singalongs of the well-known patriotic songs.

The show will take place on Wednesday, July 1, at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted. Anyone interested in seeing the show is encouraged to make reservations on the New Dawn website, as it is expected to sell out. The link to reserve is www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/america-at-250-then-and-now. All proceeds will benefit the Center.

Hall, who grew up in Ashburnham, moved back to town a few years ago after spending thirty-five years in New York City. There, he was best known as a nightclub singer and occasional actor, and was also an entertainment reporter for Edge Media for several years. He also authored a memoir and a novel.

Although he has directed singers in their nightclub acts, this is Hall's directing debut with a theater piece.

"This is just something I wanted to do for the 250th," Hall says. "I had talked about it with a couple of local theater companies, but their schedules were already booked up. So, at the beginning of April, I decided I just needed to do it myself and, luckily, New Dawn Arts Center was available."

Hall contacted his former history professor at Oakmont Regional High School, Bob McGowan, now retired. McGowan quickly got on board and provided helpful sources to get Hall started on his search.

"When Kevin and I first met, I felt it was a huge undertaking," McGowan says. "We saw we had certain limitations, trying to wrap our heads around doing our country's history in two hours."

While pursuing the arts, Hall's day job has often been an editor--publishing, law, and medical over the years. "But this time, the editing was fun!" Hall says. "The first day I started reading it was about 9:00 am on a Sunday morning. At some point, I got hungry and I looked up at the clock and it was nearly 5:00. I was so engrossed."

It was important for the team, which also included some input from the current Oakmont history chair, Dana Altobelli, to let the history do the talking, without partisan commentary. "There is some controversial stuff in the show," Hall says. "But we're only repeating what our men and women leaders have said before. Let people listen to their words and judge for themselves. People may be surprised, as I was, that so much of what was said years--and even decades and centuries ago--is still relevant today."

Local actors and speakers in the show are the following: Traci Bartlett, Pinkie Evans Liao, Samantha Kender, Noel McGonigle, Carolyn Salter, Sherisa Sterling, Jakki Therrien, Lucas Cardwell, Travis Fox, Fred Gerhard, Jerry McMahon, James Niles-Joyal, and Oliver Wessels.

Musical soloists will be Cassie Swartz, Tom Hopkins, and Derek D'Ambroise. Patricia Frederick (of the famed Frederick Piano Concerts) will accompany, and renowned international organist Malcolm Halliday will play a prelude and an intermission interlude.

Pianist and organist Malcolm Halliday has performed in the United States, Mexico and Europe, both as a soloist, conductor, and in collaboration with singers, instrumentalists, and orchestra. A Fellow of the American Guild of Organists, Malcolm Halliday retired in 2017 as Artistic Director of the Master Singers of Worcester and Minister of Music at the First Congregational Church in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, where he served for nearly thirty years. Since then he has divided his time between his principal residence in San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico, and his lake house in Ashburnham, MA. Currently he is Artistic Director of Chorale San Miguel in Mexico and returns frequently to do concert work in New England.

To learn more about New Dawn Arts Center and what they offer, go to www.newdawnarts.org.

For further information, please contact Emma Liddle at New Dawn at emma@newdawnarts.org or Kevin at kevsco76@gmail.com.

Comerford, Sabadosa nominate Hampshire Pride's Clay Pearson for inaugural LGBTQ+ Excellence on the Hill Award

Founder and Director of Hampshire Pride honored by Massachusetts LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus for leadership and impact

Sen. Comerford presents Senate citation to Clay Pearson of Hampshire Pride
Photo courtesy of Office of Senator Jo Comerford

(Boston, MA) - Senator Jo Comerford (D-Northampton) and Representative Lindsay Sabadosa (D-Northampton) nominated Clay Pearson to receive the LGBTQ+ Excellence on the Hill Award for the Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester district. The Commonwealth Pride Awards ceremony took place on June 17 in the Senate Chamber at the Massachusetts State House.

Clay Pearson, also known as the "Gayor of Northampton," is the Founder and Director of Hampshire Pride, a grassroots organization formed in 2023. Clay, alongside Celina Almendarez and Kayla Abney, felt called to bring Pride back to Hampshire County after a hiatus since before the pandemic.

With just nine weeks to plan, no prior event experience, and no initial funding, they rallied a team and worked around the clock to revive the celebration. Their efforts paid off: Hampshire Pride 2023 was a resounding success, drawing an estimated 15,000 attendees and earning national news coverage. Each year since, the celebration has grown and achieved new heights.

"I am truly honored by this nomination. I am especially grateful to Representative Lindsay Sabadosa, Senator Jo Comerford, and their teams for their nomination. Also for their steadfast support of the LGBTQ+ community. Hampshire Pride was built on the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, valued, and celebrated for who they are," said Pearson. "My motto is: 'If you don't like truth, change it, not by saying, but by doing.' This mentality has tricked me into stepping up for so many organizations. While this recognition is nice, it doesn't just belong to me alone. It belongs to the many volunteers, organizations like Rainbow Organizing and Response, local sponsors, and community members. They helped create spaces like Hampshire Pride where LGBTQ+ people can gather in pride, joy, and solidarity. A wise woman once taught me that "We support us!" This is something I live by. I am grateful to be part of this work and excited for all that lies ahead."

"Through his work, Clay cultivates vibrant and joyful spaces and celebrations for and with the LGBTQ+ community across western Massachusetts, uplifting people of all genders, expressions, orientations, races, and ages," said Comerford. "His enthusiasm and transformative leadership are unmatched, and I am honored to nominate him for the inaugural Commonwealth Pride Awards."

"Clay personifies LGBTQ+ excellence in every possible way, from his signature sky-high heels to his drive to make loud, lasting change. Hampshire County without Pride is just wrong, and Clay stepped up to bring it back bigger than ever," said Sabadosa. "Because of him, we get to celebrate love and being our authentic selves - and defiantly protest a world that can be unkind. Thanks to Clay, Northampton and all of Hampshire County is a lot more colorful."

In addition to Hampshire Pride, Clay also co-runs Rainbow Dodgeball in Northampton, which he has been a part of for 14 out of its 15 years of operation.

Clay is instrumental in the operation of Dune Boys Gay Volleyball league in Florence. He also was one of the initial members of ROAR (Rainbow Organizing and Response), a group that shields people from hate at LGBTQ & BIPOC events and volunteers at Pride celebrations all over western Massachusetts. He is also a host for many of QMoB's (Queer Men Of the Berkshires) events in Hampshire County.

Financial Focus®

Five questions that could change how you see retirement

Saving for retirement is important, but it's only part of the picture. If you're within five to 10 years of your target retirement date, it's time to start thinking about what you actually want your retirement to look like. After all, getting to retirement isn't the end goal--it's what you want to do once you're there that matters.

Start by asking yourself these five questions.

When do you want to retire? The age at which you retire matters more than you may realize. Retiring early sounds appealing, but it means saving more and having less time to do it. It can also create gaps in health care coverage and income before key benefits kick in. For example, Social Security benefits can begin at 62, but at a reduced amount. Full benefits are available between ages 66 and 67, depending on birth year, and waiting until 70 means the maximum benefit. Medicare doesn't start until age 65, and penalty-free withdrawals from retirement accounts generally aren't allowed until age 59-1/2.

For couples, timing gets even more complicated. Staggering retirement dates can sometimes maximize benefits; in other cases, retiring at the same time works better.

A financial advisor can help you sort through these decisions and find the approach that makes the most sense for your situation.

How do you want to spend your time in retirement? Many new retirees are surprised to find that having unlimited free time feels disorienting rather than freeing. Thinking ahead about how to fill the days with meaningful activity--whether that's travel, volunteering, pursuing hobbies or spending more time with family--can make the transition smoother.

It helps to sketch out what a typical week, month or even first year might look like. If there are big gaps, it's worth thinking now about what might fill them in rewarding ways.

Where do you want to live as a retiree? Some retirees stay put, while others downsize or relocate entirely. Either way, it's wise to consider whether a chosen location will work well as you get older, taking into account factors like proximity to family, access to health care, cost of living and climate.

What will your retirement lifestyle cost? It's not uncommon for retirees to discover that their travel, entertainment or leisure expenses were higher than expected. The more active and involved you plan to be, the more you will likely need to budget.

Does your retirement involve giving back? Retirement often brings both the time and motivation to be more generous. Whether the goal is helping family members, donating to charity or volunteering in the community, it's worth defining those goals and building them into an overall plan.

Now that your vision is taking shape, turn it into a plan. Work with your financial advisor to align your savings with the life you want — and revisit that plan as your priorities evolve so your retirement keeps pace with you.

Gardening

Five-Minute Garden Maintenance

A mailbox filled with garden tools and set in the garden for convenient access.
Photo courtesy of www.MelindaMyers.com

by Melinda Myers
Improve a garden's beauty, increase enjoyment, and reduce stress five minutes at a time. As gardeners we know, and research proves that gardening is good for the mind, body, and spirit. However, busy schedules often lead to neglected projects, weedy gardens, and long to-do lists.

We often delay tackling these tasks until we have an afternoon or evening to dedicate to our landscapes. By then the weeds have overtaken the garden, perennials become floppy and veggies are past their prime. Fight the overwhelming desire to give up.

Instead, look for small tasks that can be done in between other activities or when you need a brief break from work to clear your mind and stretch your muscles.

Keep a weather-proof container or two filled with gloves, a favorite weeding tool, and pruners in a convenient location near the garden. This ensures that the time available will be spent weeding or deadheading instead of looking for tools. A bucket with kneeling pads and tools by the door or an old mailbox set in the garden will save time and steps retrieving these items.

Use this time to remove spent flowers or cut back perennials in need of a trim. Prune off any dead or damaged twigs above a set of healthy buds when you are out working in your garden. Use a bypass hand pruner to make clean cuts that leave your plants looking their best.

Dig weeds, roots and all. This task is easiest when the soil is moist and the weeds are small. Eliminating weeds from the garden before they set seed means fewer weeds to pull in the future.

Prioritize projects into Must Do, Should Do and Might Do tasks. This is a great way to reduce what seems like an overwhelming project into manageable steps.

The Must Dos ensure your plants will survive. Focus on watering as needed, weed control, and managing plant-threatening pests.

Should Dos include mulching, fertilizing and winterizing as needed and can be done after you take care of the Must Dos. These could wait a year but should be addressed soon. Tackling the Should Do tasks eventually reduces time spent on the Must Do ones. Might Do tasks are those like deadheading and staking that boost beauty but are not critical for the plant's survival.

This is just one way to divide your gardening tasks, but priorities will vary from gardener to gardener based on your desired goals. Some may feel deadheading or staking is critical and add it to the Must Do or Should Do list while others consider it a task to do once the others are complete. You may decide to replace higher maintenance plants with those that are free flowering, self-supporting and have fewer pest problems.

If the Must Do tasks are difficult for you to accomplish, consider asking for help or hiring a professional. Pay for big jobs and those you prefer to skip so you can focus on those you can do and that bring you joy.

You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish in just a few minutes. Plus, tackling your landscape one small task at a time can be less overwhelming and less stressful.

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. Her website is www.MelindaMyers.com.