Arts and Recreation

Summer Baseball Movie Series Announced By Park Theatre

5 classic baseball films play on Fridays at The Park in Jaffrey, NH starting with THE NATURAL on May, 29

Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (May 18, 2026) Batter up! The Park Theatre is stepping up to the plate this summer with its 2026 Summer Baseball Movie Series, a five-film celebration of some of the best baseball movies ever made. The series begins Friday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m. with the beloved classic The Natural (1984), and continues throughout the summer in the theatre's 330-seat Eppes Auditorium, featuring a big screen and 17-speaker surround sound.

The full lineup includes The Natural on Friday, May 29; A League of Their Own on Friday, June 12; Eight Men Out on Friday, July 10; Bull Durham on Friday, July 24; and Field of Dreams on Friday, August 14, with all screenings beginning at 6:30 p.m.

"Join us for our curated series of some of the best and most honored baseball movies ever made," said Steve Jackson, CEO and Managing Director of the theatre, noting that "all films are restored and presented in the Park's signature and award-winning large-format cinematic setting. Plus, be ready for some surprise announcements to be made during the film series."

Tickets are available through The Park Theatre's website, theparktheatre.org/baseball-series where movie titles are listed with tickets and event details. The theatre is located at 19 Main Street in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. Ticket pricing for each film in the series is $10 general admission and $9 for seniors, children 12 and under, students, teachers and active military.

More information can be obtained by calling The Park's box office at (603) 532-8888. The facility is completely accessible and there is a bar (ID required) as well as the best popcorn in New Hampshire (with real butter).

Film lineup

• May 29 - The Natural (1984)
  A classic baseball drama centered on Roy Hobbs, (Robert Redford) a gifted but mysterious player whose story has made the film a fan favorite.
• June 12 - A League of Their Own (1992)
  Director Penny Marshall's crowd-pleasing story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the women who made history on the field. Starring Tom Hanks, Genna Davis, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell.
• July 10 - Eight Men Out (1988)
  John Sayles' gripping look at the 1919 Black Sox scandal and one of baseball's most famous moments. Starring John Cusack, David Strathairn, Gordon Clapp, Christopher Lloyd.
• July 24 - Bull Durham (1988)
  A romantic, funny, and widely loved baseball film that remains one of the most iconic sports movies ever made. Starring Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins.
• August 14 - Field of Dreams (1989)
  The inspirational story that turned a simple Iowa cornfield into one of cinema's most memorable baseball settings. An epic baseball film. Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones, Ray Liotta.

Gardening

The Symbolic Red Poppy

The red poppy, known as Flanders or corn poppy, continues to symbolize sacrifices made by veterans.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com

by Melinda Myers
Memorial Day weekend may prompt visions of the red poppy known as Flanders or corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas). This beautiful flower inspired the poem In Flanders Field written by the Canadian doctor Lt. Colonel John McCrae who ran a field hospital during World War I.

The red poppy continues to symbolize sacrifices made by veterans. On National Poppy Day, celebrated the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, members of the American Legion Family distribute crepe paper red poppies, requesting donations used to support veterans.

The flower has a long history linked to bloodshed and death as well as life and fertility. While you may associate it with World War I, it was also the subject of a medieval poem, Le Chanson de Roland, where the blood red flowers of this poppy were associated with a battle during the reign of Charlemagne.

Its more positive past includes the Greeks' dedication of the flower to Aphrodite, the goddess of vegetation and its association with Ceres, the Roman corn goddess. Pictures show her holding sheaths of corn and seed pods of this poppy. In Great Britain it also symbolized fertility and remembrance, perhaps inspired by the longevity of the seeds that can sprout and grow after being dormant in the soil for up to 80 years.

Corn poppy is native to Europe and Asia and arrived with imported agriculture seeds. Before extensive use of herbicides, it could be seen growing in farm fields which inspired the common name, corn poppy.

Its beautiful red flowers were once used as dye, for coloring red ink and medicinal purposes. The individual flowers only last a day but the plant blooms for months, leaving an abundance of seeds behind.

Make sure they are not invasive in your area before adding them to your garden. In areas where they don't pose a threat you can enjoy them in the garden, use as cut flowers and watch for visiting pollinators. Plus, the deer tend to leave these plants alone.

Plant the seeds directly in the garden in fall or early spring. Allow the plants to set seed if you want them to return each year. When the seeds drop on bare soil and are left undisturbed, seedlings will appear in next year's garden. Just thin out unwanted seedlings and add them to the compost pile.

Grow Flanders poppies in full sun to light shade and those in hotter climates should plant them in a spot with afternoon shade. Although tolerant of a wide range of soils, they prefer those that are moist and well-drained. They do not tolerate wet, soggy conditions. Mature plants will grow 12 to 30 inches in height and are often used in naturalized, informal, or cutting gardens.

Flanders poppy's close relative, oriental poppy, is a popular perennial garden plant and cut flower. Grow it in full sun or partial shade in well-drained soil. Enjoy the late spring to early summer blooms. And don't worry when the foliage disappears after flowering. This is normal and you can partner it with a later blooming perennial to cover the void that's left in your garden.

Take a moment to remember our veterans as you enjoy a weekend of gardening and visiting with family and friends.

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.