Arts and Recreation
Heather Pierson Trio Returns To Park Theatre to perform "A Charlie Brown Christmas" Soundtrack
on December 5
The acclaimed trio is back for a 4th time on The Park stage in Jaffrey to play the renowned Vince Guaraldi music soundtrack to the classic holiday television program.
The Heather Pierson Trio
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
A Charlie Brown Christmas has achieved a very special place in the hearts of generations of families. It has been a classic piece of television holiday programming since it was first broadcast on the CBS network in 1965.
Vince Guaraldi composed and performed the highly innovative jazz soundtrack for the animated Peanuts character's Christmas program. The music stands on its own as part of the holiday playlist of favorite songs. It helped turn the animated film into a piece of television history. Now you can hear the soundtrack live and in person thanks to an acclaimed jazz trio.
The concert and New England Dickens Fest are sponsored by Viking Voyages.
Tickets for Heather Pierson Trio Performs A Charlie Brown Christmas Soundtrack are $25 and $10 for children 12 and younger. They can be purchased online at dickensfest.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office before the concert.
The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston and 30 minutes from Worcester, MA. The facility is completely accessible.
Dickens Expert To Lecture About "Edwin Drood" And Its Mystical Connection To Brattleboro
As part of Dickens Fest, author will discuss the bizarre relationship Brattleboro has to Dickens' classic novel, "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" on December 6 at
Park Theatre in Jaffrey, NH.
Acclaimed 1935 film adaption of "Edwin Drood" to be shown later that day at The Park
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
JAFFREY, New Hampshire (November 25, 2025) Author Eric Stanway is an expert on Charles Dickens and he is coming, once again, to Jaffrey's Park Theatre to talk about him. He has lectured extensively about Dickens and written about him. His latest book, The Man Who Channeled Dickens, was published last month and Eric will discuss the book's most bizarre tale with regional roots in honor of New England Dickens Fest (December 5-21). Eric will make his presentation, The Brattleboro Mystery of Edwin Drood, on Saturday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Jaffrey, New Hampshire performing arts center.
In 1873, three years after Dickens' death. the literary world would receive a shock. T. P. James, a printer from Brattleboro, Vermont, claimed to have been "in contact" with Dickens after his death, and together, they had completed his last unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood. The revelation was met with both jubilation and derision. Truth or fiction? You will be surprised, that is guaranteed.
Also, the highly acclaimed 1935 film adaptation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood starring Claude Rains will be screened in the King Screening Room later on December 6 at 6:45 p.m.
Tickets for the film are $10/$9. The admission for Mr. Stanway's lecture (with Q&A) is free. Eric will have autographed books for sale. Complimentary tickets or The Brattleboro Mystery of Edwin Drood can be reserved online. Film tickets and lecture tickets can be purchased at dickensfest.orgdickensfest.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888.
About Eric Stanway
Eric Stanway is a writer, artist and musician with over three decades of experience. As an artist, he has illustrated a number of adaptations of classic horror stories by Ambrose Bierce, Robert Louis Stevenson and Charles Dickens. He is notable for his his adaptation of the film "Night of the Living Dead," followed by his collaboration with Clive Barker, "Night of the Living Dead: London." He also writes a history/food column for the Nashua Telegraph, entitled "A Taste of History." He lives in Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, with his significant other and four cats.
New England Dickens Fest runs from December 5 until December 21. It is sponsored by Viking Voyages. The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, NH, just 95 minutes from downtown Boston and 30 minutes from Worcester, MA. The facility is completely accessible.
Regional News
ABCC Kicks Off "Operation Safe Holidays"
Enforcement Effort Focuses on Impaired Driving Prevention
BOSTON - (November 25, 2025) To ensure safety for everyone in Massachusetts during the holidays, the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) will be conducting alcohol enforcement at local bars in Massachusetts cities and towns from Thanksgiving Eve through New Year's Eve.
In doing so, the ABCC hopes to prevent accidents caused by impaired driving and other alcohol-related harm that often occurs at this time of year. The ABCC will work with municipal police departments and focus enforcement efforts at bars that have been identified as the last to sell alcohol to a convicted drunk driver and other high-risk locations.
"With Operation Safe Holidays, we want to make sure everyone gets to enjoy this time with family and friends, while still staying safe," said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who oversees the ABCC. "Vigilant enforcement and deterring bar owners from over-serving helps prevent tragedies before they occur, protecting everyone within our communities."
The program is run in conjunction with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Impaired Driving Crackdown, from Thanksgiving Eve through New Year's Eve, and is funded through the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security - Highway Safety Division.
According to the NHTSA, from 2017 to 2021, 137 drivers involved in fatal crashes on Thanksgiving Eve (6 p.m. to 5:59 a.m.), also known as 'Blackout Wednesday,' were alcohol impaired. In 2021 alone, 36 drivers were in fatal crashes on that day. Also, from 2017 to 2021, young drivers ages 21-24 represented the largest percentage of drivers involved in deadly crashes. The message before Thanksgiving is simple--the NHTSA says to stop the blackout trend on Wednesday.
Alcohol is involved in 40 percent of traffic crash fatalities, resulting in 17,013 fatalities and injuring an estimated 275,000 people annually. Data indicates that well over 50% of impaired driving arrests originate at bars.
About the ABCC: The Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is an agency under the Office of the State Treasurer and Receiver General Deborah B. Goldberg. Its overall objective is to provide uniform control over the sale, purchase, transportation, manufacture, and possession of alcoholic beverages in the state.
Financial Focus®
PSA: Is this a good year for tax-loss harvesting?
Looking to make your portfolio more tax-efficient? Tax-loss harvesting might be worth a look.
It's a strategy where you sell investments that have dropped in value to offset gains elsewhere--potentially lowering your tax bill and boosting long-term returns.
2025 could be a good year to consider it. Market volatility has created more chances to realize losses, and upcoming tax law changes may make timing especially important.
But this strategy isn't for everyone. It works best if you have taxable accounts, capital gains and a long-term outlook.
And you'll need to follow IRS rules, like the wash-sale rule, which limits when you can buy back the same, or substantially identical, investment.
Sometimes, holding onto an investment and letting it grow over time may outweigh the benefit of lowering your capital gains tax this year.
Before making moves, talk to your financial advisor and tax professional to decide if tax-loss harvesting is right for you.
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.
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Gardening
Christmas Tree Alternatives that Provide Year-Round Beauty
Lemon cypress trees surrounded by poinsettias create a festive holiday display.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
When looking for a unique holiday tree this season consider adding a plant you can enjoy now and throughout the year. Select a larger specimen to use as a floor plant, adding dramatic scale to your indoor décor. Smaller plants can be placed on tabletops throughout the house to add a bit of extra cheer in any room.
Transform a weeping fig, rubber tree or fiddleleaf fig into a holiday tree with a few lights, garland and ornaments. All three of these make great additions to an indoor garden and their tree-like appearance makes them a perfect substitute for more traditional Christmas trees.
Grow them in bright, indirect light with evenly moist but not soggy wet soil. Water thoroughly and pour off any excess water that collects in the saucer. Or place pebbles in the saucer to elevate the pot above the water, creating a gravel tray. The excess water will evaporate, increasing humidity around the plant. Avoid drafts of hot and cold air and be prepared for some leaf drop on the weeping fig with a change in the seasons or growing conditions. It will survive and eventually send out new leaves.
Consider a Norfolk Island pine when looking for something that looks more like a pine tree. You will often find them decorated and sold for the holidays in garden centers and floral shops. Or add your own decorations for the festive look you prefer.
Grow Norfolk Island pine in a cool, well-lit location that's free of drafts of hot and cold air. Regularly turn the plant to encourage even growth. Avoid dry air and keep the soil evenly moist to retain green, flexible and healthy needles and branches. Boost the humidity around this and other plants while reducing maintenance by using a gravel tray.
Purchase Rosemary wreaths and tree topiaries for a festive as well as fragrant and edible addition to the holidays. Just give the leaves a pet to enjoy the fragrance as it boosts your spirits. Pluck a sprig or two to add flavor to your winter meals and beverages.
Growing Rosemary indoors can be challenging so don't let past failures stop you from trying. Experiment until you find the location and maintenance routine that keeps your plant thriving. Grow it in a sunny window or under artificial lights and water thoroughly as the soil begins to dry. If the plant turns brown, move it out of sight to the back of your indoor garden. It still smells good when you give it a pet and only you will know.
Lemon Cypress makes a great miniature holiday tree, centerpiece or gift for a friend. The fragrant chartreuse foliage of this dwarf evergreen continues to brighten your winter décor long after the holidays are over. Grow it in a sunny window and turn it occasionally to encourage even growth. You'll have the best results if you keep it in a cool location free from cold and hot air drafts.
Investing in one of these plants is sure to brighten your spirits and holiday décor. With proper care you can continue to enjoy them year-round and for next year's holiday celebrations.
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.