Arts and Recreation
July 15, "Granite Rapids Moon" to Screen at The Park Theatre with Exclusive Q&A with Film's Co-star/Producer
Photo courtesy of The Park Theatre
Jaffrey, NH - July 9, 2025 - The Park Theatre is thrilled to announce a special screening of the groundbreaking 2025 drama Granite Rapids Moon on Tuesday, July 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the William David Eppes 333-seat widescreen auditorium. Following the screening, the film's co-star and producer, John Charles Meyer, will participate in an engaging Q&A session with the audience. Tickets are priced at $18 and can be purchased at theparktheatre.org or by calling the box office at (603) 532-8888. The film is part of The Park's acclaimed Filmmakers Series.
Granite Rapids Moon holds the distinction of being the first fictional narrative feature film to shoot the majority of its footage inside the majestic Grand Canyon National Park, a feat that sets it apart as a cinematic milestone. This visually stunning drama weaves a heartfelt story of love, and self-discovery against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the world's most iconic natural wonders.
In the film, after receiving a cryptic card on the date of his daughter's ninth birthday, a happily married man sets off on a solo backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon in an attempt to find peace with a decision from his past before it unravels his future.
The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, led by Brit Morgan as Cammy, John Charles Meyer as John, Susan Pappa as Elizabeth, Etienne Eckert as Ellie and Micah Cohen as Ben.
Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Kenneth Cran. The film is produced by John Charles Meyer and Susan Papa, with cinematography by Oktay Ortabasi, whose innovative techniques capture the Grand Canyon's raw beauty in unprecedented detail. The score was composed by Stephen Bulla.
As the first narrative feature to extensively film within the Grand Canyon, Granite Rapids Moon pushes cinematic boundaries, offering audiences an immersive experience that marries a deeply personal story with awe-inspiring visuals. The production team navigated significant logistical challenges to film in such a remote and protected location, making the film a testament to creative ambition and environmental respect.
Don't miss this opportunity to experience Granite Rapids Moon at The Park Theatre, a state-of-the-art venue celebrated for its commitment to bringing world-class film and live performances to Jaffrey's historic downtown. Join us for an unforgettable evening of cinema and conversation.
The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main Street, Jaffrey, NH.
Watch the trailer on YouTube
Regional News
State Budget Expands Access to Retirement Savings for Nonprofit Workers through the CORE Plan
Treasurer Goldberg's Legislative Priority Included in FY26 Budget
Massachusetts State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg is celebrating the inclusion of a key policy priority in the FY26 state budget--an expansion of the CORE Plan, the Massachusetts retirement savings program for small nonprofits. This measure will increase access to the plan, helping nonprofits retain talent and employees invest in their futures.
Launched by Treasurer Goldberg in 2017, the CORE Plan was the first state-facilitated plan of its kind in the United States. The CORE Plan helps Massachusetts nonprofit employees save and invest for a financially secure retirement. The plan is a state-of-the-art multiple employer 401k retirement plan designed specifically for the nonprofit sector in Massachusetts.
Until now, the plan has been limited to organizations with 20 or fewer employees. The newly passed provisions will expand access to nonprofits with up to 100 employees, significantly broadening the program's reach and impact across Massachusetts. The inclusion of this policy in the budget follows legislation filed earlier this year by Treasurer Goldberg and championed in the legislature by Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante and Senator Joan Lovely.
"This is a major step forward in ensuring those who work in the nonprofit community have a meaningful opportunity to save for retirement. It is a sensible and important move toward financial security for so many in our state," said Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg. "I am grateful to the Governor and the Legislature for acting on our shared commitment to supporting the dedicated people who help make our communities stronger."
"Non-profits do essential work in our communities, making them happier, healthier, and helping them thrive," said Senator Joan Lovely. "Non-profit workers are motivated by their love for their communities and their work, so it is vital that we help them plan for the future. Expanding the CORE Plan will not only benefit non-profit employees by helping them plan for retirement but will also allow non-profits to stay competitive while seeking skilled workers."
"Nonprofit employees dedicate their careers to strengthening our communities, and it is critical that they have the tools to prepare for a secure retirement," said Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester). "Expanding the CORE Plan to include organizations with up to 100 employees means more workers will gain access to high-quality retirement savings options. I'm proud to have partnered with Treasurer Goldberg to advance this policy in the FY26 budget."
For many of Massachusetts' nonprofit organizations, the cost and resources required to administer an in-house retirement plan can create prohibitive challenges, making the CORE Plan an essential offering from the state. The structure of the plan allows each adopting organization to join under one plan and trust, while the Office of the State Treasurer and its partner Empower assume most administrative responsibilities. In addition to the eligibility expansion, the budget authorizes the Treasurer to accept private donations and fundraised contributions to help defray program expenses, enabling broader outreach and sustainability.
Currently, 2,400 employees at over 240 small nonprofits participate in the CORE Plan, and more than 80% of participating nonprofits are offering employer contributions to bolster their employees' savings. Furthermore, nearly 85% of employers adopting the CORE Plan are start-ups, meaning they did not offer any retirement benefits outside of Social Security prior to adopting the CORE Plan.
For more information about the CORE Plan, visit https://www.mass.gov/core-plan-for-nonprofits
Department of Fish and Game & Mount Grace Partner to Protect 39.5 Acres in Ashby
Conservation will link key habitats for wildlife and expand outdoor recreation opportunities
ASHBY-- The Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and its Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), in collaboration with Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust (Mount Grace), has successfully protected nearly 40 acres of forest and fields in central Massachusetts along the New Hampshire border. The newly conserved land adds to MassWildlife's existing Ashby Wildlife Management Area (WMA), bringing it to a total of 1,176 acres. This serves as a critical missing link in an important wildlife migration corridor, connecting the Ashby WMA with the 330-acre Mount Watatic Reservation, MassWildlife's 228-acre Watatic Mountain Sanctuary, the Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) 2,200-acre Ashburnham State Forest, and the 100-acre area conserved by Piscataquog Land Conservancy and Wapack Wilderness further north.
"Partnerships like this are crucial to conserve our state's irreplaceable biodiversity for future generations. As we face the intertwined crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, it is imperative that we act quickly to strategically protect large, connected, resilient landscapes for nature and people," said DFG Commissioner Tom O'Shea. "Thank you to Mount Grace for their steadfast leadership and collaboration. Together, we can give wildlife the best chance of keeping pace with climate shifts, all while helping people connect with nature through outdoor recreation."
"This project exemplifies the kind of collaboration needed to reach the Commonwealth's goal of protecting 30% of Massachusetts by 2030," said Emma G. Ellsworth, Executive Director at Mount Grace. "By combining MassWildlife and DFG's resources and expertise with Mount Grace's local agility, we were able to move quickly to protect land that might otherwise have been lost to development."
Last month, Mount Grace stepped in to pre-purchase the property, with the intention of permanently conserving it with the state once funding became available. Recently, DFG purchased the 39.5-acre parcel from Mount Grace for $325,000. It will now be under the care of MassWildlife as the newest addition to the Ashby WMA, connecting the northern parcel in the headwaters of the Souhegan River with the diverse white pine, oak, and maple forest of the southern parcel. The property includes a mix of grey birch and fields, which will provide important habitat for wildlife that rely on young forests and grasslands, such as New England cottontail, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, and whip-poor-will. Additionally, the large landscape will support black bear, deer, and moose. All WMAs, including the Ashby WMA, are free to visit and open to the public for hunting, fishing, trapping, birdwatching, and other outdoor recreation activities.
"Given its prime location for connecting surrounding protected lands, this special spot has been a high conservation priority for us for many years," said MassWildlife Assistant Director of Land and Habitat Conservation Emily Myron. "We are grateful for the dedicated partnership of Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust to help us act quickly to conserve this important habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation."
This acquisition represents another key piece in a larger landscape-scale puzzle--one that, when complete, will form a continuous corridor of biodiverse habitat stretching from southern Ashburnham to the New Hampshire border. Regional connectivity is important to help species move and adapt to the impacts of climate change, such as rising temperatures, changing seasons, shifting food abundance, and unpredictable weather events like droughts, wildfires, and flooding. Conserving "stepping-stone" parcels between existing large, intact habitats is a critical biodiversity conservation strategy to give plants and animals the ability keep pace with these changes.
"This effort is crucial to protect wildlife and Ashby's natural beauty," said State Senator John Cronin (D--Fitchburg). "I'm grateful to MassWildlife and Mount Grace for their work to preserve this critical stretch of land, maintain habitats, and provide outdoor recreation for residents and visitors alike."
"The Ashby Wildlife Management Area is a great ecological asset of the First Middlesex District--home to swamp and marsh wetlands, pine, oak and maple forest, and a species range of deer, turkey, otter, mink, fox, and more," said State Representative Margaret Scarsdale (D--Pepperell). "This newly protected conservation land is critical in connecting the corridor, which helps to ensure safe species migration. I am grateful to MassWildlife and Mount Grace for their dedication to protecting places like this for both wildlife and people."
"Protecting and connecting wild landscapes is essential for the future of wildlife and the outdoor traditions we cherish," said Chris Borgatti, Eastern Policy & Conservation Manager for Backcounty Hunters and Anglers. "By conserving critical habitats and creating migration corridors, we ensure that species have the habitat to thrive and that hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts can continue to enjoy these lands for generations to come. This effort is a great example of how partnerships can achieve meaningful conservation outcomes that benefit both nature and people."
"We're thrilled that MassWildlife and Mount Grace have completed this acquisition," said Jeanie Lindquist, Ashby resident and member of the Ashby Land Trust. "We thank and appreciate the people that did the hard work to permanently protect another piece of a wildlife corridor in the northwest corner of Ashby."
Gardening
Harvest Garlic and Replant with Quick-Maturing Vegetables
Garlic is ready to be harvested when the cloves are plump and fill the skin.
Photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com
Get the best flavor and longest storage life from your homegrown garlic with proper harvesting, curing and storage. Then fill that space with a quick-maturing vegetable for a tasty fall harvest.
Harvest garlic when approximately one third, but less than half of the leaves turn brown. Start by digging one plant to check the garlic for maturity. Cloves should be plump and fill the skin.
Immature garlic does not store well, while over-mature bulbs are more subject to disease. Don't discard but rather use immature garlic as soon as possible.
Cure the garlic you plan to store for three to four weeks in a warm, well-ventilated location. Once dried, remove soil, long roots and only the damaged outermost layer of papery skin with a brush of your gloved hand. Cut off the tops being careful not to damage the papery covering that protects the cloves.
Store the garlic in a cool location with good air circulation and out of direct sunlight to prevent resprouting. Properly harvested and cured garlic will last for up to eight months.
Garlic can also be frozen. Place the whole bulb, individual cloves, or peeled, chopped cloves in a single layer in a plastic freezer bag. Use frozen garlic to flavor your favorite recipes within three to four months for the best flavor.
Once harvested, prepare the area for another planting. Spread a layer of compost over the area or incorporate an inch of compost into the top six inches of soil and fertilize if needed.
Calculate the number of frost-free days remaining in your growing season. Simply count the number of days from planting to the date of the average first fall frost in your area. Select and plant vegetable seeds and transplants that will be ready to harvest before the first killing frost in fall. Check the back of the seed packet or plant tag for the number of days from planting to harvest. If there is enough time for the summer planting to grow and produce before the first killing frost, they can be added to the garden. Or extend the season with cold frames and floating row covers to protect plantings as needed from killing frost.
Depending on the variety, cucumbers and bush beans are ready to harvest in as few as 60 days. Enjoy great flavor from summer plantings of broccoli and cabbage transplants harvested during the cooler months of fall. Sow seeds of radishes, beets, carrots and other quick-maturing vegetables for a fall harvest.
Once your seeds and transplants are in the ground, be sure to water properly. Keep the seedbed and roots of transplants moist for the first few weeks. Gradually reduce watering frequency as seedlings sprout and grow and transplants become established. Help keep the soil cool by mulching plantings with shredded leaves, evergreen needles or other organic mulch.
Enjoy the rewards of all your planning, planting and care with bountiful harvests now through the end of the season.
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 web site is www.MelindaMyers.com.