Arts and Recreation

Park Theatre to Host Monadnock Main Street Cookout on July 3 as Part of America 250 Cultural Fair

Image courtesy of The Park Theatre

JAFFREY, New Hampshire (June 26, 2026) Celebrate America's 250th anniversary with great food, live music, and hometown fun at the Monadnock Main Street Cookout, hosted by The Park Theatre on Friday, July 3, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

The festive community cookout will take place at The Park Theatre, 19 Main Street in downtown Jaffrey, where guests can enjoy their meals inside the theatre's comfortable lobby or outdoors on the beautifully decorated "Park Patio". The patio will feature tables, umbrellas, tents, patriotic America 250 decorations, and live music throughout the afternoon and evening.

The cookout menu will include grilled hamburgers, bratwurst, homemade chili, fresh salads, sweets, and a variety of beverages. A full bar will also be available for adults (valid ID required). Both cash and major credit cards will be accepted.

Adding to the family-friendly festivities, the renowned Kona Ice Truck will be parked in front of the theatre throughout the event. Even better, a portion of every Kona Ice purchase during the cookout will be donated to The Park Theatre, making it a delicious way to support local arts and entertainment.

The Monadnock Main Street Cookout is one of the signature events of The Park Theatre's America 250 Cultural Fair, a three-day celebration taking place July 2-4, 2026. The Cultural Fair commemorates the nation's Semiquincentennial with entertainment, history, community activities, and special events designed to bring residents and visitors together in celebration of America's rich heritage.

"We invite everyone to come enjoy a classic summer cookout with friends and neighbors while celebrating this historic milestone in our nation's history," said Steve Jackson CEO & Managing Director of The Park Theatre. "Whether you're stopping by for lunch, dinner, live music, or a Kona Ice, it's a wonderful opportunity to experience the spirit of community that makes the Monadnock Region so special."

For additional information about the Monadnock Main Street Cookout and the America 250 Cultural Fair, visit the event webpage (theparktheatre.org/america-250-cultural-fair) or contact The Park Theatre.

Tickets for the fair events are available through The Park Theatre's website, theparktheatre.org or by visiting or calling the box office (603) 532-8888.

The theatre is located at 19 Main Street in Jaffrey, New Hampshire. The facility is completely accessible and there is a bar (ID required) as well as the best popcorn in New Hampshire (with real butter!).

Coming Up at Nova Arts in Keene

July 10: Blackberry JAM with MINC

On Friday, July 10, join us at Nova Arts for a night of live music featuring Blackberry JAM and MINC. Blackberry JAM, a three-piece band from the Keene-Manchester area, blends classic rock, jazz, and laid-back groove-driven jams, creating a sound that moves easily between tight, melodic arrangements and open-ended improvisations. They are joined by MINC, a dynamic seven-piece soul/pop group from Vermont, delivering a vibrant fusion of soul, funk, and pop, drawing inspiration from artists such as Amy Winehouse, Stevie Wonder, and Snarky Puppy.

Doors open at 7:00 p.m., with music beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event concludes at 10:00 p.m.

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. For tickets and more information, visit www.novaarts.org/events/blackberryjamminc.

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

Regional News

Red Apple Farm Blueberry Jamboree July 11-12 and July 18-19

Blueberry season is one of New England's sweetest traditions, and there's no better place to celebrate than Red Apple Farm's annual Blueberry Jamboree! Held over two weekends--July 11-12 and July 18-19--the festival features pick-your-own blueberries, local artisan vendors, homemade treats, live music, and family-friendly activities that celebrate one of New England's favorite summer harvests.

Festival activities run from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM with a full lineup of family-friendly events. Pick-Your-Own blueberries will be available from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, giving visitors plenty of time to head into the blueberry fields before or after enjoying the festival.

Guests can fill a bucket with fresh-picked blueberries, hop aboard the Blueberry Express Hayride, browse local artisan vendors, enjoy fresh blueberry treats, or relax in the Cider Garden while listening to live music. Throughout the day, families can join in Blueberry Bingo, test their skills in the Blueberry Donut-on-a-String Contest, cool off during the Water Balloon Toss, and enjoy live music all day on the Cidery and Brew Barn stages.

Whether you're visiting for the blueberries, the food, the music, or simply a fun summer outing with family and friends, there's something happening around every corner at the Blueberry Jamboree.

Festival Schedule

• 10:00 AM - Festival Opens
• 11:00 AM - Blueberry Bingo (Cider Garden)
• 12:00 PM - Blueberry Donut-on-a-String Contest (Cider Garden)
• 1:00 PM - Water Balloon Toss
• 2:00-4:00 PM - Live Music (Cidery Stage)
• 6:00 PM - Festival Concludes

• Pick-Your-Own Blueberries (9:00 AM–9:00 PM)
• Blueberry Express Hayrides
• Blueberry Bingo
• Blueberry Donut-on-a-String Contest
• Water Balloon Toss
• Live Music by Owen Daniel (2:00–4:00 PM)
• Blueberry Scavenger Hunt
• Jam Jar Guessing Game
• Blueberry Container Decorating
• Blueberry Coloring Pages
• Local artisan vendors
• Homemade blueberry treats, farm-fresh food, hard cider, and more!

Financial Focus®

Turn your savings into paychecks in retirement

Margaret had saved diligently for decades. Every paycheck, a portion went toward her retirement account. Then, the day finally came: she retired. Suddenly, the hardest part wasn't the saving. It was learning to spend.

If that sounds familiar, you're not alone. Many retirees find the shift from building savings to living off them emotionally difficult, even when they've planned carefully. Here are five smart strategies that can help you feel more confident about what's ahead.

Give yourself permission to spend conservatively. Your retirement plan likely assumes a certain annual spending amount, with increases each year to account for inflation. All else being equal, the lower those initial withdrawals, the longer your money will last. A financial advisor can help you set up portfolio withdrawals personalized to your goals and situation. Feel free to give yourself permission to spend those amounts, knowing there's intention behind them.

For many retirees, the challenge isn't math--it's mindset. After years of being rewarded for saving, spending can feel like doing something wrong. It can help to reframe withdrawals as a paycheck you've already earned. For example, using your monthly distribution to cover travel, hobbies or time with family isn't indulgent; it's the purpose of the plan you built. Connecting spending to your values can make it feel more natural and sustainable.

Do be sure to to review your spending regularly and don't forget to set aside funds for annual expenses like taxes and insurance.

Keep some cash on hand. A general rule of thumb for retirees is to keep about 12 months' worth of withdrawals in a separate account for spending and another three to five years' worth in short-term, fixed-income investments. This cushion can allow your stock investments time to recover from a market downturn, reducing the need to sell investments when markets are down. That said, holding too much cash carries its own risk, as your portfolio may not grow fast enough to keep pace with inflation. So, while some cash is good, you'll also want to remain invested in assets with more growth potential to help your portfolio last through retirement.

Review regularly. Retirement can last 25 years or more, and even the best-laid plans need updating along the way. Review your financial strategy at least once a year or after any major life change.

Stay flexible. Even small adjustments to your spending can have a big impact on how long your money lasts. Retirees who hold off on spending increases in years when their portfolio declines are often able to stretch their savings further than those who increase withdrawals each year for inflation regardless of market performance.

Making the switch from saving to spending takes both careful planning and a genuine shift in mindset. A financial advisor can help you build out an effective approach to switch from saving to spending, and work with you so you can fully enjoy the retirement you worked so hard to reach.

Gardening

Boost Your Health and Garden's Productivity

Harvest broccoli when the flowerhead is full size but before the buds open for the best flavor.
Photo courtesy of www.MelindaMyers.com

by Melinda Myers
Cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are a few of nature's detoxifiers. Maximize the benefits with proper care, harvesting and a second planting.

Protect existing plantings from caterpillars that eat holes in the leaves of these plants. These worm-like insects are the immature stage of several different moths. Regularly check along the stems and between leaves and destroy any gelatinous eggs and green caterpillars you find. Apply Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, a naturally occurring soil bacteria, that kills only true caterpillars and is safe for people, pets and wildlife. As always, read and follow label directions for the most effective control.

For future plantings cover the plants with floating row covers at the time of planting. These fabrics made of polypropylene spun material allow air, light, and water through while preventing cabbage worms from laying their eggs on the plants. This means no caterpillars eating holes in the leaves or ending up on your dinner plate.

Loosely cover the planting with the fabric and anchor the edges with boards, pipes, stones, or wickets. Leave enough slack for the plants to grow. The plants support the fabric, so no frames or construction is needed.

Harvest cabbage when the heads are firm and full size. Use a sharp knife to remove just the cabbage head, leaving the lower leaves and roots intact. Four to six new heads will arise from buds around the stem. These smaller heads can reach four or five inches in diameter.

Harvest broccoli when the flowerhead is full size and before buds open for the best flavor. Make the cut about 5 to 6 inches below the head, leaving the rest of the stem intact for sprouts to form. Harvest the sprouts throughout the remainder of the season.

Brussels sprouts take more time to reach a harvestable size. Pinching out the growing tip when the sprouts at the bottom are 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter to focus the plant's energy on the existing sprouts for an earlier harvest. Harvest the sprouts when firm and one inch in diameter.

Fill vacant spots in the garden with a mid-summer planting of cabbage and broccoli for a fall harvest. Depending on the length of your season, you can start with seeds or transplants. Check seed packets and plant tags for the number of days from planting to harvest. Compare this to the number of frost-free days left in your growing season to determine when to plant. Fortunately, these plants tolerate and their flavor improves with fall frost temps down to 26°F. When colder temperatures are in the forecast, cover the plants with floating row covers to extend the harvest.

Further increase your garden's productivity by interplanting the cabbage and broccoli with quick maturing radishes, beets and heat tolerant greens. You'll harvest these short season crops at about the time the cabbage and broccoli need the space.

Enjoy the abundant harvest and share extras with family, friends and your local food pantry.

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.