By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Sister communities Brooksby Village and Linden Ponds are just 44 miles apart. Their residents share hometowns, friendships, and hobbies. So it’s no surprise the two communities are also joining forces.

Since they went to each other’s musical productions this summer, Peabody-based Brooksby and Hingham-based Linden Ponds went on to compete against one another in Olympic events, and planning is already in the works for future joint endeavors.

“It just makes sense,” says Joseph McStowe, community resources manager at Linden Ponds, who helped arrange for visitors from Brooksby to see Show Biz, the Linden Ponds Singers’ musical. “Our residents were incredibly appreciative. You could tell they really loved having them here.”

Show time
When people from Brooksby called to see if Linden Ponds would be interested in seeing its annual variety show, Brooksby Follies, the organizers at Linden Ponds jumped on board. Nearly 50 people from Brooksby put on their show of musical skits for an audience of 250 at Linden Ponds.

“I thought the one from Brooksby was a riot . . . really enjoyable,” says Louise Stitt, who lives at Linden Ponds, where she is part of its Events Committee.

Linden Ponds responded in kind by inviting those who live at Brooksby to see Show Biz. More than 150 people came to see what cast members deem their best performance. Those who visited were greeted with welcome signs,  pom- poms, and a crowd of about 40 people, McStowe says—and the crowd stayed for dinner.

“They were gracious. They were talented. It was outstanding,” says Dianne Van Nest, who lives at Brooksby and is chair of the board of its group, Theatre at the Pond (TAP). That day, Van Nest made Show Biz director and producer Lo Steele and coordinator McStowe honorary members of TAP.

“Their passion is the same as ours,” she says. “I wanted to share with them the love of the theater we have.”