“On the Road in the Hilltowns: A CP Special Series”

On the Road in the Hilltowns: Wired West

Planning, building and operating a community-owned, fiber-optic network that enables the provision of comprehensive, affordable, reliable and high-quality internet, phone, video and ancillary services to all residents, businesses and institutions is the goal of Wired West, the non-profit organizer of this effort. Connecting Point’s Jim Madigan sat down with Steve Nelson of Wired West to discuss the progress of this initiative. This interview was filmed at the Chester railway Museum.

Wired West

 

On the Road in the Hilltowns: Cummington Creamery

After a long and storied history of serving the residents of the Hilltown communities, the Cummington Creamery is embarking on a new chapter in its existence, with co-operative ownership by its patrons and the expansion of its facilities. Connecting Point Producer Tony Dunne visited the Creamery recently along with Videographer Mark Langevin and shares this story.

Cummington Creamery

 

On the Road in the Hilltowns: Hilltown Land Trust

The Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) serves thirteen rural towns in western Massachusetts (Ashfield, Chester, Chesterfield, Conway, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, Westhampton, Williamsburg, Windsor and Worthington). Their mission is to maintain the area’s working farms and forests as a vital part of hill town life, and to protect the area’s rich ecological resources, species diversity, native habitats, water quality, and unique scenic landscapes. Recently, Connecting Point Host Jim Madigan talked with HLT’s Executive Director Sally Loomis and AmeriCorps Land Steward Nicole Rhodes to learn more about their Organization. This interview was conducted at the Chester Railway Museum.

Hilltown Land Trust

 

On the Road in the Hilltowns: Blandford Ski Area

The Blandford Ski Area is the oldest continually operated Ski Club in North America and is a source of winter recreation for residents of the Hilltowns and beyond. Producer Tony Dunne visited the ski area last season and talked with former Club President Jay Pagluica to learn more of the history of the club and the secret to their success.

Blandford Ski Area