Gone But Not Forgotten Special
Gone But Not Forgotten: The Rusty Nail
Many local music-goers still fondly remember the old Sunderland roadhouse club on Route 47: “The Rusty Nail.” Burned to the ground 30 years ago this July, the “Nail” hosted an incredible array of local and international acts from Fat and the Ramones to Stevie Ray Vaughan, Clean Living and James Brown. Producer Tony Dunne and Videographer Mark Langevin take us on a trip down Route 47 to the heyday of this Gone But Not Forgotten landmark. Watch this segment online now.
Gone But Not Forgotten: Riverside Park Speedway
Riverside Park Speedway was built in 1948, replacing an open air bandstand at Western Massachusetts’ most popular vacation destination—Riverside Amusement Park. For 50 years auto racing was held there. In the grandstands, loyalties to different drivers became fierce, and where one sat in the stands was determined by what driver one was rooting for. Many prominent drivers got their start at Riverside including NASCAR drivers Richie Evans and Geoff Bodine. Connecting Point Producer Dave Fraser sat down with former longtime driver/owner Bob Polverari, auto racing historian Al Fini and former track announcer Gary Danko to relive some of the memories at Riverside Park Speedway. Watch this segment online now.
Coury’s Drive-In & Roller Magic
If you grew up in Northern Berkshire County in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, chances are that on any given Saturday night you might be found at Coury’s Drive-In in North Adams or at Roller Magic in Williamstown. Gone but certainly not forgotten, producer Tony Dunne and videographer Mark Langevin take a fond look at children’s entertainment from a bygone era, long before Netflix and video games ruled kids’ hearts. Watch this segment online now.
Lost Ski Trails
Jeremy Davis is the Founder of the New England Lost Ski Areas Project (NELSAP), an online web site that preserves the history of local ski areas that are no longer operating. There are 62 ski areas in western mass that are no longer in operation and our crew visits a few of them including the former Berkshire Snow Basin in Cummington that closed in 1985, and the Mt Tom Ski Area in Holyoke that closed in 1998. Watch this segment online now.
Famous Bill’s Restaurant
A fixture since 1927, Bill’s was a favorite stop for locals, out of town skiers and vacationing families that wanted a great restaurant to eat at right off Interstate 91. We talk to former longtime employees that have stayed in touch years later as they reminisce about memories of working together. One even met the love of her life, her husband, at the restaurant- when they both were employees there. Hear her story and other touching stories when Famous Bill’s Restaurant is showcased in WGBY’s Gone But Not Forgotten series. Watch this segment online now.
