Making It Here profiles people’s passions for what they do in western New England. In this “Best of” episode, our producers share their favorite local businesses and creators from the past seven seasons.
Six Depot Coffee
Flavio Lichtenthal’s love of coffee began at 13 in the pool halls of Buenos Aires, his native city. Years later, coffee roasting became the natural outcome and he and his wife Lisa Landry started Six Depot Roastery and Café in the small Berkshire town of West Stockbridge. Connecting Point Producer Dave Fraser and Berkshire Farm and Table Director Angela Cardinali share this story in tonight’s Making It Here report. Watch this segment online.
Disc Golf
Disc Golf was born due to the handy work of “Steady Ed” Headrick, father of the Wham-O Frisbee. Through his involvement in frisbees and all disc activities in the late 1960s, Frisbee Golf was born using “object” courses. It is played very similar to traditional golf except with discs as opposed to clubs and a ball and is a sport that is really taking off. Producer Dave Fraser caught up with some local disc golfers on a course at Crane Hill Park in Wilbraham recently and shares this story. Watch this segment online.
Magic Fluke
While the name may imply that there might be some kind of luck, chance or happenstance involved, when it comes to the Sheffield, Massachusetts based company called The Magic Fluke, nothing could be further from the truth. The business is the result of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. They’ve been handcrafting ukuleles since 1999, and producer Tony Dunne and Videographer Mark Langevin bring us their sweet song. Watch this segment online.
Photographer Michael Zide
Establishing a point of view or a personal vision is at the core for landscape photographer Michael Zide. He began his career in southern California in 1949 and after a brief stint on Martha’s Vineyard, he now calls Amherst home. Choosing to photograph in black and white, Zide often visits the same locations over several seasons to see how time changes the landscape. Producer Dave Fraser spent a day with Zide a few weeks ago and shares his story in this week’s Making It Here Report. Watch this segment online.
Michael Zide Photography
Michael Zide Photography on Facebook
A.L. Avery and Son
A.L. Avery and Son on Route 2 in Charlemont, MA has been serving the residents of the area for over 150 years. A fifth generation owned family business, Avery’s is much more than a general store – it’s both a touchstone to the past and a look at the future of retail in rural communities. Producer Tony Dunne and Videographer Mark Langevin share their story in tonight’s Making It Here. Watch this segment online.
Fire Cider
Inspired by his grandmother’s recipe for an old New England apple cider vinegar tonic, Dana St. Pierre came up with “Fire Cider” to support his immune system and health. After first sharing with family and friends, demand grew and grew, and now the Pittsfield-based Fire Cider has taken off… and in a big way. Producer Tony Dunne and Videographer Mark Langevin visited the makers of Fire Cider to find out how a home remedy turned into a burgeoning local business. Watch this segment online.
