On the Road in North Quabbin Special
Regional Overview
Tonight, we take you to the North Quabbin region which consists of 9 towns including Athol, Orange and Petersham. Connecting Point Producer Dave Fraser and Videographer Mark Langevin visited that region recently to learn about the beauty of its rural landscape as well and the challenges its urban centers face.
North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce
Manufacturing used to be the economic driver in the North Quabbin area. As with countless communities, the region has seen its share of manufacturing jobs disappear over the years, and farming, retail and the creative economy are starting to take center stage in the area. Carolee McGrath talks with Mark Wright, the director of the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau about the economy of the region.
Historian J.R. Greene
The Quabbin Reservoir defines the North Quabbin region, from which it takes its name. Athol resident J.R. Greene, a local historian and the author of 16 booksNorth Quabbin Community Coalition
The North Quabbin Community Coalition’s mission is to improve the quality of life for people living in the area. They focus on economic development, programs for youth, veterans and the elderly. They also have been active in helping people deal with the opioid epidemic. Carolee sat down with Heather Bialecki-Canning to learn more.
On the Road in North Quabbin: The Country Store in Petersham
The Country Store in Petersham officially opened for business in the fall of 1840. Since then, many storeowners have come and gone, but remarkably, most of them were also residents who were committed to the idea that the store was more than just a business: they believed in the store as a central gathering place in the heart of the community. This tradition continues today with chef/owner Ari Pugliese, and he talked about the Store with Carolee McGrath.
