Nestled in the Northwest corner of Westfield, Mass., Wyben is a throwback to a simpler time.
A farming community with roots dating back to the early 1700s, Wyben has no traffic lights and no gas station. The center of the Wyben community revolves around the church.
WGBY producer Dave Fraser goes “Off the Beaten Path” to share this Connecting Point story about a small, nearby town worth visiting.
Have you ever visited? Feel free to share your thoughts about this small town or others.
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JANUARY 19, 2021
A Photo and Interview Series by Barry Goldstein
In America, the inauguration of a Commander In Chief is traditionally a time of celebration. Politicians, special guests, and everyday Americans converge on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol building to mark the swearing in of the next President of the United States. Full of pomp and circumstance, inaugurations are an important democratic ritual and a symbol of the peaceful transfer of power.
March 23, 2023
“Something Extraordinary: A Visual Review of Story as Timeless” at the Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University showcases the work of 8 Black artists and is on display through March 31st. Through drawings, paintings, and mixed media installations, the exhibition delves into the process of visual storytelling and examines Black history through a creative lens.Last week, we introduced you to three of the artists behind the exhibit. And thi
“Something Extraordinary: A Visual Review of Story as Timeless” at the Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University showcases the work of 8 Black artists and is on display through March 31st. Through drawings, paintings, and
“Something Extraordinary: A Visual Review of Story as Timeless” at the Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University showcases the work of 8 Black artists and is on display through March 31st. Through drawings, paintings, and mixed media installations, the exhibition delves into the process of visual storytelling and examines Black history through a creative lens.Last week, we introduced you to three of the artists behind the exhibit. And thi
“Something Extraordinary: A Visual Review of Story as Timeless” at the Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University showcases the work of 8 Black artists and is on display through March 31st. Through drawings, paintings, and mixed media installations, the exhibition delves into the process of visual storytelling and examines Black history through a creative lens.
Last week, we introduced you to three of the artists behind the exhibit. And this week, Zydalis Bauer continues her discussion with artists JaJa Swinton, Tara Gorman, and Kahli Hernandez exploring how the project fosters unity and the inspirations behind the installations.
“Something Extraordinary: A Visual Review of Story as Timeless” at the Arno Maris Gallery at Westfield State University showcases the work of 8 Black artists and is on display through March 31st. Through drawings, paintings, and mixed media installations, the exhibition delves into the process of visual storytelling and examines Black history through a creative lens.Last week, we introduced you to three of the artists behind the exhibit. And thi
March 23, 2023
Four Phantoms Brewery owner Drew Phillips shares how his degree in English has shaped his unusual career path from schoolteacher to brew maker.Learn more about Four Phantoms Brewery in our full feature on the Franklin County brewpub.
Four Phantoms Brewery owner Drew Phillips shares how his degree in English has shaped his unusual career path from schoolteacher to brew maker.Learn more about Four Phantoms Brewery in our full feature on the Franklin County brewp
Four Phantoms Brewery owner Drew Phillips shares how his degree in English has shaped his unusual career path from schoolteacher to brew maker.Learn more about Four Phantoms Brewery in our full feature on the Franklin County brewpub.
Four Phantoms Brewery owner Drew Phillips shares how his degree in English has shaped his unusual career path from schoolteacher to brew maker.
Learn more about Four Phantoms Brewery in our full feature on the Franklin County brewpub.
Four Phantoms Brewery owner Drew Phillips shares how his degree in English has shaped his unusual career path from schoolteacher to brew maker.Learn more about Four Phantoms Brewery in our full feature on the Franklin County brewpub.
March 23, 2023
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually. And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year his
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 v
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually. And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year his
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually.
And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year history.
Connecting Point took a road trip to the Charlestown Naval Yard to meet with Commander Farrell and take a tour of the historic ship.
Built in 1797 and known as “Old Ironsides,” the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship currently afloat. While in service, it played key roles in many battles but today, it’s a floating museum that sees over 600,000 visitors annually. And recently its long history added a new chapter as Billie J. Farrell became the 77th commanding officer of the USS Constitution – and the first woman to hold that position in the ship’s 225-year his
March 23, 2023
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford recently hosted a lecture focused on how historians should approach possible LGBTQIA+ relationships and themes in the works of artists who did not self-identify. The discussion was prompted by new research about Harriet Beecher Stowe’s great niece, Katherine Seymour Day, and how her identity may have shaped her role as a women’s activist. Zydalis Bauer spoke with Amy Hufnagel, the Director of Programm
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford recently hosted a lecture focused on how historians should approach possible LGBTQIA+ relationships and themes in the works of artists who did not self-identify. The discussion was prom
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford recently hosted a lecture focused on how historians should approach possible LGBTQIA+ relationships and themes in the works of artists who did not self-identify. The discussion was prompted by new research about Harriet Beecher Stowe’s great niece, Katherine Seymour Day, and how her identity may have shaped her role as a women’s activist. Zydalis Bauer spoke with Amy Hufnagel, the Director of Programm
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford recently hosted a lecture focused on how historians should approach possible LGBTQIA+ relationships and themes in the works of artists who did not self-identify. The discussion was prompted by new research about Harriet Beecher Stowe’s great niece, Katherine Seymour Day, and how her identity may have shaped her role as a women’s activist.
Zydalis Bauer spoke with Amy Hufnagel, the Director of Programming at the Stowe Center, to learn more about how museums are handling the complex ethics surrounding untold Queer histories and interpreting the sexuality of women in the early 20th century.
The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford recently hosted a lecture focused on how historians should approach possible LGBTQIA+ relationships and themes in the works of artists who did not self-identify. The discussion was prompted by new research about Harriet Beecher Stowe’s great niece, Katherine Seymour Day, and how her identity may have shaped her role as a women’s activist. Zydalis Bauer spoke with Amy Hufnagel, the Director of Programm
March 23, 2023
Drew Phillips' career as a beer maker began over a decade ago on the west coast as an out of work schoolteacher. As his passion for brewing grew, Phillips moved to western Massachusetts and brought his own beer to the market in 2019.Two years later, on Halloween night 2021, Phillips and his wife opened the doors to the aptly named Four Phantoms Brewing Company in Greenfield. Connecting Point's Brian Sullivan paid a visit to this unique community
Drew Phillips' career as a beer maker began over a decade ago on the west coast as an out of work schoolteacher. As his passion for brewing grew, Phillips moved to western Massachusetts and brought his own beer to the market in 20
Drew Phillips' career as a beer maker began over a decade ago on the west coast as an out of work schoolteacher. As his passion for brewing grew, Phillips moved to western Massachusetts and brought his own beer to the market in 2019.Two years later, on Halloween night 2021, Phillips and his wife opened the doors to the aptly named Four Phantoms Brewing Company in Greenfield. Connecting Point's Brian Sullivan paid a visit to this unique community
Drew Phillips' career as a beer maker began over a decade ago on the west coast as an out of work schoolteacher. As his passion for brewing grew, Phillips moved to western Massachusetts and brought his own beer to the market in 2019.
Two years later, on Halloween night 2021, Phillips and his wife opened the doors to the aptly named Four Phantoms Brewing Company in Greenfield. Connecting Point's Brian Sullivan paid a visit to this unique community hotspot and brings us this next story.
Learn how Drew Phillips’ English major shaped his career path in a digital exclusive clip.
Drew Phillips' career as a beer maker began over a decade ago on the west coast as an out of work schoolteacher. As his passion for brewing grew, Phillips moved to western Massachusetts and brought his own beer to the market in 2019.Two years later, on Halloween night 2021, Phillips and his wife opened the doors to the aptly named Four Phantoms Brewing Company in Greenfield. Connecting Point's Brian Sullivan paid a visit to this unique community
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Wow!!! Absolutely loved this – a short trip down memory lane for me. My hubby, Rev. Peter Ristau was pastor at the Wyben Union Church, if memory serves me well, for about 2 years, (’69-’71) during his studies at the Hartford Seminary Foundation. From there we moved to Immanuel Baptist in Queens, and then he taught Old Testament at NABC in Edmonton, AB Canada. He passed away 4 yrs. ago. We LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the people of Wyben – awesome community – still friends! Fondest of memories! God bless the whole community!
Karin, I remember you and your husband! My whole family went to Wyben Union Church back when Rev. Ristau was pastor. I’m sorry to learn of Peter’s passing. We were gratefulto have him as our pastor for a few years. I remember his slight accent. Dot Bigos was the church organist back then. I was 17 in 1969! My parents were Dot and “Louie” Marengo; they both passed away decades ago. It was such a long time ago I doubt you will remember names from the crowd, but it’s still nice to see your post.
Peter, I do remember the last name! I bet if you sent me a pic of your folks, I would recall. Thanks for sharing your memory. Yes, my hubby had a distinct way of speaking – German and Canadian accent! Thanks for reminding me that Dot Bigos was the organist! Oh my – the flood of memories! I found your name on Facebook – let’s be friends!
Karin, I remember you and your husband! My whole family went to Wyben Union Church back when Rev. Ristau was pastor. I remember his slight accent. Dot Bigos was the church organist. I was 17 in 1969! My parents were Dot and “Louie” Marengo; they both passed away decades ago. It was such a long time ago I doubt you will remember names from the crowd, but it’s still nice to see your post. I’m sorry to learn of Peter’s passing.