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Civil Rights Activist Daniel Smith Reflects on Decades of Racial Justice Work

Civil Rights Activist Daniel Smith Reflects on Decades of Racial Justice Work

by NEPM | Feb 3, 2022 | Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

In honor of Black History Month, take a look back at the extraordinary life of Daniel Smith, a Springfield College graduate and native of Winstead, Connecticut.   In his nine decades of life, Smith has not only witnessed — but experienced firsthand — some of the...
The Whimsical Works of Pops Peterson (Digital Exclusive)

The Whimsical Works of Pops Peterson (Digital Exclusive)

by NEPM | Jan 6, 2022 | Digital Exclusive

Maurice “Pops” Peterson is an artist and public speaker from the Berkshires, best known for his award-winning series, Reinventing Rockwell.   In this digital extra, explore some of Peterson’s more whimsical works that hang in the vestibule at the Hotel on North...
Berkshires-Based Civil Rights Activist & Artist Maurice “Pops” Peterson

Berkshires-Based Civil Rights Activist & Artist Maurice “Pops” Peterson

by NEPM | Jan 6, 2022 | Art & Entertainment, Show Segments

Berkshires-based artist Maurice “Pops” Peterson never planned to be involved in Civil rights work, but he says he felt “drafted” into action by his life and circumstances.   One day, Peterson unintentionally drew a cartoon that looked like a Norman Rockwell image....
MLK Visits Springfield (Digital Exclusive)

MLK Visits Springfield (Digital Exclusive)

by NEPM | Oct 15, 2021 | Digital Exclusive, Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

On this week in 1964, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent protest of racial prejudice in America. And during that same year, at the height of the civil rights movement, he delivered the Springfield College commencement...
Reopening the Eric Carle Museum to the Public

Reopening the Eric Carle Museum to the Public

by NEPM | Mar 19, 2021 | Art & Entertainment, Coronavirus & COVID-19, Show Segments

After remaining closed over the winter due to spikes in COVID-19 cases across Massachusetts, The Eric Carle Museum has opened its doors once again. The beloved children’s book museum is welcoming the public back with a new exhibit and new protocols to keep visitors...
W.E.B. DuBois: Native Son of Great Barrington

W.E.B. DuBois: Native Son of Great Barrington

by NEPM | Feb 26, 2021 | Public Affairs, Show Segments

Dedicated in 1887, the Clinton A.M.E. Zion Church in Great Barrington served as the spiritual, cultural and political home for the local African American community for nearly 130 years. It was also a place of significance for author and civil rights leader W.E.B. Du...
Springfield Protests the Killing of George Floyd

Springfield Protests the Killing of George Floyd

by NEPM | Jun 4, 2020 | Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

The death of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25th has sparked national outrage. Across the U.S., people took to the streets calling for justice for Floyd—including right here in western New England.  On Wednesday night, nearly 4,000 flooded...
The George Floyd Protests and Creating Change

The George Floyd Protests and Creating Change

by NEPM | Jun 2, 2020 | Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

Multicultural BRIDGE is a Berkshires-based grassroots organization dedicated to advancing equity and justice. Their CEO, Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant joined Carrie Saldo for an in-depth discussion about the killing of George Floyd, the protests that have erupted across...
Martin Luther King Jr. Commencement Speech at Springfield College

Martin Luther King Jr. Commencement Speech at Springfield College

by NEPM | Jan 20, 2020 | Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

It was 1964, the height of the civil rights movement and quite possibly the peak of Martin Luther King Jr’s fame, when he delivered the Springfield College commencement speech.   But the Martin Luther King Jr Commencement speech almost didn’t happen, for...
Reverse Freedom Riders Forced North by Southern Segregationists

Reverse Freedom Riders Forced North by Southern Segregationists

by NEPM | Dec 16, 2019 | Public Affairs, Show Segments, Social Issues

So-called sanctuary cities like New York, Los Angeles and Boston generally protect non-violent immigrants from deportation, and are often targeted by President Trump. Last year, the president said he would support sending undocumented immigrants to such places to “see...
Holyoke Lawn Sign Ordinance Declared Unconstitutional

Holyoke Lawn Sign Ordinance Declared Unconstitutional

by NEPM | May 1, 2019 | Public Affairs, Show Segments

A federal court recently issued a permanent injunction against the Holyoke Law Sign Ordinance. The court ruled that prohibiting lawn signs for specific months of the year was unconstitutional. Connecting Point’s Ray Hershel sat down with Western Massachusetts American...
Sojourner Truth Leaves Legacy in Western Mass

Sojourner Truth Leaves Legacy in Western Mass

by NEPM | Feb 11, 2019 | Show Segments, Social Issues

In honor of Black History Month, Connecting Point producer Dave Fraser looks at the local legacy of Sojourner Truth. The formerly enslaved African American evangelist, abolitionist, women’s rights activist and author lived for a short time in Florence, Massachusetts....
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    Divided
    Divided: Scenes from Inauguration 2021

     
    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.
     

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    ‘Something Extraordinary’ at Westfield State University (Pt. 2)
    PlayPlay
    ‘Something Extraordinary’ at Westfield State University (Pt. 2)

    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

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

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    From Schoolteacher to Brew Maker (Digital Exclusive)
    PlayPlay
    From Schoolteacher to Brew Maker (Digital Exclusive)

    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.

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    Billie J. Farrell, First Female Commander of the USS Constitution
    PlayPlay
    Billie J. Farrell, First Female Commander of the USS Constitution

    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

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    Queer Identities & Art at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
    PlayPlay
    Queer Identities & Art at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center

    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

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    Four Phantoms Brewing Company
    PlayPlay
    Four Phantoms Brewing Company

    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

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

    CONTINUE READING

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