>>> COMING UP, WE'RE CONNECTING WITH YOU THE CREATIVE AND CULTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING A CIRCUS PERFORMER WHO LIKES TO PLAY WITH FIRE.

>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIDE SHOW AND MAGIC, IS THE FIRE IS REAL.

THE FIRE IS GOING IN MY MOUTH.

>> JUST FUTURES GET BUILT IN SMALL UNITS AND SMALL COMMUNITIES I SO THAT'S SORT OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS CREATE A MOD ELF -- MODEL OF WHAT WE WANT OUR JUST FUTURES TO LOOK LIKE.

>> AND WHAT EXACTLY IS PICKLEBALL?

BRINE FINDS -- BRIAN SULLIVAN FINDS OUT FIRSTHAND.

>> THISTHIS AREA IS CALLED THE KITCHEN.

IF SOMEONE STEPS IN MY KITCHEN THEY'RE GOING TO WAY FOR THAT.

>> JOINING US FOR THOSE STORIES AND MORE AS WE EXPLORE THE CREATIVE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> WELCOME AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT," YOUR SOURCE FOR CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

EACH WEEK THIS SUMMER WE'RE EXPLORING ALL THAT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER AND TODAY WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM THE FOOT OF BEAUTIFUL MT.

TOM, JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY OF HOLYOKE IN HAMPDEN COUNTY.

ONCE HOME TO MOUNTAIN PARK, WHICH IS STILL FONDLY REMEMBERED BY PEOPLE TODAY, THIS IS A PERENNIAL FAVORITE WHO ENJOY HITTING THE SOAPS AT -- SLOPES AT MT.

TOM SKI AREA.

TODAY YOU'LL FIND SOME EXCELLENT HIKING AND OUTDOOR CONCERT VENUE, AND ATOP THE MOUNTAIN THE TRANSMITTER WHICH BRINGS YOU NEPM-TV AND RADIO.

AND WHILE IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE IN HOLYOKE, OUR SHOW TODAY BEGINS IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY.

OPAL RAVEN CONSIDERS HERSELF A PERFORMER WHO'S NOT AFRAID TO RETURN UP THE HEAT, LITERALLY.

HER ONE-WOMAN VARIETY SHOW SHOWCASES DARING SWORD WORK, FASCINATING SNAKES, AND OF COURSE, FIRE.

SHE SPOKE WITH PRODUCER DAVE FRASER WHO BRINGS US HER STORY.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> I'VE BEEN A PERFORMER SINCE THE BEGINNING OF IT ALL AND WAS ALWAYS GOT TO DO MORE, GOT TO DO MORE.

AND IT'S MORPHED INTO THIS CRAZY ONE-WOMAN LIKE WONDERLAND THAT IT IS NOW.

MY NAME IS CHRISTINA COLLINS.

AND MY AND AGE NAME IS OPAL RAVEN.

IT STARTED AS A BER LESS, -- BER LESSK SAGE.

I'M THE -- I LOVE RAVENS.

AND THEN OPAL KIND OF IS THE OPPOSITE OF A RAVEN, WHERE IT IS LIGHT AND MULTI-COLORED AND -- UNASSUMING.

SO THE TWO OF THEM TOGETHER BROUGHT OUT MY OPEN RAL RAVEN NAME.

I STARTED WITH US CLASSING MYSELF AS A CIRCUS AND SIDE SHOW PERFORMER.

I TAKE MANY FORMS.

I AM A BELLY SHOW, I AM A SIDE SO SMARTIST, I WORK WITH SNAKES, I WORK WITH L.E.D.s, I DO A LOT OF SWORD BALANCES AND TRICKS AND DANCING AND I'VE SETTLED ON CALLING MYSELF CIRC BECAUSE I'M A CIRCUS IN ONE AND A LOT OF MY PERFORMERS JUST TAILOR TO WHAT MY ODDS IS LOOKING FOR.

-- AUDIENCE IS LOOK FOR.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SIDE SHOW AND MAKE.

>> , IS SIDE SHOW IS REAL.

THE FIRE IS GOING IN MY MOUTH.

IT IS THERE.

THERE'S A MOVE CALLED A FUEL RETENTION WHERE YOU ACTUALLY HOLD THE FIRE IN YOUR MOUTH AND YOU TAKE THE WICK BACK OUT OF YOUR MOUTH AND THE FIRE IS STILL THERE IN YOUR MOUTH WHEN YOU'RE DONE.

IT'S ALL REAL.

AND IT'S ALL A TECHNIQUE AND RACE AGAINST TIME AND NEVER, EVER, EVER SWALLOW IT!

THERE ARE FIRE SAFETY COURSES AND ACTUAL CERTIFICATIONS THAT YOU GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO BE CERTIFIED AND SAFELY PERFORM THAT.

BUT AS FAR AS PERFORMING IS CONCERNED, IT'S AN ART FORM SO YOU CAN SO AS TECH AND TRAINING -- TECHNICAL AND TRAINING STYLE AS YOU WANT OR BE LOOSE AND FIGURE IT OUT AS YOU GO.

I'M COVERED IN BRUISES, SCRAPES, SCARS, AND BURNS FROM PRACTICING, AND THAT'S UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF TRAINERS, TEACHERS, CERTIFICATIONS.

BECAUSE IT'S REAL IT BRINGS AN EXTRA INTENSITY TO THE STAGE WHENEVER I CAN PERFORMING.

BUT IT ALSO BRINGS AN EXTRA DANGER, WHICH I AM ENSURED FOR.

-- INSURED FOR, SO THAT'S AN IMPORTANT DETAIL.

I HAVE AN ADULT BOA CONSTRICTOR, SMUG.

HE'S AN ALBINO BOA CONSTRICTOR, AND HE'S THE MAIN PERFORMER THAT WORKS WITH ME.

IT'S AMAZING WITH THE SNAKES, YOU GET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VERY SHOCKED AND CONCERNED AND ALMOST AFRAID DURING THE PERFORMANCE.

AND AT THE END, THEY COME UP AND THEY'RE LIKE, CAN I TOUCH YOUR AND MAKE -- YOUR SNAKE, WHAT'S HIS NAME?

HAVE YOU TRAINED HIM TO DO WHAT HE DOES?

LIKE -- WERE YOU AFRAID OF HIM?

IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DISPEL A LOT OF FEAR AND WRONG ASSUMPTIONS ON SNAKES AND REPTILES.

THEY'RE REALLY EDGY ACTS AND THERE'S A LOT OF FIRE INVOLVED, SO PEOPLE ARE USUALLY JUST LIKE AMAZED, WIDE-EYED AND SO MANY OF THEM COME UP AND THEY'RE LIKE, THAT WAS AMAZING.

AND THAT'S WHAT I DO IT FOR.

IT'S JUST -- A GREAT FEELING.

>>> THIS SPRING THE POWER OF YOUTH CONFERENCE TOOK PLACE IN FLORENCE, MASSACHUSETTS.

DESCRIBED AS PART EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE, PART ARTS FESTIVAL, AND PART HOMAGE TO SOCIAL ACTIVISM, THIS TWO-DAY EVENT BROUGHT COMMUNITY MEMBERS TOGETHER.

I SPOKE WITH ORGANIZERS WHO KERKED IN CONSTRUCTION --WORKED IN CONSTRUCTION OF THE ARTS COUNCIL TO LEARN MORE.

>> OUR MOTIVATION AND OUR MISSION FOR THE CONFERENCE HAD TO DO WITH BRINGING THE ARTS, EDUCATORS, ACADEMICS, BRING THEIR WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

OFTENTIMES YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE ACADEMICS AND STUDY HISTORY, FOR EXAMPLE.

THEY GO TO CONFERENCES THAT ARE MOSTLY HISTORIANS, RIGHT, AND THEY'RE PRESENTING THEIR O ON THE INCREDIBLE LEGACY OF TRUTH.

DAVID RUG UNLESS THE AREA -- WE ANTED TO BRING THAT HISTORY TO OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND ALSO SAME THING WITH THE ART YIFORTS AND WRITERS.

WE HAVE WONDERFUL ARTISTS AND WRITERS IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS AND THEY LIVE NEXT DOOR AND DON'T RIELTZ THIS IS AN YOU A -- REALIZE THIS IS AN AUTHOR THAT YOU REALLY ADMIRE.

>> AND I THINK YOU KNOW, ANOTHER PIECE JUST TO BUILD ON WHAT HE'S TALKING ABOUT IS BRINGING TOGETHER A CROSS SECTION OF OUR COMMUNITY IN WAYS IN WHICH THEY DON'T OFTEN COME TOGETHER.

AND IT'S ALWAYS WONDERFUL WHEN YOU SEE AND HEAR FEEDBACK THAT AFFIRMS THE THINKING BEHIND SOMETHING THAT YOU'VE DONE.

SO YOU KNOW, THE NIGHT AFTER THE CONFERENCE WRAPPED UP, I WAS AT HOME, TALKING WITH MY WIFE, WHO'S A FIRST GRADE TEACHER LOCALLY, AND SHE PARTICIPATED IN THE CONFERENCE AND SHE SAID THE MESSAGING THAT I GOT IN EVERY SINGLE SESSION, EVERYBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT TOTALLY DIFFERENT AND DIVERSE TOPICS BUT THEY ALL CAME BACK TO THIS CENTER OF USING ART, EDUCATION, AND STORYTELLING TO GIVE VOICE TO STORIES THAT ARE OFTEN EITHER UNKNOWN OR PUSHED TO THE SIDE OR EVEN SORT OF SILENCED AND TAKEN, RIGHT, AND THIS IDEA OF USING CULTURE AS A WAY TO CENTER THOSE VOICES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY AND SYSTEMATICALLY MARGINALIZED, THAT THAT SHINED THROUGH, SHOWN THROUGH, IN ALL OF THE SESSIONS THAT SHE ATTENDED AND I THINK THAT'S AT THE CORE OF WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO.

>> AND SPEAKING OF THOSE UNTOLD STORIES OR SOME OF THE HISTORY, I WANT TO TOUCH THAT YOU WERE INTENTIONAL WHEN CHOOSING THE LOCATION.

WHY DID IT MAKE SENSE TO HOLD THIS IN FLORENCE, MASSACHUSETTS?

>> YOU KNOW, FOR US, FLORENCE IS A PLACE THAT IS UNDERKNOWN IN OUR VIEW BY EVEN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

PEOPLE AREN'T AWARE OF THE ABOLITIONIST WHO LIVED IN FLORENCE.

AND ACTUALLY DURING THE SESSION WHERE WE'RE SITTING RIGHT HERE, IN BOMBYX, IS A SPACE FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL -- CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

THIS IS A HISTORIC COMMUNITY THAT'S GOES BY THAT'S HAD SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINK I CAN AND ACTIVISTS.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT USMAN TALKED ABOUT ON SATURDAY MORNING WHICH WAS POWERFUL TO THINK ABOUT WAS HE HAD THE AUDIENCE IMAGINE IF SOJOURNER TRUTH, THERE'S A STATUE RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOORS OF THE SANK EWATER.

SO THEY WALKED INTO THE ROOM WITH US.

THESE HISTORIC FIGURES IN THE FIGHT FOR ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS WHO LIVED RIGHT IN THIS AREA.

AND BRINGING THAT BACK TO THIS IDEA OF TRYING TO BUILD A JUST FUTURE, A REALLY POWERFUL FRAMING WHEN WE THINK ABOUT BUILDING SYSTEMS OF JUSTICE, THAT HAS US THINK ABOUT IT AS SPECULATIVE BEGINNING SHON OR -- FICTION, OR SCIENCE FICTION, THAT WE'VE ONLY SEEN IN OUR IMAGINATIONS AND NINTHS AND WE'RE TRYING TO BUILD THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND SO ASKING PEOPLE TO USE THAT POWER OF, YOU KNOW, SPECULATIVE THINKING THAT HUMANS HAVE THIS GIFT TOWARDS TO HELP IMAGINE A JUST FUTURE, THAT WAS A REALLY POWERFUL MOMENT FOR ME ON SATURDAY MORNING.

>> AT THE CONFERENCE YOU PREMIERED YOUR MULTIMEDIA DOCUMENTARY SHORT ENTITLED, "CAN THERE EVER BE JUSTICE ON STOLEN LAND."

AND SO IT GOT ME THINKING.

SO IN THAT SAME SENTIMENT, DO EITHER OF YOU THINK AS A SOCIETY WE CAN REALLY ACHIEVE TRUE EQUITY AND IF SO, WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

HOW WILL WE KNOW WHEN WE'VE HAD ARRIVED THERE?

>> I THINK IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

THIS IDEA OF NOT ONLY THINKING ABOUT WHAT ARE THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DISMANTLE OR THAT WE ARE FIGHTING AGAINST, BUT WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE FIGHTING FOR.

I THINK MOVEMENTS TOWARDS JUSTICE ARE -- ARE IN EFFECT RIGHT NOW, RIGHT.

I THINK THAT YOU REALLY -- THERE'S SUCH A TRUISM TO THE IDEA THAT JUST FUTURES GET BUILT IN SMALL UNITS, SOME INAUGURAL -- IN SMALL COMMUNITIES.

SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, IS CREATE A MODEL OF WHAT WE WANT OUR JUST FUTURES TO LOOK LIKE.

AND WHAT THOSE LOOK LIKE ARE PLACES WHERE ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITIES' IDEAS AND GIFTS ARE BROUGHT INTO THE CENTER.

THEY ARE NOT LOOKED AT AS PROBLEMS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THEY'RE LOOKED AT AS CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS OF A SOCIETY WHO WANT TO HAVE THEIR THOUGHTS, IDEAS, AND EXPERIENCES CENTERED.

IT LOOKS LIKE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO FOOD AND LAND TO CULTIVATE THAT FOOD AND A CONNECTION TO THAT LAND, RIGHT.

SO ALL OF THESE THINGS -- AND SO MUCH MORE, RIGHT.

I MEAN, THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG, RIGHT, THE THINGS THAT WE REALLY WANT TO DO THROUGH THIS WORK AND ALL THE WORK THAT WE DO, IS INVITE OTHER VOICES INTO OUR CONVERSATION TO CONTRIBUTE TO THEIR VISION OF WHAT THAT JUST FUTURE LOOKS LIKE, BUT THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT WE HAVE TO BE ASKING.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> IN 1965, WHEN JOEL PRITCHARD AND TWO OF HIS FRIENDS DEVICED A BACKYARD GAME NAMED PICKLEBALL ON BAINBRIDGE ISLAND, WASHINGTON, THEY LIKELY HAD NO IDEA THAT IN THE YEAR 2022, IT WOULD BE ADOPTED AS THE STATE'S OFFICIAL SPORT.

AND WHALE MEAN MAY THINK OF IT AS A GAME REL LATED TO RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES OF FLORIDA OR CALIFORNIA, AFTER SPENDING A WEEKEND WITH THE WESTFIELD PICKLEBALL CLUB, BRINE LEARNED -- BRIAN SULLIVAN LEARNED THAT IT'S A GAME FOR ALL AGES AND ABILITIES.

>> FROM THE INSIDE, IT HAS ALL THE MAKINGS OF A ROUND ROBIN BE TOURNAMENT.

THE GAME IS CALLED PICKLEBALL AND NOW IN ITS SIXTH DECADE, MORE FAMILIAR ARE FAMILIAR WITH ITS INTRICACIES AND PE CULLARITIES.

-- PECULIARITIES.

>> IT'S A HYBRID OF TENNIS, PING-PONG, RACQUETBALL, AND THAT'S WHY YOU SEE A LOT OF THESE DIFFERENT PLAYERS HERE, THEY PLAY THESE RACQUET SPORTS AND IT'S A GREAT TRANSITION INTO SOMETHING NEW.

>> THIS IS A TYPICAL PACKED CROWD FOR A WEEKEND IN WESTFIELD, ESPECIALLY ONE WITH SUCH NICE WEATHER.

THESE SIX COURTS WEREN'T ALWAYS IN THIS TIP COP CONDITION THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW.

BUT THANKS TO PERSISTENCE, THEY WERE ABLE TO SECURE THE FUNDING NECESSARY TO TRANSFORM INTO WHAT THEY ARE TODAY.

>> THESE WERE CLAY COURTS HERE IN WESTFIELD BUT THEY WERE DISREPAIR.

I SAID LET'S GET A GROUP TOGETHER AND WE PETITIONED THE CITY.

WE KNEW THE STATEHOUSE HAD SOME MONEY, SO WE ASKED THEY GET THAT MONEY AS WELL AND BUILD THESE COURTS FOR DEDICATED PICKLEBALL COURTS, WHICH IS ONE OF THE FASTEST UPAND GROWING SPORTS, AND WE KNEW IT WOULD HAPPEN AND THESE COURTS WERE ALWAYS BE FULL.

AND USUALLY ANYTIME YOU COME DOWN HERE, EARLY MORNING OR LATE IN THE AFTERNOONS, THESE COURTS ARE FILLED.

IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN NANCY AND MYSELF TO MAKE THIS WONDERFUL FACILITY HAPPEN WITH THE CITY OF WESTFIELD AND OUR OLD MAYOR, BRIAN SULLIVAN.

>> DIFFERENT BRIAN SULLIVAN.

THIS ONE TOOK SOME COAXING TO GET OUT OF THESE COURTS BECAUSE THE SLOGAN IS PICKLEBALL FOR ALL.

AND THEY CERTAINLY LIVE UP TO IT.

JIM, FOR EXAMPLE, IS IN HIS 80S AND STILL DELIVERS THE GOODS.

DENISE ROY IS BUY NO MEANS LETTING HER RODFIED WHEELCHAIR SLOW HER DOWN.

AND THEY'RE BOTH SOLID PLAYERS.

THEY'RE GOT SOME SIDE COURTS FOR PRACTICING AND PICKING UP ON THE FUNDAMENTALS, LIKE THIS LITTLE AREA UP BY THE NET IS KNOWN AS THE KITCHEN.

AND I LEARNED THAT IF SOMEONE STEPS INTO MY KITCHEN, THEY'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT.

>> LOOKS LIKE CHECKERS OR PLAYS LIKE CHESS.

I SAY IT LOOKS LIKE DOUBLES PING-PONG AND A LIFE SIZE TABLE.

WHATEVER IT IS, IT'S A LOT OF FUN AND IT'S BRINGING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO THESE COURTS.

ALL FUN ASIDE, HEALTH AND SAFETY ALSO TOP THE PRIORITY LIST HERE AND NOT JUST FOR THINGS LIKE BREAKS AND SPRAINS.

THIS PARK WAS THE RECIPIENT OF A DONATEDED BOX FROM THE -- DON'TAYED AED BOX.

HER SON PASSED FROM A CARDIAC EVENT AT THE AGE OF 19.

ANYTHING OF THINKINGLE -- ANYONE THINKING PICKLEBALL COURT ISN'T THE PRIME LOCATION IS MISTAKEN.

>> WE HAD THE CARDIAC EVENT.

THE CONSIDERATION HAD DONATED THE AED AND WITHIN 85 SECONDS, THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS PLAYING PICKLEBALL WITH THE GENTLEMAN THAT HAD THE EVENT EVENT WENT INTO ACTION, CALLED 911, GRABBED THE CODE, OPENED THE BOX, GRABBED THE AED WHILE SOMEBODY ELSE WAS PERFORMING "CONNECTING POINT," AND WE HAVE A FANTASTIC SUCCESSFUL STORY AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO DO.

>> MEMBERS PAY $10 PER YEAR, WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE CLUB BECAUSE IT GIVES THEM THE INSURANCE COVERAGE.

PLAYERS IN TURN HAVE ACCESS TO THESE COURTS AND TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES.

AND FOR ANYONE WITHOUT EQUIPMENT, THEY'VE NOT PLENTY TO GO AROUND, EVEN AS THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO GROW.

IF THIS CLUB WAS JUST A PLAN ON PAPER A FEW YEARS AGO, IT'S SAFE TO SAY IT'S BEEN A SUCCESSFUL MISSION SO FAR AND EVERYONE INVOLVED COULDN'T BE HAPPIER WITH THE RESULTS.

>> IT'S PICKLEBALL FOR ALL HERE IN WESTFIELD.

THERE'S NOTHING BETTER THAN THAT.

HAVING PEOPLE OF ALL AGES BEING ABLE TO COMPETE.

THE THING IS IT'S FUN.

WE HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND WE WANT IT TO BE FUN.

THAT'S THE THING.

EVERYONE IS SOCIAL.

EVERYONE HAS SO MUCH FUN THAT WE ACCEPT EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE A HUGE PICKLEBALL COMMUNITY IN WESTFIELD.

IT'S AWESOME.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> EVERIY, "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ONLINE ANYTIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

WE'VE BEEN COMING TO YOU TODAY FROM THE BASE OF MT.

TOM IN HOLYOKE, MASSACHUSETTS, A BEAUTIFUL SPOT FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION AND AN AREA RICH IN HISTORY.

AND ONE LESSER-KNOWN PIECE OF THAT HISTORY IS THE STORY OF A B-17 FLYING FORTRESS THAT CRASHED INTO THE MOUNTAIN SIDE DURING WORLD WAR II.

IN THIS WEEK'S DIGITAL EXTRA, WE TAKE A LOOK AT HOW A MEMORIAL ON THE MOUNTAIN HONORS THOSE LOST A ON THAT TRAGIC DAY IN JULY 17 YEARS AGO.

-- IN JULY 76 YEARS AGO.

>> IT'S A PLACE OF BEAUTY AND LOVE, THE FACT THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS DONE THIS, THE FACT THAT PEOPLE HAVE COME OUT IN DROVES EVERY YEAR FOR THE CEREMONY.

ICIALLY IT WAS MAY BE, AND -- INITIALLY IT WAS FAMILY MEMBERS, AND NOW THE WHOLE COMMUNITY SHOWS UP.

>> YOU CAN FIND IN A DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AND SO MUCH MORE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

THE LITERACY PROJECT, PROVIDES FREE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY PREPARATION FOR ADULTS IN FRANKLIN AND HAMPSHIRE COUNTIES CELEBRATED ITS FIRST IN-PERSON GRADUATION CEREMONY SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN ADDITION TO THIS MILESTONE, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO CELEBRATED BLOOMSDAY, A WORLDWIDE LITERARY FESTIVAL COMMEMORATING THE WORK OF IRISH YOU AUTHOR JAMES JOYCE.

I SPOKE WITH THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ON THES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GRADUATION AND THE CONNECT BETWEEN BLOOMSDAY AND THE LITERACY PROJECT.

>> IT WAS SO BUFFALO.

AND -- WONDERFUL.

WE HAD ABOUT 300 PEOPLE IN ATTENDSAND UNDER -- ATTENDANCE UNDER THE TENT ON THE LAWN.

AND WE WERE SO PROUD OF OUR GRADUATES AND IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO BE TOGETHER IN PERSON.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A GRADUATION SINCE 2019.

AND IT WAS FABULOUS.

WE HAD FIVE STUDENT SPEAKERS ASK ONE OF THEM IS -- AND ONE OF THEM IS HERE WITH US TODAY.

>> SO, DEB, CONGRATULATIONS, FIRST OF ALL, ON GRADUATING FROM THE LITERACY PROJECT.

THE LAST TIME WE SAW YOU, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW EXCITED YOU WERE FOR THIS GRADUATION.

SO TELL ME, WHAT DID IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE ABLE TO WALK ACROSS THAT STAGE IN YOUR CAP AND GOWN?

>> IT FELT AMAZING.

IT WAS TRULY A BLESSING FOR ME TO BE ABLE TO -- SUPPORT MY CLASSMATES.

IT WAS A REALLY GREAT FEELING.

>> SO TELL ME ABOUT HOW THE LITERACY PROJECT HAS CHANGED YOUR LIFE AND WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU AFTER THIS GRADUATION?

>> I'M DEFINITELY PART OF LIST LAST PROJECT FAMILY.

SO THAT IS EXCITING AND TO KNOW THAT I ALWAYS HAVE SUPPORT FROM THEM, WHETHER I'M IN COLLEGE OR DOING OTHER THINGS IN LIFE.

IT'S REALLY COMFORTING.

AND I'M GOING TO DO A LOT OF THINGS.

I'M GOING TO DO SOCIAL WORK, INTEERSHIP -- ENTREPRENEURSHIP, I'M GOING TO DABBLE IN EVERYTHING THAT I CAN.

>> LAST TIME I REMEMBER YOU SAID YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN SCHOOL UNTIL YOU'RE ABOUT 80 OR 90 YEARS OLD.

I'M SURE WE'LL CIRCLE BACK AND DO ANOTHER INTERVIEW TO SEE HOW IT'S GOING WHEN YOU'RE STILL IN SCHOOL AT THAT AGE.

>> DEFINITELY!

I WOULD LOVE THAT.

>> JUDITH, ON TOP OF THE GRADUATION, YOU ALSO HAVE ANOTHER MAJOR ANNUAL EVENT, WHICH IS BLOOMSDAY.

SO TELL ME ABOUT WHAT IS BLOOMSDAY?

>> SO BLOOMSDAY IS THE DAY THAT COMMEMORATES THE FAMOUS NOVEL BY JAMES JOYCE.

THIS IS THE 100TH CENTENNIAL.

AND WE CELEBRATE LITERATURE AND READING EVERY DAY.

SO WE PICKED THIS AS A LITERARY CELEBRATION FOR THE LITERACY PROJECT AND WE HAVE THE LOVELY ROSEMARY CAIN TO TALK ABOUT IT WHO IS PRODUCING THIS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND LYRICAL POETRY AND READINGS FROM THE NOVEL BY JAMES JOYCE.

>> AND SILVER LIGHT, THE BLUE AND THE DIM.

>> YEAH, SO ROSIE, PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT YOUR ROLE IN BLOOMSDAY AND HOW IT'S BEEN FOR YOU.

>> WELL, I FEEL THAT IF I'M THE REPRESENTATIVE OF JAMES JOYCE HERE IN WESTERN MASS, I REALLY HAVE A DEBT OF RESPONSIBILITY TO THE CULTURE FROM WHICH JAMES JOYCE WAS SPRUNG.

AND MY OWN LOVE OF READING.

AND NOW MY CONNECTION WITH THE LITERACY PROJECT, WHICH HAS GIVEN ME INSIGHTS I MIGHT NOT HAVE HAD 10 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS A MERE VOLUNTEER MUSICIAN.

BUT NOW I'VE BEEN IN THE CLASSROOMS AND I HAVE SEEN WHAT HAPPENS THERE.

I HAVE SEEN THE MAGIC AND THE INSPIRATION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BRAVE ENOUGH, YOU KNOW.

I WAS IN AN ENGLISH CLASS, TO BE BRAVE ENOUGH AT THE AGE OF 53 TO GO BACK INTO AN ALGEBRA.

SO THAT KEEPS THE MOTIVATION SAY LIFE TO KEEP WORK ON AND ARTISTIC SIDE AND THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE LITERACY GROUP AND WIDE-EYEDISH WOMEN THAT I FOUNDED.

WE HAVE FEATURED SOME OF THAT.

AND YOU KNOW, OTHER PIECES, JAMES JOYCE HIMSELF WAS A MARVELOUS TENOR.

HE LOVED THE SONGS THAT BECAME -- CAME FROM THE PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM BUTLER YATES AND IRISH TRADITIONAL MUSIC.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> TALK TO ME ABOUT THE CONNECTION OF BLOOMSDAY AND THE WHETHER IT LAST PROJECT AND WHY IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF EVENT FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION.

>> OUR STUDENTS ARE STUDYING IN FIVE SUBJECT AREAS IN ORDER TO PASS THE HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENCY TEST.

AND THEY'RE WORKING HARD, VERY HARD, TO PASS THIS TEST, WHICH IS NOT EASY.

AND YET ALONG THE WAY, OUR STUDENTS FALL IN LOVE WITH READING.

THEY FALL IN LOVE WITH WRITING.

AND SOME EASTERN FALL IN LOVE WITH MATH.

AND SO TO LINK THAT TOGETHER WITH THE BLOOMSDAY AUDIENCE WHO LOVE READING AND LOVE LITERATURE, IT'S A PERFECT CONNECTION BETWEEN OUR STUDENTS' RELENTLESS DEVOTION TO RATING AND WRITING AND LOVERS OF JAMES JOYCE, WHO ARE ALREADY PREDICTS POSED TO -- PREDISPOSED TO LOVE LITERATURE.

>> AND THE POINT ROSY MADE, TALKING ABOUT SEEING THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE FEARLESS ADULTS, FEARLESS TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND JUDITH, YOU SHARED WITH ME ABOUT A 56-YEAR-OLD GENTLEMAN WHO FELL IN LOVE WITH NOVELS BECAUSE OF THE LITERACY PROJECT.

AND BEFORE THAT HE COULD ONLY READ WAL ENOUGH TO READ SPORTS SCORES AND THE NEWSPAPER.

THAT'S SUCH AN AMAZING STORY, AND DEB, HOW HAS THE LITERACY PROJECT CHANGED YOU AND YOUR KIND OF OUTLOOK WHEN IT COMES TO LITERACY?

>> SO BECAUSE OF THE WRITING CLASS THAT I WAS PART OF, IT REALLY HELPED ME HEAL A LOT OF THE TRAUMA THAT I HAD DEALT WITH FOR 25 YEARS.

SO THE WRITING JUST BECAME SO INSPIRING AND I FEEL LIKE -- ALMOST LIKE A MOZART AND A BEETHOVEN WHEN I'M WRITING.

I'M JUST LIKE SO INSPIRED AND I'M IN THE MOMENT AND IT'S JUST BULLPEN IT -- IT HAS REALLY PEP HE -- HELPED ME WITH THE CLASS AND I'M REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

>> JUDITH, YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THIS ORGANIZATION FOR SO LONG AND WHEN YOU SEE A STUDENT LIKE DEB AND YOU HEAR THOSE STORIES ABOUT THE 56-YEAR-OLD GENTLEMAN WITH THE READING -- WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU TO SEE ALL OF THIS IMPACT THAT THIS ORGANIZATION IS HAVING ON THE AREA?

>> WATCHING THE STUDENTS WALK ACROSS THE STAGE AT GLAD WAITION IS -- GRADUATION IS THE GREATEST REWARD FOR US.

AND WE'RE JUST SO PROUD.

AND IT TAKES A LOT OF COURAGE TO WALK THROUGH OUR DOORS AND SAY, I NEED TO LEARN AS AN ADULT.

I'M A LEARN THAT LEARNED AS AN ADULT.

AND IT'S -- IT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO DO.

AND -- BUT ONCE PEOPLE JOIN US, WE HOPE THEY'LL ALWAYS BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY OF READERS AND WRITERS AND MATH PROBLEM SOLVERS.

AND GOING ON, MOVING ON IN LIFE TO BETTER LIFE FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> THAT AND THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND ALL THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW IN THIS EPISODE AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

OUR THANKS TO THE CITY OF HOLYOKE FOR HOSTING US TODAY.

AND PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US AGAIN EVERY WEEK RIGHT HERE FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND TAKE CARE!

>>> SUPPORT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" PROVIDED BY OUR CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.