>>> COMING UP, STORIES WE'RE CONNECTING WITH YOU WITH TONIGHT.

A LOCAL BAKERY THAT'S A TRIBUTE TO A BYGONE ERA WHEN FOLKS GATHERED AROUND THE TABLE FOR FOOD AND CONVERSATION.

>> FOOD CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT'S A CULTURAL PHENOMENON THAT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS.

>>> A SUMMERTIME FESTIVAL THAT'S FILLING THE STREETS OF BRATE BARRINGTON WITH MUSIC.

>> WE WANTED TO CREATE A CULTURAL SMORGASBORD WHERE YOU COULD WALK UP AND DOWN THE STREET, WHERE EVERY SINGLE STREET CORNER THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER SURPRISE.

>>> AND WE'LL GO CHASING WATER FALLS IN THE BERKSHIRES.

>> I COME HERE OFTEN JUST TO SIT NEXT TO THE FALLS.

I DON'T REALLY WANT YOU TO MAKE THIS INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST PLACES IN THE STATE.

>> WE'LL BRING YOU THOSE STORIES AND MORE UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

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

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> GOOD EVENING AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

I'M SIDE SIDE.

-- ZYDALIS BAUER FOOD AND COMMUNITY GO HAND IN HAND AND WHEN YOU THROW IN NOSTALGIA, FEW CANE REESE -- CAN RESIST.

GRANNY:00 BACKING TABLE IN SPRINGFIELD IS A NOD TO THE PAST.

THEIR MISSION IS TO CREATE A SPACE THAT HEARKENS BACK TO SIMPLER TIMES WHEN BAKING WAS DONE FROM SCRATCH AND THE TABLE WAS GORE GATHERING AND CONVERSATION.

OWNERS SONYA YELDER AND TODD CROSSET WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT OPERATING A BUSINESS BASED ON SMALL-BATCH BAKING AND GOING UP AGAINST NATIONAL CHAIN COFFEE SHOPS IS FAR FROM EASY, BUT THEIR COMMITMENT IS BASED ON A BELIEF THAT THE BEST WAY TO RETURN DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD TO THE WAY IT WAS IS BY DOING EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS US THE STORY.

>> IT'S 5:30 A.M. AS THE SUN BEGINS TO RISE OVER SPRINGFIELD.

SONYA AND TODD HAVE BEEN AT WORK FOR MORE THAN AN HOUR IN A TINY KITCHEN.

THEY TEN TOE AROUND EACH OTHER IN PRETTY TIGHT QUARTERS, SHARING ONE OVEN IN A BUILDING THAT WAS ONCE A FORMER DRESS SHOP.

>> IT IS WORKING OUT OF A FOOD TRUCK AND THAT'S THE ONLY WAY I CAN DESCRIBE THE KITCHEN WE HAVE, IS WORKING OUT OF A FOOD TRUCK.

IT'S SMALL.

WE PRODUCE AS MUCH AS WE CAN OUT OF A SMALL SPACE THAT EFWITH.

AND IT WORKS.

>> UP FRONT SONYA MAKES BISCUITS, TIES, AND MUFFINS WHILE TODD WORKS WITH LAMINATED DOUGH ON THE BACK TABLE MAKING CROISSANTS AND DANISH.

>> WE DON'T REALLY TALK.

WE KIND OF DO OUR OWN THING.

YOU KNOW.

I GOT MY OWN STUFF AND I'M LIKE, THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS, THIS.

AND HE'S BACK THERE TALKING TO HIMSELF.

[LAUGHTER] >> WHICH I DON'T DO.

>> THESE ARE OUR DANISHES.

THIS IS -- >> THE TWO OPENED GRANNY'S BAKING TABLE IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 IN DOWNTOWN SPRINGFIELD.

JUST A FEW MONTHS BEFORE A PANDEMIC WOULD ALL BUT WIPE OUT THEIR CUSTOMER BASE AS MANY BUSINESSES KEPT THEIR EMPLOYEES AT HOME.

>> MAYBE NOT THE BEST TIME TO OPEN.

YOU KNOW, YOU LOOK BACK ON THINGS AND YOU'RE PROBABLY IN A COUPLE YEARS WILL LOOK BACK AND GO MAYBE IT WAS THE BEST TIME TO OPEN, BECAUSE NOW WE CAN SAY WE SURVIVED A PANDEMIC.

>> GRANNY'S HAD THEIR OFFICIAL GRAND OPENING COMPLETE WITH A RIBBON CUTTING AND THE VISIT FROM THE MAYOR.

THEY GREW UP IN SPRINGFIELD AND RECOGNIZE THAT DOWNTOWN HAS CHANGED A LOT OVER THE YEARS.

>> THIS WAS THE PLACE TO BE.

THIS WAS WHERE PEOPLE SHOP, WHEN IS THEY ARE PEOPLE DINE, THIS IS WHERE PEM HUNG OUT.

THIS IS WHERE -- WHERE THEY HUNG OUT, THIS IS WHERE -- WHERE THEY DID EVERYTHING.

AND IT WENT AWAY.

>> SOME CONSULTANT CALLED DOWNTOWN PALE AND STALE.

AND I CALLED COMPLAINED BECAUSE IT WAS KIND OF BORG.

-- BORING.

AND ONE DAY I SAID WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT, TODD.

>> HE STARTED SELLING BEIGNETS FROM A BICYCLE WITH A SIDE CAR.

SONYA WAS RUNNING HER OWN SANDWICH SHOP IN THE CITY'S FREEWAY NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE TWO -- FOREST PARK NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> MY GRANDMOTHER WAS ONE OF THOSELE RISE AT THE CRACK OF DAWN.

SHE MADE BISCUITS FROM SCRATCH.

YOU KNOW, YOU CAN STILL YEARS -- BECAUSE SHE'S PASSED FOR MANY YEARS NOW, TASTE LIKE CAKES THAT SHE MADE.

I CAN STILL TASTE THOSE THINGS.

>> GRANNY'S IS A BLAST FROM THE PAST.

THERE IS A SIMPLE MENU DISPLAYED ON A CHALKBOARD.

THERE ARE OLD BLACK AND WHITE PICTURES ON THE WALL.

SOME ARE OF FAMILY MEMBERS, OTHERS OF RANDOM INDIVIDUALS THAT REFLECT THE DIVERSITY OF THE CITY AND ITS DOWNTOWN.

THERE IS ONE LONG TABLE FOR PEOPLE TO SIT AT, AND OH, YEAH, NO WI-FI.

>> REGARDLESS OF NAY SAYERS IN THE BEGINNING, SAID, NO, PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING TO GO FOR THAT, YOU KNOW.

THEY WANT LITTLE TINY, YOU KNOW, SO THEY CAN SIT -- I'M LIKE, YEAH, THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT.

YOU KNOW, I WANT PEOPLE TO SIT AROUND AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER.

>> YOU KNOW, FOOD CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

IT CAN CROSS DIVIDES.

IT'S A CULTURAL PHENOMENON THAT BREAKS DOWN BARRIERS.

AND YOU ADD A TABLE LIKE THIS, ONE FAMILY TABLE, AND YOU PUT REALLY GOOD FOOD IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND EVERYBODY IS ENJOYING IT.

PEOPLE WHO WOULD NOT NORMALLY TALK TO EACH OTHER TALK TO EACH OTHER.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKES US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

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

>>> JULY IS NATIONAL ICE CREAM MONTH, AND IN THIS WEEK'S DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS US THE SCOOP ON ONE LOCAL PARLOR THAT DOESN'T JUST SELL ICE CREAM.

THEY MAKE THEIR OWN.

>> I HAVE ABOUT 45 FLARES THAT I HAVE ALL THE TIME.

COOKIE GO, CHOCOLATE CHIP, ALL THINGS YOU EXPECT.

AND SOME MORE ADVENTURE FLARES, LIKE LAVENDER, STRAWBERRY BUSINESSIL -- BASIL, PEOPLE WOULD SAY, THAT'S INTERESTING.

I REALLY WANT TO TRY THAT.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FOR MUSICIANS, PERFORMING ON THE STREET, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS BUSKING, IS A TIME HIGH PRESSURE HONORED TRADITION.

-- TIME-HONORED TRADITION.

USUALLY IT ISN'T AN ORGANIZED EASEMENT BUT A FESTIVAL THIS SUMMER IS TAKING OVER THE STREETS OF ONE TOWN IN SOUTHERN INTHIERK COUNTY.

BERKSHIRE BUSK IS A PROBLEM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN DOWNTOWN GREAT BARRINGTON, WHILE SHOWCASING A DIVERSE RANGE OF MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

I SPOKE WITH FESTIVAL DIRECTOR EUGENE CARR TO FIND OUT MORE.

>> BUSKING IS A TERM THAT REFERS TO A STREET PERFORMER.

A MUSICIAN, AN ACTOR, A DANCER, SOMEONE STANDING OUT ON THE STREET PERFORMING AND HOPING TO GET TIPS.

AND IT'S A TRADITION THAT YOU FIND ALL OVER EUROPE AND ACTUALLY IN AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND.

NOT AS MUCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PERFORMERS TO GET OUT WITHOUT HAVING TO SIT IN AN AUDIENCE OR WITHOUT HAVING TO SELL A TICKET.

YOU JUST WALK UP.

YOU LISTEN TO PERFORMER, AND IF YOU LIKE WHAT THEY'RE DOING, YOU PUT SOME MONEY IN THEIR TIP JAR OR SEND THEM A VENMO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> THE BERKSHIRES ARE WELL KNOWN FOR ITS RICH CALL TOUR AND ARTS -- CULTURE AND ARTS COMMUNITY.

WHERE DID THIS INSPIRATION COME ABOUT?

>> IT STARTS AT HOME.

I'M A COLORADOIST MYSELF.

-- CELLIST MYSELF.

THOUGH I STUDDED CLASSAL, I'VE -- STUDIED LASKAL, I WAS INVITED TO SIT IN WITH A JAZZ BAND.

AND I DID MY BEST TO KEEP UP WITH THEM AND WE PLAYED OUTDOORS.

AND LAST YEAR IT WAS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND PERFORMING.

SO AS THE WINTER PROGRESSED, I THOUGHT, YOU WORKS WOULDN'T IT BE AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE WHAT WAS ALREADY A LITTLE BIT OF BUSKING THAT WAS GOING ON IN THE STREETS LAST SUMMER AND REALLY EXPAND IT AND TURN IT INTO A MULTI-WEEK FESTIVAL.

SO I APPROACHED THE TOWN AND I CAME UP WITH THIS IDEA.

ALL BORN FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE OF ACTUALLY PLAYING ON THE STREET AS A BUSKER.

>> NOW, THIS SUMMER SERIES WILL BE FEATURING A DIFFERENT LINE OF ACTS, VARYING IN ART FORM, EACH WEEKEND THROUGH SEPTEMBER 4TH.

HOW ARE THE PERFORMERS CHOSE AND WHAT CAN PEOPLE EXPECT TO EXPERIENCE DURING THESE WEEKENDS?

>> WE ACTUALLY USE -- USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE THE FACT THAT YOU COULD APPLY.

AND I WAS AMAZED THAT WE GOT OVER 150 APPLICATIONS FROM PERFORMERS.

THE VAST MAJORITY, 75%, FROM MASSACHUSETTS.

AND FROM NEW YORK STATE.

BUT WE -- WE GOT APPLICATIONS FROM PEOPLE IN CLEVELAND AND IN TEXAS AND IN PROVIDENCETOWN.

AND SO OVER THE SUMMER WE WILL HAVE SOME OF WHERE AROUND 125 DIFFERENT GROUPS OR INDIVIDUALS REPRESENTING ABOUT 250 PERFORMERS.

AND THEY SPAN THE GAMUT.

EVERY KIND OF MUSIC, WHETHER IT'S BLUES, COUNTRY, JAZZ, SINGER/SONGWRITERS, COVERS, OLDIES, YOU NAME IT.

PLUS WE HAVE JUGGLERS, MIME, MAGICIANS, SOMEBODY DOING CARD TRICKS.

WE HAVE CLOWNS.

WE HAVE MIMES.

WE WANTED TO CREATE A KIND OF A CULTURAL SHORESAS BOARD WHERE YOU -- S'MORESAG BOARD WHERE YOU GO FROM ROOM TO ROOM WHERE YOU SEE DIFFERENT KINDS OF ART AT A MUSEUM.

WE WANTED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT CULTURAL EXPERIENCE WHERE EVERY SINGLE STREET CORNER THERE WOULD BE ANOTHER SURPRISE.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> AFTER A CHALLENGING YEAR THAT WE ALL HAD, GRAPPLING WITH THE PANDEMIC AND ITS EFFECTS ON THE ECONOMY, HOW DOES AN EVENT LIKE THIS BENEFIT A SMALL TOWN LIKE GREAT BARRINGTON?

>> YEAH, WELL, IT -- THERE'S SORT OF MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING BENEFITS.

THE FIRST AND FOREMOST WAS WE FIGURED, FIRST OF ALL, PERFORMERS WANT TO GET OUT AND PLAY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF THAT WERE COOPED UP FOR A YEAR AND WANTED TO GET OUT AND PERFORM.

NUMBER ONE, WE WANTED TO CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PERFORMERS.

WE ALSO WANTED TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GET OUT.

IT WASN'T CLEAR AS WE WERE PLANNING THIS IN THE WINTER WHETHER WE WOULD BE MASKED OR UNMASKED, BUT WE REALIZED THAT AN OUTDOOR EVENT, ASIDE FROM THE WEATHER, IT WOULD GIVE EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET TOGETHER.

THE THIRD REAL LEG OF THE STOOL WAS COULD WE GET COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF SPONSORSHIPS FROM COMPANIES.

AND WE'VE GOT ALMOST 40 SPONSORS THAT STEPPED UP AND SAID, WE REALLY LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN.

AND OF COURSE, THE FINAL THING AS WE WANTED TO FILL THE TOWN WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO EAT AND SHOP AND HELP THE RESTAURANTS COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO WE SORT OF INTERLOCKING AND OVERLAPPING BENEFITS THAT WOULD BENEFIT NOT ONLY THE TOWN, PERFORMERS, VENDORS, ALL OF THAT, ALL TOGETHER IN ONE NICE BUNCH.

>> OVER 40 SPONSORS.

THAT'S AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT!

WERE YOU AT ALL SURPRISED WITH THE SUPPORT THAT YOU RECEIVED FROM THE COMMUNITY?

>> I HAVE TO SAY I WAS.

YOU KNOW, TRADITION REALLY FUND-RAISING, YOU GO AND SIT DOWN WITH SOMEBODY AND EXPLAIN YOUR PROJECT AND THEY MEET YOU.

WE HAD TO DO ALL OF THIS ESSENTIALLY VIRTUALLY.

AND THAT WAS THE BIG SURPRISE THAT WE COULD ACTUALLY GET COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND DO IT IN A WAY WITHOUT ACTUALLY MEETING FACE TO FACE.

SO I WAS VERY GRATTIED.

-- GRATIFIED.

A COUPLE OF THE TOWN LEADERS, SELECT BOARDS, AND SOME OF THE LEADING BUSINESSES REALLY STEMMED UP AND ENCOURAGED ME AND OPENED THE DOOR TO THEIR FRIENDS AND TO THEIR ASSOCIATES.

SO I WAS VERY, VERY PLEASED WITH IT, YES.

>> NOW, THE FIRST BERK SUNSHINE BUS KICKED -- BUSK -- BERKSHIRE BUSK KICKED OFF IN JUM.

WHAT HAS THE COMMUNITY'S REACTION BEEN?

HOW HAS THE TURNOUT BEEN?

>> THE TURNOUT IN THE FIRST WEEKEND WERE HAM BERLED.

WE WERE ALL DRENCHED.

WE COOPERATE PUT ANY BUSKERS OUT ON THE STREET, BUT EVERY OTHER WEEKEND WE WERE OPERATING.

THIS COMING WEEKEND LOOKS TO BE FANTASTIC.

THE COMMUNITY REACTION HAS BEEN GRADE.

-- GREAT.

WE'RE WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SIMON ROCK, A LOCAL COLLEGE, AND ONE OF THEIR MARKETING RESEARCH PROFESSORS IS FIELDING A STUDY.

SO WE'RE ASKING PEOPLE ON THE STREET, HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING IT, HOW IS IT IMPROVING YOUR VIEW.

AND SO THE RESULTS -- I DON'T HAVE THE FULL DATA.

WE'VE DONE ABOUT 100 SURVEYS SO FAR.

AND ON A SCALE OF 1 TO 5, HOW ARE YOU ENJOYING IT.

WE'RE LIKE AT 4.88.

SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE REALLY, REALLY ENJOYING BEING OUT ON THE STREET AND SEEING LIVE PERFORMANCES REALLY IN THEIR BACKYARD.

>> WITH AN ARTS BACKGROUND YOURSELF, BEING A CLASSICALLY TRAINED CELLIST AND ENTREPRENEUR, THAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT ORGANIZING THIS FESTIVAL?

>> MEETING THE ARTISTS AND THE PERFORMERS IN PERSON AND THEN SEEING THEM PERFORM.

IT'S ONE THING TO WATCH A YOUTUBE VIDEO, TO HAVE AN EMAIL BACK AND FORTH, BUT THEN TO BE ABLE TO WALK UP AND SAY, OH, MY GOODNESS, THEY'RE FABULOUS!

AND TO REALLY ENJOY THE ART THAT'S BEING PERFORMED, THAT -- IT'S SORT OF LIKE A PHOTOGRAPH THAT'S BLACK AND WHITE AND SUDDENLY IT'S COLOR.

AND THAT -- IT'S A REAL DISCOVERY, EVEN FOR US, WHO HAVE BEEN PLANNING THIS THING, TO REALLY GET OUT AND SEE ALL THE AMAZING PERFORMERS.

THAT'S BEEN THE MOST INCREDIBLE PART OF THIS PROJECT.

>> YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT BUSKING IS WELL DEVELOPED IN EUROPE AND AUSTRALIA AND YOU WOULD REALLY LOVE TO DEVELOP THAT SORT OF CULTURE HERE.

>> RIGHT.

>> WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE FUTURE OF THIS FESTIVAL WILL BECOME?

>> WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO CREATE A NEW CULTURE OF PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THAT ART CAN BE PERFORMED ON A STAGE.

IT CAN BE PERFORMED IN A MUSEUM.

IT CAN BE -- EXPERIENCED OUTDOORS OR INDOORS.

AND IT AS CAN BE ON A STREET CORNER, WHICH ISN'T EVEN MEANT AS A STAGE.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO INFUSE -- IF IT'S EVEN POSSIBLE HERE IN THE BERKSHIRES, WE'RE TRYING TO INFUSE EVEN MORE ARTS AND CULTURE INTO THE COMMUNITY.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ .

>>> WHILE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE OCEAN, IT MORE THAN MAKES UP FOR IT IN THE MANY RIVERS AND WATERFALLS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHERE TO FIND THEM.

"CONNECTING POINT'S" BRIAN SULLIVAN WENT OFF THE BEATEN PATH TO VISIT SOME CASCADES IN THE QUIET AND RURAL BERKSHIRES TOWN OF NEW MARLBOROUGH AND DISCOVERED THIS VERY WET AND RAINY SUMMER HAS ONLY MADE THEM THAT MUCH MORE GLORIOUS.

>> THIS RUSHING WATER MAY BE ONE OF THE FEW SILVER LININGS TO ALL THE RAIN WE'VE HAD SO FAR THIS SUMMER, ESPECIALLY FOR FANS OF FLOWING CASCADES LIKE THESE HERE.

NORMALLY THE SEASON FOR HEAVY WATERFALLS WRAPS UP IN LATE SPRING, BUT NOW THAT SEASON HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO THE MID TO LATE SUMMER MONTHS.

AND I PERSONALLY COULDN'T BE HAPPIER.

MY QUEST TO LOCATE THE FINEST TORRENTS IN THIS EVENING HASOT ME TO THIS -- HAS BROUGHT ME TO NEW MARLBOROUGH, SOMEWHAT DIFFICULT TO FIND LOCATION IS KNOWN AS AL -- FALLING.

ACCORDING TO THE UNOFFICIAL GUIDE, THE LOCALS HERE WOULD PREFER THAT THIS GEM MAINTAIN ITS HIDDEN STATUS.

>> I DON'T REALLY WANT YOU TO MAKE THIS INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST PLACES IN THE STATE.

WHEN I CAME HERE I'D NEVER HEARD OF IT 25 YEARS AGO.

AND IT'S WONDERFUL AS A PLACE OF REPOSE.

YOU CAN -- I COME HERE OFTEN JUST TO SIT NEXT TO THE FALLS BECAUSE -- IT'S A PEACEFUL PLACE.

>> IT'S A PLACE WHERE LOCAL ARTISTS LIKE SHELLY HAVEN AND OTHERS DO THEIR PART TO CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF THAT PEACEFULNESS WITH THEIR CHALK ETCHINGS.

THE FALLS ARE AT THE TAIL END OF THE RIVER, WHICH DRAINS OFF INTO ANOTHER RIVER AS SEEN HERE FROM THE PICNIC AREA OF THE PARK.

THIS EVENTUALLY FEEDS INTO THE HIGH PRESSURE HUSITONIC.

VISITORS HAVE QUICK AND EASE ACCESS FROM THE PARK TO EITHER THE DIRT PATH ALONG THE FALLS OR THE ROCKS.

I CHOSE THE ROCKS.

AND AS THE RUMBLE OF THE WATER QUICKLY TURNED TO A ROAR, THE CLOSER I GOT, I WAS AMAZED AT HOW EASILY ACCESSIBLE EVERYTHING WAS HERE.

OF ALL OF THE FALL THAT IS I'VE BEEN TO IN THE PAST COUPLE -- FALLS I'VE BEEN TO IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS THIS, SEEMS TO BE THE MOST US -- USER FRIENDLY.

THERE'S SO MUCH SPACE TO WALK ALONG AND SO MANY DIFFERENT POOLS THAT THEY RECOMMEND PEOPLE USE.

SO I'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO DIVE INTO ONE OF THEM BEFORE I GET OUT OF HERE.

THE WALKWAY IN THE WOODS WAS LESS A CONSTRUCTED PATH AND MORE THE RESULT OF COUNTLESS FEET PASSING OVER IT FOR DECADES.

AND THAT'S JUST FINE, BECAUSE IT OFFERS A NICE VANTAGE POINT OF THE RAPIDS, WHILE OCCASIONALLY GETTING A GLIMPSE OF SOME LOCAL INHABITATS GOING ABOUT THEIR BUSINESS.

EVENTUALLY, THIS POLAR BEAR FOUND HIS WAY UNDER THIS 10-FOOT DROP OF SHEETS OF WATER COMING DOWN AT NEAR FIRE HOSE INTENSITY.

TURNS OUT I WASN'T THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE WATERS FOR THE FIRST TIME TODAY.

>> I WAS -- I HAVE SOME FRIENDS UP IN HILLSDALE WHO -- WILL HALF AN HOUR AWAY FROM HERE.

AND I JUST SKIMMED OFF OF WORK AND THREW ANOTHER HOOKIE AND I WAS GEEK LIKE WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR A SWIM.

IF THE WATER IS RIGHT, IT WILL BE GOOD TO GO THE WATERFALLS.

>> THIS FIVE-ACRE PARK IS FOR DOWNED RESIDENTS AND THE DPOITSES ONLY.

-- GUESTS ONLY.

BUT OUT-OF-TOWN FIRST-TIMERS LIKE MYSELF ARE ALLOWED IN.

I CAN'T RECOMMEND THAT NINL WALK BAREFOOT OVER THE ROCKS, PARTICULARLY WITH CAMERA EQUIPMENT.

BUT SINCE I DIDN'T PACK PROPER FOOTWEAR, I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO TO CAPTURE THESE GLORIOUS RAPIDS WHILE THE WATER WAS RUNNING SO UNUSUALLY HIGH.

AS MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS THE BACK END OF THE ROUGHLY 8 1/2 MILE UP THE RIVER, A WATERWAY NAMED FOR THE INDIAN CHIEF WHO ONCE FISHED THESE WATERS IN THE 1700s.

AND WHILE THAT INFORMATION MAY NOT APPEAL TO THE KIDS, SOME ADULTS IT'S JUST WHAT THEY WANT TO HEAR.

>> I WAS A HISTORY TEACHER FOR 46 YEARS AND THIS PLACE IS ALSO ENTICING FOR ME BECAUSE OF THE INDIAN LEGENDS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FALLS.

SO IT'S A WIN-WIN SITUATION.

I GOT HISTORY, A PEACEFUL THOUGHT, AND TIME WITH MY GRANDKIDS.

>> WHAT FOIMED SURPRISING WAS THAT ACCORDING TO THE NEW ENGLAND WATERFALLS WEBSITE, THE FALLS ONLY RECEIVED A THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS RATING.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE CRITERIA ARE, BUT I CAN THINK AT LEAST FIRST HI TIME VISITORS WHO -- FIRST-TIME VISITORS WHO WOULD ADD A COUPLE MORE STARS.

>> I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS PLACE A THOUSAND TIMES.

I MEAN, IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN EXPECTED.

IT'S SO EASY TO GET TO.

THE WATERS AMAZINGLY ACCESSIBLE AND A LITTLE SLIPPERY.

IT'S JUST A BEAUTIFUL, QUIET SPOT.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST RICHIE DAVIS IS BACK WITH A NEW BOOK ENTITLED, "GOODWILL AND ICE CREAM."

THIS COLLECTION PICKS UP WHERE HE IS LAST LOOK LEAVES OFF, SHARING MORE TRUE TALES FROM EXTRAORDINARY LIVES FROM THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

THE STORIES SPAN FOUR DECADES AND WERE ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE RECORDER, THE DAILY NEWSPAPER IN FRANKLIN COUNTY WHERE DAVID WORKED AS A REPORTER FOR NEARLY 45 YEARS.

DAVIS JOINS IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT THE BOOK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF LOCAL JOURNALISM.

>> ONE OF THE STORIES WAS ABOUT A -- AN UNLIKE ANY OF THE ON THE STORIES, IT WAS BASICALLY A TOUR OF ALL OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY ICE CREAM PLACES, OF WHICH THERE AREN'T THAT MANY.

I MEAN, THEY ALL KIND OF SELL THE SAME STUFF.

A LOT OF NEW -- AND 10 ICE CREAM PLACES ON A FIRST DAY AND SEVEN ON THE SECOND.

LOUIE IS A FRIEND OF MINE, 13 YEARS OLD, WHO I TOOK ALONG BECAUSE I FIGURED HOW CAN I DESCRIBE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ICE CREAM.

AND SO ETHAN GAS LIN CAME ALONG WITH ME AND I -- BECAUSE I KNEW HE COULD ARTICULATE THINGS IN A WAY I COULD NEVER DO IT.

AND WE FINISHED UP THE SECOND DAY AND WE WENT TO THE ASHFIELD HARDWARE STORE WHERE LAURA BUSINESSET, WHO CO-OWNS THE STORE, SET, WE WANT THE SPIRIT OF GOODWILL AND ICE CREAM TO PREVAIL.

BECAUSE THEY WERE SELLING ICE CREAM FOR A DOLLAR A CONE OR 50 CENTS FOR KIDS.

AND GOODWILL AND ICE CREAM JUST KIND OF SPOKE TO THE SPIRIT OF THE WHOLE BOOK.

FOR ME.

>> NOW, "GOODWILL AND ICE CREAM ASKED SERVES -- SERVES UP FOUR DECADES.

HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT CHOOSING WHICH STORIES TO INCLUDE IN THESE COLLECTIONS AND HOW DID IT FEEL TO REVISIT THE STORIES?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE STORIES THAT ARE THERE TO ENTERTAIN.

WE TELL STORIES TO INFORM.

[INAUDIBLE] THE STORIES THAT REALLY NURTURE THE SOUL AND THE STORIES THAT ARE LOCAL, BUT STORIES ARE UNIVERSAL AND WHERE YOU CAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES AND COME AWAY WITH A LOT MORE THAN THE -- THE BLACK AND WHITE THAT'S IN FROM OF YOU.

-- IN FRONT OF YOU.

AND SO THE FIRST BOOK WAS REALLY FOCUSED ON PERSONALITIES, PROFILES OF PEOPLE I REALLY THOUGHT WERE -- SHOULD BE INCLUDED BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT THEM TO BE FORGOTTEN.

AND THE SECOND BOOK, THERE WERE A LOT OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF STORIES.

SOME OF THEM NOT ALL LOCAL PEOPLE.

BUT THERE ARE STORIES THAT I FELT WERE UNIVERSAL AND THEY HAD SOMETHING TO SAY TO PEOPLE.

THERE'S A STORY ABOUT AUSCHWITZ, ABOUT ROBERT J. LERTSER, A PUBLIC RADIO ANNOUNCER.

AND THERE'S A STORY ABOUT DOCUMENTARY ABOUT FARMING FAMILIES THAT I THOUGHT REALLY SPOKE TO THE AREA.

>> YOU'RE SPEAKING ABOUT THIS WIDE RING OF -- RANGE OF STORIES THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THESE COLLECTIONS AND THE PERSONALITIES THAT ARE IN THEM AS WELL.

AAH RECOVERING SUBSTANCE ABUSER WHO BECOMES CHAUFFEUR, A BODYGUARD, AND SOMETIMES WRESTLING BUDDY FOR THE DALAI LLAMA, TO A SELF-TAUGHT FIDDLER WHO WEAVES COMMUNITY WITH HIS BOW AND HEART.

WHICH STORY OR THEMES IN THIS COLLECTION REALLY SPEAK TO YOU THE MOST?

>> WELL, YOU KNOW, I DEDICATED THE BOOK AT THE VERY, VERY END TO DAVID CAINER, WHO WAS THAT FIDDLER WHO DIED ABOUT A MONTH AGO.

AND WHO WAS REALLY CENTRAL TO NOT JUST THE COMMUNITY I LIVE IN, BUT TO FIDDLERS AROUND THE WORLD.

BUT HE'S VERY INCLUSIVE IN INVITING PEOPLE TO JUST PLAY AND TO COME IN AND JOIN IN AND I THINK THAT'S THE SPIRIT OF GOODWILL.

>> IN THE BOOK YOU ALSO TOUCH ON THE CHANGES AND STRUGGLES OF THE NEWSPAPER AND PRINT INDUSTRY THAT YOU HAVE WITNESSED IN YOUR NEARLY 45 YEARS AS A REPORTER AND EDITOR.

WHAT IS THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY JOURNALISM?

>> I THINK NEWSPAPERS AND YOU KNOW, LOCAL MEDIA CAN REALLY HELP BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND REALLY INFORM PEOPLE ABOUT NOT ONLY WHO'S IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT GIVE PEOPLE A TASTE OF THE RICHNESS OF DIVERSITY IN -- WITHIN THE COMMUNITY AND ALSO IDEAS THAT PEOPLE ADOPT AND BRING IN AND WAYS TO SHARE.

AND I JUST THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

>> ONE PART IN THE BOOK THAT REALLY STOOD OUT TO ME WAS WHEN YOU SAID, QUOTE, FOR YEARS I WAS SEEMINGLY LEFT BEHIND AS I WATCHED FELLOW REPORTERS LEAVE FOR THE BIG-TIME OR GIVE UP NEWSPAPERING FOR WHAT OTHERS CONSIDERED A REAL JOB.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STAY IN THIS AREA?

WHAT IS IT ABOUT LIVING IN THIS REGION, SPECIFICALLY FRANKLIN COUNTY, THAT IS SO SPECIAL TO YOU?

>> I JUST FEEL LIKE WE ARE SO LUCKY TO LIVE IN A PLACE THAT'S JUST RICH IN -- JUST HAVING THIS SPACE TO SUGGEST THAT PEOPLE SHOULD BE INVITING EACH OTHER IN TO PARTICIPATE AND -- IN FIDDLING AND PLAYING AND DANCING.

IF YOU CAN'T DANCE, DO IT ANYWAY.

A LOT OF THE PRETENSE OF YOU KNOW, MORE AREAS THAT ARE MORE BUILT UP AND MORE RIGGED IS REALLY -- RIGID IS REALLY SOMEWHAT ABSENT HERE AND I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF LATITUDE FOR PEOPLE TO BE THEMSELVES AND THAT JUST APPEALS TO ME TREMENDOUSLY.

¶ ¶ .

>>> AND IN AN ONLINE EXCLUSIVE, REPORTER AND AUTHOR RICHIE DAVIS READS SOME OF HIS FAMOUS STORIES FROM HIS LATEST BOOK, "GOOD WILL AND ICE CREAM."

YOU CAN FIND THAT AS WELL AS EXTRA FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

AND THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FOR JULY 30TH, 2021.

PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US AGAIN NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING AND HAVE A GREAT EVENING.