¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> COMING UP TONIGHT, WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH THE FRANKLIN COUNTY VILLAGE THAT'S HOME TO AN ECLECTIC ARRAY OF ARTISANS AND BUSINESSES, TURNERS FALSE, MASSACHUSETTS.

>> IT FEELS LIKE A LITTLE CREATIVE CENTER THAT YOU CAN COME INTO AND BRING YOUR PEACE INTO, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO YOU.

>> WE'LL GRAB A CUP OF JOE AND A SIDE OF LOCAL FLAVOR AT AN ICONIC EATERY.

>> IT'S LIKE NORM ON "CHEERS."

EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME.

YOU WANT TO COME IN, JUST SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES.

>> AND WE'LL EXPLORE THE CULTURAL SIDE OF THIS UNIQUE COMMUNITY.

>> THIS TOWN IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE FOR ANN ENDURING GOODS MARKET, A MARKET WHERE WE'RE SELLING THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXISTED.

>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE AS WE GO ON THE ROAD TO EXPLORE THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY OF TURNERS FALLS, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

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

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> GOOD EVENING.

AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

WE'RE TAKING "CONNECTING POINT" ON THE ROAD TONIGHT AND COMING TO YOU FROM TURNERS FALLS, MASSACHUSETTS, IN THE HEART OF FRANKLIN COUNTY.

THE TOWN WHICH MANY REFER TO AS GREAT FALLS HAS THE POPULATION OF ABOUT 4500 PEOPLE, AND ONE OF THEM IS A LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY AND WRSI MORNING HOST MONTE BELMONTE.

A GREAT CHAMPION OF HIS ADOPTED HOMETOWN, HE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO TAKE US ON A TOUR TO SEE SOME OF THE PLACES AND MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE THIS FRANKLIN COUNTY VILLAGE SO SPECIAL TO HIM.

MONTE BROUGHT US TO SEVERAL STOPS ALONG THE WAY, BUT BEGAN OUR TOUR AT A PLACE THAT HE HAS A PERSONAL CONNECTION WITH, THE SHEA THEATER.

>> WELL, WELCOME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD!

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND LET'S MAKE THE MOST OF THIS BEAUTIFUL DAY, SHALL WE?

AND I'LL SHOW YOU AROUND THE VILLAGE OF TURNERS FALLS WHERE I'VE HAD LIVED FOR -- I'VE LIVED FOR THE PAST 18 YEARS.

I LOVE BEING ON AVENUE A. I'M ALSO REALLY INVOLVED IN THIS BEAUTIFUL THEATER THAT WE'RE STANDING IN FRONT OF RIGHT NOW, THE SHEA THEATER, WHICH IS OWNED BY THE TOWN OF MONTAGUE AND RUN BY A NONPROFIT BOARD OF WHICH I'M THE PRESIDENT AND DIRECTED BY LINDA, WHO I'LL INTRODUCE YOU TO WHEN WE GO INSIDE THE THEATER.

LET ME INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR MANAGING DIRECTOR, LINDA TARDIF.

HELLO, LINDA.

>> HEY, MONTE.

>> COULD YOU CALL ME MR. PRESIDENT?

>> I WILL NOT.

>> CAN YOU TELL US THE BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SHEA?

>> IT'S RICHARD A LOT OF LIVES SINCE IT OPENED IN 1925 AS A VAUDEVILLE HOUSE, THEN A MOVIE HOUSE, AND WE HAVE ONE OF THE ORIGINAL POSTERS FROM THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

THEN IN THE 1970s, IT WAS A RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY.

>> A COMMUNE.

>> A COMMUNE.

>> TAKING OVER THIS BUILDING AND USING IT AS THEIR CENTER OF ACTIVITY AND WORM AND -- WORSHIP AND WHAT.

>> AND WHATNOT.

AND THEN A COMMUNITY THEATER AND THEN IT COMES TO US, STARTING IN 2015.

>> WILL YOU SHOW US A LITTLE BIT AROUND THE THEATER?

>> COME ON, LET'S GO.

>> WHAT ARE WE CHECKING OUT HERE?

>> TONIGHT IS A REALLY COOL NIGHT BECAUSE WE HAVE GRAMMY NOMINATED ALL-FEMALE FOLK GROUP DELLA MAY IN THE HOUSE TONIGHT.

>> WHAT ELSE IS COMING UP?

>> ALL KINDS OF STUFF.

WE HAVE AMY HELM COMING IN APRIL.

AN ALL-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL.

>> IT'S NOT JUST MUSIC, THERE'S THEATER AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL.

I AM PART OF THE THEATER, SO I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE VISION OF WHAT WE DO, BUT WE COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOU, LINDA.

>> THANKS, MONTE.

>> BUT WE WILL SURE TRY.

I'M JUST KIDDING.

I LOVE HER.

I WILL TAKE YOU TO THE STORE THAT HAS CREATED THE LAST TWO YEARS' WORTH OF THE STRANGE OUT50S I'VE WORN ON THIS THING CALLED THE MARCH FOR THE FOOD BANK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD OF, AND IT'S ALL MADE OUT OF AMAZING RE-PURPOSED FABRIC, SOME OF IT FROM BROADWAY.

LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU KATHERINE GREENWOOD SWANSON FROM SWANSONS' FABRIC, PLURAL AND POSSESSIVE, WHERE ALL THE FABRIC IS $4 A YARD NO MATTER WHERE IT CAME FROM.

IT'S SORT OF YOUR VISION OF BEING TRASH RICH.

AND SOME OF THIS HAS COME FROM VERY RICH BACKGROUND.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR VISION HERE?

>> WELL, IN FACT, THIS PIECE ACTUALLY HERE, HELLO, MONTE.

>> HELLO.

>> IS A PIECE THAT CAME FROM A BROADWAY COSTUME DESIGNER WHO HAD TOO MUCH FABRIC AND NEEDED A PLACE FOR IT TO GO THAT WAS NOT THE LANDFILL.

SO IT CAME HERE.

>> ANOTHER COOL THING ON THIS BLOCK IS BUCKINGHAM RABBITS VINTAGE, WHICH IS TWO DOORS OVER, WHERE WHICH YOU AREN'T ADROIT AT MAKING YOUR OWN CLOTHING, YOU CAN GET FANTASTIC STUFF.

THIS IS A BLOCK ON AVENUE A THAT'S FOCUSING ON RECLAIMING FABRIC AND CLOTHING.

>> THIS TOWN IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE FOR ANN ENDURING GOODS MARKET.

A MARKET WHERE WE'RE SELLING THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY EXISTED AND ARE NOT BEING MADE NEW.

I THINK IT'S THE MOST SUSTAINABLE WAY YOU CAN POSSIBY SHOP.

¶ ¶ >> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S BEAUTIFUL ABOUT THE TOWN IS THE RIVER RUNS RIGHT DOWN BEHIND US.

AND ONE OF THE GREAT RESOURCES IN TOWN IS THE SMALL MUSEUM DEDICATED TO CELEBRATING THE CUL TIEWRLG OF THE ENVIRONMENT -- ENVIRONMENT OF THE -- CULTURE OF THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE RIVER.

MY FRIEND IS A VISIT TORE SERVICES SUPERVISOR, A FREE MUSEUM ON AVENUE A IN GREAT FALLS OR TURNERS FALLS.

WHAT ARE THINGS WE LEARN ABOUT?

>> YOU LEARN EVERYTHING FROM THE BORDER OF KINDERGARTEN AND NIEWPGHTS TO -- KINDERGARTEN AND NEW HAMPSHIRE, TO LOCALED HAD HAD.

-- TO LONG ISLAND SOUND.

A SALTMARSH WHERE YOU MIGHT SEE A MUSKRAT TO THE FLOODPLAINS FOREST WHERE YOU MIGHT SEE THE RACCOONS AND THE EAGLES.

EACH HABITAT TELLS A STORY OF ANIMALS THAT ARE UNIQUE TO THAT HABITAT.

>> AND THE OTHER THING THAT'S COOL IS YOU HAVE A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEE ALL OF THE PHASES OF THE RIVER FROM INDUSTRIALIZATION TO ITS HABITAT, ALL IN THE BACK OF A BUILDING HERE.

>> YES.

>> LET'S CHECK IT OUT.

>> OKAY.

WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS CANAL IS THERE'S A 3 1/2-MILE BIKE PATH THAT CONNECTS FROM UNITY PARK ALL THE WAY TO THE EAST DEERFIELD RAILYARD.

IT'S A GREAT WALK.

AND ALSO IT HELPS REMIND US.

LEGACY OF INDUSTRIALIZATION HERE, TOO.

YOU CAN SEE OLD MILL BUILDINGS, SOME ARE STILL STANDING, SOME ARE LONG GONE, SOME ARE FALLING APART.

>> WE'RE LUCKY AND I'M LUCKY BECAUSE I LIVE DOWN THE STREET TO HAVE A GREAT MUSEUM HERE.

THANKS FOR GIVING US A TOUR.

WE COULD TAKE THE BIKE PATH ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE GATEWAY TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO HAVE AN EXCELLENT BREWERY THAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU.

>> YES.

>> IT'S CALLED BRICK AND FEATHER.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >> I'VE BEEN SHOWING YOU ALL AROUND MY NEIGHBORHOOD.

YOU'RE AT THE ENTRANCEWAY TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD, THE PATCH IN TURNERS.

AND I FEEL LIKE MR. ROGERS, I DON'T EVER MR. ROGERS VISITING A BREWERY.

BUT I'M REALLY LUCKY BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BREWERIES WE HAVE IN THE VALLEY.

AND ALL MY BEER SNOB FRIENDS THINK SO, TOO.

IT'S BRICK AND FEATHER BREWERY WITH LAWRENCE GEORGE WHO IS THE OWNER AND THE BREWER.

YOU MAKE ONE OF MY -- I THINK MY FAVORITE BEER, THIS ONE HERE.

IS THERE A BEER THAT YOU FEEL YOU'RE FAMOUS FOR?

LIKE CERTAIN BREWERIES ARE FAMOUS FOR THEIR INES.

>> WE HAVE HAD, A AN IPA.

PEOPLE WAITED IN LINE TO BUY GROWLERS AND THAT HAPPENED HERE FOR A WHILE AND NOW WE PUT OUR BEER IN CANS.

AND THERE'S STILL OUR NUMBER ONE SELLING BEER.

MY GATEWAY BEER WAS THIS LOGGER AND IT'S STILL -- LAGER AND IT'S STILL MY FAVORITE BEER.

IT'S.

>> YOU ALSO HAVE SOME OF THE COOLEST NAMED BEERS.

>> THANK YOU, MONTE.

>> A LITTLE HOMAGE TO BORD OF THE -- "LORD OF THE RINGS" AND THE MOST DELICIOUS DARK BEER OR STOUT OR PORTER.

>> IT'S AST POKER.

>> I LIVE AROUND THE CORNER, SO IT'S EASY FOR ME TO GET IT.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING THINGS LIVING HERE RIGHT OFF AVENUE A IN GREAT FALLS.

>>> THE LARGEST OF THE FIVE VIGS THAT MAKE UP -- VILLAGES THAT MAKE UP THE TOWN OF MONTE A GU, THE FORMER STROLL DOWN HAS, LIKE SO MANY OTHER BEFORES IT, LOOKED IN RECENT YEARS TO ARTS, CULTURE, AND A BURGEONING SMALL BUSINESS SCENE AS A WAY TO BRING LIFE TO IT.

AND THAT INCLUDES INTRODUCING HIGH FASHION TO EAF A.

LOVE BROUGHT CLOTHING DESIGNER RICHIEE FROM NEW YORK CITY TO THE AREA.

BUT ITS BEAUTY, POTENTIAL, AND SENSE OF COMMUNITY HAVE KEPT HIM HERE.

RICHARDSON RUNS FAB FASHION BOUTIQUE ON 2nd STREET.

HE SHARED WHAT HE FINDS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE VILLAGE THAT HE CALLS HIS SECOND HOME WITH EXECUTIVE PRODUCER TONY DUNNE.

>> WHAT I HAVE FOUND IN THE FOUR YEARS THAT WE'VE BEEN HERE AT FAB, SO MANY NEW PEOPLE HAVE COME TO TOWN.

LIKE I ONCE WAS.

AND I'VE MET MANY OF THESE PEOPLE.

AND WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM THEM IS THAT THERE IS THIS BUZZ THEY'VE HEARD SOMEWHERE, AND IT INSPIRES ME BECAUSE TUNERS FALSE IS A -- TUNERS FALSE IS ONE SPEC.

IT'S ONE SCARE BLOCK.

BUT THERE'S SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE THAT THERE'S A CULTURAL, A CONNECTING, SOMETHING THAT'S BRINGING PEOPLE HERE THAT THEY'RE CARING ABOUT.

AND IT FEELS LIKE A LITTLE CREATIVE CENTER THAT YOU CAN COME INTO AND BRING YOUR PEACE MOO, BECAUSE I'LL GOING TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK TO YOU, ALMOST LIKE THANKSGIVING.

EVERYBODY K078S TO THE TABLE WITH SOMETHING -- COMES TO THE TABLE WITH SOMETHING AND THERE'S THIS WONDERFUL FEAST WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT FLAVORS BECAUSE WE ALL BRING A DIFFERENT DISH.

AND TUNERS FALSE FEELS LIKE THAT TO ME.

A WONDERFUL AMALGAM OF ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENING.

I AM THE DIVERSITY IN TOWN.

WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF DIVERSITY.

I LOVE THAT I'M THE DIVERSITY IN TOWN BECAUSE I SHOUT A LOT.

AND I USE MYSELF AS A SORT OF CULTURAL AMBASSADOR TO CONSTANTLY TELL PEOPLE WHAT'S POSSIBLE HERE AND TO SHARE WITH PEOPLE MY EXPERIENCES HERE.

WE DECIDED TO INTRODUCE FASHION WEEK A FEW YEARS AGO.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT GRAP SAFETIED IN PEOPLE -- GRAVITATED OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THE FASHION FOCUS HERE AND BECAUSE I HAVE A LOT OF FRIENDS IN FASHION, I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT OUT AND BRING IT HERE TO CREATE THE KIND OF FASHION WEEK IN NEW ENGLAND THAT BECOMES A MAJOR PORTAL, A MAJOR HUB THAT ALLOWS THE DIVERSITY, ALLOWS FOR CULTIVATING NEW IDEAS, NEW PEOPLE.

SHOWING NEW WORLD.

SO WE ARE DEVELOPING THIS.

THIS WILL BE THE THIRD YEAR.

AND WE REALLY HAVE THIS VISION THAT WE WANT THIS TO BE SOMETHING THAT IS OWNED BY THIS REGION, PARTICULARLY FRANKLIN COUNTY.

SOMETHING THAT GIVES US A SORT OF A NAME BRANDING IN TERMS OF FASHION.

SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS THE TOURISM, SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS COMMUNITY, SOMETHING THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS FOR NEW AND EMERGING CREATIVES TO SHOW THEIR WORK.

SO THE PLATFORM, THE ARCHITECTURE THAT WE ARE SETTING IN PLACE, IS TO GIVE RECOGNITION FOR ALL OF THESE PARTS.

AND LIKE THE SAMABLEY -- SAME ANALOGY I USED WITH THANKSGIVING, ALL THOSE PIECES COME TOGETHER THAT ARE ABLE TO SHARE WITH THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.

¶ ¶ >> GOING TO NEW YORK, I AM VERY EXCITED.

WHEN I'M COMING BACK HERE, I'M VERY EXCITED.

BECAUSE WHAT HERE ALLOWS ME, IT HERE ALLOWS ME TO -- OPPORTUNITY TO PRACTICE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT I CAN PRACTICE IN A SPACE THAT ONLY ALLOWS FOR THAT HERE.

SO I'M A YOGI.

I RUN.

I -- ALL THE THINGS THAT I NEED TO DO WITH NATURE ALLOWS FOR THAT HERE.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ 12K34R50EU6789 EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, 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.

AND IN THIS WEEK'S DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, WE HIT THE TOWN FOR SOME RETAIL THERAPY!

THE VILLAGE OF TUNERS FALSE HAS -- TURNERS FALLS HAS SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE SHOPPING IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

MUCH OF WHAT IS SOLD COUNTY IS ONE-OF-A-KIND OR LOCALLY SOURCED OR MADE.

AND ONE OF THOSE RETAILERS WHO LED THE CHARGE OF THIS SMALL BUSINESS REVOLUTION ARE THE OWNERS OF LOOT FOUND AND MADE, WHO TAKE THE OLD AND MAKE IT NEW AGAIN FOR SOMEONE ELSE.

>> AND YOU'LL FIND A LOT OF STUFF IN THE SHOP THAT IS COOL, BUT THE QUESTION IS WHAT YOU TO DO WITH IT.

AND WE RELY ON OUR CUSTOMERS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT AND WE GET A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND A LOT OF INTERESTING IDEAS THAT COME FROM OUR CUSTOMERS.

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

>>> MANY OF THE ARTISTS LIVING AND WORKING IN TURNERS FALLS HAVE DEEP TIES TO WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

ALTHOUGH SHE WAS BORN IN MICHIGAN, JESS MARSH WISSEMANN NOT ONLY FOUND HER PASSION FOR CREATING HAND-PAINTED SIGNS HERE, BUT SAYS SHE COULDN'T IMAGE LIVING ANYWHERE ELSE.

HER COMPANY, HIRED HAND SIGNS, IS BRINGING BACK THE PERSONALIZED TOUCH OF HAND-MADE SIGNS AND GOLD LEAF LETTERING TO BUSINESSES ACROSS THE PIONEER VALLEY.

"CONNECTING POINT'S" ROSS LIPPMAN BRINGS US TO HER STUDIO ON 3RD AVENUE TO SEE HOW HER HANDCRAFTED SIGNS ARE MADE.

>> PEOPLE SAWS WHEN I SAY I'M A SIGN PAINTER.

ALTERNATIVELY I SOMETIMES SAY I'M AN ARTIST WHO PAINTS SIGNS.

AND FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT MAKES MORE SENSE.

BECAUSE AS A TRADE, SIGN PAINTING HAS MOSTLY DIED AT THIS POINT.

IT'S MOSTLY FADED AWAY.

MY INTEREST IN LEARNING ABOUT GOLD LEAF SIGNAGE, BASICALLY IT IS THE PINNACLE OF THE SIGN PAINTING WORLD.

LIKE IT'S THE -- IT'S THE PRACTICE THAT I THINK ALL SIGN PAINTERS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WORK TOWARD PERFECTING, BECAUSE IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT.

RIGHT HERE IN TOWN, WE HAVE THE FIVE I FOX RESTAURANT.

I DID THEIR WINDOWS.

LOOT I DID THEIRS IN GOLD LEAVE AND PAINTED THE RACCOON CHARACTER ON THE DOOR.

I FEEL REALLY LUCKY THAT I FOUND THIS INTEREST AND DECIDED TO PURSUE IT, BECAUSE WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS IS REALLY THE PERFECT AREA TO BE A SIGN PAINTER, I THINK.

THERE'S SORT OF AN AVERSION TO THINGS THAT ARE MASS PRODUCED.

PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN MAKING THINGS HERE.

THERE'S A LOT OF ARTISTS HERE, AND SO THIS IS THE PERFECT PLACE TO MAKE ARTIST-MADE SIGNS.

MY FAMILY FARM IS WARNER FARM IN SUNDERLAND.

AND WE ARE MOSTLY KNOWN AS THE HOME OF MIKE'S MAZE.

AND I HAPPEN TO INHERIT THE JOB OF DESIGNING MIKE'S MAZE FOR OUR FAMILY FARM.

SO IN 2015, I MADE MY FIRST CORN MAZE.

AND WE POSTED THE PICTURE OF IT ONE EVENING AND THE NEXT DAY WE WOKE UP AND FOUND OUT IT WAS THE FRONT PAGE OF REDDIT AND IT WILL GONE VIRAL!

AND I GOT HOOKED OUT.

-- ON IT.

IT WAS EXCITING THAT SO MANY PEOPLE RESPONDED TO MY ARTWORK CARVED INTO A CORNFIELD.

I AM SO INTERESTED IN HAVING A BLANK SLATE AND FIGURING OUT HOW TO BRING LIFE TO IT, WITH ART.

AND SEMURALS OR SIGNS -- SO MURALS OR SIGNS, EITHER/OR, THEY'RE BOTH REALLY FUN FOR ME TO WORK ON.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> WHEN TURNERS FALLS RESIDENT CHUCK GARBIEL PURCHASED THE SHADY GLYNN DENAR IN 2012, IT WAS CERTAINLY A LOCAL BOY MAKES GOOD TYPE OF STORY.

BUT RE-CREATING THE SUCCESS THIS EATERY HAD ENJOYED FOR OVER 40 YEARS, WOULD BE A STEEP HILL TO CLIMB AS THE RESTAURANT HAD GONE THROUGH THREE DIFFERENT OWNERS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS BEFORE HE BOUGHT IT.

ONE DECADE LATER AND THIS ONCE-PROUD DINER THAT APPEARED TO BE ON ITS LESS LEGS HAS -- LAST LEGS HAS ONCE AGAIN BECOME, LIKE THE SONG SAYS, A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS YOUR NAME.

BRIAN SULLIVAN DROPPED BY THE SHADY GLEN FOR A HOT CUP OF JOE AND A SIDE OF SOME LOCAL FLAVOR.

>> EVERY CUP IS SPECIAL TO MOST COFFEE DRINKERS.

BUT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A LITTLE MORE SPECIAL.

MAN IT'S THE FIRST ONE OF THE DAY OR DURING BREAKFAST WITH LOVED ONE.

MAYBE IT'S DURNG DURING A GET-TOGETHER WITH FRIENDS AS THEY TRY TO SOLVE THE WORLD'S PROBLEMS, SHARE A FEW LAUGHS, AND DO IT ALL BEFORE THE SUN IS UP.

>> THE FOUR OF US ARE GOOD FRIENDS.

WE MET COMING IN HERE.

AND IT JUST STARTED EVERY MORNING, WE'LL BE HERE AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING FOR OUR COFFEE.

>> THE HERE IN QUESTION IS A PLACE KNOWN AS THE SHADY GLEN DINER IN TURNERS FALLS.

FOLKS CROSSING THE BRIDGE CAN FIND IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY ON THE LEFT ON THE CORNER OF 1ST STREET AND AVENUE A.

IN THESE TIMES WHERE DECORUM OFTEN SUPERCEDES CONTENT, WHAT STANDS OUT MOST IS ITS SIM MISTY.

THAT -- SIMPLICITY, AND THAT AND THE LARGER THAN LIFE PRESENCE, THE OWNER.

HE'S GOT THE PICTURES ON THE WALL SHOWING SHE'S NOT ONE TO BE TRIFLED WITH.

BUT -- HE'S NOT ONE TO BE TRIFLED WITH.

BUT THE CUSTOMERS WHO KNOW HIM AREN'T SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS.

>> I THINK HE'S A HOOT!

HE'S A NICE GUY.

AND I THINK HE CARES, YOU KNOW, ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE.

HE'S A SELECTMAN NOW.

SO THAT SHOWS THAT HE'S INVOLVED.

>> WHILE MAKING SURE THE FOOD GETS TO THE CUSTOMERS HOT AND FAST MAY BE PRIORITY NUMBER ONE, GIVING CUSTOMERS THE FEELING THAT THEY'RE IN A SPECIAL CLUB WHENEVER THEY'RE HERE IS A CLOSE SECOND.

>> I'VE GOT REGULARS THAT HAVE BEEN COMING SINCE DAY ONE AND WHATEVER TOPIC YOU WANT TO PICK.

RELIGION, POLITICS, HEALTH, WHATEVER, WE'VE AGREED, DISAGREED, TOTALLY DISAGREED, TOTALLY AGREED.

BUT IT'S JUST -- YOU'RE RIGHT.

PEOPLE COME IN CERTAIN TIMES, CERTAIN TIME OF THE DAY.

THEY KNOW WHOEVER ELSE IS GONNA BE HERE AT THAT TIME.

SO THEY KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE A FUN TIME OR A HOT TOPIC OR WHATEVER.

AND SO THEY JUST -- REGULARS JUST COME -- IT'S LIKE CLOCKWORK.

I KNOW WHAT TIME OF DAY IT IS BY WHO'S SHOWING UP.

[LAUGHTER] >> HE MAY BE A FIXTURE HERE NOW, BUT IT ALMOST DIDN'T COME TO PASS.

BEFORE PURCHASING THE DINER IN 2012, HIS SIGHTS WERE SET ON BUYING A LOCAL PIZZA PLACE.

WHEN THAT DEAL FELL THROUGH, THE SHADY GLEN BECAME AVAILABLE.

THE YEAR 2022 MAKES IT 10 STRAIGHT YEARS WHERE HARDLY A DAY HAS GONE BY THAT CHUCK WASN'T BEHIND THE COUNTER AND THAT HAS IRONY TO IT.

>> I THINK I WAS THE ONLY KID IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT DIDN'T WORK HERE.

SO I GUESS TO MAKE UP FOR LOST TIME, I JUST BOUGHT IT!

>> IT'S LIKE NORM ON "CHEERS."

EVERYBODY, YOUR NAME.

-- EVERYBODY KNOWS YOUR NAME.

YOU WANT TO KNOW COME IN.

EVEN IF IT'S FOR A FEW MINUTES.

IF I'M GOING OUT ON A ROAD CALL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I'LL STOP IN.

HAVE A QUICK BREAKFAST, BECAUSE HE MAKES IT LIKE THAT, AND CUP OF COFFEE AND ON THE ROAD.

>> AA LOT OF PEOPLE COME TOGETHR AND TALK ABOUT WHAT THE GOING ON AND JUST ENJOY YOURSELF.

FROM LOCAL SPORTING EVENTS ON OTHER THEATER PLAYS AND ALL THAT STUFF.

IT KEEPS THE COMMUNITY VIBE STILL ALIVE.

>> IT'S LIKE A SECOND HOME IN A WAY.

I COME IN HERE AND RELAX, TALK TO PEOPLE WHEN I WANT TO.

THEY TALK TO ME.

READ A BOOK.

MY -- EAT GOOD FOOD.

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST LIKE HOME.

¶ ¶ >>> ROAD TRIPS, LIKE THE ONE WE'RE TAKING TO TURNERS FALLS THIS EVENING, ARE A LOT OF FUN.

AND IF YOU PREFER TO HIT THE OPEN ROAD ON TWO WHEELS INSTEAD OF FOUR, HEAD ON OVER TO OUR WEBSITE FOR A DIGITAL EXTRA AS WE TAKE YOU TO VISIT NOVA MOTORCYCLES, WHO WILL MAKE YOU THE CUSTOM BIKE OF YOUR DREAMS RIGHT HERE IN TURNERS FALLS.

>> MY DESIGNS ARE ALWAYS BASED ON SIMPLICITY.

MAKING THE MOST COMPLICATED PARTS OF A MOTORCYCLE AS SIMPLE AS POSSIBLE.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AND SO MUCH MORE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> THE VILLAGE OF TURNERS FALSE IN THE TOWN OF MONTAGUE HAS GONE THROUGH A RENAISSANCE OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS, TRANSFORMING FROM A TOWN OF INDUSTRY TO A HUB OF ART, CULTURE, AND UNIQUE BUSINESSES.

HELPING TO SHEPHERD THIS CHANGE HAS BEEN RIVER CULTURE, A PARTNERSHIP OF LEADERS FROM THE ARTS AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY, WHICH IS COMMITTED TO PROMOTING AND STRENGTHENING CULTURAL LIFE IN THE VILLAGE.

I SPOKE WITH SUZANNE LOMANTO, THE DIRECTOR OF RIVER CULTURE, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF CREATIVITY AND CULTURE IN FUNKERS.

-- FURNISHERS.

SUZANNE, RIVER CULTURE STARTED IN 2006.

TELL ME WHY ABOUT THAT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THIS ORGANIZATION AND WHAT DO YOU GUYS DO?

>> SO RIVER CULTURE WAS FOUNDED IN 2006 FROM A GRANT.

IT WAS CALLED AN ADAMS GRANT.

AND THE MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL SET UP THE GRANT BECAUSE THEY WERE LOOKING FOR COMMUNITIES LIKE TURNERS FALLS WHERE THE CREATIVE ECONOMY COULD TAKE FOOTHOLD.

AND THAT PROGRAM WAS SUNSETTED IN 2017.

AND AT THAT POINT, THE TOWN VOTED TO PUT RIVER CULTURE AS A PERMANENT PART OF TOWN HALL.

I RUN THE PROGRAM AND MY JOB IS TO WORK ON THE CREATIVE ECONOMY, BUT THE MISSION OF RIVER CULTURE IS SPECIFICALLY TO ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE.

PEOPLE THAT RIF HERE, TO FOSTER -- LIVE HERE, TO FOSTER THE CREATIVE ECONOMY, AND TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT ATTRACTS NEW BUSINESSES, CHIROPRACTORRIVE ENTREPRENEURS -- CREATIVE ENTREPRENEURS, VISITORS AND RESIDENTS TO THE TOWN OF MONTAGUE.

>> SO TURNERS FALSE IS ONE OF THE -- FALLS IS ONE OF THE FIVE VILLAGES.

HOW DO YOU PARTNER WITH THE OTHER VILLAGES AND THEIR CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS?

>> THE TOWN OF MONTAGUE ISN'T A BIG PLACE.

TURNERS FALLS IS VERY SMALL, BUT MONTAGUE HAS 8,000 PEOPLE.

SO WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT RIVER CULTURE DOES VERY WELL IS JUST THE FACT THAT THERE IS THIS POSITION.

THERE IS A CENTRAL PERSON, ME, IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, IF YOU NEED PARTNERS, IF YOU NEED RESOURCES.

PEOPLE IN TOWN KNOW THAT I'M THE PERSON TO GO AND SPEAK WITH.

>> WHEN I VISIT A NEW TOWN OR VILLAGE OR CITY, ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS CHECK OUT THE FOOD SCENE.

SO TELL ME A LITTLE BIT WHAT THE VILLAGE OF TURNERS FALLS HAS TO OFFER.

>> THE RESTAURANT SCENE IS VERY GOOD.

I THINK -- NOT ONLY THE RESTAURANT SCENE BUT A BREWERY SCENE.

WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MICROBREWS IN TOWN AS WELL.

I THINK WHAT'S INTERESTING IS BECAUSE WE'RE IN FRANKLIN COUNTY, WE'RE SO CLOSE TO ALL THE FARMS.

SO MOST OF THE STUFF IS SUPER LOCAL, SUPER FRESH, AND GENERALLY ORGANIC.

AND IT'S A GREAT PLACE TO COME AND DO -- TO GET A MEAL, TO GO DOWN TO UNITY PARK, TO DO SOME SHOPPING.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE UNIQUE BUSINESSES THAT ARE IN TURNERS FALLS AND IT'S REALLY A FUN DINING AND SHOPPING EXPERIENCE.

WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE THE IDEAL LOCATION TO START A BUSINESS AND WHAT CAN VISITORS EXPECT WHEN THEY COME?

>> I THINK WHAT'S UNIQUE ABOUT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN TURNERS FALLS IS THE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT IDENTIFY WITH THE UPCYCLING MOVEMENT.

AND PRIORITIZE THINGS THAT ARE HANDMADE, LOCALLY SOURCED, OR ETHICALLY SOURCED.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SHOPS LIKE LOOT.

AND THAT'S WHY WE HAVE SHOPS LIKE BUCKINGHAM RABBITS VINTAGE AND BREAKDOWN RECORDS AND FAB FASHION.

THEY'RE STORES THAT PRIORITIZE THINGS THAT ARE HANDMADE AND THINGS THAT ARE UNIQUE.

TURNERS FALLS IS STRICTLY A ONE-OF-A-KIND SHOPPING CENTERS EXPERIENCE.

EVERYTHING HERE IS UNIQUE IN AND OF ITSELF.

>> WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR POSITION IN THE TOWN AND THE VILLAGE OF TURNERS FALLS?

>> MY FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT TURNERS FALLS IS THAT HOW HARD IT IS THAT WE WORK.

WE WORK REALLY HARD.

THERE'S A WONDERFUL SCULPTURE DOWN THE STREET CALLED ROCK, PAPER, SR.ORS.

-- SCISSORS.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE PLAQUE, IT'S THE LITTLE VILLAGE THAT COULD.

AND THAT REALLY IS US.

WE DON'T GIVE UP.

WE DON'T GIVE UP.

WE JUST KEEP MEETING AND TALKING AND THINK ABOUT THE NEXT STEP.

THE LAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN HARD ON EVERYBODY.

THAT'S FOR SURE.

BUT WE ARE GONNA COME OUT THE SPRING AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT!

>>> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FROM TUNERS FALSE.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES THAT YOU SAW TONIGHT, AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL-ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ONLINE ANYTIME AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

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.

OUR THANKS TO THE VILLAGE OF TURNERS FALSE AND THE TOWN OF MONTAGUE FOR HOSTING US THIS EVENING.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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

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