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

CONNECTING YOU WITH TONIGHT.

WE GO BEHIND THE BENCH OF TWO WE GO BEHIND THE BENCH OF TWO LOCAL CRAFTSMEN WHO CREATE WORKS LOCAL CRAFTSMEN WHO CREATE WORKS OF ART THAT YOU CAN WEAR.

OF ART THAT YOU CAN WEAR.

>> ALL DAY LONG, PET INCLUDES -- >> ALL DAY LONG, PET INCLUDES -- METICULOUS DETAIL THAT GOES INTO METICULOUS DETAIL THAT GOES INTO THEIR DESIGNS CAN SOMETIMES TAKE THEIR DESIGNS CAN SOMETIMES TAKE UP MORE NOISE THAN THE UP MORE NOISE THAN THE CONVERSATION.

CONVERSATION.

>> AS WE COME OUT OF THE >> AS WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR PANDEMIC, WHAT LIES AHEAD FOR THE FUTURE OF THE BIG E. THE FUTURE OF THE BIG E. >> THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS >> THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THIS POSITION IS OVER 681 MILLION, POSITION IS OVER 681 MILLION, AND THERE IS A LOT OF AND THERE IS A LOT OF LIVELIHOODS AT STAKE.

LIVELIHOODS AT STAKE.

>> AND EVEN IF YOU PREFER >> AND EVEN IF YOU PREFER STICKING TO THE RIVERS AND THE STICKING TO THE RIVERS AND THE LAKES YOU ARE USED TO, LAKES YOU ARE USED TO, SPRINGTIME IS A GREAT TIME FOR SPRINGTIME IS A GREAT TIME FOR CHASING WATERFALLS.

CHASING WATERFALLS.

>> WE CAN SEE THE 60-FOOT >> WE CAN SEE THE 60-FOOT ANGULAR DROP OF PARKER BROOKE ANGULAR DROP OF PARKER BROOKE FALLS.

FALLS.

IF THIS WERE THE FOURTH OF JULY, IF THIS WERE THE FOURTH OF JULY, THOUGH, THESE FALLS WOULD BE THE THOUGH, THESE FALLS WOULD BE THE BUILDUP TO THE GRAND FINALE.

BUILDUP TO THE GRAND FINALE.

>> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND >> DETAILS ON THOSE STORIES AND MORE, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING MORE, UP NEXT ON "CONNECTING POINT."

POINT."

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

CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

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

POINT."

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

A LOCAL INSTITUTION, MURDUFF'S A LOCAL INSTITUTION, MURDUFF'S JEWELRY, IS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS JEWELRY, IS CELEBRATING 75 YEARS IN THE BUSINESS THIS YEAR.

IN THE BUSINESS THIS YEAR.

THE NAME, MURDUFF COMES FROM THE THE NAME, MURDUFF COMES FROM THE FOUNDERS, RITA MURPHY AND ED FOUNDERS, RITA MURPHY AND ED DUFFEY, WHO OPENED THE STORE IN DUFFEY, WHO OPENED THE STORE IN THE VILLAGE OF FLORENCE IN 1946.

THE VILLAGE OF FLORENCE IN 1946.

THEIR LEGACY CARRIES ON THROUGH THEIR LEGACY CARRIES ON THROUGH TODAY AS THE BUSINESS REMAINS A TODAY AS THE BUSINESS REMAINS A DESTINATION FOR SOME OF THE MOST DESTINATION FOR SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE AND HISTORIC CUSTOM UNIQUE AND HISTORIC CUSTOM JEWELRY DESIGNS IN THE COUNTRY JEWELRY DESIGNS IN THE COUNTRY LED BY TWO MASTERS OF THEIR LED BY TWO MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT.

CRAFT.

"CONNECTING POINT"'S ROSS "CONNECTING POINT"'S ROSS LIPPMAN TAKES US BEHIND THE LIPPMAN TAKES US BEHIND THE BENCH BEHIND KURT BRAZOH AND BENCH BEHIND KURT BRAZOH AND PAUL PEEKETT TO SEE WHAT IT PAUL PEEKETT TO SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A MASTER GOLDSMITH TAKES TO BE A MASTER GOLDSMITH AND MASTER ENGRAVER.

AND MASTER ENGRAVER.

>> THE COUNTERS IN FLORENCE >> THE COUNTERS IN FLORENCE CARRY THE SAME SHINE AS MOST CARRY THE SAME SHINE AS MOST JEWELRY STORES WITH WATCHES AND JEWELRY STORES WITH WATCHES AND RINGS THAT CAN CERTAINLY CATCH RINGS THAT CAN CERTAINLY CATCH YOUR EYE.

YOUR EYE.

BUT IF YOU TAKE A MOMENT AND BUT IF YOU TAKE A MOMENT AND LOOK ABOVE THE COUNTERS, LOOK ABOVE THE COUNTERS, SOMETHING ELSE MIGHT GET YOUR SOMETHING ELSE MIGHT GET YOUR ATTENTION.

ATTENTION.

>> THIS IS PERFECT.

>> THIS IS PERFECT.

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] >> TWO MASTER CRAFTSMEN, HARD AT >> TWO MASTER CRAFTSMEN, HARD AT WORK AS THEY HAVE BEEN, WORK AS THEY HAVE BEEN, SIDE-BY-SIDE, FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

SIDE-BY-SIDE, FOR OVER 20 YEARS.

>> ALL DAY LONG IT IS CONSTANT, >> ALL DAY LONG IT IS CONSTANT, LIKE CONTROLLED CHAOS.

LIKE CONTROLLED CHAOS.

>> THE OWNER, KURT BRAZOH, AND >> THE OWNER, KURT BRAZOH, AND PAUL PEEKETT MAKE QUITE THE PAIR PAUL PEEKETT MAKE QUITE THE PAIR IN THE JEWELRY WORLD.

IN THE JEWELRY WORLD.

THEIR COMBINED DECADES OF THEIR COMBINED DECADES OF EXPERIENCE HAVE EARNED EACH OF EXPERIENCE HAVE EARNED EACH OF THEM DISTINCT TITLES THEM DISTINCT TITLES RESPECTIVELY OF MASTER GOLDSMITH RESPECTIVELY OF MASTER GOLDSMITH AND MASTER ENGRAVER.

AND MASTER ENGRAVER.

>> I THINK IT'S MORE SOMETHING >> I THINK IT'S MORE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU THAT PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU ABOUT.

ABOUT.

NOT JUST AN ENGRAVER.

NOT JUST AN ENGRAVER.

AN ENGRAVER COULD BE SOMEBODY AN ENGRAVER COULD BE SOMEBODY WHO RUNS A MACHINE, SO A MASTER WHO RUNS A MACHINE, SO A MASTER ENGRAVER DENOTES A HIGHER LEVEL ENGRAVER DENOTES A HIGHER LEVEL OF SKILL.

OF SKILL.

>> IT COULD BE A MASTER >> IT COULD BE A MASTER GOLDSMITH, IT MEANS YOU WILL GOLDSMITH, IT MEANS YOU WILL HAVE ANY PROJECT PUT IN FRONT OF HAVE ANY PROJECT PUT IN FRONT OF YOU, AND YOU CAN DO IT.

YOU, AND YOU CAN DO IT.

>> THE SMALL HALLWAY IN THE BACK >> THE SMALL HALLWAY IN THE BACK OF THE STORE SERVES AS THEIR OF THE STORE SERVES AS THEIR WORKBENCHES.

WORKBENCHES.

ALL DAY LONG, METICULOUS DETAIL ALL DAY LONG, METICULOUS DETAIL THAT GOES INTO THEIR DESIGNS CAN THAT GOES INTO THEIR DESIGNS CAN SOMETIMES TAKE UP MORE NOISE SOMETIMES TAKE UP MORE NOISE THAN THE CONVERSATION.

THAN THE CONVERSATION.

>> NORMALLY NOW, WHEN WE TALK >> NORMALLY NOW, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT WE BROUGHT FOR LUNCH ABOUT WHAT WE BROUGHT FOR LUNCH AND WHO HAD THE BETTER LUNCH.

AND WHO HAD THE BETTER LUNCH.

>> CONSIDER IT THE COMFORTABLE >> CONSIDER IT THE COMFORTABLE KIND OF SILENCE FROM TWO FRIENDS KIND OF SILENCE FROM TWO FRIENDS TURNED CO-WORKERS, WHOSE TURNED CO-WORKERS, WHOSE RELATIONSHIP HAS ONLY GROWN OVER RELATIONSHIP HAS ONLY GROWN OVER THE YEARS.

THE YEARS.

>> OUR PERSONALITIES ARE VERY >> OUR PERSONALITIES ARE VERY MUCH THE SAME.

MUCH THE SAME.

WE ENJOY A LOT OF THE SAME WE ENJOY A LOT OF THE SAME THINGS.

THINGS.

WE GO ON VACATION FISHING, EVEN WE GO ON VACATION FISHING, EVEN THOUGH WE WORKED TOGETHER ALL THOUGH WE WORKED TOGETHER ALL THE TIME.

THE TIME.

>> TOGETHER THEY MADE A >> TOGETHER THEY MADE A REPUTATION NATIONALLY FOR THEIR REPUTATION NATIONALLY FOR THEIR WORK.

WORK.

FROM THE PGA TROPHIES LIKE THE FROM THE PGA TROPHIES LIKE THE TRAVELERS CUP TO THE CUSTOM ONE TRAVELERS CUP TO THE CUSTOM ONE OF A KIND ANTIQUE DESIGNS LIKE OF A KIND ANTIQUE DESIGNS LIKE THIS RING WITH A SAPPHIRE THIS RING WITH A SAPPHIRE PORTRAIT.

PORTRAIT.

THEIR COMBINED SKILLS ALLOW THE THEIR COMBINED SKILLS ALLOW THE PAIR TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE MOST PAIR TO TAKE ON SOME OF THE MOST UNIQUE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING IN UNIQUE CHALLENGES, INCLUDING IN 2015 WHEN PAUL PEEKETT WAS ASKED 2015 WHEN PAUL PEEKETT WAS ASKED TO FOLLOW UP THE WORK OF ANOTHER TO FOLLOW UP THE WORK OF ANOTHER PAUL.

PAUL.

>> WELL, WORKING HERE AT >> WELL, WORKING HERE AT MURDUFF, THE MOST EXCITING MURDUFF, THE MOST EXCITING PIECE, AND PROBABLY WILL PIECE, AND PROBABLY WILL FOREVER, IS DOING THE TIME FOREVER, IS DOING THE TIME CAPSULE, SILVER PLATE, THAT WENT CAPSULE, SILVER PLATE, THAT WENT INTO THE CORNERSTONE OF THE INTO THE CORNERSTONE OF THE MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE.

MASSACHUSETTS STATE HOUSE.

IT WAS ENGRAVED IN THE SAME IT WAS ENGRAVED IN THE SAME STYLE THAT PAUL REVERE DID THE STYLE THAT PAUL REVERE DID THE FIRST PLATE IN 1795.

FIRST PLATE IN 1795.

SO THE FACT THAT HIS TOOLS AND SO THE FACT THAT HIS TOOLS AND MY -- WE COULD, ACTUALLY, SWAP MY -- WE COULD, ACTUALLY, SWAP SHOPS AND STILL BE COMFORTABLE.

SHOPS AND STILL BE COMFORTABLE.

>> BUT NOT EVERY DAY IS FILLED >> BUT NOT EVERY DAY IS FILLED WITH PROJECTS THAT CALL BACK TO WITH PROJECTS THAT CALL BACK TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.

SOMETIMES, YOU ARE JUST MAKING A SOMETIMES, YOU ARE JUST MAKING A SILVER CUP FOR A BOY NAMED FINN.

SILVER CUP FOR A BOY NAMED FINN.

>> AND THEN WHEN I GOT >> AND THEN WHEN I GOT INTRODUCED TO ENGRAVING, I AM INTRODUCED TO ENGRAVING, I AM LIKE WOW, THIS IS COOL.

LIKE WOW, THIS IS COOL.

>> WHAT KEEPS THEM ON THE BENCH >> WHAT KEEPS THEM ON THE BENCH IS THAT EVERY PIECE CAN BE ONE IS THAT EVERY PIECE CAN BE ONE OF A KIND.

OF A KIND.

THAT IS, IF YOU ARE IS A MASTER THAT IS, IF YOU ARE IS A MASTER AT YOUR CRAFT.

AT YOUR CRAFT.

>> THE BEST PART OF MY BUSINESS >> THE BEST PART OF MY BUSINESS IS MAKING WONDERFUL KINDS OF IS MAKING WONDERFUL KINDS OF JEWELRY FOR CUSTOMERS.

JEWELRY FOR CUSTOMERS.

THAT'S WHAT WE EXCEL AT, AND THAT'S WHAT WE EXCEL AT, AND THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY DOING.

THAT'S WHAT I ENJOY DOING.

>> FOR THOSE THAT ARE YOUNGER, >> FOR THOSE THAT ARE YOUNGER, LOOKING TO GET INTO THE ARTS, LOOKING TO GET INTO THE ARTS, DON'T SKIP OVER THE TRADES.

DON'T SKIP OVER THE TRADES.

THERE IS A LOT -- IF YOU ARE THERE IS A LOT -- IF YOU ARE CREATIVE, THERE IS MUCH THAT YOU CREATIVE, THERE IS MUCH THAT YOU CAN DO AS A TRADES PERSON, AND CAN DO AS A TRADES PERSON, AND BE CREATIVE WITH IT.

BE CREATIVE WITH IT.

>> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE >> FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE TENURE CELEBRATION IN 2018, THE TENURE CELEBRATION IN 2018, THE MASS POETRY FESTIVAL RETURNS MASS POETRY FESTIVAL RETURNS WITH A VIRTUAL EVENT.

WITH A VIRTUAL EVENT.

THE FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL RUNS FROM THE FOUR-DAY FESTIVAL RUNS FROM MAY 13 THROUGH MAY 16 AND WILL MAY 13 THROUGH MAY 16 AND WILL SHOWCASE POETS FROM ACROSS SHOWCASE POETS FROM ACROSS MASSACHUSETTS AND THE COUNTRY, MASSACHUSETTS AND THE COUNTRY, AS WELL AS INCLUDING OVER 50 AS WELL AS INCLUDING OVER 50 EVENTS FOR ATTENDEES TO EVENTS FOR ATTENDEES TO PARTICIPATE IN.

PARTICIPATE IN.

I SPOKE WITH M.P.

CARVER, THE I SPOKE WITH M.P.

CARVER, THE FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, AND CRYSTAL FESTIVAL DIRECTOR, AND CRYSTAL VALENTINE, THE FESTIVAL MANAGER, VALENTINE, THE FESTIVAL MANAGER, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EVENTS AND HOW POETRY, ONE OF THIS AND HOW POETRY, ONE OF THIS REGION'S MOST FAMOUS ART FORMS, REGION'S MOST FAMOUS ART FORMS, CAN BE SO POWERFUL.

CAN BE SO POWERFUL.

>> THE FESTIVAL BEGAN IN 2008 IN >> THE FESTIVAL BEGAN IN 2008 IN LOWELL.

LOWELL.

MASS POETRY WAS AN ORGANIZATION MASS POETRY WAS AN ORGANIZATION FOUNDED BY MICHAEL ENSARA, AND FOUNDED BY MICHAEL ENSARA, AND PART OF THE MISSION WAS TO BRING PART OF THE MISSION WAS TO BRING POETRY INTO PUBLIC SPACES.

POETRY INTO PUBLIC SPACES.

ALSO, TO CREATE A MARKET AND ALSO, TO CREATE A MARKET AND SPACE FOR POETRY WHERE POETS SPACE FOR POETRY WHERE POETS WOULD GET PAID.

WOULD GET PAID.

THAT'S ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THAT'S ONE IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE FESTIVAL.

THE FESTIVAL.

ALL THE POETS WHO PERFORMED FOR ALL THE POETS WHO PERFORMED FOR US OR SHARE THEIR WORK, US OR SHARE THEIR WORK, EVERYBODY IS COMPENSATED.

EVERYBODY IS COMPENSATED.

NOT AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE, NOT AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE, AND AS THEY DESERVE, BUT, YOU AND AS THEY DESERVE, BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT IN THIS KNOW, I THINK THAT IN THIS WORLD, SOMETIMES I THINK THAT WORLD, SOMETIMES I THINK THAT PEOPLE THINK THAT MAYBE POETRY, PEOPLE THINK THAT MAYBE POETRY, UNLIKE OTHER ART, IS SOMETHING UNLIKE OTHER ART, IS SOMETHING THAT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH THAT MAYBE DOESN'T HAVE AS MUCH VALUE.

VALUE.

SO, PART OF MASS POETRY'S SO, PART OF MASS POETRY'S MISSION IS ABOUT CHANGING THAT MISSION IS ABOUT CHANGING THAT AS MUCH AS IT IS ABOUT BRINGING AS MUCH AS IT IS ABOUT BRINGING POETRY, I GUESS, INTO THE PUBLIC POETRY, I GUESS, INTO THE PUBLIC SPACES AND INTO THE WORLD.

SPACES AND INTO THE WORLD.

>> NOW, THIS BIENNIAL EVENT IS >> NOW, THIS BIENNIAL EVENT IS UNDER-WAY, AND IT'S FEATURING UNDER-WAY, AND IT'S FEATURING OVER 100 POETS, AND INCLUDING OVER 100 POETS, AND INCLUDING MORE THAN 50 EVENTS OVER THE MORE THAN 50 EVENTS OVER THE SPAN OF FOUR DAYS, WHAT CAN SPAN OF FOUR DAYS, WHAT CAN ATTENDEES EXPECT IT SAID YEAR'S ATTENDEES EXPECT IT SAID YEAR'S FESTIVAL?

FESTIVAL?

>> SO WE HAVE A LOT OF MEAFTION >> SO WE HAVE A LOT OF MEAFTION --AMAZING EVENTS.

--AMAZING EVENTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ONE OF OUR HEADLINERS.

OUR HEADLINERS.

SO WE HAVE NAOMI -- I THINK IT'S SO WE HAVE NAOMI -- I THINK IT'S ABOUT EIGHT HEADLINERS SO THE ABOUT EIGHT HEADLINERS SO THE LIST WOULD GO ON AND ON AND ON, LIST WOULD GO ON AND ON AND ON, SO THAT'S JUST A FEW, AND THE SO THAT'S JUST A FEW, AND THE HEAD LINES WILL BE HAPPENING HEAD LINES WILL BE HAPPENING EVERY NIGHT.

EVERY NIGHT.

IF YOU MISSED ONE OF THE IF YOU MISSED ONE OF THE HEADLINERS, NO WORRIES, YOU CAN HEADLINERS, NO WORRIES, YOU CAN COME BY AND SEE MORE.

COME BY AND SEE MORE.

>> NOW, M.P., BEFORE JOINING THE >> NOW, M.P., BEFORE JOINING THE FESTIVAL TEAM AS DIRECTOR, YOU FESTIVAL TEAM AS DIRECTOR, YOU HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME SUPPORTER HAVE BEEN A LONG TIME SUPPORTER OF MASS POETRY THROUGH OF MASS POETRY THROUGH PARTICIPATING AND WORKSHOPS, PARTICIPATING AND WORKSHOPS, VOLUNTEERING, FUNDRAISING, AND VOLUNTEERING, FUNDRAISING, AND MORE.

MORE.

WHAT IMPACT HAS THE FESTIVAL HAD WHAT IMPACT HAS THE FESTIVAL HAD ON YOU, PERSONALLY, AND IN THE ON YOU, PERSONALLY, AND IN THE WORK YOU DO AS A POET IN VISUAL WORK YOU DO AS A POET IN VISUAL ARTISTS.

ARTISTS.

>> MORE THAN I CAN SAY, >> MORE THAN I CAN SAY, HONESTLY.

HONESTLY.

AS A YOUNG POET, I GUESS ALONE AS A YOUNG POET, I GUESS ALONE IN SALEM, I JUST HAPPENED -- THE IN SALEM, I JUST HAPPENED -- THE FIRST YEAR, THE FESTIVAL WAS IN FIRST YEAR, THE FESTIVAL WAS IN SALEM, I JUST HAPPENED TO SEE SALEM, I JUST HAPPENED TO SEE THE SIGN.

THE SIGN.

AT THAT TIME, I KNEW IN MY LIFE AT THAT TIME, I KNEW IN MY LIFE THAT POETRY WAS WHAT I WANTED TO THAT POETRY WAS WHAT I WANTED TO DO AND WHAT I LOVED.

DO AND WHAT I LOVED.

BUT, I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY BUT, I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE ANY COMMUNITY OF POETS AROUND ME.

COMMUNITY OF POETS AROUND ME.

I DIDN'T STUDY -- I DIDN'T STUDY I DIDN'T STUDY -- I DIDN'T STUDY POETRY IN COLLEGE.

POETRY IN COLLEGE.

I TOOK A COUPLE OF WORKSHOPS, I TOOK A COUPLE OF WORKSHOPS, BUT IT WAS NOT MY MAJOR, SO I BUT IT WAS NOT MY MAJOR, SO I REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF REALLY DIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF CONNECTIONS, OR COMMUNITY AROUND CONNECTIONS, OR COMMUNITY AROUND ME.

ME.

SO THAT'S REALLY -- THE FESTIVAL SO THAT'S REALLY -- THE FESTIVAL REALLY IS WHAT GAVE ME THAT, AND REALLY IS WHAT GAVE ME THAT, AND WHAT SORT OF -- WHERE I BUILT A WHAT SORT OF -- WHERE I BUILT A LOT OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT LOT OF THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT HAVE BEEN REALLY VITAL TO ME AND HAVE BEEN REALLY VITAL TO ME AND MY LIFE.

MY LIFE.

THE SALEM COMMUNITY IS THE SALEM COMMUNITY IS UNBELIEVABLE, AND IT'S HOW I UNBELIEVABLE, AND IT'S HOW I ENDED UP GOING BACK FOR MY ENDED UP GOING BACK FOR MY MASTER'S DEGREE AND GETTING TIED MASTER'S DEGREE AND GETTING TIED IN WITH ALL SORTS OF IN WITH ALL SORTS OF OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL, AS BEING OPPORTUNITIES, AS WELL, AS BEING ABLE TO BUILD MY OWN ART, AND I ABLE TO BUILD MY OWN ART, AND I GUESS HAVING THE HEART TO GUESS HAVING THE HEART TO CONTINUE ON AS AN ARTIST, WHICH CONTINUE ON AS AN ARTIST, WHICH IS NOT EASY TO DO ALONE.

IS NOT EASY TO DO ALONE.

>> CRYSTAL, YOU ARE A NATIONALLY >> CRYSTAL, YOU ARE A NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED AND INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED POET WHO HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS POET WHO HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECOGNIZING, INCLUDING BEING THE RECOGNIZING, INCLUDING BEING THE FORMER NEW YORK CITY POET FORMER NEW YORK CITY POET LAUREATE.

LAUREATE.

IN YOUR BIO, YOU STATE THAT YOU IN YOUR BIO, YOU STATE THAT YOU ARE A GENERATOR AND IS A FIERCE ARE A GENERATOR AND IS A FIERCE PROTECTOR OF BLACK JOY.

PROTECTOR OF BLACK JOY.

AS OUR COUNTRY FACES A NATIONAL AS OUR COUNTRY FACES A NATIONAL RECKONING AROUND SOCIAL AND RECKONING AROUND SOCIAL AND RACIAL JUSTICE, HOW CAN POETRY RACIAL JUSTICE, HOW CAN POETRY MAKE A DIFFERENCE DURING THESE MAKE A DIFFERENCE DURING THESE TIMES?

TIMES?

>> FOR ME, POETRY WAS ALWAYS >> FOR ME, POETRY WAS ALWAYS KIND OF LIKE A COMMUNITY KIND OF LIKE A COMMUNITY GATHERING KIND OF THING.

GATHERING KIND OF THING.

SO, I DID A LOT AS A HIGH SO, I DID A LOT AS A HIGH SCHOOLER.

SCHOOLER.

WE HAD POETRY AND COMMUNITY SO WE HAD POETRY AND COMMUNITY SO WHEN I DO MY POEMS, I AM WHEN I DO MY POEMS, I AM THINKING ABOUT MY COMMUNITY, THINKING ABOUT MY COMMUNITY, MAKING SURE THAT THEY FEEL MAKING SURE THAT THEY FEEL INCLUDED THAT, THEY FEEL SEEN, INCLUDED THAT, THEY FEEL SEEN, AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BRING AND IT'S A GREAT WAY TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND EVEN, YOU PEOPLE TOGETHER, AND EVEN, YOU KNOW, THROUGH POETRY, EVEN IF KNOW, THROUGH POETRY, EVEN IF YOU HAVE LIKE CONTRASTING IDEAS, YOU HAVE LIKE CONTRASTING IDEAS, OR CONTRASTING OPINIONS, BY OR CONTRASTING OPINIONS, BY LISTENING TO A POEM, YOU WILL LISTENING TO A POEM, YOU WILL JUST SEE A DIFFERENT KIND OF JUST SEE A DIFFERENT KIND OF VIEW FROM SOMEONE ELSE THAT YOU VIEW FROM SOMEONE ELSE THAT YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT TO LISTEN MIGHT NOT HAVE THOUGHT TO LISTEN TO OTHERWISE.

TO OTHERWISE.

>> NEW ENGLAND IS WELL-KNOWN FOR >> NEW ENGLAND IS WELL-KNOWN FOR PRODUCING MANY FAMOUS POETS, PRODUCING MANY FAMOUS POETS, WRITERS, AND AUTHORS, INCLUDING WRITERS, AND AUTHORS, INCLUDING EMILY DICKSON, HENRY DAVID EMILY DICKSON, HENRY DAVID THEROUX, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

THEROUX, JUST TO NAME A FEW.

WHY DO YOU THINK THIS REGION IS WHY DO YOU THINK THIS REGION IS SO INFLUENTIAL, AND HOW DO YOU SO INFLUENTIAL, AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON HONORING THE RICH PLAN ON HONORING THE RICH HISTORY AND THE LEGACY IN POETRY HISTORY AND THE LEGACY IN POETRY IN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?

IN THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?

>> THE RICH HISTORY HERE REALLY >> THE RICH HISTORY HERE REALLY KEEPS COMING FORWARD INTO THE KEEPS COMING FORWARD INTO THE PRESENT.

PRESENT.

THERE IS SO MANY WONDERFUL POETS THERE IS SO MANY WONDERFUL POETS AND WRITERS HERE WHO ARE, I AND WRITERS HERE WHO ARE, I THINK, ARE SO OPEN AND WHO ARE THINK, ARE SO OPEN AND WHO ARE SO WILLING TO SORT OF HELP THE SO WILLING TO SORT OF HELP THE NEXT GENERATION OF POETRY.

NEXT GENERATION OF POETRY.

ALSO, TO TRY AND LIKE SHARE ALSO, TO TRY AND LIKE SHARE POETRY THROUGH NOT JUST EVENTS POETRY THROUGH NOT JUST EVENTS LIKE THE FESTIVAL, BUT WRITERS' LIKE THE FESTIVAL, BUT WRITERS' SERIES AND OPEN MICS ARE SERIES AND OPEN MICS ARE HAPPENING HERE ALL THE TIME.

HAPPENING HERE ALL THE TIME.

EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EVEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC, THERE WERE SOMETIMES PANDEMIC, THERE WERE SOMETIMES WHEN, YOU KNOW, IN THIS AREA, WHEN, YOU KNOW, IN THIS AREA, YOU COULD HAVE GONE, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD HAVE GONE, YOU KNOW, FROM YOUR OWN LIVING ROOM, YOU FROM YOUR OWN LIVING ROOM, YOU COULD HAVE BEEN AT AN EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN AT AN EVENT EVERY NIGHT.

EVERY NIGHT.

IN TERMS OF FESTIVAL, THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF FESTIVAL, THIS YEAR IS ONE OF THE MORE INTERNATIONAL IS ONE OF THE MORE INTERNATIONAL YEARS, ONE OF THE FEW ADVANTAGES YEARS, ONE OF THE FEW ADVANTAGES OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION, IS OF OUR CURRENT SITUATION, IS THAT WE CAN BRING PEOPLE HERE, THAT WE CAN BRING PEOPLE HERE, WHEN IN OTHER YEARS WE COULD NOT WHEN IN OTHER YEARS WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO FLY SO MANY PEOPLE AFFORD TO FLY SO MANY PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES, YOU KNOW.

FROM OTHER STATES, YOU KNOW.

OR WE WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OR WE WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF LOGISTICS, DIFFERENT LEVELS OF LOGISTICS, BUT THREE OF OUR AMAZING BUT THREE OF OUR AMAZING HEADLINERS ARE MASSACHUSETTS HEADLINERS ARE MASSACHUSETTS POETS.

POETS.

MARTIN ESTADA IS FROM AMHERST, MARTIN ESTADA IS FROM AMHERST, AMAZING POET.

AMAZING POET.

AND ARRIANA IS A LOCAL POET, AS AND ARRIANA IS A LOCAL POET, AS WELL, ORIGINALLY FROM WELL, ORIGINALLY FROM MASSACHUSETTS, AND IN ADDITION MASSACHUSETTS, AND IN ADDITION TO A NUMBER OF AMAZING EVENTS -- TO A NUMBER OF AMAZING EVENTS -- >> I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE EVENTS >> I KNOW THAT ONE OF THE EVENTS THAT ALSO IS GOING TO BE THAT ALSO IS GOING TO BE FEATURED IS A WALK -- A VIRTUAL FEATURED IS A WALK -- A VIRTUAL POETRY WALK FOR EMILY DICKINSON.

POETRY WALK FOR EMILY DICKINSON.

>> IT WILL BE A VIRTUAL TOUR >> IT WILL BE A VIRTUAL TOUR GOING THROUGH HER ARTIFACTS AND GOING THROUGH HER ARTIFACTS AND ANYWHERE WILL BE ABLE TO ANYWHERE WILL BE ABLE TO ATTENDING.

ATTENDING.

IT'S GREAT THAT WE ARE MOVING IT'S GREAT THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, FOLLOWING A NEW FORWARD, FOLLOWING A NEW GENERATION OF POETS AND NOT GENERATION OF POETS AND NOT FORGETTING THE FOUNDATION OF FORGETTING THE FOUNDATION OF LIKE WHERE THE POETRY COMES LIKE WHERE THE POETRY COMES FROM.

FROM.

>> FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT FEEL >> FOR PEOPLE WHO MIGHT NOT FEEL LIKE POETRY IS FOR THEM OR WHO LIKE POETRY IS FOR THEM OR WHO MIGHT NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT, MIGHT NOT KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THEM WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THEM ABOUT THE ART FORM AND WHY ABOUT THE ART FORM AND WHY SHOULD THEY GIVE IT A CHANCES?

SHOULD THEY GIVE IT A CHANCES?

>> POETRY CAN BE FOR ABSOLUTELY >> POETRY CAN BE FOR ABSOLUTELY ANYBODY.

ANYBODY.

THE THING THAT WE HAVE IN THE THING THAT WE HAVE IN COMMON, THAT WE KIND OF COMMON, THAT WE KIND OF COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER THROUGH A MEDIUM OF LANGUAGE, THROUGH A MEDIUM OF LANGUAGE, RIGHT.

RIGHT.

NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU NO MATTER WHAT LANGUAGE YOU SPEAK, AND THAT'S HOW WE SPEAK, AND THAT'S HOW WE COMMUNICATE.

COMMUNICATE.

SO, YOU KIND OF COMMUNICATE SO, YOU KIND OF COMMUNICATE THROUGH THAT, AND THAT'S, THROUGH THAT, AND THAT'S, BASICALLY, THE GROUND OF POETRY.

BASICALLY, THE GROUND OF POETRY.

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

THERE.

YOU CAN FIND US ON-LINE ANY TIME YOU CAN FIND US ON-LINE ANY TIME FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND FOR EXCLUSIVE FEATURES AND CONTENT.

CONTENT.

IN OUR DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS IN OUR DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE THIS WEEK, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE MASS WEEK, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE MASS POETRY FESTIVAL WITH THE WORK OF POETRY FESTIVAL WITH THE WORK OF ACCLAIMED LOCAL POET MARTIN ACCLAIMED LOCAL POET MARTIN ESPADA, WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN ESPADA, WHO IS PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL.

THE FESTIVAL.

DRAWING UPON BOTH A PERSONAL DRAWING UPON BOTH A PERSONAL ENCOUNTERED HE HAD WITH A CAB ENCOUNTERED HE HAD WITH A CAB DRIVER IN BOSTON, AND THE STORY DRIVER IN BOSTON, AND THE STORY OF A NOTORIOUS MURDER CASE OF OF A NOTORIOUS MURDER CASE OF CHUCK STUART, IS A BOSTONNIAN CHUCK STUART, IS A BOSTONNIAN WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE, BLAMED IT WHO MURDERED HIS WIFE, BLAMED IT ON A MADE-UP BLACK CARJACKER AND ON A MADE-UP BLACK CARJACKER AND ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.

ALMOST GOT AWAY WITH IT.

HE TACKLES ISSUES OF RACE BY, IN HE TACKLES ISSUES OF RACE BY, IN HIS OWN WORDS, FRAMING THE HIS OWN WORDS, FRAMING THE PRESENT THROUGH THE LENS OF THE PRESENT THROUGH THE LENS OF THE PAST.

PAST.

MARTIN READS HIS POEM, JUMPING MARTIN READS HIS POEM, JUMPING OFF THE MYSTIC BRIDGE FOR US.

OFF THE MYSTIC BRIDGE FOR US.

>> IT WAS 5:00 P.M., AND WE WERE >> IT WAS 5:00 P.M., AND WE WERE STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A TAXI ON STUCK IN TRAFFIC ON A TAXI ON THE MYSTIC TOBIN BRIDGE.

THE MYSTIC TOBIN BRIDGE.

THE DRIVER HAD HIS OWN WEST THE DRIVER HAD HIS OWN WEST SIDED STORY, HOW A GANG STOLE SIDED STORY, HOW A GANG STOLE HIS COUSIN'S WALLET YEARS AGO.

HIS COUSIN'S WALLET YEARS AGO.

YOU THINK I AM GOING TO ROB YOU, YOU THINK I AM GOING TO ROB YOU, I SAID, IN MY SUIT AND TIE CLOSE I SAID, IN MY SUIT AND TIE CLOSE ENOUGH TO TICKLE HIS EAR WITH ENOUGH TO TICKLE HIS EAR WITH THE MOUTH OF A REVOLVER.

THE MOUTH OF A REVOLVER.

>> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT EXCLUSIVE AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT "CONNECTING POINT."

NOW AT "CONNECTING POINT."

WITH SPRING IN FULL SPRING AND WITH SPRING IN FULL SPRING AND SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER, THERE SUMMER AROUND THE CORNER, THERE IS NO BETTER TIME FOR EXPLORING IS NO BETTER TIME FOR EXPLORING THE OUTDOORS AND CONNECTING WITH THE OUTDOORS AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WANT NATURE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WANT TO GO CHASING WATER FALLS.

TO GO CHASING WATER FALLS.

WITH THIS THOUGHT IN MIND, WITH THIS THOUGHT IN MIND, "CONNECTING POINT"'S BRIAN "CONNECTING POINT"'S BRIAN SULLIVAN VENTURED OUT TO THE SULLIVAN VENTURED OUT TO THE BERKSHIRES TO GET A GLIMPSE OF BERKSHIRES TO GET A GLIMPSE OF THE FALLS IN ALL OF THE THE FALLS IN ALL OF THE SPRINGTIME GLORY.

SPRINGTIME GLORY.

HIS JOURNEY TOOK HIM ON SOME HIS JOURNEY TOOK HIM ON SOME UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS UNEXPECTED TWISTS AND TURNS THROUGH THE SAVOY MOUNTAIN STATE THROUGH THE SAVOY MOUNTAIN STATE FOREST, BUT SOMEHOW HE FOUND HIS FOREST, BUT SOMEHOW HE FOUND HIS WAY OUT TO BRING US THIS STORY.

WAY OUT TO BRING US THIS STORY.

>> THE IRONIC HUMOR, EVEN IF >> THE IRONIC HUMOR, EVEN IF UNINTENDED, OF ONE ENTERING SIDE UNINTENDED, OF ONE ENTERING SIDE ON THE MOW HOCK TRAIL IS NEVER ON THE MOW HOCK TRAIL IS NEVER LOST ON ME.

LOST ON ME.

THE LOCATION WHERE THE SCENERY THE LOCATION WHERE THE SCENERY COULDN'T BE MORE OF THAT FOUND COULDN'T BE MORE OF THAT FOUND IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IS, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IS, ACTUALLY, A REAL TURNING POINT ACTUALLY, A REAL TURNING POINT WHEN HEADING WEST ON THE TRAIL.

WHEN HEADING WEST ON THE TRAIL.

EVERYTHING THAT LOOKED LIKE EVERYTHING THAT LOOKED LIKE MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE MOUNTAINS IN THE DISTANCE EARLIER IN THE DRIVE HAS NOW EARLIER IN THE DRIVE HAS NOW BECOME THE SURROUNDINGS.

BECOME THE SURROUNDINGS.

THE ROADSIDE TERRAIN TAKES ON A THE ROADSIDE TERRAIN TAKES ON A NEW RUGGEDNESS, AND THE WEATHER NEW RUGGEDNESS, AND THE WEATHER CAN CHANGE ON A DIME, LIKE THE CAN CHANGE ON A DIME, LIKE THE SNOW THAT WE HAD WHEN WE DROVE SNOW THAT WE HAD WHEN WE DROVE THROUGH ON EARTH DAY IN LATE THROUGH ON EARTH DAY IN LATE APRIL.

APRIL.

HERE IT'S A PLACE WHERE THE COLD HERE IT'S A PLACE WHERE THE COLD RIVER HUGS THE TOWN LINE OF RIVER HUGS THE TOWN LINE OF SAVOY AND FLORIDA, WITH SAVOY AND FLORIDA, WITH CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HILLSIDE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM HILLSIDE FALLS AND BLACK BROOKE.

FALLS AND BLACK BROOKE.

BUT IN ALL OF MY WESTBOUND BUT IN ALL OF MY WESTBOUND TRAVELS, I HAD NEVER TAKEN THE TRAVELS, I HAD NEVER TAKEN THE HARD LEFT ONTO BLACK BROOKE ROAD HARD LEFT ONTO BLACK BROOKE ROAD UNTIL TODAY.

UNTIL TODAY.

WE WERE HEADING INTO THE HILLS WE WERE HEADING INTO THE HILLS OF SAVOY IN SEARCH OF THE OF SAVOY IN SEARCH OF THE FIVE-STAR RATED CASCADES KNOWN FIVE-STAR RATED CASCADES KNOWN AS TANNERY FALLS.

AS TANNERY FALLS.

GETTING THERE, THAT MAY BE A BIT GETTING THERE, THAT MAY BE A BIT OF AN ADVENTURE.

OF AN ADVENTURE.

FOR ME, THESE JOURNEYS CAN BE A FOR ME, THESE JOURNEYS CAN BE A WAY OF MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME.

WAY OF MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME.

BACK WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, I BACK WHEN I WAS IN SCHOOL, I NEVER MADE IT OUT TO PLACES LIKE NEVER MADE IT OUT TO PLACES LIKE THIS BECAUSE I WAS TOO BUSY THIS BECAUSE I WAS TOO BUSY DOING COLLEGE THINGS.

DOING COLLEGE THINGS.

NOW, ALL THESE YEARS LATER, I NOW, ALL THESE YEARS LATER, I GET TO VISIT SOME OF THE MOST GET TO VISIT SOME OF THE MOST EXQUISITE SPOTS, AND IT FALLS EXQUISITE SPOTS, AND IT FALLS UNDER THE HEADING OF, "WORK."

UNDER THE HEADING OF, "WORK."

FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, MAKE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, MAKE SURE THE SHOELACES ARE TIGHT AND SURE THE SHOELACES ARE TIGHT AND NOT DANGLING BEFORE ADVENTURING NOT DANGLING BEFORE ADVENTURING OUT INTO POTENTIALLY MUDDY OUT INTO POTENTIALLY MUDDY TERRAIN.

TERRAIN.

THE TRAIL STARTS OFF WITH A THE TRAIL STARTS OFF WITH A PRETTY WIDE BIRTH, WHICH IS NICE PRETTY WIDE BIRTH, WHICH IS NICE FOR HIKERS WHO MAY FEEL COST FOR HIKERS WHO MAY FEEL COST PHOBIC UNDER THE TREE LINE, BUT PHOBIC UNDER THE TREE LINE, BUT IT ONLY STAYS THIS WAY FOR ABOUT IT ONLY STAYS THIS WAY FOR ABOUT A THIRD OF THE TREK.

A THIRD OF THE TREK.

WE WERE TRAVELING ON WHAT IS WE WERE TRAVELING ON WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE CCC TRAIL, NAMED KNOWN AS THE CCC TRAIL, NAMED FOR THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION FOR THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS WHO CREATED IT IN THE CORPS WHO CREATED IT IN THE 1930s.

1930s.

THIS MILE LONG PATH IS KIND OF A THIS MILE LONG PATH IS KIND OF A ROUNDABOUT WAY OF GETTING TO THE ROUNDABOUT WAY OF GETTING TO THE ACTUAL FALLS, BUT THERE IS ACTUAL FALLS, BUT THERE IS PLENTY OF SCENERY TO TAKE IN, PLENTY OF SCENERY TO TAKE IN, AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT BEING IN AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT BEING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS CAN BE ONE THE GREAT OUTDOORS CAN BE ONE WAY TO GET A MENTAL HEALTH WAY TO GET A MENTAL HEALTH CHECKUP.

CHECKUP.

RESEARCH INTO WHAT'S BEING RESEARCH INTO WHAT'S BEING CALLED ECO-THERAPY HAS SHOWN CALLED ECO-THERAPY HAS SHOWN THAT DOING ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS THAT DOING ACTIVITIES OUTDOORS CAN HELP WITH MILD TO MODERATE CAN HELP WITH MILD TO MODERATE DEPRESSION.

DEPRESSION.

LIVING IN THE CITY I CAN BE LIVING IN THE CITY I CAN BE MONEYTO HEIGHTENED ANXIETY, BUTI MONEYTO HEIGHTENED ANXIETY, BUTI GAIN PERSPECTIVE WHEN I LOOK AT GAIN PERSPECTIVE WHEN I LOOK AT PUDDLES LIKE THIS SEEING ANOTHER PUDDLES LIKE THIS SEEING ANOTHER WORLD OF LIFE, LITERALLY UNDER WORLD OF LIFE, LITERALLY UNDER MY FEET.

MY FEET.

A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TAKING THE CCC TRAIL TO THE WHEN TAKING THE CCC TRAIL TO THE FALLS, THE STARTING POINT IS, FALLS, THE STARTING POINT IS, ESSENTIALLY, THE SUMMIT, SO THE ESSENTIALLY, THE SUMMIT, SO THE WAY THERE IS DOWN.

WAY THERE IS DOWN.

IT'S LIKE HIKING A MOUNTAIN IN IT'S LIKE HIKING A MOUNTAIN IN VEERVES.

VEERVES.

-- IN REVERSE.

-- IN REVERSE.

THIS IS THE SAVOY IS STATE THIS IS THE SAVOY IS STATE FOREST.

FOREST.

IT IS EASY TO GET TURNED UPSIDE IT IS EASY TO GET TURNED UPSIDE DOWN SO HAVING FOOD, WATER, A DOWN SO HAVING FOOD, WATER, A COMPASS AND A MEMORY FOR COMPASS AND A MEMORY FOR LANDMARKS IS RECOMMENDED.

LANDMARKS IS RECOMMENDED.

THIRD, THIS TRAIL ONLY LEADS TO THIRD, THIS TRAIL ONLY LEADS TO THE ROAD THAT THE FALLS ARE ON.

THE ROAD THAT THE FALLS ARE ON.

THE PARKING AREA IS ABOUT A THE PARKING AREA IS ABOUT A QUARTER MILE FROM HERE, SO FOR QUARTER MILE FROM HERE, SO FOR THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO GET THOSE WHO JUST WANT TO GET THERE, TANNERY ROAD IS WHETHER THERE, TANNERY ROAD IS WHETHER HE IS THAN A MILE FROM WHERE WE HE IS THAN A MILE FROM WHERE WE STARTED ON THE CCC TRAIL, AND STARTED ON THE CCC TRAIL, AND FROM HERE, IT'S ONWARD AND FROM HERE, IT'S ONWARD AND DOWNWARD.

DOWNWARD.

FROM THE PARKING AREA, THERE IS FROM THE PARKING AREA, THERE IS NO TIME WASTED ON DELIVERY THE NO TIME WASTED ON DELIVERY THE AUDIO AND VISUAL EXPERIENCE.

AUDIO AND VISUAL EXPERIENCE.

THE WATER FLOWING IN FROM ROSS THE WATER FLOWING IN FROM ROSS BROOKE ON ONE SIDE, AND PARKER BROOKE ON ONE SIDE, AND PARKER BROOKE ON THE OTHER, ADDS A NICE BROOKE ON THE OTHER, ADDS A NICE ELEMENT.

ELEMENT.

AND ANYONE ON THE PARKER BROOKE AND ANYONE ON THE PARKER BROOKE PATH, NOT DISTRACTED BY THE PATH, NOT DISTRACTED BY THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE RUSHING SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF THE RUSHING RAPIDS MAY NOTICE WHAT APPEARS RAPIDS MAY NOTICE WHAT APPEARS TO BE A FOUNDATION, THIS IS ALL TO BE A FOUNDATION, THIS IS ALL THAT REMAINS OF THE TANNERY THAT THAT REMAINS OF THE TANNERY THAT ONCE ASSISTANT HERE OVER A ONCE ASSISTANT HERE OVER A CENTURY AGO.

CENTURY AGO.

JUST LIKE THE WATER FALLS WE ARE JUST LIKE THE WATER FALLS WE ARE CHASING, THIS ADVENTURE CHASING, THIS ADVENTURE CONTINUES ON IN A DOWNWARD CONTINUES ON IN A DOWNWARD TRAJECTORY.

TRAJECTORY.

THE WALKWAY ALONG ROSS BROOKE IS THE WALKWAY ALONG ROSS BROOKE IS WELL KEPT AND THE STAIRS ARE WELL KEPT AND THE STAIRS ARE USER FRIENDLY, SO LONG AS THE USER FRIENDLY, SO LONG AS THE USER TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE USER TAKES ADVANTAGE OF THE HANDRAIL.

HANDRAIL.

NOW, ONTO THE FIREWORKS.

NOW, ONTO THE FIREWORKS.

TAKING THEM RIGHT OFF THE TAKING THEM RIGHT OFF THE STAIRS, WE CAN SEE THE 60-FOOT STAIRS, WE CAN SEE THE 60-FOOT ANGULAR DROP OF PARKER BROOKE ANGULAR DROP OF PARKER BROOKE FALLS, AS IT TWISTS AND TURNS FALLS, AS IT TWISTS AND TURNS THROUGH THE NARROW GORGE OF MOSS THROUGH THE NARROW GORGE OF MOSS COVERED STONE.

COVERED STONE.

IF THIS WERE THE FOURTH OF JULY, IF THIS WERE THE FOURTH OF JULY, THESE FALLS WOULD BE THE BUILDUP THESE FALLS WOULD BE THE BUILDUP TO THE GRAND FINALE.

TO THE GRAND FINALE.

THIS, IN ALL OF ITS 80 FEET OF THIS, IN ALL OF ITS 80 FEET OF CASCADING WATER FALL GLORY, IS CASCADING WATER FALL GLORY, IS TANNERY FALLS.

TANNERY FALLS.

WITH NEARLY HALF OF THE UPPER WITH NEARLY HALF OF THE UPPER FALLS BEING A SHEET OF FALLS BEING A SHEET OF WHITEWATER THAT SKATES OVER FLAT WHITEWATER THAT SKATES OVER FLAT BASED STONE.

BASED STONE.

THE LOWER HALF IS A BUMPY RIDE THE LOWER HALF IS A BUMPY RIDE BEFORE EVENTUALLY COLLECTING AT BEFORE EVENTUALLY COLLECTING AT THE BASE.

THE BASE.

IT'S BEEN SAID THAT TO IT'S BEEN SAID THAT TO EVERYTHING, THERE IS A SEASON, EVERYTHING, THERE IS A SEASON, AND SUCH IS THE CASE OF WATER AND SUCH IS THE CASE OF WATER FALLS.

FALLS.

THAT SEASON IS SPRINGTIME, AND THAT SEASON IS SPRINGTIME, AND HAVING SEEN IT MYSELF, UP CLOSE HAVING SEEN IT MYSELF, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL, I, TOO, WOULD GIVE AND PERSONAL, I, TOO, WOULD GIVE IT THE FIVE-STAR REVIEW THAT SO IT THE FIVE-STAR REVIEW THAT SO MANY BEFORE ME HAVE.

MANY BEFORE ME HAVE.

WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH THE WHILE I WAS GOING THROUGH THE WOODS, NEARLY GETTING MYSELF WOODS, NEARLY GETTING MYSELF LOST ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, LOST ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, ONE PHRASE KEPT RUNNING THROUGH ONE PHRASE KEPT RUNNING THROUGH MY MIND.

MY MIND.

IT'S NOT THE DESTINATION, IT'S IT'S NOT THE DESTINATION, IT'S THE JOURNEY, AND NOW THAT I MADE THE JOURNEY, AND NOW THAT I MADE IT HERE, WHO SAYS THAT JOURNEY IT HERE, WHO SAYS THAT JOURNEY EVER HAS TO END.

EVER HAS TO END.

>> EVERY FALL THIS REGION LOOKS >> EVERY FALL THIS REGION LOOKS FORWARD TO ONE OF THE AREA'S FORWARD TO ONE OF THE AREA'S MOST ANTICIPATED FAIRS, THE MOST ANTICIPATED FAIRS, THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION, EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION, BETTER KNOWN AS THE BIG E. BETTER KNOWN AS THE BIG E. HOWEVER, LAST YEAR, FOR THE HOWEVER, LAST YEAR, FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II, FIRST TIME SINCE WORLD WAR II, THE FAIR, LIKE MANY OTHER THE FAIR, LIKE MANY OTHER EVENTS, WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE EVENTS, WAS CANCELED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

PANDEMIC.

I SPOKE WITH EUGENE CASSIDY, I SPOKE WITH EUGENE CASSIDY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EASTERN PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION TO HEAR HOW STATES EXPOSITION TO HEAR HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS TO COME TO THAT DIFFICULT IT WAS TO COME TO THAT DECISION, HOW THE EXPOSITION HAS DECISION, HOW THE EXPOSITION HAS MANAGED TO REINVENT ITSELF MANAGED TO REINVENT ITSELF DURING THE PAST YEAR, AND WHAT DURING THE PAST YEAR, AND WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE BIG E. THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE BIG E. >> IT WAS 75 YEARS SINCE WE >> IT WAS 75 YEARS SINCE WE CANCELED THE LAST TIME.

CANCELED THE LAST TIME.

BUT, DURING THE WAR EFFORT, BUT, DURING THE WAR EFFORT, EVERYBODY WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK, EVERYBODY WAS ALL HANDS ON DECK, SO PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

SO PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD THAT.

HERE, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T FULLY HERE, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PANDEMIC WAS UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PANDEMIC WAS GOING TO MEAN FOR THE WORLD, GOING TO MEAN FOR THE WORLD, REALLY.

REALLY.

WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, WHAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE EXPOSITION IS OVER 681 MILLION.

EXPOSITION IS OVER 681 MILLION.

THERE IS A LOT OF LIVELIHOODS AT THERE IS A LOT OF LIVELIHOODS AT STAKE, SO WHILE THERE IS THE STAKE, SO WHILE THERE IS THE LIVELIHOODS OF THE FEW OF US AT LIVELIHOODS OF THE FEW OF US AT WORK, IN A NORMAL TIME, WE HAVE WORK, IN A NORMAL TIME, WE HAVE ABOUT 30 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

ABOUT 30 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES.

ALTHOUGH, WE ARE DOWN QUITE A ALTHOUGH, WE ARE DOWN QUITE A BIT FROM THAT NOW.

BIT FROM THAT NOW.

BUT, THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THERE BUT, THERE IS, YOU KNOW, THERE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE IN THAT 681 MILLION.

IN THAT 681 MILLION.

SO THAT COMPLICATED THE SO THAT COMPLICATED THE CANCELLATION BECAUSE WE KNEW CANCELLATION BECAUSE WE KNEW THAT PEOPLE NEEDED US IN ORDER THAT PEOPLE NEEDED US IN ORDER FOR THEM TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

FOR THEM TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION IT WAS A VERY DIFFICULT DECISION TO MAKE.

TO MAKE.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, WE WERE WHILE AT THE SAME TIME, WE WERE AWARE THAT IF WE HAD A FAIR, YOU AWARE THAT IF WE HAD A FAIR, YOU KNOW, WE COULD HAVE BEEN PUTTING KNOW, WE COULD HAVE BEEN PUTTING PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY AND HEALTH PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY AND HEALTH RISK, AS WELL.

RISK, AS WELL.

>> THE EXPOSITION HOSTS OVER 100 >> THE EXPOSITION HOSTS OVER 100 EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT RANGE FROM TRADE SHOWS TO RANGE FROM TRADE SHOWS TO AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK AGRICULTURAL AND LIVESTOCK COMPETITIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT COMPETITIONS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.

EVENTS.

ALL WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY ALL WHICH HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

THE PANDEMIC.

SO HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SO HOW HAVE YOU MANAGED TO REINVENT YOURSELVES IN ORDER TO REINVENT YOURSELVES IN ORDER TO STAY AFLOAT DURING THESE STAY AFLOAT DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES?

DIFFICULT TIMES?

>> WE ARE USED TO HAVING EVENTS >> WE ARE USED TO HAVING EVENTS ON VERY LARGE SCALES.

ON VERY LARGE SCALES.

WE DEAL WITH LARGE VOLUMES OF WE DEAL WITH LARGE VOLUMES OF PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

BUT, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US BUT, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT FOR US TO KIND OF KEEP THE NAME IN THE TO KIND OF KEEP THE NAME IN THE SPOTLIGHT.

SPOTLIGHT.

SO, WE DID THAT BY HAVING A FOOD SO, WE DID THAT BY HAVING A FOOD DRIVE THROUGH -- WE OPENED DRIVE THROUGH -- WE OPENED RECENTLY WITH OUR CONCESSIONS RECENTLY WITH OUR CONCESSIONS PARTNER, THE WEST SPRINGFIELD PARTNER, THE WEST SPRINGFIELD DRIVE-IN, OR DRIVE-IN MOVIES, DRIVE-IN, OR DRIVE-IN MOVIES, VERY SUCCESSFUL.

VERY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAD THE VICTORY CHEESE GARDEN WE HAD THE VICTORY CHEESE GARDEN HERE, CHEESE MARK, WHICH IS SORT HERE, CHEESE MARK, WHICH IS SORT OF A THROW BACK TO THE SECOND OF A THROW BACK TO THE SECOND WORLD WAR DAYS.

WORLD WAR DAYS.

WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM WE NEEDED TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR THE NEW ENGLAND AGRICULTURE, FOR THE NEW ENGLAND AGRICULTURE, TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR TO BE ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCT.

PRODUCT.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

A LOT OF THIS STUFF GENERATED NO A LOT OF THIS STUFF GENERATED NO INCOME TO THE EASTERN STATES.

INCOME TO THE EASTERN STATES.

BUT IT KEPT US IN THE PUBLIC BUT IT KEPT US IN THE PUBLIC EYE.

EYE.

AND GETTING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND GETTING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY HAS BEEN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT.

DIFFICULT.

IF WE FAILED, FILLING THAT VOID IF WE FAILED, FILLING THAT VOID OF 681 MILLION FOR OUR REGION, I OF 681 MILLION FOR OUR REGION, I AM NOT SURE THAT ANYBODY COULD AM NOT SURE THAT ANYBODY COULD EVER BACKFILL THAT BODY.

EVER BACKFILL THAT BODY.

>> THIS APRIL, IT WAS ANNOUNCED >> THIS APRIL, IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT THE BIG E WOULD BECOME A THAT THE BIG E WOULD BECOME A MASS VACCINATION SITE, WHICH IS MASS VACCINATION SITE, WHICH IS SECOND IN THE REGION AFTER THE SECOND IN THE REGION AFTER THE SITE AT THE EAST FIELD MALL IN SITE AT THE EAST FIELD MALL IN SPRINGFIELD.

SPRINGFIELD.

WHY WERE THE FAIRGROUNDS CHOSEN WHY WERE THE FAIRGROUNDS CHOSEN AS A MASS VACCINATION SITE, AND AS A MASS VACCINATION SITE, AND HOW DOES IT FEEL TO OFFER THIS HOW DOES IT FEEL TO OFFER THIS SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS.

SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS.

>> I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE >> I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE HAD THE SITE OPENED IN JANUARY.

HAD THE SITE OPENED IN JANUARY.

WE WERE UNABLE TO CONVINCE THE WE WERE UNABLE TO CONVINCE THE STATE THAT THIS WAS THE BEST STATE THAT THIS WAS THE BEST PLACE FOR IT.

PLACE FOR IT.

IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT WE IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT WE WERE THE SECOND LARGEST WERE THE SECOND LARGEST CORONAVIRUS TESTING SITE.

CORONAVIRUS TESTING SITE.

SO, YOU KNOW, IT FEELS GOOD TO SO, YOU KNOW, IT FEELS GOOD TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE SOLUTION, BE ABLE TO DELIVER THE SOLUTION, AND YOU KNOW, IF IT WEREN'T FOR AND YOU KNOW, IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE MAYOR OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, THE MAYOR OF WEST SPRINGFIELD, THE MAYOR FROM AGUAM, AND THE THE MAYOR FROM AGUAM, AND THE MAYOR FROM WESTFIELD -- THOSE MAYOR FROM WESTFIELD -- THOSE THREE GENTLEMAN PLAYED A THREE GENTLEMAN PLAYED A POWERFUL ROLE FOR THIS REGION, POWERFUL ROLE FOR THIS REGION, AND THE REGION OWES THEM ALL A AND THE REGION OWES THEM ALL A DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR SURE.

DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR SURE.

>> THE BIG E HAS BEEN PART OF >> THE BIG E HAS BEEN PART OF THIS REGION FOR OVER A CENTURY.

THIS REGION FOR OVER A CENTURY.

THE FAIR IS ONE OF THE MOST THE FAIR IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR EVENTS THAT WE SEE IN POPULAR EVENTS THAT WE SEE IN THIS REGION.

THIS REGION.

IN 2019 WHEN THE FAIR WAS LAST IN 2019 WHEN THE FAIR WAS LAST HELD, IT SAW 1.6 MILLION HELD, IT SAW 1.6 MILLION VISITORS.

VISITORS.

WITH MASSACHUSETTS ENTERING WITH MASSACHUSETTS ENTERING PHASE FOUR OF ITS REOPENING, AND PHASE FOUR OF ITS REOPENING, AND LOOSENING OF THE RESTRICTIONS, LOOSENING OF THE RESTRICTIONS, ARE YOU HOPEFUL T THAT THE FAIR ARE YOU HOPEFUL T THAT THE FAIR CAN MAKE A COMEBACK THIS YEAR?

CAN MAKE A COMEBACK THIS YEAR?

>> WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC.

>> WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC.

THE GOVERNOR INDICATED THAT THE GOVERNOR INDICATED THAT AUGUST 1st, THE BANDAIDS WOULD AUGUST 1st, THE BANDAIDS WOULD BE REMOVED.

BE REMOVED.

WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN A BIG WE KNOW THAT WE ARE IN A BIG PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT.

PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT.

MASS GATHERING SPACE.

MASS GATHERING SPACE.

SOME PEOPLE ARE IN HER GOING TOR SOME PEOPLE ARE IN HER GOING TOR GOING TO RETURN TO MASS GOING TO RETURN TO MASS GATHERINGS, AND THAT'S UP TO GATHERINGS, AND THAT'S UP TO THEIR DISCRETION.

THEIR DISCRETION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE BE AMERICAN WAY OF LIFE BE CELEBRATED AGAIN AT THE BIG E TO CELEBRATED AGAIN AT THE BIG E TO BE SURE.

BE SURE.

>> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING >> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FOR MAY 14th, 2021.

POINT" FOR MAY 14th, 2021.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS FIND THE STORIES YOU SAW TONIGHT AS THE STORIES YOU SAW TONIGHT AS WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, WELL AS EXCLUSIVE FEATURES, DIGITAL ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE DIGITAL ONLY CONTENT, AND MORE ON-LINE ANY TIME AT OUR WEBSITE, ON-LINE ANY TIME AT OUR WEBSITE, JOIN US NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT JOIN US NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT AT 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON THE NEW 6:00 RIGHT HERE ON THE NEW ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA.

ENGLAND PUBLIC MEDIA.

FOR MORE STORIES OF THE FOR MORE STORIES OF THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKES US WESTERN COMMUNITY THAT MAKES US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

BE SAFE AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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