♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> COMING UP, WE'RE CONNECTING >>> COMING UP, WE'RE CONNECTING YOU WITH THE CREATIVITY AND YOU WITH THE CREATIVITY AND CULTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, CULTURE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, INCLUDING A CLASS WHERE YOU CAN INCLUDING A CLASS WHERE YOU CAN BUILD THE INSTRUMENT OF YOUR BUILD THE INSTRUMENT OF YOUR DREAMS!

DREAMS!

>> PEOPLE ARE ALMOST IN TEARS >> PEOPLE ARE ALMOST IN TEARS WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR GUITARS WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR GUITARS HERE AND HEAR THOSE FIRST CHORDS HERE AND HEAR THOSE FIRST CHORDS FROM THEM.

FROM THEM.

SO IT'S -- IT'S PRETTY SO IT'S -- IT'S PRETTY GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE.

GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE.

>> SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOLERS >> SPRINGFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOLERS BRING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE.

BRING SHAKESPEARE TO LIFE.

>> AFTER TWO YEARS OF >> AFTER TWO YEARS OF STRUGGLING, THEY ARE PLAYING AND STRUGGLING, THEY ARE PLAYING AND LEARNING IN A ROOM LIVE AND IN LEARNING IN A ROOM LIVE AND IN PERSON.

PERSON.

>>> AND WE CHECK IN ON AN EFFORT >>> AND WE CHECK IN ON AN EFFORT TO BEAUTIFY THE HEART OF THE TO BEAUTIFY THE HEART OF THE BERKSHIRES.

BERKSHIRES.

>> HAVING ALL THESE DIFFERENT >> HAVING ALL THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE IN ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE IN DOWNTOWN TO GET THIS DONE IS DOWNTOWN TO GET THIS DONE IS AWESOME.

AWESOME.

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

"CONNECTING POINT."

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

CONTRIBUTING VIEWERS.

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

COMMUNITY.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

EACH WEEK THIS SUMMER WE'RE EACH WEEK THIS SUMMER WE'RE EXPLORING ALL THAT WESTERN EXPLORING ALL THAT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER, AND NEW ENGLAND HAS TO OFFER, AND TODAY WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM TODAY WE'RE COMING TO YOU FROM MITTENEAGUE PARK IN THE HAMPDEN MITTENEAGUE PARK IN THE HAMPDEN COUNTY TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD.

COUNTY TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD.

THIS 300-PLUS ACRE PARK IS HOME THIS 300-PLUS ACRE PARK IS HOME TO A MUSEUM, A GREENHOUSE, A TO A MUSEUM, A GREENHOUSE, A DISC GOLF COURSE, HIKING TRAILS, DISC GOLF COURSE, HIKING TRAILS, BALL FIELDS, AND MORE.

BALL FIELDS, AND MORE.

IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR IT'S THE PERFECT PLACE FOR FAMILIES TO WHILE AWAY THE FAMILIES TO WHILE AWAY THE SUMMERTIME.

SUMMERTIME.

BUT WHERE WEST SPRINGFIELD LIES BUT WHERE WEST SPRINGFIELD LIES CLOSE TO THE CONNECTICUT BORDER, CLOSE TO THE CONNECTICUT BORDER, OUR FIRST STORY TODAY TAKES US OUR FIRST STORY TODAY TAKES US TO THE YOUR MOST CORNER OF TO THE YOUR MOST CORNER OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

-- UPPERMOST CORNER OF -- UPPERMOST CORNER OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MASSACHUSETTS.

NICK LENSKI HAS BEEN PASSIONATE NICK LENSKI HAS BEEN PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING GUITARS FOR MOST OF ABOUT MAKING GUITARS FOR MOST OF HUSBAND LIFE.

HUSBAND LIFE.

BUT A FEW YEARS BACK HE DECIDED BUT A FEW YEARS BACK HE DECIDED TO TURN HIS PASTIME INTO A TO TURN HIS PASTIME INTO A CAREER BY TEACHING OTHERS HOW TO CAREER BY TEACHING OTHERS HOW TO MAKE THE INSTRUMENT OF THEIR MAKE THE INSTRUMENT OF THEIR DREAMS.

DREAMS.

AND AFTER A WEEK-LONG COURSE AND AFTER A WEEK-LONG COURSE WITH NICK AT BIRK SCHEYER WITH NICK AT BIRK SCHEYER STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, EACH STRINGED INSTRUMENTS, EACH STUDENT HAS A FINISHED, STUDENT HAS A FINISHED, HANDCRAFTED GUITAR THAT THEY HANDCRAFTED GUITAR THAT THEY MADE THEMSELVES.

MADE THEMSELVES.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER PHONYES EXECUTIVE PRODUCER PHONYES TOPPED BY -- TONY DUNNE STOPPED TOPPED BY -- TONY DUNNE STOPPED BY NORTH ADAMS FOR A LESSON IN BY NORTH ADAMS FOR A LESSON IN MUSICAL WOODWORKING.

MUSICAL WOODWORKING.

>> I ALWAYS LOVED THE FOREST, >> I ALWAYS LOVED THE FOREST, AND WOODS.

AND WOODS.

IN MY YOUNGER YEARS I WAS A IN MY YOUNGER YEARS I WAS A CONTRACTOR FOREIGN IS A WHILE.

CONTRACTOR FOREIGN IS A WHILE.

AND -- CONTRACTORY FOR A WHILE.

AND -- CONTRACTORY FOR A WHILE.

AND ME AND MY WIFE WERE LOOKING AND ME AND MY WIFE WERE LOOKING FOR A CAREER.

FOR A CAREER.

I WASN'T TRULY SATISFIED WITH I WASN'T TRULY SATISFIED WITH WHAT I WAS DOING AND IT WAS WHAT I WAS DOING AND IT WAS ACTUALLY MY WIFE'S IDEA FOR ME ACTUALLY MY WIFE'S IDEA FOR ME TO BUILD GUITARS.

TO BUILD GUITARS.

I WAS DOING IT ON THE WEEKENDS I WAS DOING IT ON THE WEEKENDS OR AT NIGHT.

OR AT NIGHT.

IN MY HOME SHOP.

IN MY HOME SHOP.

I HAD A FEW PEOPLE WHO SAID I HAD A FEW PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY'D BE INTERESTED IN MAKING THEY'D BE INTERESTED IN MAKING ONE.

ONE.

SO I SAID, WHY DON'T I OFFER A SO I SAID, WHY DON'T I OFFER A COURSE.

COURSE.

YOU KNOW, I MET UP WITH STEVE YOU KNOW, I MET UP WITH STEVE WHO YOU KNOW, WAS MY MENTOR.

WHO YOU KNOW, WAS MY MENTOR.

>> I JUST THOUGHT IT -- SAW IT >> I JUST THOUGHT IT -- SAW IT AS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE AS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HIM HERE AND WE COULD HIM HERE AND WE COULD COLLABORATE AND LEARN FROM EACH COLLABORATE AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHER, AND SO THAT'S WHAT I DID.

OTHER, AND SO THAT'S WHAT I DID.

>> IT JUST SEEMS TO HAVE JUST >> IT JUST SEEMS TO HAVE JUST KEEP GAINING MORE AND MORE KEEP GAINING MORE AND MORE MOMENTUM.

MOMENTUM.

>> FIND THE MIDDLE THERE.

>> FIND THE MIDDLE THERE.

>> I WOULD SAY 10-DAY COURSE, >> I WOULD SAY 10-DAY COURSE, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 TO MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY, 8:00 TO 4:00 EVERY DAY.

4:00 EVERY DAY.

AND BASICALLY STUDENTS COME.

AND BASICALLY STUDENTS COME.

THEY CAN HAND-BUILD THEIR OWN THEY CAN HAND-BUILD THEIR OWN CUSTOM INSTRUMENT, WHETHER IT'S CUSTOM INSTRUMENT, WHETHER IT'S A GUITAR, NILE LON OR STEEL -- A GUITAR, NILE LON OR STEEL -- NYLON OR STEEL, MANDOLIN OR YUK NYLON OR STEEL, MANDOLIN OR YUK LAILLY -- YUK LAICALLY.

LAILLY -- YUK LAICALLY.

>> I ALWAYS WANTED A HAND-BUILT >> I ALWAYS WANTED A HAND-BUILT GUITAR AND COULD NEVER AFFORD GUITAR AND COULD NEVER AFFORD ONE.

ONE.

BUT THIS WORKED OUT BEAUTIFULLY.

BUT THIS WORKED OUT BEAUTIFULLY.

>> IT'S SO MUCH MORE PERSON IF >> IT'S SO MUCH MORE PERSON IF THEY SPEND THAT MUCH TIME WITH THEY SPEND THAT MUCH TIME WITH THEIR GUITAR, THE ISSUE OF YOU THEIR GUITAR, THE ISSUE OF YOU KNOW, GOING INTO STORE AND KNOW, GOING INTO STORE AND HANDING SOMEBODY YOUR CREDIT HANDING SOMEBODY YOUR CREDIT CARD AS OPPOSED TO ACTUALLY CARD AS OPPOSED TO ACTUALLY BEING INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS IS BEING INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS IS A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

A PRETTY BIG DEAL.

>> EVERYTHING IS FULLY >> EVERYTHING IS FULLY CUSTOMIZED.

CUSTOMIZED.

YOU'RE GOING TO HAND CARVE YOUR YOU'RE GOING TO HAND CARVE YOUR OWN MAKE NECK, MAKE YOUR OWN OWN MAKE NECK, MAKE YOUR OWN BRIDGE, SADDLE AND NAULT.

BRIDGE, SADDLE AND NAULT.

YOU CAN DO ALL YOUR OWN YOU CAN DO ALL YOUR OWN INLAYING.

INLAYING.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY'VE DECIDED.

IT'S SOMETHING THEY'VE DECIDED.

IT'S -- DESIGNED.

IT'S -- DESIGNED.

IT'S IDEALLY WHAT THEY WANT.

IT'S IDEALLY WHAT THEY WANT.

>> SO I'M GOING TO GO IN KIND OF >> SO I'M GOING TO GO IN KIND OF A ROUND MOTION.

A ROUND MOTION.

>> YEAH.

>> YEAH.

>> THE BEAUTY OF THIS COURSE IS >> THE BEAUTY OF THIS COURSE IS I'M SEEING HOW IT'S BUILT AND I'M SEEING HOW IT'S BUILT AND BEAK ABLE TO DO IT MYSELF WITH A BEAK ABLE TO DO IT MYSELF WITH A TEACHER WHO IS REALLY PATIENT TEACHER WHO IS REALLY PATIENT AND SHOWS YOU EXACTLY HOW AND AND SHOWS YOU EXACTLY HOW AND WHY THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

WHY THINGS ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> AND HOPEFULLY THROUGH THAT, >> AND HOPEFULLY THROUGH THAT, THEY'RE GONNA END UP WITH AN THEY'RE GONNA END UP WITH AN INSTRUMENT THAT ACTUALLY DOES INSTRUMENT THAT ACTUALLY DOES WHAT THEY WANT IT TO DO.

WHAT THEY WANT IT TO DO.

>> EACH WOOD POSSESSES ITS OWN >> EACH WOOD POSSESSES ITS OWN TONE.

TONE.

AND BY PAIRING DIFFERENT TOP AND BY PAIRING DIFFERENT TOP WOODS WITH DIFFERENT BACK AND GS WOODS WITH DIFFERENT BACK AND GS INSTRUMENTS, WHERE I MAKE THE INSTRUMENTS, WHERE I MAKE THE ENTIRE GUITAR OUT OF LOCALLY ENTIRE GUITAR OUT OF LOCALLY SOURCED WOODS THAT I HARVEST SOURCED WOODS THAT I HARVEST MYSELF.

MYSELF.

AND YOU KNOW, MAJORITY OF THE AND YOU KNOW, MAJORITY OF THE INSTRUMENTS, EACH PART COMES INSTRUMENTS, EACH PART COMES FROM A DIFFERENT TOWN IN FROM A DIFFERENT TOWN IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY, THIS IS A BERKSHIRE COUNTY, THIS IS A REALLY GREAT THING TO DO.

REALLY GREAT THING TO DO.

BASICALLY, ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

BASICALLY, ANYBODY CAN DO IT.

I'VE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN I'VE HAD PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WOODWORKING FOR OVER 30 YEARS WOODWORKING FOR OVER 30 YEARS AND I HAVE YOU KNOW, SOME AND I HAVE YOU KNOW, SOME COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NEVER COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN LIKE RAN A HAND DRILL EVEN LIKE RAN A HAND DRILL BEFORE.

BEFORE.

>> BETWEEN THE NUT AND THE FIRST >> BETWEEN THE NUT AND THE FIRST CENTER?

CENTER?

>> YEP, YEP.

>> YEP, YEP.

>> I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO >> I'M JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND BUILD BE ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND BUILD THIS AND PEOPLE GO, THAT'S A THIS AND PEOPLE GO, THAT'S A NICE GUITAR.

NICE GUITAR.

WHERE GET THAT.

WHERE GET THAT.

AND I CAN SAY I BUILT IT.

AND I CAN SAY I BUILT IT.

>> I GUESS THE BEST PART OF THE >> I GUESS THE BEST PART OF THE BUILD IS YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE BUILD IS YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT AND YOU HIT THAT DONE WITH IT AND YOU HIT THAT FIRST NOTE, YOU KNOW.

FIRST NOTE, YOU KNOW.

AND IT COMES OUT EXACTLY AS YOU AND IT COMES OUT EXACTLY AS YOU HOPED IT WOULD.

HOPED IT WOULD.

PEOPLE ARE ALMOST IN TEARS WHEN PEOPLE ARE ALMOST IN TEARS WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR GUITARS HERE THEY FINISH THEIR GUITARS HERE AND HEAR THOSE FIRST CHORDS FROM AND HEAR THOSE FIRST CHORDS FROM THEM.

THEM.

SO IT'S -- IT'S PRETTY SO IT'S -- IT'S PRETTY GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE TO GO AND GRATIFYING EXPERIENCE TO GO AND BUILD A GET YAR WITH NICK.

BUILD A GET YAR WITH NICK.

>> -- GUITAR WITH NICK.

>> -- GUITAR WITH NICK.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO >> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HITTING THE FIRST COUPLE NOTES HITTING THE FIRST COUPLE NOTES ON THIS THING AND LISTENING TO ON THIS THING AND LISTENING TO IT AND SEE IT AND HEAR HOW IT IT AND SEE IT AND HEAR HOW IT GOES TOGETHER.

GOES TOGETHER.

I'M KIND OF CHOMPING AT THE BIT I'M KIND OF CHOMPING AT THE BIT A LITTLE BIT HERE.

A LITTLE BIT HERE.

>> I THINK IT'S THE PERSONAL >> I THINK IT'S THE PERSONAL CONNECTION AND THE FACT THAT CONNECTION AND THE FACT THAT THEY KNOW THAT I'M HANDLING THEY KNOW THAT I'M HANDLING EVERY PIECE OF WOOD.

EVERY PIECE OF WOOD.

PEOPLE ARE JUST -- PEOPLE ARE JUST -- >> PEOPLE ARE JUST THRILLED WITH >> PEOPLE ARE JUST THRILLED WITH THE FACT THAT THEY'VE THE FACT THAT THEY'VE ACCOMPLISHED THIS, YOU KNOW.

ACCOMPLISHED THIS, YOU KNOW.

THEY START OUT WITH A PILE OF THEY START OUT WITH A PILE OF WOOD IN FRONT OF THEM AND YOU WOOD IN FRONT OF THEM AND YOU KNOW, BY THE 10th DAY, THEY KNOW, BY THE 10th DAY, THEY HAVE A YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL HAVE A YOU KNOW, A BEAUTIFUL MUSICAL INSTRUMENT THAT THEY'VE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT THAT THEY'VE HANDCRAFTED AND THEY CAN PLAY.

HANDCRAFTED AND THEY CAN PLAY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> EVERY WEEK "CONNECTING >>> EVERY WEEK "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVITY, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND, BUT IT STUNT DOP THERE.

STUNT DOP THERE.

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

CONTENT.

IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A GUITAR AND IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A GUITAR AND NEED IT SERVICED IN THE NEED IT SERVICED IN THE BERKSHIRES, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER BERKSHIRES, THEN LOOK NO FURTHER THAN THE MUSIC REPAIR SHOP, THAN THE MUSIC REPAIR SHOP, WHERE KRATZMEN TACK TILL WHERE KRATZMEN TACK TILL INSTRUMENT FROM TWO DIFFERENT INSTRUMENT FROM TWO DIFFERENT ANGLES.

ANGLES.

IN THIS WEEK'S DIGITAL IN THIS WEEK'S DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, "CONNECTING POINT'S" EXCLUSIVE, "CONNECTING POINT'S" BRIAN SULLIVAN TAKES US TO BRIAN SULLIVAN TAKES US TO DALTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FOR SOME DALTON, MASSACHUSETTS, FOR SOME SIX-STRING BLISS.

SIX-STRING BLISS.

>> THERE AREN'T AS MANY >> THERE AREN'T AS MANY INSTRUMENT REPAIR PEOPLE AS INSTRUMENT REPAIR PEOPLE AS THERE USED TO BE PERHAPS.

THERE USED TO BE PERHAPS.

WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN THAT HAVE ALL STORLTS OF DIFFERENT HAVE ALL STORLTS OF DIFFERENT NEEDS WITH THEIR -- SORTS OF NEEDS WITH THEIR -- SORTS OF DIFFERENT NEEDS WITH THEIR DIFFERENT NEEDS WITH THEIR GUITARS, FROM BEGINNERS WHO GUITARS, FROM BEGINNERS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW TO STRING THEM, DON'T KNOW HOW TO STRING THEM, ALL THE WAY TO REPLACING ALL THE WAY TO REPLACING PICK-UPS.

PICK-UPS.

MAKING THEM A BETTER PLAYING MAKING THEM A BETTER PLAYING GUITAR FOR THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF GUITAR FOR THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF A LOCAL MUSICIAN.

A LOCAL MUSICIAN.

>> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL >> YOU CAN FIND THAT DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT EXCLUSIVE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> FOR YEARS MIDDLE SCHOOL >>> FOR YEARS MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHOLARS AT THE ACADEMY HILL SCHOLARS AT THE ACADEMY HILL SCHOOL IN SPRINGFIELD HAVE PUT SCHOOL IN SPRINGFIELD HAVE PUT ON A LIVE SHEIKH WE'RE ON A LIVE SHEIKH WE'RE PRODUCTION ANNUALLY.

PRODUCTION ANNUALLY.

-- SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION -- SHAKESPEARE PRODUCTION ANNUALLY.

ANNUALLY.

BUT IT WENT DARK DUE TO THE BUT IT WENT DARK DUE TO THE PANDEMIC.

PANDEMIC.

BUT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF A GRANT BUT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF A GRANT SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY, A SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY, A PROFESSIONAL THEATER PROFESSIONAL THEATER ORGANIZATION BASED IN LENOX, ORGANIZATION BASED IN LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS, HELD A THREE-DAY MASSACHUSETTS, HELD A THREE-DAY RESIDENCY AT THE SCHOOL TO HELP RESIDENCY AT THE SCHOOL TO HELP STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR THEIR STUDENTS GEAR UP FOR THEIR RENDITION OF THE TEMPEST.

RENDITION OF THE TEMPEST.

I JOINED THEM FOR THEIR FIRST I JOINED THEM FOR THEIR FIRST DRESS REHEARSAL SINCE 2019.

DRESS REHEARSAL SINCE 2019.

>> WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF THE >> WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF THE SHAKESPEARE UNIT, WHICH FEELS SHAKESPEARE UNIT, WHICH FEELS LIKE THE LIGHTS HAVE TURNED BACK LIKE THE LIGHTS HAVE TURNED BACK ON T. EXCITEMENTS AND CONTAGIOUS ON T. EXCITEMENTS AND CONTAGIOUS RIGHT NW.

RIGHT NW.

THE STUDENTS IN GRADE 6 THROUGH THE STUDENTS IN GRADE 6 THROUGH 8 HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THEIR 8 HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THEIR ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE UNIT, WHICH ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE UNIT, WHICH DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR THE LAST FEW DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS.

YEARS.

SO IT FEELS LIKE THE RETURN TO SO IT FEELS LIKE THE RETURN TO NORMALCY IS JUST RIGHT THERE!

NORMALCY IS JUST RIGHT THERE!

AND WE'RE READY TO GRAB IT.

AND WE'RE READY TO GRAB IT.

>> THE LIGHTS ARE LITERALLY >> THE LIGHTS ARE LITERALLY GOING TO BE ON.

GOING TO BE ON.

THE STUDENTS WILL BE THE STARS THE STUDENTS WILL BE THE STARS OF THE SHE.

OF THE SHE.

SO TELL ME A LITTLE BIT -- OF SO TELL ME A LITTLE BIT -- OF THE SHOW.

THE SHOW.

TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE PLAY AND HOW THIS COMMUNITY THE PLAY AND HOW THIS COMMUNITY CAME ABOUT.

CAME ABOUT.

>> WE USUALLY PARTNER WITH THE >> WE USUALLY PARTNER WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, MASSACHUSETTS CULTURAL COUNCIL, AND OUR CULTURAL COUNCIL IS AND OUR CULTURAL COUNCIL IS SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY IN LENOX.

SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY IN LENOX.

IT'S ONE OF THE PRE-EMINENT IT'S ONE OF THE PRE-EMINENT MAKES PEERIAN EDUCATIONAL MAKES PEERIAN EDUCATIONAL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

COMPANIES IN THE WORLD.

SO THEY'RE FULL OF TRAINED SO THEY'RE FULL OF TRAINED ACTORS AND TEACHERS WHO JUST ACTORS AND TEACHERS WHO JUST HAVE THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO HAVE THIS AMAZING ABILITY TO BRING SHAKESPEARE INTO BRING SHAKESPEARE INTO CLASSROOMS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL CLASSROOMS AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS IN WAYS THAT EXCITE THE SETTINGS IN WAYS THAT EXCITE THE STUDENTS.

STUDENTS.

SO WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY SO WHEN WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE A GRANT THROUGH THE TO WRITE A GRANT THROUGH THE MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL, WE THEY MASS CULTURAL COUNCIL, WE THEY WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WE WANTED TO CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THEM AND THIS UNIT BEGINS WITH THEM AND THIS UNIT BEGINS WITH A THREE-DAY RESIDENCY.

WITH A THREE-DAY RESIDENCY.

SPAIX YEAR & COMPANY SENDS US A SPAIX YEAR & COMPANY SENDS US A HANDFUL OF THEIR ACTORS AND HANDFUL OF THEIR ACTORS AND EXPLAINERS WHO -- TRAINERS AND EXPLAINERS WHO -- TRAINERS AND ACTOR WHO COME TO THE HILL AND ACTOR WHO COME TO THE HILL AND THEY INTRODUCE THE LANGUAGE OF THEY INTRODUCE THE LANGUAGE OF THEATER AND REDUCE THE -- THEATER AND REDUCE THE -- REINTRODUCE US.

REINTRODUCE US.

THEY GET COMFORTABLE WITH THEY GET COMFORTABLE WITH MOVEMENT AND STAGE.

MOVEMENT AND STAGE.

AND THEN WE MOVE INTO FULL AND THEN WE MOVE INTO FULL REHEARSALS.

REHEARSALS.

>> TELL ME ABOUT WHY YOU CHOSE >> TELL ME ABOUT WHY YOU CHOSE THE TEMPEST AND ONE THING I THE TEMPEST AND ONE THING I THOUGHT WAS REALLY INTERESTING THOUGHT WAS REALLY INTERESTING THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, WAS THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, WAS THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE IN THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE IN SHAKESPEARE LANGUAGE.

SHAKESPEARE LANGUAGE.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> SURE.

>> SURE.

WELL, WE HAVE A CYCLE OF PLAYS WELL, WE HAVE A CYCLE OF PLAYS THAT WE CHOOSE FROM.

THAT WE CHOOSE FROM.

SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS THAT WE SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS THAT WE CHOOSE FROM.

CHOOSE FROM.

AND IT WAS ON CYCLE TO CHOOSE AND IT WAS ON CYCLE TO CHOOSE THE TEMPEST.

THE TEMPEST.

WE HAD THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF WE HAD THE RIGHT COMBINATION OF STUDENTS.

STUDENTS.

BUT NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, I BUT NOW THAT YOU MENTION IT, I THINK THE SYMBOLISM OF COMING THINK THE SYMBOLISM OF COMING OUT OF THE STORM, OF THE END OF OUT OF THE STORM, OF THE END OF THE PLAY WHERE PROSPERO DROPS THE PLAY WHERE PROSPERO DROPS HIS FACADE AND HIS MAGIC AND HIS FACADE AND HIS MAGIC AND GOES BACK HOME.

GOES BACK HOME.

THERE'S A SYMBOLISM THERE THAT THERE'S A SYMBOLISM THERE THAT ALMOST RESONATES WITH THE FULL ALMOST RESONATES WITH THE FULL CIRCLE OF COMING THROUGH THE CIRCLE OF COMING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND RETURNING HOME TO PANDEMIC AND RETURNING HOME TO WHERE WE BEGAN.

WHERE WE BEGAN.

WE DIDN'T CHOOSE IT WE DIDN'T CHOOSE IT DELIBERATELY, BUT NOW THAT YOU DELIBERATELY, BUT NOW THAT YOU RAISE THAT, THERE'S SOMETHING TO RAISE THAT, THERE'S SOMETHING TO REFLECT ON FOR SURE.

REFLECT ON FOR SURE.

>> WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE >> WHAT HAS BEEN SOME OF THE AMAZING MOMENTS YOU'VE WITNESSED AMAZING MOMENTS YOU'VE WITNESSED DURING THE RESIDENCY AND ALL THE DURING THE RESIDENCY AND ALL THE PRACTICE THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE PRACTICE THAT THE STUDENTS HAVE GONE INTO?

GONE INTO?

>> THE JOY.

>> THE JOY.

AND THE KIDS ARE TOGETHER AGAIN.

AND THE KIDS ARE TOGETHER AGAIN.

AFTER TWO YEARS OF STRUGGLING.

AFTER TWO YEARS OF STRUGGLING.

[VOICE CRACKING] [VOICE CRACKING] THEY ARE PLAYING AND LEARNING IN THEY ARE PLAYING AND LEARNING IN A ROOM LIVE AND IN PERSON.

A ROOM LIVE AND IN PERSON.

YOU SEE THE FEAR START TO BREAK YOU SEE THE FEAR START TO BREAK AWAY.

AWAY.

AND YOU SEE THEMSELVES SHINING AND YOU SEE THEMSELVES SHINING THROUGH.

THROUGH.

AND THAT STARTED WITH THE AND THAT STARTED WITH THE RESIDENCY AND IT CONTINUED RESIDENCY AND IT CONTINUED THROUGH -- THROUGH THE THROUGH -- THROUGH THE REHEARSALS.

REHEARSALS.

>> THIS HAS REALLY BEEN A >> THIS HAS REALLY BEEN A HANDS-ON PLAY.

HANDS-ON PLAY.

THE STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN THE STUDENTS ARE INVOLVED IN LITERALLY EVERY SEASON PECT OF LITERALLY EVERY SEASON PECT OF THE PLAY.

THE PLAY.

-- ASPECT OF THE PLAY.

-- ASPECT OF THE PLAY.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THAT.

>> THE STUDENTS ARE CUSTOMERS.

>> THE STUDENTS ARE CUSTOMERS.

OUR PROP HANDLERS.

OUR PROP HANDLERS.

THEY'VE WORKED ON PIECES OF THE THEY'VE WORKED ON PIECES OF THE SET.

SET.

WE HAVE A STUDENT WORKING WITH WE HAVE A STUDENT WORKING WITH SOUND.

SOUND.

SO YES, OUR STUDENTS TAKE ON ALL SO YES, OUR STUDENTS TAKE ON ALL THE ROLES OF A THEEIAT KRAL -- THE ROLES OF A THEEIAT KRAL -- THEEIAT TRAL PRODUCTION.

THEEIAT TRAL PRODUCTION.

IT'S TERRIFIC FOR STUDENTS WHO IT'S TERRIFIC FOR STUDENTS WHO AREN'T AS COMFORTABLE COMING ON AREN'T AS COMFORTABLE COMING ON THE STAGE AND STILL PLAY SUCH A THE STAGE AND STILL PLAY SUCH A CRITICAL ROLE.

CRITICAL ROLE.

>> THEY'VE ALL MET AGAIN AND ARE >> THEY'VE ALL MET AGAIN AND ARE UPON THE METS MET.

UPON THE METS MET.

SUPPOSING THAT THEY SAW THE KING SUPPOSING THAT THEY SAW THE KING SHIPWRECKED.

SHIPWRECKED.

>> THEY CHARGE EXACTLY AS >> THEY CHARGE EXACTLY AS PERFORMED, BUT THEY WORK.

PERFORMED, BUT THEY WORK.

>> HOW NOW, WHAT IS -- >> HOW NOW, WHAT IS -- >> MY LIBERTY, I PRIFY.

>> MY LIBERTY, I PRIFY.

I'VE DONE THEE WORTHY SERVICE.

I'VE DONE THEE WORTHY SERVICE.

>> THE PLAY IS SOMETHING WE LOOK >> THE PLAY IS SOMETHING WE LOOK FORWARD TO SINCE YOU'RE IN FORWARD TO SINCE YOU'RE IN KINDERGARTEN.

KINDERGARTEN.

YOU WITNESS IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR YOU WITNESS IT EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND IT WAS ALWAYS WE WERE LIKE, AND IT WAS ALWAYS WE WERE LIKE, THE SHAKESPEARE PLAY IS COMING THE SHAKESPEARE PLAY IS COMING UP.

UP.

>> I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE REESE >> I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE REESE HEARSALS OF WATCHING -- HEARSALS OF WATCHING -- REHEARSALS OF WATCHING EVERYONE REHEARSALS OF WATCHING EVERYONE GROW INTO THEIR CHARACTER AND GROW INTO THEIR CHARACTER AND SEEING MYSELF BECOME SOMEONE SEEING MYSELF BECOME SOMEONE WHO'S DIFFERENT FROM ME AND WHO WHO'S DIFFERENT FROM ME AND WHO I NORMALLY WOULDN'T BE.

I NORMALLY WOULDN'T BE.

>> I THINK IT'S VERY ASPIRING TO >> I THINK IT'S VERY ASPIRING TO BE ABLE TO SEE LIKE THE OLDER BE ABLE TO SEE LIKE THE OLDER KIDS PERFORM A PRODUCTION AND IT KIDS PERFORM A PRODUCTION AND IT SEEMS LIKE, WOW, THAT'S SEEMS LIKE, WOW, THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO SOMETHING THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO DO.

DO.

>> DO -- TAKE DOWN -- >> DO -- TAKE DOWN -- >> I DID NOT GIVE AWAY.

>> I DID NOT GIVE AWAY.

THOU WILL TAKE YOUR FINGER.

THOU WILL TAKE YOUR FINGER.

>> I'M REALLY GOING TO MISS JUST >> I'M REALLY GOING TO MISS JUST THE EXPERIENCE OF REHEARSING AND THE EXPERIENCE OF REHEARSING AND BEING PART OF JUST SUCH A GREAT BEING PART OF JUST SUCH A GREAT PRODUCTION.

PRODUCTION.

AND I REALLY ENJOYED BEING ABLE AND I REALLY ENJOYED BEING ABLE TO ACT AND TO SING AND TO PLAY TO ACT AND TO SING AND TO PLAY THE CHARACTERS.

THE CHARACTERS.

AND DEFINITELY WORKING ALONGSIDE AND DEFINITELY WORKING ALONGSIDE THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SPEND A LOT THE PEOPLE THAT YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH, IT GIVES YOU A NEW OF TIME WITH, IT GIVES YOU A NEW PERSPECTIVE OF THEM AND IT GIVES PERSPECTIVE OF THEM AND IT GIVES YOU JUST THE CHANCE TO HAVE SO YOU JUST THE CHANCE TO HAVE SO MUCH FUN AND ALSO TO PRODUCE, MUCH FUN AND ALSO TO PRODUCE, LIKE, SUCH A GREAT PIECE OF LIKE, SUCH A GREAT PIECE OF ARTWORK.

ARTWORK.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> FOR THE PAST FOUR DECADES, >>> FOR THE PAST FOUR DECADES, THE NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP THE NONPROFIT MEMBERSHIP ASSOCIATION KNOWN AS DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION KNOWN AS DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD, INC., HAS BEEN PITTSFIELD, INC., HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES PARTNERING WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES AND OTHERS IN THE CITY TO NOT AND OTHERS IN THE CITY TO NOT ONLY PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH, ONLY PROMOTE ECONOMIC GROWTH, BUT TO MAKE THE DOWNTOWN AREA A BUT TO MAKE THE DOWNTOWN AREA A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME PLACE WHERE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO WORK.

TO WORK.

ONE OF THEIR MOST POPULAR ANNUAL ONE OF THEIR MOST POPULAR ANNUAL EVENTS IS THE DOWNTOWN EVENTS IS THE DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD CLEANUP DAY, AND PITTSFIELD CLEANUP DAY, AND "CONNECTING POINT'S" BRIAN "CONNECTING POINT'S" BRIAN SULLIVAN VISITED THE HART OF THE SULLIVAN VISITED THE HART OF THE BERKSHIRES TO BRING US THE BERKSHIRES TO BRING US THE STORY.

STORY.

>> NOT EVERY FRIDAY THE 13TH IS >> NOT EVERY FRIDAY THE 13TH IS FILLED WITH DOOM AND GLOOM.

FILLED WITH DOOM AND GLOOM.

WHEN THE EVENTS OF THE DAY GO WHEN THE EVENTS OF THE DAY GO OUT WITHOUT A HITCH, IT'S ANN TO OUT WITHOUT A HITCH, IT'S ANN TO FORGET THERE'S A STIGMA ATTACHED FORGET THERE'S A STIGMA ATTACHED TO THAT DATE, AS WAS THE CASE IN TO THAT DATE, AS WAS THE CASE IN PITTSFIELD ON FRIDAY, FOR THE PITTSFIELD ON FRIDAY, FOR THE 25TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN CLEANUP 25TH ANNUAL DOWNTOWN CLEANUP HOSTED BY DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD, HOSTED BY DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD, EVENING.

EVENING.

>> WE HAD OVER 25 TEAMS SHOW UP >> WE HAD OVER 25 TEAMS SHOW UP THIS YEAR AND OVER 200 THIS YEAR AND OVER 200 PARTICIPANTS WHO REALLY MADE THE PARTICIPANTS WHO REALLY MADE THE JOB A LOT EASIER, YOU KNOW.

JOB A LOT EASIER, YOU KNOW.

ONE OF THE AWARDS WE GIVE IS A ONE OF THE AWARDS WE GIVE IS A DREAM TEAM AWARD FOR THOSE DREAM TEAM AWARD FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HELPING OUT INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HELPING OUT SMALLER TEAMS, BECAUSE WE HAD SMALLER TEAMS, BECAUSE WE HAD ANYWHERE FROM TWO PEOPLE ON A ANYWHERE FROM TWO PEOPLE ON A TEAM TO 15, YOU KNOW.

TEAM TO 15, YOU KNOW.

AND THOSE EXTRA HANDS ACTUALLY AND THOSE EXTRA HANDS ACTUALLY MAKE IT A LOT EASIER TO -- FOR MAKE IT A LOT EASIER TO -- FOR US TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS.

US TO BE ABLE TO DO THINGS.

>> IT WAS A VOLUNTEER EFFORT AND >> IT WAS A VOLUNTEER EFFORT AND THE PARTICIPANTS WERE EASY TO THE PARTICIPANTS WERE EASY TO SPOT AS THEY WERE SCATTERED UP SPOT AS THEY WERE SCATTERED UP AND DOWN NORTH STREET AND ITS AND DOWN NORTH STREET AND ITS MANY SIDESTREETS.

MANY SIDESTREETS.

BUT NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES OF BUT NOT TAKING ANY CHANCES OF NOT BEING NOTICED, WAS THE TEAM NOT BEING NOTICED, WAS THE TEAM REPRESENTING THE DULY -- DOOLEY REPRESENTING THE DULY -- DOOLEY LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN THEIR LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE IN THEIR BRIGHT ORANGE SHIRTS.

BRIGHT ORANGE SHIRTS.

>> JUST LIKE WE BELIEVE IN THE >> JUST LIKE WE BELIEVE IN THE REVITALIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL REVITALIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN THE BERKSHIRES, DEVELOPMENT IN THE BERKSHIRES, WE BELIEVE IN THE REVITALIZATION WE BELIEVE IN THE REVITALIZATION OF OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY.

OF OUR DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY.

AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT HAS GONE AND AS YOU CAN SEE, IT HAS GONE THROUGH SOME -- SOME TOUGH THROUGH SOME -- SOME TOUGH TIMES.

TIMES.

AND BY KEEPING IT BEAUTIFUL, AND BY KEEPING IT BEAUTIFUL, STARTING WITH THE STREETS AND STARTING WITH THE STREETS AND THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE, THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE, WHEN YOU COME AND VISIT US, WHEN YOU COME AND VISIT US, HOPEFULLY YOU'LL COME BACK AND HOPEFULLY YOU'LL COME BACK AND SPEND MORE TIME IN THE SPEND MORE TIME IN THE BERKSHIRES.

BERKSHIRES.

AND WE HAVE A TRAIN THAT'S GOING AND WE HAVE A TRAIN THAT'S GOING TO BE ARRIVING SOON IN THE TO BE ARRIVING SOON IN THE BERKSHIRES ON FRIDAYS FROM BERKSHIRES ON FRIDAYS FROM MANHATTAN.

MANHATTAN.

SO THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE IS SO THEIR FIRST EXPERIENCE IS SEEING A DOWNTOWN THAT'S CLEAN, SEEING A DOWNTOWN THAT'S CLEAN, POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

POSITIVE IMPRESSION.

>> THE DAY IS REALLY ALL ABOUT >> THE DAY IS REALLY ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK.

TEAMWORK.

AND -- GROUP MOVEMENT HELPING AND -- GROUP MOVEMENT HELPING HOMELESS VETERANS FIND HOUSING HOMELESS VETERANS FIND HOUSING SINCE 1994, IT WAS EASY TO APPLY SINCE 1994, IT WAS EASY TO APPLY THEIR WORK PHILOSOPHY TO THE THEIR WORK PHILOSOPHY TO THE TASK OF THE DAY.

TASK OF THE DAY.

>> AS A PART OF OUR MISSION, IT >> AS A PART OF OUR MISSION, IT TAKES A VILLAGE TO DO SOMETHING.

TAKES A VILLAGE TO DO SOMETHING.

AND SO HERE IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY AND SO HERE IN BERKSHIRE COUNTY I WOULD SAY IT'S THE SAME THING.

I WOULD SAY IT'S THE SAME THING.

WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO COME TOGETHER NO MATTER WHAT THE TASK TOGETHER NO MATTER WHAT THE TASK IS.

IS.

SO HAVING ALL THESE DIFFERENT SO HAVING ALL THESE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE IN ORGANIZATIONS OUT HERE IN DOWNTOWN TO GET THIS DONE IS DOWNTOWN TO GET THIS DONE IS AWESOME.

AWESOME.

>> WHILE THE GROUPS MAY BE >> WHILE THE GROUPS MAY BE COMING IN FROM ALL OVER, MANY OF COMING IN FROM ALL OVER, MANY OF THEM HAVE OFFICES RIGHT HERE IN THEM HAVE OFFICES RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN.

DOWNTOWN.

SO CLEANING THE PLACE UP HELPS SO CLEANING THE PLACE UP HELPS GIVE THEM A SENSE OF PRIDE FOR GIVE THEM A SENSE OF PRIDE FOR THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE TO COME TO WORK.

COME TO WORK.

FOR THE BIRK SHIRE PRIDE GROUP FOR THE BIRK SHIRE PRIDE GROUP THERE'S THAT AND ANOTHER THERE'S THAT AND ANOTHER PRESSING DATE JUST AROUND THE PRESSING DATE JUST AROUND THE CORNER.

CORNER.

>> WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE CARE >> WE ARE HERE BECAUSE WE CARE ABOUT PITS FIELD, THE ABOUT PITS FIELD, THE BERKSHIRES, AS A COMMUNITY AS A BERKSHIRES, AS A COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE, AND WE WANT THE CITY TO WHOLE, AND WE WANT THE CITY TO LOOK PRETTY FOR OUR PARADE ON LOOK PRETTY FOR OUR PARADE ON JUNE 4TH.

JUNE 4TH.

>> CLEANUP DAY JUST HAPPENED TO >> CLEANUP DAY JUST HAPPENED TO LAND ON WHAT MAY BE THE NICEST LAND ON WHAT MAY BE THE NICEST DAY SO FAR IN THE SPRING.

DAY SO FAR IN THE SPRING.

THE GROUP FROM GUARDIAN LIFE THE GROUP FROM GUARDIAN LIFE POSSIBLY INSPIRED BY THE NICE POSSIBLY INSPIRED BY THE NICE WEATHER, EVEN LET THIS GUY TAKE WEATHER, EVEN LET THIS GUY TAKE PART IN THE ACTIVITIES.

PART IN THE ACTIVITIES.

THAT'S NOT SO BAD.

THAT'S NOT SO BAD.

IT'S A COUPLE HOURS ON A FRIDAY.

IT'S A COUPLE HOURS ON A FRIDAY.

PUSH A BROOM, DRAG A RAKE.

PUSH A BROOM, DRAG A RAKE.

GET SOME SUN.

GET SOME SUN.

AND IT'S ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

AND IT'S ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE.

>> GET BACK TO WORK!

>> GET BACK TO WORK!

>> THE WHOLE CLEANUP DAY RAN >> THE WHOLE CLEANUP DAY RAN FROM 1:30 UNTIL 3 HOIRPTD:30 FROM 1:30 UNTIL 3 HOIRPTD:30 AND -- 3:30.

AND -- 3:30.

AND THERE WERE SANDWICHES AND AND THERE WERE SANDWICHES AND REAPPRECIATEMENTS.

REAPPRECIATEMENTS.

-- REFRESHMENTS.

-- REFRESHMENTS.

THERE WERE PRIZES FOR THE TOP THERE WERE PRIZES FOR THE TOP TEAM BY A PANEL OF JUDGES.

TEAM BY A PANEL OF JUDGES.

WE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THOSE WE SPOKE WITH ONE OF THOSE PANELISTS WHO SUMMED UP WHAT THE PANELISTS WHO SUMMED UP WHAT THE WHOLE DAY WAS REALLY ALL ABOUT.

WHOLE DAY WAS REALLY ALL ABOUT.

>> DOING ANYTHING TOGETHER WITH >> DOING ANYTHING TOGETHER WITH OTHER PEOPLE IS AN AMAZING OTHER PEOPLE IS AN AMAZING THING.

THING.

PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO GET BACK PEOPLE ARE EXCITED TO GET BACK TOGETHER.

TOGETHER.

YOU KNOW.

YOU KNOW.

SO THAT ALONE IN ITSELF IS SO THAT ALONE IN ITSELF IS AMAZING.

AMAZING.

BUT CLEAN UP THE PLACE THAT YOU BUT CLEAN UP THE PLACE THAT YOU LIVE.

LIVE.

DON'T WANT TO WALK AROUND THE DON'T WANT TO WALK AROUND THE CITY THAT'S DIRTY.

CITY THAT'S DIRTY.

I'VE BEEN AROUND THOSE PLACES.

I'VE BEEN AROUND THOSE PLACES.

I KNOW HOW THOSE LOOK.

I KNOW HOW THOSE LOOK.

I DON'T WANT PITTSFIELD TO BE I DON'T WANT PITTSFIELD TO BE THAT WAY.

THAT WAY.

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >>> AND FOR MORE ON THIS STORY >>> AND FOR MORE ON THIS STORY YOU CAN GO ONLINE AT DOWT AS YOU CAN GO ONLINE AT DOWT AS DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD INC.'S DOWNTOWN PITTSFIELD INC.'S MANAGING DIRECTOR REBECCA BRIEN MANAGING DIRECTOR REBECCA BRIEN DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES OF DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES OF STAYING RELEVANT IN THE DIGITAL STAYING RELEVANT IN THE DIGITAL AJ AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS OF AJ AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A SUCCESSFUL EVENT LIKE HAVING A SUCCESSFUL EVENT LIKE THE DOWNTOWN CLEANUP IN A THE DOWNTOWN CLEANUP IN A DIGITAL EXTRA.

DIGITAL EXTRA.

>> THEY'RE NOT OPENING UP A >> THEY'RE NOT OPENING UP A NEWSPAPER AS MUCH ANYMORE.

NEWSPAPER AS MUCH ANYMORE.

THEY'RE IN THE READING THEIR THEY'RE IN THE READING THEIR MAIL WHEN IT COMES IN.

MAIL WHEN IT COMES IN.

SO IT IS SHOWING THE PEOPLE THAT SO IT IS SHOWING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE HERE, YOU KNOW, WITH FUN AND ARE HERE, YOU KNOW, WITH FUN AND EXCITING THINGS, WHETHER IT A EXCITING THINGS, WHETHER IT A DOWNTOWN CLEANUP, AN ART WALK, DOWNTOWN CLEANUP, AN ART WALK, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS BRINGING THOSE ARE ALL THINGS BRINGING PEOPLE TO DOUBTS NOWADAYS.

PEOPLE TO DOUBTS NOWADAYS.

AND YOU HAVE TO PUT -- DOUBTINGS AND YOU HAVE TO PUT -- DOUBTINGS NOW AWAITION.

NOW AWAITION.

AND YOU HAVE -- NOWADAYS.

AND YOU HAVE -- NOWADAYS.

YOU HAVE PUT THAT OUT THERE IN YOU HAVE PUT THAT OUT THERE IN THE NOBODY NETWORK.

THE NOBODY NETWORK.

>>> SINCE 201818 PARENT VILLAGES >>> SINCE 201818 PARENT VILLAGES HAS BEEN ON A MISSION TO IMPROVE HAS BEEN ON A MISSION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THROUGHOUT WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS.

THROUGH MONTHLY MEETUPS, SPECIAL THROUGH MONTHLY MEETUPS, SPECIAL PROGRAMMING, AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, THE ORGANIZATION PARTNERSHIPS, THE ORGANIZATION BUILDS BRIDGES BETWEEN PARENTS, BUILDS BRIDGES BETWEEN PARENTS, STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS TO STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS TO ENSURE THEIR NEEDS ARE MET AND ENSURE THEIR NEEDS ARE MET AND EXCEEDED.

EXCEEDED.

I SPOKE WITH WHAT TON YEAE, I SPOKE WITH WHAT TON YEAE, CO-FOUND -- LATONIA MONROE CO-FOUND -- LATONIA MONROE NAYLOR, CO-FOUND AND PRESIDENT NAYLOR, CO-FOUND AND PRESIDENT OF C.E.O.

OF PARENT VILLAGES, TO OF C.E.O.

OF PARENT VILLAGES, TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW THE ORGANIZATION BIGGAN.

ORGANIZATION BIGGAN.

>> I TRY NOT TO CRY, BUT WHEN I >> I TRY NOT TO CRY, BUT WHEN I WAS FIRST INVOLVED, I WAS WAS FIRST INVOLVED, I WAS SITTING IN A MEETING AND THERE SITTING IN A MEETING AND THERE WAS A REPORT DONE.

WAS A REPORT DONE.

AND ONE OF THE LADIES TALKED AND ONE OF THE LADIES TALKED ABOUT KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND ABOUT KINDERGARTEN READINESS AND PREPAREDNESS.

PREPAREDNESS.

SHE SAID 7% OF OUR KIDS WERE SHE SAID 7% OF OUR KIDS WERE WAITED FOR KINDERGARTEN.

WAITED FOR KINDERGARTEN.

I WAITED AND WAITED AND WAS I WAITED AND WAITED AND WAS REALLY FOCUS -- FOCUSED THAT.

REALLY FOCUS -- FOCUSED THAT.

AT THE END I ASKED, YOU KNOW, AT THE END I ASKED, YOU KNOW, DID YOU SAY 7 OR 70, AND SHE DID YOU SAY 7 OR 70, AND SHE SAID 7.

SAID 7.

AND I SAID, SO 93% OF OUR KIDS AND I SAID, SO 93% OF OUR KIDS ARE NOT READY FOR CURRENT.

ARE NOT READY FOR CURRENT.

AND SHE SAID -- FOR AND SHE SAID -- FOR KINDERGARTEN.

KINDERGARTEN.

AND SHE SAID YEAH.

AND SHE SAID YEAH.

I COULDN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND I COULDN'T WRAP MY MIND AROUND THAT AND WHY THAT WAS THE CASE.

THAT AND WHY THAT WAS THE CASE.

SO WHEN I TALKED TO THE OTHER SO WHEN I TALKED TO THE OTHER WOMEN THAT CO-FOUNDED PARENT WOMEN THAT CO-FOUNDED PARENT VILLAGES WITH ME, CINDY, PAIGE, VILLAGES WITH ME, CINDY, PAIGE, I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND I I TOLD THEM WHAT HAPPENED AND I SAID, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING SAID, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

ABOUT IT.

AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THESE AND WE THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THESE IDEAS AND THEN I SAID, WHY DON'T IDEAS AND THEN I SAID, WHY DON'T WE NAME IT PARENT VILLAGES.

WE NAME IT PARENT VILLAGES.

AND THAT'S CAIND OF WHERE WE AND THAT'S CAIND OF WHERE WE START -- KIND OF WHERE WE START -- KIND OF WHERE WE STARTED WITH GOING OUT, STARTED WITH GOING OUT, EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY, AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY, AND TRYING TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE TRYING TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE SURE WE COULD BRING RESOURCES TO SURE WE COULD BRING RESOURCES TO FAMILIES THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO FAMILIES THAT DON'T KNOW HOW TO ACCESS THEM OR WHERE TO GO.

ACCESS THEM OR WHERE TO GO.

>> SO SPEAKING OF YOUR NAME >> SO SPEAKING OF YOUR NAME PARENT VILLAGES, YOUR MOTTO IS PARENT VILLAGES, YOUR MOTTO IS IT STILL TAKES A VILLAGE.

IT STILL TAKES A VILLAGE.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WHAT ARE SOME OF THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE IN PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE IN PLACE THAT FORM YOUR VILLAGE AND PLACE THAT FORM YOUR VILLAGE AND WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY WHAT ARE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY OFFER?

OFFER?

>> SO THEY SAY HEALTH IS ONE OF >> SO THEY SAY HEALTH IS ONE OF OUR LARGER PARTNERS.

OUR LARGER PARTNERS.

SPRINGFIELD WORKS IS OTHER SPRINGFIELD WORKS IS OTHER PARTNER WE HAVE.

PARTNER WE HAVE.

THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS THE SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS IS ALWAYS INTERACTING WITH US IS ALWAYS INTERACTING WITH US AND WORKING ALONGSIDE US.

AND WORKING ALONGSIDE US.

STATEWIDE, WE ARE INVOLVED IN -- STATEWIDE, WE ARE INVOLVED IN -- STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN.

STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN.

THE LIST GOES ON.

THE LIST GOES ON.

THERE ARE JUST SO MANY DIFFERENT THERE ARE JUST SO MANY DIFFERENT GROUPS THAT WE WORK WITH, GROUPS THAT WE WORK WITH, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE ISSUE IS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE ISSUE IS, DEPENDING ON WHAT THE CONCERN DEPENDING ON WHAT THE CONCERN IS.

IS.

THE REALITY IS EDUCATION ISN'T THE REALITY IS EDUCATION ISN'T JUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN A JUST ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS IN A CLASSROOM FOR OUR CHILDREN.

CLASSROOM FOR OUR CHILDREN.

IT EXTENDS BEYOND THAT.

IT EXTENDS BEYOND THAT.

SO WE BELIEVE THAT IN ORDER TO SO WE BELIEVE THAT IN ORDER TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS, WE HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR KIDS, WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THE PARENTS AND THOSE SUPPORT THE PARENTS AND THOSE THAT CARE FOR THEM.

THAT CARE FOR THEM.

SO PROVIDING GENERATIONAL SO PROVIDING GENERATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACCESS THOSE PROGRAMS AND ACCESS THOSE STUDENTS ARE EXTREMELY -- THOSE STUDENTS ARE EXTREMELY -- THOSE STUDENTS ARE EXTREME -- STUDENTS ARE EXTREME -- OPPORTUNITIES ARE EXTREMELY OPPORTUNITIES ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

IMPORTANT.

>> I LOVE THAT ASPECT OF THE >> I LOVE THAT ASPECT OF THE PROGRAM.

PROGRAM.

IT REALLY SUPPORTS THE STUDENTS, IT REALLY SUPPORTS THE STUDENTS, BUT THE ADULTS AND THE BUT THE ADULTS AND THE CAREGIVERS.

CAREGIVERS.

TELL ME ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT TELL ME ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT FAMILY ENGAGEMENT HAS ON A FAMILY ENGAGEMENT HAS ON A CHILD'S EDUCATION.

CHILD'S EDUCATION.

>> FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS HUGE, >> FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS HUGE, RIGHT?

RIGHT?

IF YOU FIND A SCHOOL THAT'S A IF YOU FIND A SCHOOL THAT'S A LEVEL 1 SCHOOL THAT, A SCHOOL LEVEL 1 SCHOOL THAT, A SCHOOL THAT'S SUCCEEDING, YOU'RE GOING THAT'S SUCCEEDING, YOU'RE GOING TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT HIGHLY TO FIND A SCHOOL THAT HIGHLY EARN IMAINL THEIR FAMILIES.

EARN IMAINL THEIR FAMILIES.

STATISTICS PROVE IT AND SHOW IT.

STATISTICS PROVE IT AND SHOW IT.

ONE OF OUR PARTNERS, THE DAVIS ONE OF OUR PARTNERS, THE DAVIS FOUNDATION, WAS REALLY INVOLVED FOUNDATION, WAS REALLY INVOLVED IN READING SUCCESS BY FOURTH IN READING SUCCESS BY FOURTH GRADE AND FOUNDED THAT.

GRADE AND FOUNDED THAT.

SO WE WORKED ALONGSIDE THEM AS SO WE WORKED ALONGSIDE THEM AS WELL AND STILL DO CONTINUE TO WELL AND STILL DO CONTINUE TO WORK ALONGSIDE WITH THEN, TRYING WORK ALONGSIDE WITH THEN, TRYING TO NOT ONLY -- THEM, TRYING NOT TO NOT ONLY -- THEM, TRYING NOT ONLY TO SAY LET'S GET A BOOK IN ONLY TO SAY LET'S GET A BOOK IN A HAND OF A CHILD, BUT LET'S A HAND OF A CHILD, BUT LET'S ENCOURAGE THE PARENT TO READ TO ENCOURAGE THE PARENT TO READ TO THE CHILD AND UNDERSTAND WHY THE CHILD AND UNDERSTAND WHY THAT'S NECESSARY.

THAT'S NECESSARY.

THAT'S A VERY CLEAR EXAMPLE OF THAT'S A VERY CLEAR EXAMPLE OF WHY ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES AND WHY ENGAGEMENT WITH FAMILIES AND GORE AND -- IMPORTANT AND NOT GORE AND -- IMPORTANT AND NOT JUST IN A CLASSROOM, SOUTH OF JUST IN A CLASSROOM, SOUTH OF THE CLASSROOM AS WELL.

THE CLASSROOM AS WELL.

>> AND I KNOW THAT I WAS READING >> AND I KNOW THAT I WAS READING ON YOUR WEBSITE, WHICH I THOUGHT ON YOUR WEBSITE, WHICH I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING.

WAS INTERESTING.

YOU ENCOURAGED PARENTS SHOWING YOU ENCOURAGED PARENTS SHOWING UP IN THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD UP IN THE GOOD TIMES AND THE BAD TIMES.

TIMES.

WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

WHY DOES THAT MATTER?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

SO FUNNY STORY!

SO FUNNY STORY!

[LAUGHTER] [LAUGHTER] MY DAUGHTER, ONE OF MY MY DAUGHTER, ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS, ITCH FOUR CHILDREN OF DAUGHTERS, ITCH FOUR CHILDREN OF MY OWN, AND THEY'RE ALL IN THE MY OWN, AND THEY'RE ALL IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS HERE IN THE CITY.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS HERE IN THE CITY.

AND ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS WAS NOT AND ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS WAS NOT DOING WELL IN SCHOOL.

DOING WELL IN SCHOOL.

AND I SAID TO HER, IF YOU HAVE AND I SAID TO HER, IF YOU HAVE ME COME UP TO IS THAT SCHOOL ONE ME COME UP TO IS THAT SCHOOL ONE MORE TIME, I'M GONNA HAVE 0 MORE TIME, I'M GONNA HAVE 0 T-SHIRT ON REQUEST YOUR NAME ON T-SHIRT ON REQUEST YOUR NAME ON IT.

IT.

AND SHE DIDN'T -- WITH YOUR NAME AND SHE DIDN'T -- WITH YOUR NAME IT.

IT.

AND SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

AND SHE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME.

SHE ACTED UP ONE MORE TIME, AND SHE ACTED UP ONE MORE TIME, AND I SHOWED UP AND IT HAD HER NAME I SHOWED UP AND IT HAD HER NAME ON IT.

ON IT.

THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE THAT WAS THE BEGINNING OF THE #SHOW-UP INITIATIVE.

#SHOW-UP INITIATIVE.

PARENTS SHOW UP.

PARENTS SHOW UP.

DON'T JUST SHOW UP WHEN YOUR DON'T JUST SHOW UP WHEN YOUR CHILD IS ACTING UP.

CHILD IS ACTING UP.

YOU GOT TO SHOW UP TO THE GAMES, YOU GOT TO SHOW UP TO THE GAMES, YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP TO THE YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP TO THE TALENT SHOWS OR WHATEVER THOSE TALENT SHOWS OR WHATEVER THOSE THINGS ARE AND SOMETIMES THE THINGS ARE AND SOMETIMES THE KIDS WILL STAY TO YOU, IT'S NO KIDS WILL STAY TO YOU, IT'S NO BIG DEAL.

BIG DEAL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME, BUT YOU YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME, BUT YOU GOT TO SHOW UP ANYWAYS BECAUSE GOT TO SHOW UP ANYWAYS BECAUSE IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR THEM IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR THEM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A TEAM TO KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A TEAM AND THEY HAVE THEIR VILLAGE.

AND THEY HAVE THEIR VILLAGE.

THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE THAT'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM.

TO LOOK OUT FOR THEM.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE >> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE STUDENTS.

STUDENTS.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A LOT THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A LOT THAT YOU DO.

YOU DO.

FROM WORKSHOPS TO SCHOLARSHIPS, FROM WORKSHOPS TO SCHOLARSHIPS, YOU HAVE SHOWN UP FOR FAMILIES YOU HAVE SHOWN UP FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS IN MANY WAYS.

AND STUDENTS IN MANY WAYS.

LAST YEAR YOU WERE GIVING OUT LAST YEAR YOU WERE GIVING OUT FREE LAPTOPS TO FAMILIES.

FREE LAPTOPS TO FAMILIES.

YOUR EDUCATION MATTERS PROGRAMS YOUR EDUCATION MATTERS PROGRAMS GIVES OUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO MANY GIVES OUT SCHOLARSHIPS TO MANY STUDENTS.

STUDENTS.

SO TELL ME ANOTHER MOMENT OF SO TELL ME ANOTHER MOMENT OF IMPACT THAT HAS REALLY STUCK IMPACT THAT HAS REALLY STUCK WITH YOU AND REMINDED YOU OF WHY WITH YOU AND REMINDED YOU OF WHY YOU DO THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

YOU DO THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

>> WE HAD A STUDENT WHO CAME >> WE HAD A STUDENT WHO CAME INTO OUR PROGRAM AND HE WAS -- INTO OUR PROGRAM AND HE WAS -- HE'S ON THE SPECTRUM.

HE'S ON THE SPECTRUM.

I'M NOT SURE WHERE BECAUSE I'M I'M NOT SURE WHERE BECAUSE I'M NOT A DOCTOR.

NOT A DOCTOR.

BUT HE WAS ON THE SPECTRUM AND BUT HE WAS ON THE SPECTRUM AND HIS MOTHER WAS VERY CONCERNED HIS MOTHER WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE'D BE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE'D BE ABLE TO STAY IN A PROGRAM.

ABLE TO STAY IN A PROGRAM.

AND HE CAME IN AND THE FIRST DAY AND HE CAME IN AND THE FIRST DAY WAS KIND OF TRYING BECAUSE WE WAS KIND OF TRYING BECAUSE WE WERE LIKE, OKAY, WE GOT TO BE WERE LIKE, OKAY, WE GOT TO BE PATIENT WITH HIM.

PATIENT WITH HIM.

WE WANT HIM TO GET THE FEEL, THE WE WANT HIM TO GET THE FEEL, THE SURROUNDINGS.

SURROUNDINGS.

BUT BY THE THIRD TIME HE CAME BUT BY THE THIRD TIME HE CAME IN, HE WAS TALKING TO THE YOUNG IN, HE WAS TALKING TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

BY THE TIME WE ENDED THE BY THE TIME WE ENDED THE PROGRAM, HE WAS JUST SO PROGRAM, HE WAS JUST SO OUTSPOKEN.

OUTSPOKEN.

HE WAS SO WELL LOVED.

HE WAS SO WELL LOVED.

THE KIDS WERE TALKING TO HIM.

THE KIDS WERE TALKING TO HIM.

HE WAS TALKING TO THE KIDS.

HE WAS TALKING TO THE KIDS.

HE WASN'T HIDING IN THE HE WASN'T HIDING IN THE BACKGROUND ANYMORE.

BACKGROUND ANYMORE.

HE WAS ENGAGED AND HIS MOTHER HE WAS ENGAGED AND HIS MOTHER CONTACTED ME.

CONTACTED ME.

SHE'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T SHE'S LIKE, YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T BELIEVE MY SON WAS GONNA LAST BELIEVE MY SON WAS GONNA LAST HERE.

HERE.

AND BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS.

AND BECAUSE I WAS NERVOUS.

YOU KNOW, HE'D BEEN IN COVID FOR YOU KNOW, HE'D BEEN IN COVID FOR TWO YEARS AND ISOLATED.

TWO YEARS AND ISOLATED.

BUT HE DID SO WELL.

BUT HE DID SO WELL.

NOT ONLY DID HE DO WELL.

NOT ONLY DID HE DO WELL.

HE'S EXCITED TO BE HERE AND HE HE'S EXCITED TO BE HERE AND HE WANTS TO COME BACK WHEN YOU HAVE WANTS TO COME BACK WHEN YOU HAVE THIS PROGRAM AGAIN.

THIS PROGRAM AGAIN.

AND THAT WAS OWE AWESOME!

AND THAT WAS OWE AWESOME!

AND I SEEN HIM IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I SEEN HIM IN THE COMMUNITY, AND HE'S LIKE HI, AND I WAS JUST AND HE'S LIKE HI, AND I WAS JUST LIKE, THIS KID THAT WOULDN'T LIKE, THIS KID THAT WOULDN'T TALK TO ANYBODY!

TALK TO ANYBODY!

AND NOW HE FEELS LIKE HE HAS A AND NOW HE FEELS LIKE HE HAS A VILLAGE AND HE HAS FRIENDS THAT VILLAGE AND HE HAS FRIENDS THAT HE MADE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

HE MADE THROUGH THE PROGRAM.

SO THAT WAS ONE OF OUR YOUNG SO THAT WAS ONE OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.

FOR OUR ADULT VILLAGE, WE HAD A FOR OUR ADULT VILLAGE, WE HAD A LADY, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LADY, SORRY.

LADY, SORRY.

[VOICE CRACKING] [VOICE CRACKING] >> THAT'S OKAY.

>> THAT'S OKAY.

>> TRY NOT TO GET EMOTIONAL.

>> TRY NOT TO GET EMOTIONAL.

BUT WE HAD A LADY AND SHOULD I BUT WE HAD A LADY AND SHOULD I WENT THROUGH A LOT.

WENT THROUGH A LOT.

SHE HAD BEEN IN DOMESTIC SHE HAD BEEN IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION.

VIOLENCE SITUATION.

SHE HAD A CHILD AND SHE'S TRYING SHE HAD A CHILD AND SHE'S TRYING TO GET HERSELF TOGETHER AND DO TO GET HERSELF TOGETHER AND DO BETTER.

BETTER.

SHE SAID TO ME, YOU KNOW, I SHE SAID TO ME, YOU KNOW, I WASN'T GONNA COME BACK BECAUSE WASN'T GONNA COME BACK BECAUSE I -- I DIDN'T KNOW IF I FELT I -- I DIDN'T KNOW IF I FELT MOTIVATED TO BE HERE.

MOTIVATED TO BE HERE.

SHE SAID, BUT SOMETHING IN ME SHE SAID, BUT SOMETHING IN ME KEPT DRIVING ME TO COME EVERY KEPT DRIVING ME TO COME EVERY TIME.

TIME.

AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT I LISTENED AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT I LISTENED TO THAT VOICE IN ME THAT KEPT TO THAT VOICE IN ME THAT KEPT SAYING, COME BACK, COME BACK.

SAYING, COME BACK, COME BACK.

AND NOW I'M A CHANGED WOMAN.

AND NOW I'M A CHANGED WOMAN.

NOW I HAVE A DIFFERENT NOW I HAVE A DIFFERENT MIENSDZET.

MIENSDZET.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT -- MINDSET.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT -- MINDSET.

I WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED TO I WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND I NEED TO DO AND HOW TO DO IT.

DO AND HOW TO DO IT.

AND I WAS LIKE, YAY!

AND I WAS LIKE, YAY!

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT.

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT, YOU KNOW!

THAT'S WHAT WE WANT, YOU KNOW!

SO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS SO HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND SEEING THE CHANGE AND REALLY AND SEEING THE CHANGE AND REALLY CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE ON THE CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE ON THE LEVEL THAT'S AUTHENTIC, IT'S LEVEL THAT'S AUTHENTIC, IT'S POWERFUL, IT'S INVALUABLE.

POWERFUL, IT'S INVALUABLE.

THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT THERE'S NO AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT YOU CAN PUT ON IT TO PRICE -- YOU CAN PUT ON IT TO PRICE -- PRICE THAT.

PRICE THAT.

THERE'S NOTHING I CAN SAY REALLY THERE'S NOTHING I CAN SAY REALLY CAN MAKE ME FEEL ANY HAPPIER TO CAN MAKE ME FEEL ANY HAPPIER TO SEE -- THAN SEEING THAT KIND OF SEE -- THAN SEEING THAT KIND OF TRIPS FOR PEOPLE -- TRANSITION TRIPS FOR PEOPLE -- TRANSITION FOR PEOPLE.

FOR PEOPLE.

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

EDITION OF "CONNECTING POINT."

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

NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

OUR THANKS TO MITTENEAGUE PARK OUR THANKS TO MITTENEAGUE PARK AND THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD AND THE TOWN OF WEST SPRINGFIELD FOR HOSTING US TODAY.

FOR HOSTING US TODAY.

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

US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

AND TAKE CARE.

AND TAKE CARE.

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