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

A LOCAL ARTIST RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT A TRAGIC PERIOD IN NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY WITH A NEW MEMORIAL.

>> THE BRUTALITY OF THESE SCHOOLS WAS CENTERED AROUND DISSO LITTLING THE CHILDREN FROM THEIR NATIVE CULTURE AND SO THAT THEY COULD BE RECONDITIONED TO EXIST KIND OF OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> ENTREPRENEURSHIP MEETS SUSTAIN NOIBILITY A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO CREATE JOBS IN THE REGION.

>> WE MATCH THEM WITH MENTORS AS WELL AS HELP GIVE THEM ACCESS TO PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THEM FURTHER THEIR BUSINESS.

>> AND PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE MUSICAL ONSLAUGHT OF THEATER OF MALUM.

>> THAT IS WHAT WE LOVE DO DO.

IT'S NOT ABOUT FAME OR MONEY.

WE JUST LOVE PLAYING MUSIC.

THAT'S LIKE OUR -- ALL OF OUR DREAMS.

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

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

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> GOOD EVENING.

AND THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR "CONNECTING POINT."

I'M SIDZ.

-- I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

IN THE 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES, THE YOU KNOW ESTABLISHED FEDERALLY FUNDED INTEREST YARN BOARDING SCHOOLS THAT AIMED TO STRIP NATIVE AMERICAN CHILDREN OF THEIR CULTURE.

ACCORDING TO HISTORIANS, HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIGENOUS FAMILIES WERE FORCED TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO THESE SCHOOLS, WHERE MANY SUFFERED PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, AND CULTURAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT.

MANY CHILDREN NEVER RETURNED HOME AND THEIR FATES HAVE YET TO BE ACCOUNTED FOR BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.

IN AN EFFORT TO BRING AWARENESS TO THIS ATROCITY, ARTIST JASON MONTGOMERY CREATED A MEMORIAL ENTITLED, "SAVE THE MAN," THAT REMEMBERS, HONORS, AND ACKNOWLEDGES THOSE WHO DIED WHILE ATTENDING THESE SCHOOLS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA.

PRODUCER DAVE FRASER BRINGS US THE STORY.

>> CALIFORNIA NATIVE JASON MONTGOMERY IS A VISUAL ARTIST, POET AND PLAYWRIGHT.

HE AND HIS WIFE FOUNDED ATTACK BEAR PRESSION IN EAST HAMPTON, AS ARTS COLLABORATIVE THAT HAS DEVELOPED SEVERAL SHARED PROJECT, ART INSTALLATIONS, AND WORKSHOPS.

>> A LOT OF WORK I DO HAS A SOCIAL JUSTICE ELEMENT.

I THINK THAT COMES FROM KIND OF THE LONG HISTORY OF POLITICAL ACTION THROUGH CHICAGOANO ART.

YOU KNOW, THE IDEA WAS TO CREATE ART AND CREATE ESTHETIC AND A GUIDES CULTURE AND ALSO SPEAKING TO THE ISSUES THAT SURROUNDED OUR COMMUNITY.

>> MONTGOMERY'S SAVE THE MAN INSTALLATION IS ON THE GROUND FLOOR OF EAST WORKS IN EAST HAMPTON.

THE EXHIBIT IS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT HE SAYS IS THE DISCOVERY OF NEARLY 8,000 INDIGENOUS CHILDREN FOUND DEAD AT FORMER RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SITES IN CANADA.

HE SAYS THIS DISCOVERY PROVIDES EVIDENCE OF THE SYSTEMATICU BRAT -- BRUTALITY OF THE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL PROGRAM IN CANADA AND THE U.S. >> THERE WAS A FAME USE QUOTE FROM THE U.S. -- FAMOUS QUOTE FROM THE U.S. AROUND THE POLICY DEALING WITH NATIVE AMERICANS AND THE U.S.

GOVERNMENTAL PHILOSOPHY AROUND HOW THEY WOULD INTERACT WITH NATIVES AND THAT WAS SAVE THE MAN, KILL THE INDIAN.

IN THE FACE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE -- SPACE RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE ABOUT 2,000 ORANGE FINDER FLAGS.

EACH FLAG REPRESENTS AT THIS POINT ABOUT FOUR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN FOR EVERY ONE FLAG THAT'S BEEN FOUND.

SO IT'S ABOUT 8,000, I THINK, AT THIS POINT.

>> MONTGOMERY SAYS FROM 1879 TO THE PRESENT DAY, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF NATIVE AMERICANS ATTENDED INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOLS AS CHILDREN.

>> THE BRUTALITY AT THESE SCHOOLS WAS CENTERED AROUND DISASSOCIATING THE CHILDREN FROM THEIR NATIVE CULTURE AND FROM THEIR NATIVE IDENTITY, FROM STRIPPING THAT ASPECT OF WHO THEY WERE AWAY FROM THEM SO THAT THEY COULD BE RECONDITIONED TO -- TO EXIST KIND OF OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMMUNITY.

>> ALONG WITH THE ORANGE MARKER FLAGS, HE HAS INCLUDED PIECES OF A PREVIOUS EXHIBIT.

THREE FREE STANDING COLLAGED WOODEN STRUCTURES.

>> IT WAS A THREE-DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURE AT FIRST AND FOR THIS PROJECT WE WANTED TO BREAK IT APART, REALLY START KIND OF DISASSEMBLING THIS -- THIS THING THAT MASKED THE REAL HORRORS THAT NATIVE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DEAL WITH AND ARE STILL DEALING WITH BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY CONTEMPORARY TRAUMA.

>> VISITORS TO THIS MOMENT ARE INTENTIONALLY BLOCKED FROM ENTER ING THE SPACE.

VIEWING CAN BE SEEN THROUGH WINDOWS.

PEOPLE WHO DO VISIT THE MEMORIAL ARE ASKED TO SHARE THEIR FEELINGS BY LEAVING A WORD OR PHRASE IN THE BOXES PROVIDED OR LEAVING A MESSAGE ON THE GLASS DOOR.

>> WE HAVE BEEN KEEPING THE DOOR LOCKED AND SHUT.

WE WANTED TO CREATE A BARRIER SO THAT PEOPLE CAN'T COME IN AND HAVE A MOMENT OF RELEASE.

WE WANTED THE COMMUNITY TO REALLY HAVE TO -- HAVE TO REFLECT ON THIS, TO LOOK IN ON IT AND TO THEN SHARE BACK.

>> SOME OF THE THOUGHTS LEFT BY PEOPLE WILL BE INCORPORATED INTO A SERIES OF POEMS THAT WILL BE SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SENT TO LAWMAKERS, CALLING FOR THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE U.S.

RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL SITES.

>> WE'RE ASKING YOU TO LEAVE YOUR WORDS.

WE'RE ASKING YOU TO LET US TAKE YOUR WORDS AND USE YOUR WORDS TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT HOW VITAL THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE, BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH OUR ART.

A LOT OF WHAT I DO ASK DRAWN TO THIS -- IS DRAWN TO THIS IDEA IS HOW CAN I ACTIVATE THE COMMUNITY.

HOW CAN MY WORK MOVE PEOPLE TO ACTION.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT APPRECIATION.

IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT CONSUMING THIS PIECE OF ART AND MOVING ON.

IT'S ABOUT REALLY MOVING THEM TO THE NEXT STEP, WHICH IS I'VE BEEN ENGAGED.

I'VE BEEN INFORMED.

AND NOW I'M GOING TO MOVE.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ .

>>> FIBER ENTHUSIASTS THROUGHOUT OUR REGION WILL BE GATHERING THIS WEEKEND AT THE EASTERN STATES EXHIBITION FOR THE 11TH ANNUAL 2021 FIBER FESTIVAL OF NEW ENGLAND.

THIS TWO-DAY FESTIVAL TAKING PLACE NOVEMBER 6TH AND SEVENTH WILL FEATURE OVER 150 VENDORS, WORKSHOPS, ANIMALS, AND AN ARRAY OF HANDMADE ITEMS, ALL MADE FROM NATURAL FIBERS.

I SPOKE WITH DONNA WOOLAM, THE DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE AT THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHY THIS FESTIVAL BEGAN AND WHAT ATTENDEES CAN LOOK FORWARD TO.

>> THE FIBER FESTIVAL IS MADE UP OF VENDORS WHO HAVE MOSTLY FROM THE AREA.

WE HAVE SOME FROM OUTSIDE THE REGION.

BUT MOSTLY FROM THE AREA WHO HAVE A PRODUCT THAT THEY HAVE CREATED ON THEIR OWN FARM OR IN THEIR OWN ENTERPRISE FOR SALE.

IT WAS CREATED TO OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO THOSE INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE WHO WERE DOING AN ADDED VALUE PRODUCT SUCH AS FIBER, WOOL, RABBIT HAIRS IS CONSIDERED FIBER, ALPACA AIR, LLAMA, WOOL.

THEY'RE ALL CONSIDERED NATURAL FIBERS.

AND THIS WAS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A MARKET AND THAT'S WHY THIS STARTED 11 YEARS AGO WHEN OUR PARTNERS, THE NEW ENGLAND SHEEP AND WOOL GROWERS ASSOCIATION.

>> THIS YEAR MARKS THE 11TH ANNUAL FIBER FESTIVAL.

WHY DO YOU THINK THAT THIS EVENT IS SO POPULAR AMONG FINER ENTHUSIASTS?

>> -- FIBER ENTHUSIASTS?

>> IT'S THE ONLY EVENT OF ITS KIND WITHIN A RADIUS OF OUR VIEWERSHIP.

AND IT'S AN EVENT THAT ALLOWS TO YOU COME.

IT'S ONE-STOP-SHOPPING.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE FROM YARN SHOP TO YARN SHOP OR BUTTON SHOP TO BUTTON SHOP TO CREATE A GARMENT THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHOW OFF OR TO BUY THE FLEECE.

YOU CAN START THIS PROJECT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

AND IT'S ALL RIGHT HERE IN ONE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONTROLLED BUILDING.

>> THERE WILL BE OVER 150 VENDORS THIS WEEKEND WITH HAND-MADE TEMPERATURES AS WELL AS OTHER ACTIVITIES AND EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES.

WHAT CAN VISITORS LOOK FORWARD TO AT THIS FESTIVAL?

>> SO WE HAVE AN TENSIVE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE.

I WOULD -- AN EXTENSIVE WORKSHOP SCHEDULE.

I WOULD INVITE THEM TO GO TO THE WEBSITE AND SIGN UP.

THERE'S EVERYTHING FROM LACE AT THAT TIMING TO -- TATTING, TO KNITTING, SPINNING, WEAVING.

YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR A WORKSHOP.

WE DO SHEEP SHEARING DEMONSTRATION.

THIS IS HOW IT ALL STARTS.

THIS IS WHERE THE FIBER IS CREATED IS WITH AN ANIMAL.

AND THEN THIS IS HOW WE HARVEST THE WOOL OFF OF A SHEEP.

WE HAVE A VERY ENTERTAINING SHEEP SHEARER WHO PERFORMS THREE DIFFERENT TIMES EACH DAY.

WE HAVE A FLEECE SALE.

YOU CAN COME AND BUY YOUR OWN FLEECE IF YOU WANT TO START THIS PROJECT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING.

YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN FLEECE.

THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE NOT AS AMBITIOUS AS THAT CAN FIND YARN TO DO FOR KNITTING AND ALL SORT OF VENDORS THAT WILL BE HERE.

WE EVEN HAVE SOME VENDORS THAT ARE HERE THAT WILL BE SELLING SHEEPSKINS AND FINISHED GARMENTS.

WE HAVE SEVERAL VENDORS THAT SELL FINISHED GARMENTS.

>> I CAN IMAGINE THAT THE ANIMALS ARE PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR ATTRACTION AT THIS FESTIVAL.

I MEAN, IT FASCINATED ME IMMEDIATELY JUST TO HEAR HOW MANY DIFFERENT ANIMALS CONTRIBUTE TO NATURAL FIBERS.

WE HEAR THAT TERM A LOT, SO CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT WHAT THAT EXACTLY MEANS AND WHY THAT'S SO IMPORTANT?

>> NAM FIBERS ARE -- NATURAL FIBERS ARE ANIMAL-CREATED FIBERS, CREATED NATURALLY.

SO THERE WOULD BE SHEEP WOOL, LLAMA, ALPACA, RABBIT, CASHMERE GOAT, MOHAIR GOAL.

THOSE ARE CALLED NATURAL -- GOAL.

THOSE ARE CALLED NATURAL FIBERS.

THEY'RE CREATED BY AN ANIMAL FOR HUMAN USE.

>> THE OTHER THING THAT YOU WERE SPEAKING ABOUT WAS THE WORKSHOPS.

THAT'S THE OTHER EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT TO ME AND THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION BECAUSE THIS IS NOT JUST SHOPPING, RIGHT?

THERE'S ALSO OTHER LAYERS TO THIS FESTIVAL THAT YOU'VE EVEN RATED.

WHY WAS IT -- INCORPORATED.

WHY WAS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO INCORPORATE THOSE EDUCATIONAL MOMENTS INTO THIS FESTIVAL?

>> THE MISSION OF THE EASTERN STATES AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT AND THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION IS TO CREATE AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN AGRICULTURE.

AND THIS DOES IT PERFECTLY FOR US.

THESE ARE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS, THESE VENDORS.

AND SO WE HAVE CREATED THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN THESE WORKSHOPS.

>> YOU'VE BEEN PART OF THIS FESTIVAL FOR THE 11 YEARS THAT IT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK FORWARD TO MOST EACH YEAR ABOUT THE FIBER FESTIVAL?

>> I ENJOY -- WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WHO ARE FIBER ENTREPRENEURS TO WEAR THE GARMENTS OF THEIR -- THEIR WORK THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE BOUGHT THE PRODUCT FOR THE PREVIOUS YEARS.

IN THIS CASE IT WOULD BE IN 2019.

WE ENCOURAGE THEM TO WEAR THEM AND SHOW THEM OFF.

AND SO I JUST LIKE WALKING THROUGH THE EVENT AND SEEING WHAT PEOPLE HAVE CREATED ON THEIR OWN WITH PRODUCTS THEY HAVE PURCHASED HERE AT THE FIBER FESTIVAL.

>> LAST YEAR I'M SURE DUE TO THE PANDEMIC IT WAS PROBABLY CHALLENGING TO HAVE A FESTIVAL LIKE THIS.

HOW WERE YOU ABLE TO PIVOT AND STILL OFFER SOMETHING FOR THE COMMUNITY?

I NOTICE AS WELL SOME OF THE WORKSHOPS ARE EVEN VIRTUAL.

>> YES.

WE DID A VIRTUAL COMPONENT LAST YEAR.

AND THEN WE OFFERED SOME OF OUR OWN -- WE HAVE A FARMERS' MARKET HERE ON THE FAIRGROUNDS, WHICH WILL BE OPEN THIS WEEKEND ALSO, WHERE WE DO SELL SOME OF THESE PRODUCTS.

SO WE WERE ABLE TO OFFER THOSE VIRTUALLY FOR SALE LAST YEAR.

WE ARE DOING A VIRTUAL WORKSHOP THIS YEAR FOR THOSE WHO MIGHT NOT WANT TO ATTEND IN PERSON.

AND SO WE HAVE BEEN PIVOTING.

A LOT OF THIS INDUSTRY HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF PIVOTING ON THEIR OWN.

A LOT OF THEM HAVE OUTSTANDING PAGES ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM.

AND THEY'RE SELLING THEIR PRODUCT ON THEIR WEBSITES.

>> IT MUST FEEL AMAZING TO BE ABLE TO WELCOME EVERYONE BACK UNDER THE SAME ROOF AT THE EASTERN STATES EXPOSITION ONCE AGAIN FOR THE FIBER FESTIVAL.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE ABLE TO OPEN YOUR DOORS AND HAVE PEOPLE BE IN THE SAME SPACE TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN?

>> THIS IS -- THIS IS EXCITING FOR US.

I MEAN, WE HAD A YEAR WHERE WE JUST HAD TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

AND IT WAS REALLY HARD.

WE'RE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS.

WE LIKE PROVIDING EVENTS.

IT WAS REALLY HARD FOR US.

AND THIS IS JUST BEEN A PHENOMENAL FALL FOR US TO BE OPEN, HAVE OUR DOORS OPEN, AND SEE PEOPLE JUST REALLY ENJOYING THEMSELVES HERE ON THE GROUNDS OF THE EXPOSITION.

>> AND HOW CAN PEOPLE ATTEND THIS YEAR'S FESTIVAL?

WHEN CAN THEY FIND INFORMATION AND WHAT ARE THE HOURS?

>> THE FIBER FESTIVAL RUNS THIS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY.

SATURDAY 9:00 TO 5:00 AND SUNDAY 9:00 TO 3:00.

WE DO HAVE A WEBSITE, THE FIBER FESTIVAL OF NEW ENGLAND.

AND YOU CAN ALSO PURCHASE TICKETS IN ADVANCE ON THE BIG EWEBSITE.

>>> FIRST YEAR LATIN STUDENTS MAY LEARN THAT THE WORD "MALUM MEANS EVIL.

BUT WHEN THE MEMBERS OF THE BAND THEATER OF MALUM WERE COMING UP WITH A NAME FOR THEIR GROUP, THERE WAS NO ILL INTENT.

THEY JUST THOUGHT IT SOUNDED COOL AND WERE HOPING TO CATCH PEOPLE'S ATTENTION WITH THE NAME.

BUT IT'S BEEN THEIR MUSICIANSHIP THAT HAS CAUGHT POEMS ATTENTION EVEN MORE.

-- PEOPLE'S ATTENTION EVEN MORE.

NOW THAT BURGEONING METAL BAND FROM WEST SPRINGFIELD HIGH SCHOOL HAS LANDED MORE GIGS REGIONALLY THAN JUST THE HIGH SCHOOL EVENTS.

BRIAN SULLIVAN SAT IN ON A REHEARSAL OF THIS METALLICA-INFLUENCED FOURSOME WHO STILL AREN'T EVEN OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE WITH.

>> IF THERE'S ONE PLUS WORKING FROM HOME, IT'S DURING THE MOMENTS OF WRITER'S BLOCK I CAN WEEK TWO FEET OVER FROM MY WORK STATION, PLUG IN, AND GIVE MYSELF SOME MUSIC THERAPY TO CLEAR MY HEAD.

>> KIND OF AMAZING I HAVEN'T BEEN SIGNED TO A RECORD DEAL, RIGHT?

KIDDING, OF,CO.

THOSE DREAMS WENT OUT THE WINDOW A LONG TIME AGO, ALONG WITH MY DREAMS OF BEING AN ASTRONAUT AND BUT FOR SOME KIDS IN WESTERN SPRING -- SPRINGFIELD -- THEY'RE THE BAND KNOWN AS THEATER OF MALUM.

THIS FOURSOME CAN BE FOUND SHARPENING THEIR SKILLS AS A COHESIVE UNIT.

AND WHILE THE STUDIO MAY JUST BE A BASEMENT WITH MINIMAL SOUNDPROOFING, HAVING ANY LOCATION IS PARAMOUNT FOR THE CREATIVE PROCESS.

>> I THINK HAVING A PLACE TO PRACTICE AND PUT YOURS" -- IDEAS FORWARD IS VERY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IF YOU HAD A -- YOU CAN'T PHYSICALLY SEE OR HEAR WHAT'S GOING ON AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT.

AS FOR PRACTICE IN GENERAL, I BELIEVE PRACTICE IS VERY IMPORTANT, JUST GETTING BETTER SKILL-WISE, BUT AFTER YOU'VE BENG DOING IT FOR SO LONG, THEY'VE BEEN PRACTICING THE SAME SONGS FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS.

I WOULD HOPE THEY WOULD KNOW THEIR SONGS.

BUT PRACTICE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO STAY UP IN TIP-TOP SHAPE.

>> IT JUST LOOKS LIKE FOUR GOOD FRIENDS HAVING A GOOD TIME PLAYING MUSIC TOGETHER.

AND IT IS.

ALTHOUGH THEY DO PLAY COVERS, THEY'RE NOT JUST A COVER BAND.

>> I THINK IT'S A MIX BETWEEN BOTH SERIOUS AND FUN.

WE'RE ALL GOOFING BECAUSE WE'RE ALL ENERGETIC.

BUT WHEN WE'RE WRITING STUFF WE GET A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS.

JUST SO WE CAN FOIKS A BIT MORE ON -- FOCUS A BIT MORE ON GETTING ALL THE NOTATIONS AND STUFF DOWN WHICH TAKES QUITE A BIT.

AND WE GET INTO WRITING SONGS WHERE USUALLY I LEAVE THE DRUMS BECAUSE A LITTLE BIT LOUD AND DISTRACTING, WHERE THEY ALL GO ON GUITARS AND WRITE STUFF BECAUSE DRUMS ARE USUALLY WRITTEN FIRST OR LAST.

THAT'S HOW IT WORKS AND THE GUITARS WORK IN BETWEEN, BECAUSE THEY'RE THE WUNGS THAT SET THE MELODY THAT SETS THE WHOLE TONE FOR THE SONG AND I'M THE ONE WHO KEEPS THEM ON TIME.

>> BRUCE AND DARREN HAVE BEEN PLAYING INSTRUMENTS SINCE BEFORE THEY WERE 10 YEARS OLD.

AND SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL AS THE BAND.

BUT FOR THE NEWEST MEMBER, ELI OLSON, THIS IS ALL A PRETTY NEW ENDEAVOR.

>> I STARTED PLAYING BACK IN JANUARY OF 2020.

SO AS SOON AS THE PANDEMIC STARTED, I KIND OF TOOK THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN HOW TO LEARN A NEW SKILL.

I LITERALLY 10 HOURS A DAY.

EVERY DAY.

FOR AT LEAST FOUR MONTHS STRAIGHT.

AND THEN I KIND OF SLOWED DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

BUT EVERY DAY, PLAYING, PLAYING, PLAYING IT.

AND IT JUST STILL WORKING AT IT EVERY DAY.

>> AND MAYBE THEY WERE JUST PUTTING ON A POLITE SHOW FOR ME, WHICH THEY DID BY PLAYING A PRETTY SOLID METALLICA MASH-UP, BUT THESE FOUR BOYS SHOWED A LOT OF MATURITY IN THE BRIEF TIME THAT WE SPENT INFORMATION.

-- TOGETHER.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THEY ARE IN A FEW YEARS IF AND WHEN THEY GO AWAY TO COLLEGE.

>> I THINK WE WOULD STILL TRY TO STAY CONNECTED WITH EACH OTHER AND KEEP COMING TO PRACTICE EVERY -- LIKE EVERY GUYS A WEEK, LIKE -- TWICE A WEEK, LIKE WE'RE DOING.

WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO KEEP TRYING TO DID THIS AS LONG AS WE CAN.

>> IT'S WHAT WE LOVE TO DO.

IT'S NOT ABOUT FAME OR MONEY OR ANYTHING.

WE JUST LOVE PLAYING MUSIC.

THAT'S LIKE ALL OF OUR DREAM.

AND WE JUST REALLY ENJOY IT.

AND THAT'S WHAT KEEPS US GOING, JUST DOING WHAT WE LOVE.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ >>> EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT "CONNECTING POINT" EXPLORES THE CREATIVE, CULTURE, AND COMMUNITY THAT MAKE US WESTERN NEW ENGLAND.

BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE.

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

WE JUST INTRODUCED YOU TO THE WEST SPRINGFIELD GROUP THEATER OF MALUM, A HEAVY METAL BAND MADE UP OF LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND IN THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE, WE GET A TASTE OF SOME OF THAT ORIGINAL MUSIC THAT THEY'VE BEEN WORKING ON.

¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ ¶ [SINGING] ¶ ¶ [SINGING] ¶ >> DON'T MISS THIS DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE AS WELL AS OTHER MUSIC FROM OTHER LOCAL PERFORMERS IN ALL GENRES AVAILABLE ONLINE RIGHT NOW AT NEPM.ORG/CONNECTINGPOINT.

>>> THE SECOND ANNUAL MOHAWK TRAIL ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE IS UNDERWAY, AND THIS YEAR'S FOCUS IS ON DEVELOPING SUSTAINABLE WOOD AND FOREST PRODUCT BUSINESSES.

THE CHALLENGE, LAUNCHED BY LEVER, A LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT NONPROFIT, WILL FEATURE EIGHT FINALISTS THAT WILL COMPLETE AN ACCELERATION PROGRAM, ULTIMATELY LEADING UP TO ONE COMPANY BEING CHOSEN TO RECEIVE A $25,000 GRANT TO HELP LAUNCH OR GROW THEIR BUSINESS.

THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO CREATE JOBS IN THE MOHAWK TRAIL REGION, AND I SPOKE WITH JADE SCHNAUBER, THE WORKFORCE PROGRAMS MANAGER, AT LEVER TO LEARN MORE.

>> THE GOAL OF THIS PROGRAM IS TO ACTIVATE ENTREPRENEURS IN THE AREA TOWARDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN SPECIFICALLY THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SUSTAIABILITY AREA.

OF INDUSTRY.

THE GOAL IS TO CREATE MORE JOBS IN THE MOHAWK TRAIL REGION AS WELL AS BRING MOREUF, TOURISTS, BASICALLY -- MORE REVENUE, TOURISTS, BASICALLY MORE FOCUS.

>> WHY WAS THIS CHOSEN AS THE THEME FOR THIS ROUND AND WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?

>> THIS WAS CHOSEN AS THE THEME FOR THIS ROUND PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THAT'S THE MISSION OF THE MOHAWK TRAIL LIMITED PARTNERSHIP WHERE WE GET OUR FUNDING.

THEIR GOAL IS REALLY TO ENHANCE MORE SPACE ECONOMY IN THE LOCAL REGION AND GIVE THEM MORE ACCESS TO CONSERVATION, ACCESS STRATEGIES, AND IN GENERAL NEW FOREST-RELATED ENTER PRIZES WHICH IS WHERE WE COME IN.

ANYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED IN THIS FOREST-RELATED ENTERPRISES, WHAT THAT'S SUSTAINABILITY OR WOOD-BASED PRODUCTS OR THE PLETHORA OF OTHERS THAT CAN EXIST.

THEY'RE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AND ABLE TO TAKE PART IN OUR PROGRAM.

>> YOU MENTIONED THE MOW HAUL TRAIL WOOD -- MOHAWK TRAIL WOODLANDS PARTNERSHIP.

WHY IS SUSTAINABILITY AND CONSERVATION SUCH AN IMPORTANT TRAIL REGION?

>> YEAH.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS AREA BECAUSE IT'S INCREDIBLY RURAL.

THE POPULATION IS LESS THAN THE MAJORITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AND SO IT DOESN'T GET A TON OF STATE FUNDING.

SO WHEN THEY DO, THEY'RE PUTTING IT TOWARDS THINGS THAT REALLY HAVE TO DO WITH HELPING THE FOREST AND ENTERPRISESES THAT WILL, YOU KNOW, HELP US SUSTAIN THE BEAUTIFUL AREA AROUND HERE AS WELL AS BRING MORE BUSINESS IN.

>> AFTER THE NOVEMBER 19TH DEADLINE, EIGHT FINALISTS WILL BE SLETTED TO PARTICIPATE -- SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE IN AN ACCELERATION PROGRAM THROUGH LEVER AND ONE OF THESE FINALISTS WILL BE SELECTED TO WIN A $25,000 GRANT, WHICH IS A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

WHAT WILL THE FINALISTS BE LEARNING IN THE PROGRAM AND TELL ME MORE ABOUT HOW THE WINNER IS ULTIMATE CHOSEN.

>> DURING THIS PROGRAM, LEVER HELPS THE BUSINESSES DEVELOP THEIR BUSINESS PLANS IN A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, BUSINESS STUDENTS AT COLLEGE MIGHT SIMILARLY DO, AS WELL AS PROVIDING THIS HELP DURING WORKSHOPS, WE MATCH THEM WITH MENTORS, AS WELL AS HELP GIVE THEM ACCESS TO PEOPLE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY WHO MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP THEM FURTHER THEIR BUSINESS EVEN AFTER THE PROGRAM ENDS IF THEY DON'T WIN.

IN ORDER TO WIN, THEY DO A FINAL PITCH EVENT IN FRONT OF THREE JUDGES THAT ARE CHOSEN BASED ON THEIR EXPERTISE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SUSTAINABILITY COMPANIES, AND THE GENERAL MOHAWK TRAIL REGION.

AND THE WINNER OUT OF THE EIGHT FINALISTS IS THE ONE WITH THE BEST PITCH, IN THE JUDGES HAVE CHOSEN THAT WILL HAVE THE BEST IMPACT ON THE LOCAL REGION.

AND THEN LEVER CONTINUES SUPPORTING ALL THE COMPANIES INCLUDES THOSE THAT WON AND THOSE THAT DON'T.

WE EXAMINER EVERYBODY WHO TAKES PART IS PART OF THE LEVER FAMILY AND WE CONTINUE HELPING THEM WITH THEIR BUSINESSES AND MAKING CONTACTS EVEN AFTER THE CHALLENGE IS ENDED.

>> SO IT'S LIKE HOPE IS NOT LOST FOR THE OTHER SEVEN FINALISTS WHO DON'T WIN.

HOW DID IT GO LAST YEAR?

HOW DID THE CHALLENGE GO LAST YEAR AND HOW ARE THE COMPANIES DOING NOW?

>> WE HAD FIVE COMPANIES LAST YEAR.

FOUR OF THEM WERE IN THE ECO TOURISM SPACE AND THEN WE DID HAVE ONE IN THE SUSTAINABILITY STAGE, WHICH IS -- HE'S STILL WORKING ON GETTING FUNDERS AND DEVELOPING THE ACTUAL SCIENCE BEHIND IT, BECAUSE COMPARED TO ECO TOURISM, THERE'S A LOT MORE SCIENCE BEHIND CREATING SUSTAINABILITY IN OUR ENVIRONMENT.

BUT EVERY COMPANY IS GOING FULL FLEDGE AND THEY'RE DOING WELL.

SOME OF THESE COMPANIES WERE ADVENTURE EAST, BIKE TOURS, AND OUR WINNER IS HARDY HILL, WHICH IS A MIX BETWEEN CAMPING AND GLAMPING.

THEY HAVE 10 SITES, SO YOU CAN DO NORMAL CAMPING BUT THEY'VE CABINS, BATHROOMS, AND COMMUNAL AREA FOR PEOPLE TO HANG OUT AND A FIRE PIT.

>> WITH THE CALL OUT TO COMPANIES THAT ARE SUSTAINABLE WOOD-USING COMPANIES, WHAT KIND OF APPLICANTS DO YOU EXPECT OWE HOR -- OR HOPE TO SEE?

>> WE ARE DEFINITELY HOPING TO SEE MORE APPLICANTS FROM THE WOOD-BASED PRODUCTS, SENSE OF FOREST PRODUCTS AND STUFF.

FURNITURE MAKERS, WOOED WE'RERS, CREATING -- WOOD WORKERS, PEOPLE CREATING SOUVENIRS.

WE HOPE TO SEE THIS YEAR.

>> WHAT DOES THE CHALLENGE TIMELINE LOOK LIKE?

BECAUSE I KNOW I MENTIONED THE ACCELERATION PROGRAM.

SO WHEN CAN WE EXPECT TO HEAR ABOUT FINALISTS AND A WINNER?

>> WE'RE GOING TO CLOSE OUR APPLICATIONS IN ABOUT MID NOVEMBER.

SO DEFINITELY GET YOUR APPLICATIONS IN.

WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE APPLIED.

AND THEN WE'LL BE ANNOUNCING THE FINALISTS, PROBABLY EARLY JANUARY, RIGHT AFTER THE HOLIDAY SEASON.

AND THEN OUR WORKSHOPS WILL START OFF AT THE END OF JANUARY, ALL THE WAY THROUGH APRIL.

AND THEN AT THE END OF APRIL WILL BE OR FINAL PITCH EVENT ON APRIL 27TH.

>> LEVER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR JEFFREY THOMAS STATED THAT THESE CHALLENGE PROGRAMS THAT YOU ALL HAVE HAVE SO FAR SUPPORTED MORE THAN 80 ENTREPRENEURS AND RESULTED IN HUNDREDS OF JOBS IN THE REGION, WHICH IS AMAZING.

SO JADE, AS A NATIVE OF THIS AREA, HOW DOES IT PERSONALLY FEEL FOR YOU TO CONTRIBUTE IN THE JOB GROWTH AND CREATION HAPPENING LOCALLY?

>> IT FEELS AWESOME.

IT'S GREAT TO BE HELPING NOT ONLY PEOPLE GET JOBS AT START-UPS AND THE COMPANIES THAT WE HELP THROUGH OUR CHALLENGE PROGRAM, BUT MY PARTICULAR JOB AT LEVER IS OUR WORKFORCE PROGRAMS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER.

I'M CONSTANTLY HELPING COLLEGE STUDENTS FIND JOBS WITH LOCAL COMPANIES THAT AREN'T QUITE START-UPS BUT HAVE BEEN HERE FOR A WHILE AND IT FEELS GOOD TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT I WAS RAISED IN.

¶ ¶ .

¶ ¶ >>> THAT DOES IT FOR "CONNECTING POINT" FOR NOVEMBER 5TH, 2021.

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.

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I'M ZYDALIS BAUER.

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