>> TONIGHT, THEY LEFT A BIG CITY LIFE IN BOSTON AND HELPS OF RUNNING A FARM STAND AND FEEDING THEIR TWO CHILDREN ORGANICALLY, THEN A LOCAL CHEF ASKED IF THEY COULD SUPPLY 1200 BIGS A WEEK.

>> I SAID SURE, LET'S DO IT.

THAT'S HOW WE STARTED FARMING.

>> SO YOU WENT HOGWILD.

>> YES.

>> LITERALLY.

THEY WILL RESTORE THE FARMING, RECLAIMING THE LAND THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY.

MANY ANIMALS FOUND FOREVER HOMES DURING THE PANDEMIC, INCLUDING THIS PIT BULL NAMED CABBAGE.

>> DID YOU GO INTO FOSTERING CABBAGE THINKING WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT HIM?

>> YES, NO.

[LAUGHTER] >> IF I'M BEING HONEST, I KIND OF ASSUMED IT WAS GOING THAT WAY, BUT I WASN'T FULLY IN WHAT SHE WAS.

-- IN LIKE SHE WAS.

♪ >> GOOD EVENING.

WELCOME TO RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

I AM PAMELA WATTS.

ALL CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL IS A LINE FROM AN OLD HYMN AND ALSO THE TITLE OF A POPULAR PBS SERIES.

TONIGHT, WE HAVE THE STORIES OF MORE THAN A FEW ANIMALS AND THE JOY THEY BRING TO THEIR HUMAN COMPANIONS.

WE BEGIN WITH A BARN RAISING IN BRISTOL.

YOU MAY NOT BE ALL THAT FAMILIAR WITH THE HISTORIC HOCHSCHILD FARM, HOWEVER SOON, YOU WILL BE LEARNING MORE ABOUT IT THANKS TO A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH A MUSEUM CELEBRATING ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR.

THERE'S ALSO A COOPERATIVE EFFORT FROM GNARLY VINES FARM , AND THEIR FUTURE MAY INCLUDE A CHARTER SCHOOL.

NOW WE CAN SEE HOW LIVING MUSEUMS ARE FARING IN THE MODERN WORLD, AND WHAT KIND OF GROWTH IS HAPPENING DOWN ON THE FARM.

>> OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE MUSEUMS LIVING AND BRING LIFE TO THEM.

>> ONCE WE HAVE THAT, WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE CHEESE FOR NEXT IN THE PERIOD OF TIME.

>> WE ARE EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO BRING LIFE HERE.

>> FOR THE PRESIDENT AND CEO, JIM DONAHUE, THAT EXCITEMENT STEMS FROM WHAT HE SEES AS MANY PATHS OF REBIRTH AT THE FARM.

>> I SEE THE GARDEN, THE BARN.

I SEE THE WORK THEY ARE DOING IN THE HOUSE, I SEE PEOPLE IN COSTUMES WALKING AROUND.

I THINK, THIS IS ACTUALLY WORKING.

>> THE ALLIANCE>> -- >> THE ALLIANCE WAS CREATED WHEN THEY FORGED A HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP IN JANUARY OF 2020.

STEVE FLICK, THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, SAYS HIS ORGANIZATION WAS AT A CROSSROADS AND APPROACHED OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE.

WHAT HAS THIS PARTNERSHIP MEANT?

>> SUSTAINABILITY AND VIABILITY.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FOR MANY NONPROFITS IS FUNDING.

ONE THING WE ARE ALSO FINDING IS PEOPLE WHO WERE MEMBERS OF OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE ARE COMING TO VISIT NOW.

PEOPLE WERE VERY EXCITED.

BECAUSE WHAT IT DOES IS, IF THERE'S A STRONG LIVING HISTORY MUSEUM COMMUNITY AND ALL OF NEW ENGLAND, IT ONLY HELPS STURBRIDGE VILLAGE AND THE FARM.

WE SAW OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER IN A WAY THAT WOULD REALLY MAXIMIZE THE RESOURCES OF THE FARM AND LEVERAGE THE RESOURCES OF OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE.

WE RINSE THE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING AND HUMAN RESOURCES AND MARKETING -- WE RUN THE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING AND HUMAN RESOURCES AND MARKETING.

>> THIS FARM IN BRISTOL WAS DESTINED FOR DEMOLITION IN THE 1970'S, WHEN THE STATE BOUGHT IT FROM THE HEIRS OF SAMUEL COLT.

THEY STEPPED IN TO RESCUE AND RUN IT.

>> I LIVE FIVE MINUTES FROM HERE.

WHEN I COME TO THE FARM, EVERYTHING FALLS AWAY.

>> DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU TOOK A STEP BACK IN TIME?

>> NO QUESTION.

IT'S QUIET.

THE PACE IS SLOW.

>> BUT THE PACE IS SOON TO BE PICKING UP, AS THE GROWING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY.

THE 42 ACRE SPREAD INCLUDES SEVERAL BARNS, A WOODSHOP, HE WILL SHED, A PUMPHOUSE, A CHEESE HOUSE, AND A BLACKSMITH SHOP, AS WELL AS THE ORIGINAL HOMESTEAD.

>> YOU BOUGHT ME A DISHWASHER.

YOU ARE THE DISHWASHER.

KIDS, THAT WAS THEIR JOB, TO MAKE SURE THE DISHES ARE DONE.

>> IT RECREATES LIFE ON A TENANTS FARM, WHERE PRODUCE AND PROFITS WERE SHARED WITH THE LANDOWNER.

THE TIMELINE IS AFTER THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION AND BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION.

KNOWN AS THE FEDERALIST PERIOD.

EVEN THOUGH THE VILLAGE DEPICTS LIFE IN THE 1830'S, THERE'S MUCH IT CAN SHARE BY BRINGING ITS EXPERT INTERPRETERS TO BRISTOL.

>> HOW ARE YOU MAKING IT RELEVANT TODAY?

WHAT ARE THE S -- WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THE MUSEUM HAS TO DO?

>> PEOPLE ARE GARDENING MORE, THE ENDEMIC RAIDED THAT OPPORTUNITY, PEOPLE ARE INTERESTED IN MAKING FURNITURE, ROCKS SMITHING.

WE CAN ACTUALLY DEMONSTRATE TO PEOPLE THAT FARMING AND WORKING WITH ANIMALS AND WORKING WITH YOUR HANDS TO CREATE BEAUTIFUL THINGS WAS A WAY OF LIFE.

MAYBE THAT IS A WAY THAT PEOPLE WANT TO INCORPORATE INTO THEIR LIFE TODAY.

♪ >> MORE THAN DEMONSTRATION, HE NOTES THEY NEED TO OFFER INSPIRATION.

IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, LIVING MUSEUMS HAVE TO ADOPT A NEW WAY OF THINKING TO THRIVE IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> ONE IS TO CONTINUE TO FIND NEW STORIES ABOUT LIFE IN THE 1790'S AND BRING THOSE STORIES INTO HER MUSEUMS FOR A SHORT PERIOD -- OUR MUSEUMS FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

YOU WANT SORT OF LIKE A TELEVISION SERIES.

EVERY SEASON, THERE'S SOMETHING YOU.

SAME CHARACTERS, BUT NEW PLOTS AND NEW EXPERIENCES.

LIVING MUSEUMS COULD LEARN FROM THAT MODEL AND AGAIN TO CREATE NEW EPISODES FOR VISITORS WHEN THEY COME -- AND BEGIN TO CREATE NEW EPISODES FOR VISITORS WHEN THEY COME.

>> THEY ARE AFTER OUR CONCERTS IN-STORE AND IMMERSIVE THREE AT TRICKLE PERFORMANCES -- THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES NOT USUALLY FOUND AT HISTORIC SITES.

HAUNTED HALLOWEEN EVENINGS WITH BONFIRES HAVE IGNITED INTEREST.

DRAWING SELLOUT CROWDS AND ATTRACTING YOUNGER VISITORS.

A HIT LAST FALL.

FOR NOW, THE FOCUS IS ON ANIMALS AT THE FARM, ESPECIALLY BRINGING MORE LIVESTOCK INTO THE FOLD.

DO YOU LOVE IT HERE?

>> I DO.

I WOULD NEVER LEAVE THIS PLACE.

>> THIS MODERN-DAY FARMER IS LOANING HER LIVESTOCK TO THE MUSEUM.

SHE AND HER HUSBAND LEFT BIG CITY LIFE IN BOSTON AND PURCHASED THIS 16 ACRE FARM THEY CALLED GNARLY VINES.

THEIR INITIAL PLAN WAS TO RUN A PLOT STAND AND FEED THEIR TWO CHILDREN ORGANICALLY.

THEN A FARM TO TABLE RESTAURANT STARTED PURCHASING THEIR CHICKEN EGGS.

>> THE CHEF WOULD START TALKING TO THEM ABOUT OUR FARM.

HE'S LIKE, I HAVE EXTRA EGGS.

LIKE 12 DOZEN A WEEK.

THAT WE HAD EXTRA.

HE'S LIKE, I WANT 100 DOZEN A WEEK, 120 DOZEN A WEEK.

HE CAME HOME ONE DAY AND SAID, SHE WANTS 100 DOZEN EGGS A WEEK, SHOULD WE DO THIS?

I WAS LIKE, SURE, LET'S DO IT.

THAT'S HOW WE STARTED FARMING.

>> SO YOU WENT HOGWILD.

>> YES, WE DID.

>> LITERALLY.

THEY WILL RECLAIM THE PASTURELAND THE OLD-FASHIONED WAY, AND SO WILL THE GOATS.

THEY WILL BE MOVING TO THE FARM TO CLEAN AND FERTILIZE THE FIELD.

>> WE USE THE ANIMALS, LET'S SAY HERE, WE USE THE GOATS.

THEY GO IN FIRST INTO THE WOODED AREAS.

THEY WILL CLEAR THE TOPS AND SOME OF THE BOTTOM OF THE -- OF WHAT IS GROWING THERE.

THEN WE PUT THE PIGS IN, THEY WILL ROUTE ALL THE BAD STUFF -- ROOT ALL THE BAD STUFF AND BRING EVERYTHING DOWN TO DIRT.

THEN WHAT THEY LEAVE BEHIND IS THE MENORAH, URINE -- MANURE, URINE, WHICH IS FULL OF NATURAL FERTILIZER.

ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS TAKE ROCKS OUT OF THE WAY, SPREAD SEEDS, AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T NEED TO SPREAD THE SEEDS BECAUSE THERE IS ALREADY A SEED BACK IN THE SOIL.

WHAT THE ANIMALS BECAUSE ALLOWS THE GRASS TO COME BACK TO LIFE.

>> PITCHING IN WITH COGGSHALL SEEMED ANOTHER NATURAL COLLABORATION.

THEY HAVE THE ANIMALS BUT LIMITED ACREAGE.

THEY HAVE THE SPACE, BUT NEED THE HERD.

IN ADDITION TO HAVING THE ANIMALS REJUVENATE THE PASTOR, SHE SERVES UP FARM TO TABLE DELICACIES FROM HER NATIVE BRAZIL.

EVENTUALLY, THEY WILL BRING IN CATTLE AND SHEEP, WHICH THEY HOPE VISITORS WILL FLOCK TO SEE.

THERE'S ANOTHER REASON -- NOT JUST PRESERVATION, BUT EDUCATION.

THERE'S A CHARTER SCHOOL FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THE MASSACHUSETTS HISTORIC SITE.

THE VILLAGE ACADEMY OPENED ITS DOORS IN 2017.

>> IT IS LOCATED RIGHT ON THE CAMPUS OF OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE.

THE KIDS, IT IS AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING SCHOOL.

SO IT IS MODELED AFTER THE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING THAT HAPPENS IN THE MUSEUM.

IT IS A LONGER SCHOOL DAY, A LONGER SCHOOL YEAR.

IT GIVES US TIME TO BRING KIDS INTO THE MUSEUM AND GIVE THEM EXPERIENCES THAT ARE TIED TO THE CURRICULUM OF THE SCHOOL.

>> IS A REGULAR CURRICULUM.

>> IT IS A REGULAR CURRICULUM.

THEY ARE DOING READING, WRITING, MATH, SCIENCE.

IN THE MUSEUM, THEY DO JUST AS MUCH SCIENCE AND MATH AS THEY DO HISTORY.

>> DO YOU WANT TO BRING A CHARTER SCHOOL HERE TO THE FARM?

>> OUR FIRST STEP IS TO CREATE REALLY STRONG PARTNERSHIPS WITH EXISTING AND OPERATING SCHOOLS HERE IN RHODE ISLAND, AND BE ABLE TO PROGRAM FOR THEM BOTH HERE AT THE FARM MUSEUM, BUT THAT MAYBE EVEN BRING SOME OF THE MUSEUM INTO THE SCHOOLS.

I COULD SEE AN ACADEMY HAPPENING HERE IN RHODE ISLAND.

>> THERE ARE NO PLANS TO BUILD A SCHOOLHOUSE, BUT THEY RECENTLY RECEIVED FUNDING FOR EDUCATION COORDINATOR -- FOR AN EDUCATION COORDINATOR.

IT'S BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THE PANDEMIC UPENDED ALL OUR LIVES, INCLUDING MAN'S BEST FRIEND.

BUT FOR OUR FOUR-LEGGED COMPANIONS, SOME SILVER LININGS HAVE EMERGED.

MANY PEOPLE RESCUED ANIMALS IN PROVIDENCE, NEEDING A PLACE TO STAY.

AS MICHELLE SAN MIGUEL FOUND, ULTIMATELY, IT WAS THE ANIMALS THAT CAME TO THE RESCUE DURING A TUMULTUOUS TIME.

>> IT WAS AN UNCERTAIN AND SCARY TIME.

WE JUST SCRAMBLED TO EMPTY THE SHELTERS, SO WE COULD SEND OUR STAFF, MOST OF OUR STAFF HOME TO BE SAFE.

>> IT WAS MARCH OF 2020.

REBECCA BAYLISS HAD BEEN WORKING AT THE PROVIDENCE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE FOR JUST A FEW WEEKS, WHEN RHODE ISLANDERS WERE TOLD TO STAY HOME.

>> WE HAD PROBABLY CLOSE TO MAYBE 80 OR SO ANIMALS IN OUR CARE.

WE NEEDED TO FIND TEMPORARY FOSTER PLACEMENT FOR THEM.

WE HAD ABOUT MAYBE 20 OR SO ACTIVE FOSTERS AT THAT TIME.

>> BAYLISS AND HER TEAM WORKED TO QUICKLY GET THE ANIMALS OUT OF KENNELS AND INTO TEMPORARY HOMES.

THE STAFF WAS WORRIED ABOUT BRINGING THE VIRUS INTO THE SHELTER.

>> HOW DID YOU GET THE WORD OUT, WE ARE LOOKING FOR FOSTER FAMILIES, WE NEED TO CLEAR THE SHELTER?

>> SOCIAL MEDIA SAVED US.

WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE WORD OUT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAD STAFF MEMBERS TAKING HOME ANIMALS, BOARD MEMBERS TOOK HOME ANIMALS, CURRENT VOLUNTEERS TOOK SOME HOME.

BUT REALLY A MAJORITY OF THEM WERE NEW FOSTERS THROUGH OUR ORGANIZATION.

>> THE PROVIDENCE ANIMAL RESCUE LEAGUE HAD 45 FOSTER HOMES LAST YEAR, TRIPLE THE NUMBER FROM THE YEAR BEFORE.

>> IT WAS A REALLY INTERESTING TIME, BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE HOME SO MUCH.

WHERE MAYBE PEOPLE HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT ADOPTING OR HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOSTERING, THEY WERE THEN RECOGNIZING THIS WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO DO THAT.

>> HI, BUD.

>> THIS IS ONE OF THE MANY WHO OPENED HER HOME TO CATS IN NEED.

AND SHE HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR YEARS.

>> ALMOST ALL OF THE FOSTERS I HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST YEAR HAVE BEEN SOME SORT OF MEDICAL CASE, SOMETIMES MORE SEVERE, SOMETIMES THEY JUST NEED A LITTLE TIME AWAY FROM THE SHELTER.

I WOULD SAY HANDS DOWN, THIS IS THE MOST, THIS YEAR HAS BEEN THE MOST MEDICAL CASES I HAVE FOSTERED.

>> CASES LIKE THIS CAT, TACO, HE'S DIABETIC AND NEEDS INSULIN EVERY 12 HOURS.

HE HAS A ROOM SET ASIDE FOR FOSTER ANIMALS.

HER OWN CATS DOWN THE HALL HAS MEDICAL NEEDS.

>> MAKING SURE HE'S EATING THE RIGHT FOODS AND GOING TO THE BATHROOM.

>> AND SHE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE FOSTERING MORE ANIMALS WITH HEALTH ISSUES.

THE STAFF HAS SEEN MORE OLDER ANIMALS BEING SURRENDERED SINCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED.

>> IT IS HARD TO SAY WHETHER OR NOT IT CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO SORT OF GENERAL LACK OF CONSISTENT VETERINARY CARE, IF SOME OF THOSE ANNUAL CHECKUPS AND VISITS, WHERE CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS WOULD'VE BEEN MANAGED OR CAUGHT SOONER DURING THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS HARD TO GET THAT CARE.

>> THOSE WHO SURRENDERED THEIR PETS ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES DEALING WITH THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS BROUGHT ON BY THEIR PANDEMIC -- BROUGHT ON BY THE PANDEMIC.

>> THIS WILL ALL BE DISTRIBUTED AT OUR NEXT DRIVE-THRU EVENT.

WE WILL NEED TO RESTOCK, BECAUSE THE NEED IS THAT GREAT.

>> LAST NOVEMBER, THE SHELTER BEGAN HOSTING MONTHLY DRIVE-THRU PET FOOD PANTRIES.

CARS WRAPPED AROUND THE BLOCK, MANY PEOPLE HAD SAD STORIES TO TELL ABOUT WHAT BROUGHT THEM THERE.

>> THEY ARE CARING FOR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE SICK.

THEY HAVE KIDS WHO ARE LEANING ON THE FAMILY PETS FOR EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, WHILE THEY ARE DOING HOMESCHOOLING.

THEY ARE HAVING TO CHOOSE SUDDENLY BETWEEN PAYING THEIR BILLS AND BUYING PET FOOD.

OR, YOU KNOW, CUTTING DOWN ON THE GROCERY BILLS.

>> LAST YEAR, THEY DISTRIBUTE IT AROUND 48,000 PET MEALS TO FAMILIES IN NEED.

THAT IS UP BY MORE THAN 140% FROM 2019.

THEY HAVE ALREADY GIVEN OUT MORE MEALS THIS YEAR THAN ALL OF LAST YEAR.

>> JUST TALKING TO PEOPLE, SEEING THE RELIEF ON THEIR FACES, HEARING THEIR STORIES.

THEY MIGHT BE CONSIDERING GIVING UP THEIR PET BECAUSE THEY WERE FACING FOOD INSECURITY THEMSELVES.

THAT WAY, WE CAN CONNECT THEM WITH OUR PET FOOD PANTRY AND HELP THAT PET STAY IN THE HOME.

>> BUT FOR THOSE PETS WHO CANNOT STAY IN THEIR HOMES, SHE SAYS PLACING THEM IN A FOSTER HOME IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE.

BAYLISS HELPED THIS 80 POUND EASY-GOING PIT BULL NAMES CABBAGE FIND A FOSTER HOME.

HE ARRIVED NEEDING SIGNIFICANT VETERINARY CARE.

>> WHO HAD JUST LOST OUR DOG.

AND I IMMEDIATELY WENT ON PETFINDER, WHICH IS WHERE WE FOUND OUR FIRST DOG.

I STARTED LOOKING AT OTHER DOGS.

I CAME ACROSS CABBAGE, WHO PRESENTED AS AN OLD MAN WITH KIDNEY DISEASE.

CABBAGE, SLOW DOWN.

>> LAUREN WATERSON CONVINCED HER HUSBAND TO FOSTER CABBAGE.

HE LOOKED VERY COMFORTABLE, AS HE ARRIVED IN THE DRIVEWAY.

>> I JUST KEPT THINKING THAT I DIDN'T WANT THIS SICK OLD MAN TO BE STAYING IN A SHELTER.

>> TWO DAYS INTO FOSTERING CABBAGE, THEY DECIDED TO ADOPT HIM.

>> IF YOU GO INTO FOSTERING CABBAGE THINKING WE WERE GOING TO ADOPT HIM?

>> YES, NO.

[LAUGHTER] >> IF I'M BEING HONEST, I KIND OF ASSUMED IT WAS GOING THAT WAY, BUT I WASN'T FULLY IN LIKE SHE WAS.

A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY RELATION GOING ON THERE, BUT I'M FINE WITH THAT.

IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE.

>> IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR BOTH OF THEM TO FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS BROWN EYED BOY.

CABBAGE'S SITUATION IS WHAT THOSE IN ANIMAL WELFARE AFFECTIONATELY REFERRED TO AS A FOSTER FAIL.

>> WE TALK ABOUT HAVING A FOSTER FAIL, WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS A GOOD THING, BUT THAT REALLY HAS BEEN THE SILVERLINING OF THIS TIME.

>> IT HAS.

I HEARD YOU DON'T REALLY ACTUALLY LIKE TREATS SO MUCH.

>> THE ANIMALS HERE HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH THE WORLD CHANGED IN JUST A YEAR, BUT BAYLISS SAYS SOME OF THE LESSONS LEARNED ARE FOR THE BETTER.

>> BEFORE COVID, IT WAS VERY MUCH SO OUR FOSTER PROGRAM BASED AROUND PREGNANT MOMS, PREGNANT MOM CATS, NURSING KITTENS, ORPHANED BOTTLE-FED KITTENS, BUT THE PANDEMIC REALLY OPENED UP SO MANY MORE POSSIBILITIES.

NOW WE HAVE RABBITS IN FOSTER CARE.

AND WE HAVE ADULT CATS, WHO ARE TAKING LONGER TO FIND THEIR HOME.

WE WANT TO SEND THEM INTO A FOSTER HOME.

IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE HERE FOR LONGER THAN 48 HOURS, 72 HOURS, WE WANT TO PRIORITIZE FOSTER PLACEMENT FOR THEM.

THAT'S BEEN A HUGE SHIFT FOR US AND A HUGE SHIFT FOR THE ANIMALS.

>> SHE HAS FOSTERED HUNDREDS OF ANIMALS.

SHE WANTS OTHERS TO KNOW IT DOESN'T REQUIRE AS MUCH SPACE OR TIME AS THEY MIGHT THINK.

>> THERE ARE PLENTY OF SITUATIONS WHERE LITERALLY ANYONE THAT HAS SOME LOVE TO GIVE COULD FOSTER AN ANIMAL.

A LOT OF TIMES, THERE ARE PREGNANT CATS THAT COME IN THAT REALLY NEED A SAFE, QUIET SPACE TO HAVE THEIR BABIES.

THEY DO ALL THE WORK, THEY TAKE CARE OF THE KITTENS, AND YOU PROVIDE A SPARE BATHROOM AND SOME SNUGGLES AND FOOD AND ALL THAT -- IN ALL THAT.

>> WHAT ROLE DO YOU THINK PETS PLAYED HELPING PEOPLE GET THROUGH THIS PAST YEAR?

>> THERE'S A SAYING, WHO RESCUED WHO?

THAT BECOMES SO TRUE IN THIS PANDEMIC.

IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A PET, A SMALL ANIMAL, CAT, DOG, YOU REALLY DO LEAN ON THEM AND THEY LEAN ON YOU.

>> WE HAVE A SAD UPDATE TO SHARE WITH YOU -- BECAUSE OF SEVERELY DECLINING HEALTH, THE CAT NAMED TACO HAD TO BE EUTHANIZED EARLIER THIS MONTH.

IN OUR CONTINUING SERIES, THIS MONTH IN RHODE ISLAND HISTORY, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE RHODE ISLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXPLAINS HOW THE OCEAN STATE GOT ITS FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE 45 YEARS AGO.

>> 1976 WAS AMERICA'S BICENTENNIAL YEAR.

ON JUNE 26 OF THAT YEAR, RHODE ISLAND CELEBRATED ITS FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE.

HOSTED IN DOWNTOWN PROVIDENCE, IT WAS A PARADE WITH HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE, BUT ALSO BROUGHT LOCAL AND NATIONAL POLITICS TO THE FOUR.

SURPRISINGLY, THE BICENTENNIAL'S A VERY BIG DEAL IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

WE FORM A BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION EARLY ON AND THEY ARE INVITING PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE STATE, GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS, TO PARTICIPATE IN WAYS THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM AND REALLY EMBODIES THE SPIRIT OF 1776.

-- OF 1976.

THEY PUT FORWARD A PROPOSAL.

THE COMMISSION SAID IT WAS REJECTED BECAUSE IT DID NOT MAKE A CLEAR CONNECTION BETWEEN WHAT THEY WANTED TO DO AND THE SPIRIT OF THE BICENTENNIAL.

>> THEY CAN BE GAY, HAVE NOT WHELMED ABOUT THEIR ACTIVITIES AND THE PRIVATE BEHAVIORS, WE HAVE DENIED ENDORSEMENT BECAUSE THEIR ACTIVITIES DO NOT SUFFICIENTLY RELATE TO THE BICENTENNIAL.

>> THE BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION IN THEIR ACTION PEOPLE ARE EXCLUDED, NOT JUST THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE IT SEPARATE, BUT WE WERE NO PART OF IT.

IN FACT, GAY PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE COME A COLONIAL LAW INDICATES THERE WAS A FAIR AMOUNT OF HOMOSEXUALITY.

IT WAS OUR REVOLUTION.

IT'S OUR COUNTRY.

IT'S OUR BICENTENNIAL.

>> THE FIRST GAY PRIDE PARADE IN AMERICA HAPPENED IN NEW CHIC.

SO THIS WAS A MOVEMENT THAT WAS GROWING AT THIS TIME.

BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO PARADE IN RHODE ISLAND.

AT THIS POINT, THE LEGALITY BEGINS BEING QUESTION.

ON THE COMMISSION SIDE AND THE POLICE SIDE, THEY ARE SAYING, WELCOME HOMOSEXUALITY IS ILLEGAL IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

AND SO, WE CAN'T ENDORSE SOMETHING THAT MAY BE ENDORSING ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES.

THE ACLU AND A JUDGE SAYS NOT SO FAST, THIS IS ACTUALLY AN ISSUE OF FREE SPEECH.

THIS IS ABOUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

AND YOU CANNOT BLOCK THIS FROM HAPPENING.

ULTIMATELY, THE JUDGE TELLS THE POLICE THEY MUST GIVE A PERMIT, THEY MUST ALLOW THIS PARADE TO HAPPEN, AND THEY MUST PROTECT TO IN THE PARADE FROM ANY OUTSIDE VIOLENCE OR AGITATION.

>> THE PURPOSE OF OUR PARADE IS TO STAND HERE ON THE STREETS AND CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF OUR COUNTRY HAS GAY PEOPLE.

>> ONE OF THE HEADLINES OF THE TIME, THE DAY AFTER THE GAY PRIDE PARADE IN 1976, SAID THE FIRST HOMOSEXUAL PRIDE PARADE WAS TOLERATED IN PROVIDENCE.

IT WAS A STEP TOWARDS REPEALING THE UNJUST LAWS THAT KEPT THE GAY COMMUNITY FROM HAVING FULL CIVIL RIGHTS IN RHODE ISLAND.

BUT IT WOULDN'T BE UNTIL 1998 THAT THOSE LAWS WERE REPEALED.

IT WASN'T UNTIL 10 YEARS AGO THAT GAY MARRIAGE WAS ALLOWED.

AND CELEBRATED IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND.

>> OUR THANKS.

DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, THE PRIDE PARADE HAS BEEN POSTPONED THIS YEAR TO AN UNDETERMINED DATE.

FINALLY, RHODE ISLAND'S KNOWN FOR ITS DEEP CREATIVE ROOTS, BOASTING A VIBRANT PERFORMING ARTS ENCLAVE WITH DIVERSE INTERESTS AND STYLES, THE OCEAN STATE IS HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST.

RHODE ISLAND PBS PRODUCER MIKE RILEY AND PHOTOGRAPHER DO WE REPOSE OF DEVELOPED A NEW ORIGINAL SERIES CALLED OCEAN STATE SESSIONS, FILMED AT THE WATERFIRE ART CENTER IN PROVIDENCE, THE SERIES SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON LOCAL MUSICIANS.

TONIGHT, THREE OF THE ARTISTS SHARE THEIR MUSIC AND THE STORIES BEHIND THEIR ORIGINAL SONGS.

>> PERSEUS WAS COMPOSED ABOUT THE METEOR SHOWER.

IT IS THE MOST INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE.

I TRIED TO CAPTURE THE SOUND OF THE STARS AND THE HARMONICS AT THE BEGINNING.

THE OPENING THEME IS STARS ARE JUST STARTING.

AS THE PIECE PROGRESSES, IT PICKS UP TEMPO IN THE MIDDLE SECTION IS QUITE FAST.

THAT IS AT THE FULL HEIGHT OF THE METEOR SHOWER.

♪ [MUSIC PLAYING] >> I WRITE ALL THE TIME.

I WRITE AS A RELEASE.

I COULD GO SEE A THERAPIST, BUT INSTEAD I WRITE MUSIC.

SOME SONGS ARE ABOUT ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I HAVE SOME SONGS THAT ARE MINE, AND I DON'T EVEN SHOW ANYBODY, BECAUSE THEY ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL TO ME THAT I JUST NEEDED TO GET OUT OF ME, SOMETIMES I WRITE A GUITAR RIFF.

SOMETIMES I WILL BE DRIVING IN MY MILK TRUCK AND SING A MELODY, THEN BRING IT HOME AND PUT IT ON GUITAR, OR I PUT WORDS BEHIND THE MELODY.

THERE'S ALWAYS A DIFFERENT WAY.

MY HEAD JUST THINKS MUSIC CONSTANTLY.

[LAUGHTER] >> ♪ I FEEL AS THOUGH [INDISCERNIBLE] WITH MANY SHADES OF GRAY MANY SHADES OF GRAY MANY SHADES OF GRAY ♪ >> I HAD JUST PUT A DRUM SET INTO MY STUDIO FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MANY YEARS.

I STARTED TO PRACTICE.

I STARTED TO DO THESE RUDIMENTS.

I NOTICED THERE'S A DANCE ALWAYS HAPPENING BETWEEN ALL OF YOUR LIMBS.

IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR FINGERS.

I WAS SITTING THERE COUNTING, GETTING THINGS GOING.

I WENT BACK TO THE LYRICS, OH, THERE YOU GO, SUBDIVISIONS.

1, 2, 3, FOUR.

THE DRUMMER MIXED UP IN.

-- THE DRUMMER MAKES THE BAND.

THE DRUMMER IN ANY BAND MAKES OR BREAKS THE BAND.

>> ♪ NOW YOU START THE DIVISION COUNTING 4, 2, AND 3 AN EASY PRECISION CREATES THE ECSTASY I'M JUST HERE POUNDING MY HEART OUT YOU CAN'T PRETEND YOU DON'T SEE I DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS I JUST WANT YOU TO FEEL IT IN ME ♪ >> OUR THANKS TO MIKE RILEY AND "OCEAN STATE SESSIONS" PREMIERES AT 10:00 P.M. HOW I'M PAMELA WATTS -- I AM PAMELA WATTS.

THINK OF FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK -- THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL BE BACK NEXT WEEK FOR ANOTHER EDITION OF RHODE ISLAND PBS WEEKLY.

♪ [CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THE NATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE, WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.

VISIT NCICAP.ORG]