♪ >> HEY, EVERYONE, WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> IT HAS BEEN A FEW WEEKS SINCE THE KIDS HAVE GONE BACK TO IN PERSON LEARNING.

MY TOTS ARE STILL A LITTLE TOO YOUNG FOR ALL OF THAT, BUT HOW WAS THE TRANSITION FOR YOU AND YOUR KIDS?

>> THEY ARE IN THE CLASSROOM, BUT I FEEL LIKE I AM WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP.

STAY LITTLE NERVOUS THAT SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO CLOSE.

I DECIDED TO CHECK IN WITH KEYSTONE CROSSROADS EDUCATION REPORTER TO FIND OUT WHAT HE SEES HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOL THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.

ASK FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

SHIRLEY: KIDS HAVE BEEN BACK IN SCHOOL FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW, AND BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE SEEING ON THE GROUND, HOW HAS THE TRANSITION BEEN GOING SO FAR?

>> IT HAS BEEN ROCKY IN SOME AREAS.

NOT EASY TO GET THE SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING AGAIN WHEN YOU KIND OF PUT IT IN NEUTRAL FOR 18 MONTHS.

IMAGINE THE CAR SITTING IN THE GARAGE FOR A WHILE.

WHEN YOU COMBINE THAT WITH A GENERAL LABOR SHORTAGE, YOU SEE SOME PAIN POINTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO TRANSPORTATION.

THEY ARE NOT ENOUGH BUS DRIVERS.

CAFETERIA WORKERS.

OTHER TYPES OF MORE TRANSIENT, LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES, DISTRICTS ARE HAVING A TOUGH TIME FINDING THOSE PEOPLE.

THERE WERE HOPES THAT DISTRICTS COULD SCALE UP THEIR HIRING, HIRE TUTORS OR PEOPLE TO HELP CATCH UP.

IN A TIGHT LABOR MARKET, IT IS HARD TO DO.

>> AT MY KIDS'’’ SCHOOL, WE ARE GETTING NOTICES FROM THEM ALMOST DAILY, TWO OR THREE AT A TIME, ABOUT POSITIVE COVID CASES.

>> WE ARE CERTAINLY SEEING MORE CASES, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO QUALIFY THAT WE ARE TESTING KIDS MORE REGULARLY.

A LOT OF SCHOOLS HAVE SURVEILLANCE TESTING, TESTING EVERY KID EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER WEEK.

YOU ARE GOING TO CATCH MORE CASES WHEN YOU TEST EVERYBODY ON THAT LEVEL.

SHIRLEY: OUR SCHOOLS PREPARING FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING TO GO FULLY REMOTE IN THE WINTER?

>> RIGHT NOW, THE CONSENSUS AMONG HEALTH EXPERTS, AMONG SUPERINTENDENTS, ADMINISTRATORS, IS THE PROS OF KEEPING SCHOOLS OPEN GREATLY OUTWEIGH THE CONS PRESENTED BY THE VIRUS.

BUT IF THE SITUATION CHANGES DRASTICALLY IN THE WINTER, I THINK IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE.

WE ARE JUST NOT HEARING A LOT OF CHATTER YET.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT COULD INFLUENCE THAT.

ONE, MORE ADULTS GET VACCINATED, OR TWO, RIGHT AROUND THANKSGIVING WE COULD START TO SEE SOME OF THESE KIDS BEING VACCINATED.

IT IS HARD TO BE DEFINITIVE ABOUT THAT.

IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE FEDERAL AUTHORITIES DO WITH THIS PFIZER VACCINE THAT THEY HAVE FOR FIVE TO 11-YEAR-OLDS.

BUT YOU COULD SEE SOME KIDS START TO BE VACCINATED AROUND THEN, AND THAT COULD DAMPEN ANY POTENTIAL OUTBREAKS.

A NOTE OF CAUTION WITH THAT IS THAT PROBABLY MOST PARENTS ARE NOT GOING TO RUSH OUT TO GET THEIR KIDS VACCINATED AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE.

IT MIGHT TAKE SOME CONVINCING.

THE HOPE IS BY GETTING LOTS OF KIDS VACCINATED QUICKLY, WE CAN DAMPEN ANY SORT OF POTENTIAL LATE FOLLOWER WINTER SURGE -- FALL OR WINTER SURGE, WHICH WE DID SEE IN THIS AREA LAST FALL AND WINTER.

SHIRLEY: ARE YOU GETTING THE SENSE THAT KIDS AND TEACHERS ARE HAPPY TO BE BACK IN PERSON, IN THE CLASSROOM?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK YOU ARE GETTING A MIX.

ON ONE HAND, YOU ARE HEARING FROM PEOPLE LIKE, IT IS SO GREAT TO BE HERE, I MISSED THIS PLACE.

THEY SAY THEY MISS THE TEACHERS, WHICH YOU DON'’’T ALWAYS HEAR.

THERE IS SOME EXHAUSTION BECAUSE THEY STAFFERS ARE STRETCHED THIN.

SHIRLEY: THANK YOU FOR CHECKING IN WITH US AND SHARING WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN ON THE GROUND.

CAN'’’T SAY IT ENOUGH, I AM SO GRATEFUL MY KIDS ARE BACK IN THE CLASSROOM, AND HAVING SPOKEN WITH AVI, I FEEL LIKE I SHOULD GET MY KIDS'’’ PRINCIPAL A THANK YOU GIFT.

YOU CAN CHECK OUT HIS STORY ONLINE AT WHYY.ORG.

REGINA: DOES IT SEEM LIKE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING FASTER?

IT IS NOT JUST FAST DRIVERS.

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING IS UNNERVING.

WITH US IS JAYNA FROM AAA TO TALK ABOUT IT.

HOW WAS YOUR DRIVE-IN?

>> IT WAS VERY PEACEFUL.

REGINA: NO AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS?

>> THANKFULLY NOT.

REGINA: AGGRESSIVE DRIVING IS A TERM WE HEAR ALL THE TIME.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

>> AGGRESSIVE DRIVING IS AN UMBRELLA TERM FOR DANGEROUS BEHAVIORS SUCH AS SPEEDING, MERGING IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC, TAILGATING, RUNNING RED LIGHTS, USING YOUR HORN, YOUR BRAKES TO PUNISH OTHER DRIVERS.

AT ALL FALLS UNDER THE AGGRESSIVE DRIVING CATEGORY.

REGINA: THAT CAN BE SCARY.

WE JUST CAME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, 2020, 2019.

DID WE SEE A DECLINE?

THERE WERE FEWER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD.

>> IN PENNSYLVANIA, WE UNFORTUNATELY SAW A 6% INCREASE IN ROADWAY FATALITIES IN 2020 COMPARED TO 2019, DESPITE A 20% REDUCTION IN TRAFFIC VOLUME.

THAT SPEAKS TO AGGRESSIVE DRIVING BEHAVIORS THAT MANY OF US WITNESSED FIRSTHAND DURING THE PANDEMIC, WITH PEOPLE ON THE ROADWAYS COMPLETELY DISREGARDING THE RULES OF THE ROAD FOR WHATEVER REASON.

UNFORTUNATELY WE LOST MANY LIVES DUE TO THAT.

REGINA: I KNOW PERSONALLY I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT, SOMEONE IS BLOWING BEHIND ME AND I AM GOING THE SPEED LIMIT AND THEY ARE BEING SO AGGRESSIVE.

WHAT DO YOU DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER THAT?

>> AAA URGES ALL MOTORISTS TO NEVER RESPOND TO OVER ENGAGE WITH AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER.

GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

THIS MIGHT NOT BE THEIR NORMAL BEHAVIOR.

THEY MIGHT BE HAVING A BAD DAY.

BUT WE DO NOT WANT ANYBODY ENGAGING WITH DRIVERS THAT WAY.

IF YOU WITNESSED AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER WHOSE BEHAVIOR YOU FEEL IS A DANGER TO YOUR PERSONAL SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER ROAD USERS, YOU NEED TO CALL 911.

YOU NEED TO LET THE POLICE KNOW ABOUT THIS DRIVER ON THE ROADWAYS, BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT ENGAGE WITH THAT PERSON.

REGINA: GOOD TO KNOW.

WHAT ABOUT IF YOU KNOW WHEN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER?

IT MIGHT BE SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY.

HOW DO YOU APPROACH THAT CONVERSATION?

>> WE LIVE IN A SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE BELIEVE DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO, AND THE SAME IS TRUE WITH AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS.

MOTORISTS TELL US THEY KNOW THE AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIORS ARE DANGEROUS AND A THREAT, BUT MANY OF THEM ARE THE OFFENDERS.

THEY PARTICIPATE IN THAT BEHAVIOR.

IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE, YOU WANT TO REITERATE TO THEM IT IS NOT JUST FOR THEIR SAFETY, IT IS FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL ROAD IS OR IS THAT THEY FOLLOW THE RULES OF THE ROAD.

AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS ARE LIKELY NOT EVEN THINKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THEIR BEHAVIOR ON THE ROADWAYS UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE, AND WE DO NOT WANT TO GET TO THAT POINT.

REGINA: SOME GREAT ADVICE.

WE KNOW WHAT TO DO, WE JUST HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE FOLLOW IT.

>> THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

SHIRLEY: FIND OUT WHAT IT IS LATER.

IF YOU HAVE VISITED CITIES LIKE PHILADELPHIA THAT HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN THE CREATION OF AMERICA, YOU HAVE SEEN A LOT OF STATUES.

WE ASKED A LOCAL NONPROFIT, WE ARE THE WOMEN, AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SHOWCASE THEM?

>> THE LACK OF WOMEN ADHERES TO A LARGER PROBLEM.

I THINK IT IS A SOCIETAL AND CULTURAL ISSUE.

THE FOUNDING OF THE NATION WAS DONE BY MEN.

WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THAT.

SOME OF THE WAYS IN WHICH WE CAN ACT AS ADVOCATES IS BY HIRING WOMEN ARTISTS TO CREATE WORKS OF ART THROUGHOUT THE CITY, HIGHLIGHTING WOMEN'’’S STORIES THAT PERTAIN TO PHILADELPHIA HISTORY.

IS IT -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

WHEN YOU WALK AROUND PHILADELPHIA OR ANY MAJOR CITY, YOU MIGHT FIND OR FEEL THAT THERE ARE NORMALLY A LOT OF WOMEN REPRESENTED.

YOU MIGHT SEE FEMALE BODIES THAT REPRESENT ALLEGORIES OR METAPHORS FOR LIBERTY, JUSTICE, BROADER IDEALS AND GOALS, BUT HISTORICAL WOMEN ARE REALLY ABSENT.

IF YOU HAVE EVER FELT THAT WAY, IT IS NOT AN ACCIDENT.

WE HAVE TAKEN A NATIONAL AUDIT TO SCOUR HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DATA SOURCES THAT TRY TO TELL US ABOUT WHAT KINDS OF MONUMENTS EXIST IN WHICH DO NOT EXIST.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS ONLY ABOUT FOUR OF THESE DATA SOURCES CONSIDER GENDER AS A CATEGORY OVERALL.

WE ARE CONTENDING WITH A BROADER PROBLEM FOR HOW WE ACCOUNT FOR GENDER GENERALLY.

WE POPULATED WHICH LOCAL FIGURES HAVE BEEN COMMEMORATED THE MOST ACROSS THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE, AND OUT OF THE TOP 50 COMMEMORATED FIGURES, ONLY THREE OF THOSE ARE HISTORICAL WOMEN.

THOSE INCLUDE JOAN OF ARC, HARRIET TUBMAN, AND SACAJAWEA.

AS FAR AS STATUES OF HISTORICAL WOMEN IN THE CITY, WE KNOW OF AT LEAST TWO.

ONE IS JOAN OF ARC AND THE OTHER MARY DYER.

WHAT IS REALLY EXCITING, THOUGH, IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE, ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS, LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN PHILADELPHIA ARE CALLING FOR NEW MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS SITES THAT ARE REFLECTIVE OF THEIR -- THAT ARE MORE REFLECTIVE OF THEIR COMMUNITIES AND RICH HISTORIES.

AN EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THE M.V.P.

STATUE, WHICH USED TO STAND HERE.

THE M.V.P.

STATUE IS THE FIRST MONUMENT TO REPRESENT AFRICAN-AMERICAN GIRLS IN THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA.

IT WAS INSPIRED BY THE LEGACY OF NORA WASHINGTON, A TRAILBLAZER IN SPORTS.

IT HAS BEEN A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION FOR A LOT OF BLACK GIRLS ACROSS AMERICA.

WHY IS M.V.P.

MISSING?

WE LEARNED THAT THE STATUE WAS PULLED DOWN.

WE DON'’’T KNOW IF IT WAS INTENTIONAL OR BY ACCIDENT, BUT THERE ARE PLANS BY THE CITY PARKS AND REC TO PUT THE STATUE BACKUP.

IT SHOWS THAT THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO RESOURCING, FINANCING, AND MAINTAINING MONUMENTS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL TO LOOK COMMUNITIES -- TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN PHILADELPHIA, AND IT ILLUSTRATES TO US THAT MONUMENTS ARE NOT PERMANENT, THEY NEED PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES TO CARE FOR THEM.

THEY SERVE SOME BROADER POLITICAL, CULTURAL, AND SOCIAL PURPOSE.

AS THE DEBATE CONTINUES, I HOPE PEOPLE STOP AND CONSIDER AND REFLECT ON MY PUBLIC SPACES -- ON WHY PUBLIC SPACES LOOK THE WAY THEY DO AND WHY CERTAIN FIGURES ARE ABSENT WHILE OTHERS ARE OVERREPRESENTED.

REGINA: FOR OVER 30 YEARS, NINA GREER CLIMBED THE CORPORATE LADDER, BUT SHE KNEW ONE DAY SHE WOULD GIVE IT ALL UP FOR SOMETHING MORE CREATIVE.

THAT CAME TO HER IN A DREAM, OR, SHOULD I SAY, A HISTORICAL DREAM .

MEET NINA GREER, THE CREATOR OF HISTORICAL DREAMS, A JEWELRY AND FASHION LINE THAT SHE STARTED IN 2014 WHEN SHE REALIZED SOMETHING WAS MISSING.

>> I WAS NOTICING THAT THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF COGNITIVE PROGRESSIVE IMAGES ANYWHERE OF PROGRESSIVE FOLKS BEFORE US WHO HAD TO OVERCOME GREAT ATROCITIES AND BARRIERS TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE ENDURE CERTAIN THINGS TODAY.

REGINA: GREER SAYS BECAUSE SHE ONLY SAW POSITIVE HISTORICAL FIGURES IN LIBRARIES AND SCHOOLS, SHE WANTED TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE THEM MORE ACCESSIBLE AND PRESENT FOR EVERYDAY CONVERSATION.

THAT IS WHEN SHE DECIDED TO MAKE THEM INTO JEWELRY.

WHACKS I MADE ONE FOR, -- >> I MADE ONE FOR KAMALA, RUTH BADER GINSBURG.

I WAS GETTING INSIGHTS FROM PEOPLE, SOME PEOPLE ASKING, WHY DON'’’T YOU BRING THIS PERSON FORWARD?

AS LONG AS THEY SUPPORT MY EFFORTS IN DEVELOPING AND CREATING THOSE PIECES, WHICH MEANS PEOPLE WILL BUY THEM, THEN I CAN DO IT.

REGINA: GREER ALSO DESIGNS PIECES OF HISTORICAL FIGURES SHE HAS RESEARCHED.

CREATING EACH PIECE TAKES HER TIME.

>> I HAVE MY OWN WORKSHOP.

IT IS THE IMAGE -- I CAN TAKE THE IMAGE OFF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, OR I CAN RE-CREATE AN IMAGE, DRAWING IT UP, AND THAT I GET IT PRETTY MUCH READY AND MOVE INTO THE NEXT PHASE.

ONCE THE MEDALLION IS DONE, THEN I START CREATING -- REGINA: GRIER ALSO MAKES RINGS AND CUFFLINKS.

HER PURPOSE, TO GIVE HER FAMILY SOMETHING TO PASS DOWN AND GIVE A TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

>> IF THEY STUMBLE UPON A RATING OR A BROOCH OF HARRIET TUBMAN, THEY WILL BE ALIVE AGAIN.

SHIRLEY: SPEAKING OF HISTORY MAKERS, THIS NEXT STORY INCLUDES THE FIRST WOMAN TO PILOT A BALLOON OVER THE NORTH POLE.

REGINA: FAIRVENTURES GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE WHAT SOME RIDERS HAVE DESCRIBED AS PEACEFUL.

>> FOR FUN, I STARTED FLYING BALLOONS.

IT SEEMED LIKE A NATURAL PROGRESSION TO GIVE JOY TO PEOPLE.

♪ IT IS ABOUT CAMARADERIE AND HAVING FUN AND BEING IN THE MOMENT, JUST ENJOYING THE SCENERY.

YOU LEAVE ALL YOUR EARTHLY WORRIES BEHIND.

IT IS SUCH A PLEASURE.

IF YOU PICTURE 77,000 BASKETBALLS, THAT IS HOW MUCH AIR IT CAN HANDLE, SO ABOUT 70 STORIES TALL AND ABOUT 50 STORIES WIDE.

THE CREW IS PART OF THE INFLATION PROCESS.

WE BRING OUT COLD AIR AND THEN ONCE THE BALLOON IS PASSED THE COLD AIR, WE WILL ADD HOT AIR TO IT USING OUR PROPANE BURNER.

THAT MAKES THE BALLOON LIFT.

WE GET OUR PASSENGERS IN THE BALLOON AND TAKE OFF.

FLIGHTS ARE GENERALLY AN HOUR, DETERMINED BY THE WIND DIRECTION AND SPEED.

IT IS A PART OF THE CREW'’’S JOB TO KEEP THEIR EYES OUT TOO.

>> WE ARE AN THE FAA-LICENSED AIRCRAFT.

THE WIND HAS DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS, SO THAT IS HOW YOU STEER.

THERE ARE SOME DAYS WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE ANY STEERING, YOU JUST GO UP AND THAT IS THE DIRECTION YOU ARE GOING.

>> WE HAVE A LOT OF TAILED HAWKS IN THIS AREA.

IF YOU ARE LUCKY, YOU MIGHT SEE A BALD EAGLE.

VERY LUCKY TO FLY OVER HERE.

♪ >> INTO THE -- >> ♪ INTO THE GREAT WIDE OPEN ♪ >> WHEN WE GO WEST, WE CAN FLY OVER THE LAKE.

IT IS BEAUTIFUL.

THE EAST IS MORE RURAL, MORE FARMLAND.

>> IT IS MORE ABOUT THE PASSENGERS.

YOUR EXPERIENCE, HOW YOU ENJOY IT.

IT IS A FUN EXPERIENCE PARTICULARLY WITH PASSENGERS.

>> THE SCENERY WAS BEAUTIFUL.

WE COULD HEAR THE HORSES AND DOGS AND WE SAW A FEW DEER.

IT IS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE.

PUT IT ON YOUR BUCKET LIST.

>> I LOVE SEEING THE BALLOON GLOW.

IT MAKES ME HAPPY.

THE MOST DANGEROUS THING, IT IS ADDICTING AND YOU WANT TO DO IT AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN.

SHIRLEY: LARD BREAD.

YES, I SAID LARD BREAD.

IT MAY NOT SOUND APPETIZING, BUT THIS NEXT STORY MAY HAVE YOU ASKING, WHERE CAN I GET IT?

>> HAVE YOU EVER HEARD ABOUT LARD BREAD?

POPULAR IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY, FINALLY MAKING ITS WAY TO PHILADELPHIA.

WE WILL TASTE IT AROUND THE CITY.

COME WITH ME AND LET'’’S LEARN ABOUT LARD BREAD.

WE ARE IN SOUTH PHILLY TODAY.

HEY, DAVE.

ARE YOU READY TO TALK LARD BREAD?

ALL RIGHT.

>> I REMEMBER HAVING IT, BUT IT WAS NOT A STABLE EVERY WEEKEND.

IT WAS, OK, AS SOON AS YOU BROUGHT IT UP, HAS ANYONE EVER HAD LARD BREAD, WHY IS IT NOT A BIGGER THING?

IN THE FLOWER IS GOING TO GO SALT AND A LOT OF PEPPER.

IN THE OTHER BOWL, YOU'’’RE GOING TO MIX WATER, SUGAR, AND USED.

YOU ARE GOING TO NEED IT -- KNEAD IT.

ONCE THAT IS DONE, I MIX THIS INTO THE.

-- INTO THE DOUGH.

♪ >> CHEERS.

MMM.

SO GOOD.

THAT WAS SO GOOD.

YOU COULD REALLY TASTE THE PEPPER.

THERE WAS THAT GOOD WE PROVOLONE.

THE BREAD WAS STILL -- THAT GOOEY PROVOLONE.

THE BREAD WAS STILL GOOD.

THERE IS MORE LARD BREAD AROUND THE CITY.

THAT'’’S TASTE THE NEXT SPOT.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY PIZZA PLUS.

LET'’’S GO INSIDE.

WILL, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

TELL US ABOUT THE BREAD YOU HAVE.

>> I TOOK THE PAN DOUGH THAT WE USE FOR OUR PAN PIZZAS AND ADAPTED THAT RECIPE AND TURNED IT INTO LARD BREAD.

INSTEAD OF OLIVE OIL, I USE LARD, AND THEN I USE PEPPERONI AND PROVOLONE.

WE ARE GOING TO TOP IT OFF WITH PROSCIUTTO AND PEPPERONI.

♪ I HOPE YOU ARE HUNGRY.

>> I AM SO READY.

>> LET'’’S GIVE IT A SHOT.

THIS IS REALLY GOOD, BUT I'’’VE GOT A LOT MORE LARD BREAD TO TASTE, SO I WILL CATCH YOU LATER.

>> THANKS FOR STOPPING BY.

>> WE ARE IN BREWERY TOWN, AND WE ARE ABOUT TO TASTE LARD BREAD PIZZA.

LET'’’S GO.

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LARD BREAD AND WHAT YOU MADE TODAY?

>> WE DON'’’T USE LARD, SO I USE BACON FAT AND PEPPERONI.

♪ >> YEAH!

♪ I LOVE THAT IT IS BASICALLY A PULLED PORK BREAD, WHICH MAKES IT SO EASY, LIKE AN APPETIZER, AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO TASTE THIS VERSION.

IT IS REALLY GOOD.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THAT WAS SO GOOD AND DIFFERENT, AND I DO NOT KNOW IF I HAVE ROOM FOR MORE, BUT WE MAY HAVE ONE MORE STOP ON OUR HANDS.

LET'’’S GO.

♪ COME WITH ME.

HEY, DAVID.

>> HOW ARE YOU?

>> GOOD.

I AM SO EXCITED TODAY.

WHAT DO YOU PUT IN YOUR LARD BREAD?

>> WE USE A REALLY NICE BACON THAT WE ALSO USE IN-HOUSE.

>> I AM REALLY HUNGRY AND I AM EXCITED TO TASTE IT.

LET'’’S GET INTO IT.

IT LOOKS LIKE THESE ARE READY TO GO.

>> WE HAVE THESE READY TO ROCK.

>> THEY LOOK GREAT.

LET'’’S PUT THEM TOGETHER.

♪ >> CHEERS.

I AM GOING IN FOR ANOTHER BITE.

I HAD SO MUCH LARD BREAD TODAY, BUT I STILL NEED TO PICK A WINNER.

>> THAT WAS A LOT OF LARD BREAD YOU ATE IN ONE DAY.

>> IT WAS.

SHIRLEY: TELL ME WHAT IT IS EXACTLY, A LOAF OF BREAD MADE WITH LARD AND BEAT TOO?

>> YES, AN ITALIAN LOAF MADE WITH PORK FAT OR LARD.

A LOT OF ITALIAN FAMILIES USE LEFTOVER PORK BIDS LIKE SALAMI OR PROSCIUTTO, CHOP IT UP FINELY, SOME PROVOLONE, AND A LOT OF BLACK PEPPER.

YOU HAVE MELTED CHEESE AND DELICIOUS BREAD THAT YOU WOULD HAVE AS A SNACK.

SHIRLEY: SOME OF THE PLACES YOU WENT TO GET A STEP FURTHER AND MADE IT LIKE A PIZZA OR STROMBOLI.

THAT IS THEIR ITERATION?

>> YEAH, WE CHALLENGED FOUR PIZZA AND BREAD MAKERS TO MAKE THEIR OWN VERSION OF LARD BREAD, AND EVERYONE DID SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

IT WAS SO EXCITING AND SO DELICIOUS.

SHIRLEY: AND FREELANCE PIZZA, ONE OF THE BAKERS WHO MADE THE LARD BREAD, HAS PROVIDED US WITH A LOAF.

THIS IS SORT OF LIKE A GOOD STARTER LOAF.

>> CAME MADE A REALLY CLOSE AND TRADITIONAL ONE.

HE GREW UP EATING SOMETHING SIMILAR TO LARD BREAD.

WHEN HE MADE THE RECIPE, HE KIND OF BLENDED THOSE TWO RINGS TOGETHER.

I THINK HIS LOAF IS A GOOD INTRODUCTORY ONE.

IT IS A RING SHAPE.

IT TASTES AND FEELS AND SMELLS LIKE THE LARD BREAD I WOULD HAVE WHEN I WAS LIVING IN BROOKLYN.

IT IS LIGHT, AIRY, AND DELICIOUS.

SHIRLEY: AT THE END OF THE SEGMENT, YOU SAID YOU WERE GOING TO PICK A FAVORITE, SO WHAT IS THE VERDICT?

>> IT WAS TOO HARD, BUT I AM TEAMING UP WITH BILLY TO DO THE FIRST EVER LARD BREAD CRAWL ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, AND SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, AND I AM HOPING PHILADELPHIA CAN HELP ME CHOOSE A FAVORITE, BECAUSE IT WAS TOO HARD AND EVERYTHING WAS SO DELICIOUS.

SHIRLEY: WHERE CAN PEOPLE GET THEIR HANDS ON IT?

>> THREE DIFFERENT SHOPS WILL BE PARTICIPATING.

SHIRLEY: I AM GOING TO GIVE THIS A TRY.

SO PRETTY.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE PRETTY.

MMM.

IT IS WARM.

AND THIS IS PROSCIUTTO IN THERE?

>> YES.

YOU SEE THE BLACK PEPPER SPECS.

YOU'’’VE GOT THE POCKETS OF CHEESE.

REGINA: LOOKS LIKE A REASON TO UNDO YOUR BELT AND LEANED BACK A LITTLE BIT.

>> IF YOU EAT TOO MUCH OF IT, DEFINITELY.

REGINA: WHILE YOU TWO ENJOY THE BREAD, I AM GOING TO WRAP IT UP FOR US TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SHIRLEY: WE HOPE TO SEE YOU BACK HERE NEXT WEEK.

GET YOUR HANDS ON LARD BREAD.

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