Episode Guide

Season 2

Local Connections to the Big Time
Join George as he learns why Ovation Guitars, made at Kaman Music in CT, are so special. You'll also meet self-proclaimed "Banner Queen" Amy Johnquest, of Ashfield; an artist whose distinctive side-show style paintings are featured in the souvenir tour book for Bruce Springsteen's 2003 summer performances. Finally, meet singer/songwriter/guitarist John Sheldon, who spent years on the road touring with Van Morrison and whose song "September Grass" leads off James Taylor's latest album.
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For the Love of Pets
Meet Jody Chiquoine and her staff at Fitter Critters who understand your pet's physical and emotional needs following an illness or surgery. You'll also meet Veterinarian Dr. Ted Johnson of Dummerston, VT and learn what it's like to treat large domestic Animals. Then meet Eddie and Leslie Grinnell of Eddie's Wheels in Shelburne and the special carts they make to restore mobility to pets.
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It's all about Wood
Join George as he learns some interesting ways to use reclaimed lumber and salvaged local hardwoods to create beautiful new furniture with Ken Salem. We'll also take you to the woods of Goshen, CT with logger Dale Horn and introduce you to master sculptor Elton Braithwaite, whose works are sometimes literal and other times abstract.
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More Fun and Games
This week, you'll meet Paul and Ellen Drexler, a husband and wife team in Marlborough CT, who create unique pool cues out of exotic woods. Then slip your feet into something comfortable and a little bit different as we visit with Steve Hamlin of Huntington and John Spear of Springfield who make clown shoes.
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You Bring The Crackers, We've Got The Cheese And Wine
Join George as he tours a former World War II bunker that now serves as a climate controlled facility for rare and expensive wines, owned and operated by Jed and Amie Benedict of Somers CT. Then it's off to the hills, the Berkshire Hills that is, as we meet Michael Miller owner of Berkshire Blue Cheese. And finally, we'll introduce you to husband and wife Joe and MaryAnn Sullivan, owners of Chester Hill Winery, as they make some Blueberry Wine.
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Volunteerism
This episode is devoted to people whose work makes a difference in our communities, including Kevin Noonan of Springfield's Open Pantry, Steve Becker of the Hartford Association of Retarded Persons, and Julia Rivera, who runs special programs for inner-city children in Holyoke.
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It's Music To My Ears
Making It Here pays a visit to the Austin Pipe Organ Company in Hartford, CT, who have been making pipe organs for almost 100 years. Then we will meet William Cumpiano of Northampton, MA, whose heritage (half Bostonian, half Puerto Rican) lends a multi-cultural approach to his instrument making. We will also introduce you to Richard Rescia, the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Commonwealth Opera Company in Northampton.
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To Your Health
We’ll visit the Shriners Hospital and meet James Athearn, the Director of the Prosthetic and Orthotic Department and learn about the fascinating care and support they provide to those in need. You’ll also meet Dr. Reed Shinder from Baystate Medical Center and see what he has to offer in terms of advice for Preventive and Cardiology Wellness. Then George gets some advice from Marylynn Orlovsky, a Preventive Therapeutic Exercise Specialist of KUR Health Systems as she uses her knowledge to asses George’s body: that should be interesting!
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In Performance
Be sure to join host George Murphy for a behind the scenes tour of City Stage as Technical Director Chad Labombard shows what goes in to preparing for a show. You’ll also meet the owner of Paradise Dance in Easthampton, Deborah Cohen. A dancer, choreographer and instructor, Deborah shares her love for all forms of dance. And finally it’s off to Vermont to meet Serenity and Elsie of Gemini Trapeze. This duo has performed with the world famous Cirque de Soleil and now live on a 200 acre farm in Guilford, Vermont where they teach and practice different routines.
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Second Careers
We’ll meet Karen Carlson, she went from being an executive at Tyco Systems to Director for Habitat For Humanity. We will also meet Baiqing Li. He once played professional basketball in China but now he teaches Tai Chi in the Pioneer Valley. Our last guest is Barry Higgins. Barry gave up a career in the medical industry to follow his own heritage and make Native American Flutes.
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That's Entertainment
George tries his hand at a little comedy improve with the Villa Jidiots. We get a peek at the Boars Head Festival and we’ll also see what it takes to put together a fireworks display with Atlas Fireworks.
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All About Food
From chocolate to chili, it is all being made under the supervision of Herb Heller at the Franklin County Food Processing Center. We will also see how the Pekarski Family of South Deerfield has been making sausage for almost 50 years. Finally, we learn about nutrition from Barbara Storper, executive director at Food Play in Florence, MA.
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Keeping Order
George visits the chef at Baystate Medical Center to see how he prepares the meals for all of the hospitals patients and employees. We will also visit the new air traffic control tower at Bradley International Airport to see how they keep track of all those planes on a daily basis. Finally we sit in on Dr. Cellastine Bailey’s 5th grade class at the Rebecca Johnson School in Springfield to she how she keeps order in the classroom.
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View Season 1 descriptions.