New England Weekend

In a world where living your entire life online seems to be the norm, a mother and daughter from Needham are challenging the status quo with their analog approach to mental health. Teri and Ella Macduff are on a mission to encourage authenticity and self-reflection through their organization, "Chasing Red Flags". This week, they talk with Nichole about their journey to create a special journal that's helping people all over the cou...

New Bedford's rich maritime history and expertise will be on display on August 13th as the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center hosts Scallopalooza! Not only will dozens of local fishermen take part in a scallop shucking contest, the event will also give you a glimpse into the equipment and technology they use to harvest the seafood we love to enjoy this time of year. Joe Ritter, Programs Manager at the Fishing Heritage Center, talk...

While Massachusetts, and New England as a whole, are often looked at as leaders in renewable energy and overall sustainability, there are still some roadblocks for business owners who want to make pledges to hit certain climate goals. Rising costs and changes in policy are making it increasingly difficult for all but the largest companies to make a meaningful commitment. James Boyle, the CEO and Founder of Sustainability Roundtable...

There's a growing group of collectors around the country who are fascinated with the smallest of items that can tell some big stories: a button, a pin, a poster. We're talking about political memorabilia, and enthusiasts from all over the country who are part of the American Political Items Collectors are coming to Danvers later this month for their National Convention. President Tony Lee takes a deep dive into the world of politic...

After more than three decades in New York City, the Museum of American Finance has made its way to Boston's Seaport District. At the new home on Commonwealth Pier, the museum is showcasing a treasure trove of educational programs and special artifacts, like George Washington's treasury bonds and a share certificate from the Boston Red Sox! Nichole's joined by David Cowen, President and CEO of the Museum of American Finance, to...

You might be hearing the word "cyclospora" a lot more lately as the number of cases in this nationwide parasite outbreak continues to rise. There are lots of questions about how this is impacting us here in New England, from how it's impacting our produce to the symptoms those infected might be dealing with. This week, Nichole talks with Dr. Zoe Weiss, the director of Clinical Microbiology at Tufts Medical Center in Boston, to...

Summertime is here, and it's the perfect time to enjoy both good food and some time in nature! Someone who knows quite a bit about both of those things is Marc Hurwitz of Boston Restaurant Talk and Boston's Hidden Restaurants, who also leads walks and hikes for the Appalachian Mountain Club around New England. He returns to the show this week to talk with Nichole about hiking safety, some of his new recommended hiking destinations,...

Social media has proven to be a boon for history lovers, as people all over the world generate content about their pastimes, families, neighborhoods, and much more. Derek Strahan of Longmeadow is the man behind the "Lost New England" and "Gravestones of New England" accounts on Instagram and Facebook, two accounts which have garnered big followings of people who can't get enough of the posts on places they've known and loved throug...

The American Ancestors "Family Heritage Experience" in Boston's Back Bay has joined the Blue Star Museums program, which offers military families free admission to museums and other cultural institutions over the summer. Jennifer Zanolli, the manager of the Family Heritage Experience, talks with Nichole on this week's episode about this new partnership and how it uniquely offers military families a chance to explore their family hi...

Local pride will be on full display July 19th at Malibu Beach in Dorchester, as teams from nine Boston neighborhoods will compete to win the Hoodlympics! Organized by Black Brown Boston, this event brings together people from all over the Hub for friendly competition in field-day style games like Foam Dodgeball, Steal the Bacon and Tug of War. The winning team gets bragging rights, but a fun day is promised for all who show up. Van...

The Community Music Center of Boston has been working around the city for decades to provide music therapy, music education, creative programming, and much more to people of all ages. This year, they're celebrating a major anniversary and getting ready for a big move, too! Chief Advancement Officer Zachary Sheets and Rachel Chao, Director of Programming and Community Engagement, talk with Nichole about the Center's mission and effo...

Vacant lots all around the city of Boston are getting some new life, thanks to the Boston Food Forest Coalition. Residents, community groups, permaculture advocates, and many others from around the Hub are coming together to revamp these open spaces, turning them into community "food forests" where anyone can come and have a bite of berries, fruits, veggies, and much more. Orion Kriegman, Founding Executive Director of the Boston F...

June is Men's Health Month, and over at the Whittier Street Health Center in Roxbury, men and boys will get all the help they need to get on a healthy track at the upcoming Men's Health Summit on June 27th! From screenings to informative panels, the focus will be on men and boys of all ages, giving them the resources and tools they need to live healthier, happier, stronger lives. Frederica M. Williams, CEO of Whittier Street Health...

Boston's Roxbury neighborhood once thrived as a center of Black entrepreneurship through systemic struggles, and for decades, it was known as its own “Black Wall Street.” The stories of the neighborhood are being given new life in a documentary called "The Way We Were", showcasing oral histories of Roxbury's Black business owners and families that made the neighborhood so successful. It's all part of a greater research ...

When you make your way to Boston and stop by the 1965 Freedom Plaza, near the Embrace statue, you'll find dozens of names etched in the tiles. Those names honor icons in Boston's history who may not be as well known, including Harry Hom Dow. He was known for breaking barriers in the legal world and through his civic life, and it was because of that work that Embrace Boston and Everyone250 chose to name this year's "Embrace Honors" ...

There's more interest in train travel these days, thanks to higher gas prices, but the efforts to expand access to passenger rail around the Commonwealth have been going on for many years now. Several improvement and expansion projects are already underway through MassDOT's "Compass Rail" initiative, with a significant focus on Central and Western Massachusetts. Meredith Slesinger, MassDOT's Rail and Transit Administrator, joins Ni...

Over the years, the Boston Public Library has had all kinds of designs for their cards, but now, they're looking to add a few more. These designs, however, will be coming directly from the public. The BPL is running a contest, asking patrons to submit art that showcases what "Free to All", the mission of the Library, means to you. Bailey Watroba, Senior Public Relations Associate at the BPL, returns to the show with details on this...

Here in Massachusetts, members of the team at Samaritans Southcoast in Westport are often the ones you connect with when you call, text, or chat the 988 Lifeline. They recently secured a major contract from the state to provide those services for not just southeastern Massachusetts, but the entire Commonwealth 24/7 by the end of the year! It's a challenge Executive Director Darcy Lee says they're ready for. She talks with Nichole a...

For years, Merrimack Valley residents haven't been able to go to LeLacheur Field in Lowell and cheer on their beloved Spinners, as the team folded during the MLB's restructuring of the minor league system. That's all about to change, as the team's under new ownership and in a new league. What won't be changing is the family fun, food, and everything else that makes up the Lowell Spinners experience. Opening Day is May 29th, and thi...