Montague Reporter Podcast
By Sarah Brown-Anson
Montague Reporter PodcastSep 25, 2023
School committee vacancies filled, new Falls Fest in the Falls, lightning round news
Mike and Sarah discuss September news items: two new members will join the the Gill-Montague School Committee, and a group of people is planning a new and different Falls Festival for October 21. Plus lightning round recent news updates.
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Ask the editor submissions can be sent to: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Trouble Mandeson on local food and her column Notes from the Heartfelt Cafe
Sarah and Trouble discuss Trouble’s column in the Montague Reporter, “Notes from the Heartfelt Cafe.”
Have a columnist you would like to hear more from on the podcast? Email us with your ideas: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Zoning change proposals spark discussion, teachers begin school year without contract
Mike discusses an Ask the Editor question about correcting mistakes in the newspaper. Montague town officials propose a zoning change to a town-owned parcel. Teachers at Gill-Montague Regional schools are still working without a contract and talks are now in arbitration.
Submit ask the editor questions to podcast@montaguereporter.org
Max Hartshorne on his column, Travel With Max
Did you know that there is a monthly travel column in the newspaper? It’s called Travel With Max and it’s written by Max Hartshorne. Sarah and Max discuss travel, travel writing, and why New Englanders can be boring.
Health center location bought, trash pickup provider to change, Avenue A businesses
Mike discusses the July 13, 2023 paper with Sarah. Community Health Center of Franklin County bought a location in Montague City and hopes to open it to provide medical care to patients in 2024. The Selectboard unanimously selected Casella to provide trash pickup services starting in July 2024. On Avenue A, a new record store called Music Connection will open.
Send us Ask the Editor ideas: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Work-to-rule in schools, little fruit buds destroyed by freeze
Sarah and Mike discuss two A1 news stories in the June 8, 2023 issue of the Montague Reporter newspaper. Plus - don’t miss the Ask the Editor and non sequitur segments!
Send us Ask the Editor ideas: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
East Spoke stays open for now, Montague searches for better trash collection
Mike and Sarah are back for their first joint episode since March!
Submit you questions for Ask the Editor to: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Facing Endings: Mike and Nina Discuss Last Month's Death Theme Issue
Mike and Nina come on the podcast to talk about the March 30th edition of the Reporter-- a themed issue about death and dying. More fun than it sounds! Outro music by She Said, featuring Nina Rossi on bass. Buy the album here: https://shesaid2.bandcamp.com/album/she-said
And subscribe to the paper! https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Ian Hamilton on GCTV's film contest
Plus more info about how I got started with the podcast.
Lights! Camera! Greenfield! is coming up and you can find more info here: https://gctv.org/lcg/
Subscribe to the Montague Reporter here: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Three topics related to FirstLight Power: dam pistons, school budgeting, relicensing negotiations
Sarah and Mike discuss the pistons on the Turners Falls dam leaking fluid, school budgeting processes in Erving and Gill-Montague, and the negotiations that towns are having with FirstLight Power as it tries to renew its license with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Plus: Ask the Editor and a short non sequitur
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Sarah Robertson on juicy stories and reporting scoops
Sarah Roberston joins Mike Jackson and Sarah Brown-Anson to discuss her recent stories on fuel assistance delays and sewage sludge disposal.
You can read Sarah's article on fuel assistance delays: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/December-15-2022.pdf
And the follow up: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/January-26-2023.pdf
Sewage sludge disposal issues: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/March-2-2023.pdf
Erving takes the next step with paper mill, combined sewer overflow analysis
Mike and Sarah discuss the decision in Erving to set aside money for the demolition of the International Paper Mill complex. They also discuss an analysis piece on combined sewer overflow (abatement) and the history of projects in the town of Montague related to CSO abatement. Plus - non sequiturs and ask the editor.
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
An inside look at the Montague Reporter subscription drive
Sarah and Jae discuss their efforts on the subscription drive for the Montague Reporter newspaper.
To see your subscription options, check out https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Saying goodbye to town buildings and welcoming grant money; why fuel assistance is so slow
Sarah and Mike discuss the latest news about the Farren building in Montague City; the announcement of $975,000 in grant money for downtown sidewalks, and plans to update or replace the elementary schools in Montague. Plus, a series of missteps has lead to a very slow year in getting fuel assistance to applicants in Franklin County.
Send in Ask the Editor questions: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Order wrapping paper on our website: https://montaguereporter.org/
Building and infrastructure news and the return of turkey day football
Mike is back on the podcast with Sarah to discuss an Ask the Editor question, important building news in Franklin County, and turkey day football coverage.
Please be in touch if you would like to submit a jingle for the Ask the Editor segment! podcast@montaguereporter.org
If you have Ask the Editor questions please submit them via email: podcast@montaguereporter.org, instagram: @montaguereporter , or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montaguereporter
Update on Farren building, Montague Center roof repairs, and other A1 favorites
Mike joins Sarah for a discussion of Montague's upcoming Historical Commission meeting on the Farren Care Center building. Jeff Singleton's article on the town-owned building that currently houses the Montague Center Library discusses the building's need for repairs as well as its long history in the town. Plus, the wrapping paper edition will be a fundraiser for the paper, and Sarah had a few favorites on A1 in this week's edition.
If you have Ask the Editor questions please submit them via email: podcast@montaguereporter.org, instagram: @montaguereporter, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montaguereporter
Nathan Frontiero on being a stringer for the Montague Reporter
In this bonus episode, Sarah speaks with Nathan Frontiero, a writer who started contributing to the Montague Reporter earlier in 2022.
If this episode gets you interested in writing for the Reporter, you can contact Mike Jackson at editor@montaguereporter.org.
Two stories from Leverett and the Franklin County Fair
Mike and Sarah discuss the efforts to increase safety for children taking the school bus on Route 63 in Leverett, and the listing of an estate for sale at the price of over $23 million, well over its assessed value. Plus an on-the-ground story of the Franklin County Fair — along with pictures — makes us smile.
September 15 edition: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/September-15-2022.pdf
September 8 edition: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/September-8-2022.pdf
If you would like contact the podcast, email us at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Montague Reporter website: https://montaguereporter.org/
David Brule on his West Along the River column and Board service
I invited David Brule on the podcast to talk about his column, West Along the River, that has been appearing in the paper for decades now. We ended up talking about much more: his connections with France, language learning, how he learned about and explored deeply his family's roots in this area, and his writing process. Near the end of the conversation we also talked about his service on the Board of Directors for the Montague Reporter, which is a nonprofit organization.
Reach out to the podcast at: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thank you for listening! Please tell a friend!
Residents' crime complaints, long-form music writing in the paper
Sarah and Mike discuss the town of Montague’s response to resident complaints regarding crime in downtown Turners Falls; and Mike’s recent long pieces on the music scene. Plus a discussion of the new $1.50 price of the paper.
This episode features the song "Theme For Bald Eagle Over Food City" from the album Bald Eagle Over Food City by Bromp Treb, the solo project of beloved former Turner's Falls resident Neil Cloaca Young. Listeners can find the album digitally at https://bromptreb.bandcamp.com/album/bald-eagle-over-food-city.
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Reach the podcast at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening!
Future of Strathmore complex, school committee openings, and Mike's perspective on 'being bad'
The future of the Strathmore complex is the subject of both an article by Jeff Singleton (July 14 edition) and a public meeting on July 26 at town hall. Mike and Sarah discuss the latest news about the Gill Montague Regional School Committee. Finally, Mike explains more about his editorial in the July 14 edition entitled “Being Bad.”
July 14 edition link: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/July-14-2022.pdf
If you would like contact the podcast, email us at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Montague Reporter website: https://montaguereporter.org/
Town of Montague Bridge roundup, About-Face Computer to close on July 1
Mike and Sarah discuss the latest on bridge replacements, refurbishments, and closures in the town of Montague. They also mark the July 1 planned closure of beloved local business About-Face Computer Solutions. Plus, non sequiturs from Sarah and Mike.
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Reach the podcast at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening!
Town meeting season at the Montague Reporter
Mike joins Sarah to talk about town meetings in Montague, Gill, Erving, Wendell and Leverett. Plus, the town election in Montague and non sequiturs.
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Reach the podcast at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening!
Stephanie Baird on the Sex Matters column
Stephanie’s new book is called EMDR Therapy and Sexual Health: A Clinician’s Guide.
https://stephaniebairdlmhc.wordpress.com/
Email: sexmatters@montaguereporter.org
Recent columns:
December - sex-positive TV shows: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/December-2-2021.pdf
January - sex-related pain: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/January-6-2022.pdf
February - body hair: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/February-3-2022.pdf
March - relationship affairs: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/March-3-2022.pdf
April - sexual trauma awareness month: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/April-7-2022.pdf
Movie filming, dam oil leak, special photo section
Mike and Sarah discuss the local filming of "Money Game," the leaking of hydraulic fluid from the Turners Falls dam, and the extra special photo spread in the B section in this week's paper.
Read the April 14, 2022 edition here: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/April-14-2022.pdf
Subscribe: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
The Science Page and science communication in the Montague Reporter
Heather Hamilton and Spencer Shorkey discuss science communication and the monthly Science Page in the Montague Reporter.
Heather’s email address: heather.sc.hamilton@gmail.com
Spencer’s website: http://spencersphere.science/
50th episode of the Montague Reporter Podcast!
In this special 50th episode we talk about the podcast's origins and our vision for its future. Mike Jackson hosts, with guests Sarah Brown-Anson and Stella Silbert.
Do you want to share ideas about the podcast? Email podcast@montaguereporter.org
A deeper dive into the Montague police log
Emily Alling speaks with Sarah about compiling the weekly police log for the town of Montague.
Here is a link to the collection of mangy fox calls Emily speaks about in this interview: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XZ0_DOfHsBYS-RVqKO83d744u0pvtrs0QiZwyQnun1M/edit?usp=sharing
Subscribe to the Montague Reporter here: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Bonus episode: Stomping and its Discontents
This episode is the audio accompaniment to an item in the March 3rd, 2022 edition of the Montague Reporter, which can be found on page B1, entitled "Stomping and its Discontents: An Audio-Enhanced Police Log Retrospective." You should listen with the March 3rd edition of the paper in front of you!
Thanks to Galen Huckins for the audio accompaniment, Emily Alling for curation, and Nina Rossi for illustrations.
A not-quite-comprehensive review of hydroelectricity in Franklin County
Mike and Sarah discuss his recent road trip themed series that takes readers up to Harriman Station in Windham County, VT (through Monroe, MA). They also discuss progress in relicensing negotiations for First Light hydroelectricity production.
Read the paper online: https://montaguereporter.org/read/
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
You can reach the podcast via email at: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Celebrating the Children's Page in the Montague Reporter
My guests Hannah Brookman and Beverley Ketch discuss their creative work and the monthly Children's Page in the Montague Reporter.
Podcast editor Stella Silbert edited this episode.
The outro music for this episode is "The Lovelights Theme," written by Beverly Ketch, performed by Shannon Ketch, Kevin Smith, Omeed Goodarzi and Beverly Ketch, recorded by Omeed Goodarzi. The Lovelights soundtrack can be found at https://thelovelightsisters.bandcamp.com/releases
Looks Here’s website: https://lookyheregreenfield.com/ and email: Lookyheregreenfield@gmail.com
Order the zine here: https://lookyheregreenfield.com/product/the-lovelights-selected-works-from-the-montague-reporter-childrens-page/
Monthly Mail Art subscription: https://www.patreon.com/lookyhere
Lovelights website: https://lovelightstv.wordpress.com/
Podcast email (if you read the Children’s Page): podcast@montaguereporter.org
Four possible futures for Montague highway garage; Pandemic strains institutions
Four proposals were submitted to the town of Montague to reuse and repurpose the old highway garage on Avenue A. Mike discusses how the pandemic continues to strain the health care system in our area, and towns are trying to buy testing kits.
Read the paper here: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/January-6-2022.pdf
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
You can reach the podcast via email at: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thank you to our podcast editor Stella Silbert!
Bonus episode: The Montague Reporter redaction project
Jae and Charlotte share about redacting names from older editions of the Montague Reporter police logs.
Here is the fundraiser link for the redaction project: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-montague-reporter-redact-names
You can reach Jae Southerland at jae@montaguereporter.org
You can reach the podcast at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Beginning of Montague budget season, possible dingle land transfer, amusing non sequiturs
Stay for the non sequiturs for this one! Sarah asks Mike about the budget process for towns and possible transfer of town land (to the Montague Conservation Commission) in the dingle in Lake Pleasant.
Read the Montague Reporter online: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Reach out to the podcast: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Bonus episode: Sarah Robertson on PFAS in drinking water
Podcast regular Sarah Robertson joins the podcast in this bonus episode to talk about her reporting on PFAS chemicals in area drinking water sources.
Link to previous podcast episode: https://anchor.fm/montaguereporter/episodes/Late-March-highlights-from-A1-and-beyond-etu0kf
Read Sarah’s previous reporting in these issues of the Montague Reporter: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/April-29-2021.pdf, https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-4-2021.pdf
Spotlight on Montague City: Farren Care Center update and other neighborhood news
Mike tells Sarah about recent reporting on what’s happening in the village of Montague City.
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Read the newspaper: montaguereporter.org/read
Thank you to Stella Silbert for editing the podcast!
You can reach us @ podcast@montaguereporter.org -- but it does go to my spam box.
Solar editorial, Buckland police chief story
Super special thanks to Stella Silbert, our new podcast editor!
Sarah and Mike discuss his October 22 editorial encouraging comments on draft solar policy guidelines. They also discuss an October 14 article Mike wrote about accusations against the most recent Chief of Police in the town of Buckland, Mass. Plus, non sequiturs from the paper.
You can read the October 21 edition of the Montague Reporter here: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/October-21-2021.pdf
You can read the October 14 edition here: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/October-14-2021.pdf
Volunteer: editor@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Leverett Pond; housing and evictions update with Sarah Robertson
To read the articles that we discussed, see the September 16, 2021 edition of the Montague Reporter: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/September-16-2021.pdf
Follow the Montague Reporter on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montaguereporter/
Reach out to the podcast: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Volunteer ask, Candidates for Selectboard, and Montague “cop stuff”
Mike and Sarah discuss volunteer opportunities at the Montague Reporter, and Mike’s recent reporting on the special selectboard election, as well as current town business taken up at a recent selectboard meeting.
The Montague Reporter Instagram account has 649 followers - join the ranks: https://www.instagram.com/montaguereporter/
Contact us: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe and read this week's edition: montaguereporter.org/subscribe
Joshua Shanley on the Connecticut River Flood of 1936
Josh’s website: http://www.newenglandfloods.org/
You can learn more about “Connecticut River Valley Flood of 1936” and purchase it here: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467145770
Read a longer form of this conversation in this week's Montague Reporter newspaper: https://montaguereporter.org/
Reach out to us at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe to the paper: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Prominent Avenue A building sold, federal money funds local projects
Sarah and Mike discuss changes to the St Katz building on Avenue A, as well as what local towns plan to do with the federal funds becoming available through the American Rescue Plan Act.
Contact us at podcast@montaguereporter.org or 413-586-8666.
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Bonus Episode: Trish Crapo on Art Beat column and creativity
Don’t miss Trish Crapo’s last Art Beat column in the Montague Reporter June 17, 2021 edition out this week!
Jack Nelson: It's in the Brush: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/May-2-2019.pdf
Remembering Hallmark: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/January-7-2021.pdf
Trish’s website: http://www.trishcrapo.com/Telling_Stories_with_Light/Welcome.html
Big picture A1 news: redistricting and police advisory group feedback
Sarah and Mike discuss the news from late May. Mike also talks about an unexpected story that he published online.
Reach out to the podcast: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Bonus episode: transparency in the Massachusetts House of Representatives
In this episode we take a deep dive into Massachusetts state politics. I discuss with two local residents, Alex Davidson Carroll and Matt Barron, proposals to increase public access and transparency of the goings-on in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
Link to the Letter to the Editor in the January 28, 2021 edition: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/January-28-2021.pdf
Act On Mass, an organization working on the statehouse transparency issue: https://actonmass.org/
Is dual-use solar coming to Western Mass? Is artificial intelligence the future of the Montague Reporter?
Mike and Sarah discuss a proposed project in Northfield to allow dual-use solar on a farm. The discussion also turns to Mike’s experiences reporting long-form interviews, and the current (good!) state of the newspaper. Plus - speculations on the role of artificial intelligence at the paper.
Mike is taking applications for apprentices! You heard it here first. Contact him at editor@montaguereporter.org
Reach out to the podcast: podcast@montaguereporter.org
Thanks for listening! Tell a friend!
Late March highlights from A1 and beyond
Join Sarah, Reporter Sarah Robertson, and Managing Editor Mike Jackson in a discussion of the newspaper’s recent reporting on goings-on in Montague and surrounding towns, as well as Sarah Robertson’s reporting on housing and the environment.
If you like the podcast, please leave us a review and subscribe.
Comments, questions, or suggestions? Reach out to us at podcast@montaguereporter.org
March 25 edition of the Montague Reporter: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-25-2021.pdf
Sarah R’s reporting on PFAS in the March 11 edition: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/March-11-2021.pdf
Bonus episode: deep dive into Connecticut River ecology and FirstLight relicensing process
Join us for a deep dive into Sarah Robertson's (and the Montague Reporter's) reporting on the FirstLight Power relicensing process for power production on the Connecticut River. Scientists Ken Sprankel (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the CT River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office) and Rodger Gwiazdowski (Department of Environmental Conservation, UMass, Amherst) join us for a discussion on environmental impacts on the CT River.
Ken’s website, Connecticut River Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office: https://www.fws.gov/r5crc/
U.S. Fish and Wildlife service page for Puritan Tiger Beetle: https://www.fws.gov/chesapeakebay/saving-wildlife/species/puritan-tiger-beetle/index.html
Daily Hampshire Gazette reporting on Puritan Tiger Beetle: https://www.gazettenet.com/Puritan-Tiger-Beetles-26525449
New York Times Puritan Tiger Beetle article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/04/science/puritan-tiger-beetles-vicious-predators-may-soon-hunt-again.html
Sarah Robertson’s reporting on this issue in the Montague Reporter:
December 17, 2020 Page 1: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/December-17-2020.pdf
November 12, 2020, Page 1: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/November-12-2020.pdf
Other recent reporting on the FirstLight Power relicensing process:
https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/November-19-2020.pdf
https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/September-3-2020.pdf
Bonus episode: catching up with Joe Parzych on local history and photojournalism
Please feel free to reach out to Joe Parzych via email at Joerparzych@gmail.com. His website is https://www.facebook.com/Jrparzych/.
Link to the Faces and Places feature: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/September-24-2020.pdf (Page A8).
Reach out to the podcast at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Subscribe or donate to the paper! https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/
Montague town buildings and schools set to reopen, coverage of pandemic housing crisis continues
The Montague selectboard met to discuss reopening town buildings after fewer new COVID cases were reported. The selectboard also convinced Eversource to remove more redundant polls in town. Gill-Montague schools are set to reopen in a hybrid model starting February 22. The Montague Reporter continues to cover evictions and the housing crisis in the area. Plus - entertaining tidbits and non sequiturs!
If you like the podcast, please leave us a review and subscribe.
Comments, questions, or suggestions? Reach out to us at podcast@montaguereporter.org
Read the Montague Reporter newspaper here: https://montaguereporter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/February-11-2021.pdf
Bonus episode: Valley Eye Radio brings Montague Reporter content to the valley
Learn more about Valley Eye Radio on their website: https://valleyeyeradio.org/ and listen live here: https://valleyeyeradio.org/listen-live.html
Contact the Montague Reporter podcast: podcast@montaguereporter.org or 413-863-8666
Subscribe to the Montague Reporter: https://montaguereporter.org/subscribe/