New England Weekend

Since the late 1980's, the team at Marshfield's "Road to Responsibility" has had one mission: assist those with intellectual and physical disabilities with living their lives to the fullest. They do so by providing essential services in day programs and community living, along with promoting inclusivity and understanding in the community at large. One of their new tools is a virtual reality program that's already become a major success. President and CEO Christopher White joins clinician Rebecca Ellis to talk about how they're introducing this technology into their programming.

Boston is the home to many of the region, nation, and world's most powerful people. That being said, not everyone can be truly influential. Boston Magazine has just released its latest list of the city's most influential people, and it includes all kinds of people: athletes, lawmakers, developers, even infants! Brittany Jasnoff, Executive Editor at Boston Magazine, dives deeper into the list with Nichole to talk about their process, what influence truly means, and some of their top picks.

More than a century has passed since the Melrose Symphony Orchestra started performing together, making the group the nation's oldest continuing all-volunteer orchestra. Another season is coming to an end, and the final concert is a packed potpourri of favorites, including a special guest. Conductor Yoichi Udagawa returns to the show with all the details about the upcoming show, and talks with Nichole about the season.

There are many ways to promote healthy aging, including getting enough sleep, eating well, and taking your medicine properly. Also important: staying active and connected with your community! For many seniors, loneliness and isolation can take a big toll on mental and physical health. Now that the weather is warmer, Boston Parks and Rec is rolling out its "ABC Forever Young" program, offering local seniors the opportunity to come together and play some fun games! Damien Margardo, Program Manager at Boston Parks and Rec, talks with Nichole about what they have to offer.

Trying to find a job these days can be overwhelming, draining, and downright frustrating. Here in the Boston area, there's a message from those in the hospitality industry: we're hiring, and we need you now! Meet Boston is putting on a new regional job fair, hoping to connect those who need work with opportunities in hotels, tourism, and restaurants, all huge contributors to the city's economy. Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston, and Conan Harris, Founder and CEO of Conan Harris and Associates, talk with Nichole about the resources and opportunities the fair has available for those who need a job.

The rising cost of housing and essentials is making it more difficult for families and individuals to put nourishing food on the table. Since 1969, Project Bread in Boston has hosted the "Walk for Hunger", a community movement to bring awareness to this problem and raise much-needed money for hunger relief. Project Bread President Erin McAleer returns to the show to share the details with Nichole and give an update on their work to fight hunger in Massachusetts.

No matter why you love baseball - ballparks, the players, the skill, the atmosphere - it's also perfect fodder for poets around the world to talk about their love of the game. Worcester is home to the National Baseball Poetry Festival, celebrating the intersection of America's pastime and the timeless art of poetry. This year's event at Polar Park and other venues includes all kinds of exciting activities, and everyone is invited. Founder Steven Biondolillo talks with Nichole about everything the Festival has to offer on this week's show.

It was almost 250 years ago to the day when residents of Concord ended up playing a critical role in the American Revolution, as it was there, and in neighboring Lexington, where the first shots of the war were fired. The town has embraced that pivotal history throughout the centuries, including at the Concord Museum, where dozens of historical objects connected to the events of that Wednesday in 1775 are now on display. Museum Director Lisa Krassner joins Nichole on this week's show to talk about their plans for the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution on April 19th and what they have to offer in this new exhibit. This segment is the fifth interview in our series "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Since the days following the Revolutionary War, the Massachusetts Historical Society has been dutifully documenting events and stories that have made up the American experience, especially here in New England. That includes a one-of-a-kind look into how the war for independence played out back in the 1700's. Chief Historian Peter Drummey joins Nichole with new information about their exhibit "1775 - Rebels, Rights, and Revolution", and a deeper look into what it takes to preserve history. This segment is the fourth interview in our new series, "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Baseball and music lovers come together each year for the "Hot Stove Cool Music" benefit concert, which raises money for underserved youth through the Foundation To Be Named Later. It's a brainchild of baseball writers Jeff Horrigan and Peter Gammons, with a nod to the sport they love. This year, the event is celebrating its 25th anniversary with some epic guests. Former Red Sox pitcher Lenny DiNardo, now a sports analyst at NESN, is co-hosting this year's event. He joins Nichole this week to share all the cool details about this hot event.

Dorchester's Louis D. Brown Peace Institute was founded more than 30 years ago out of a mother's grief and pain. Chaplain Clementina Chery created the Institute to honor her late son, Louis, who was gunned down in the streets of Dorchester at just 15 years old in 1993. Now, the institute is known for the Mother's Day Walk for Peace and other work to not just prevent gun violence, but also help the families impacted by it. Chaplain Chery says she and the Institute want to take their work to a new level with a new Center for Healing, Teaching, and Learning. She shares the details with Nichole and explains how the community can help make the Center a reality.

April school vacation in Massachusetts is just a few weeks away. If you're doing a staycation this time around, or if you don't have any plans just yet, you might be thinking about what you want to do with the kids. The City of Boston says it's got a special event planned for girls age 7-12: the All-Girls Sports and Wellness Festival! Jennifer Misiaszek from Boston Parks and Recreation joins Nichole this week to talk about everything the event has to offer in hopes of empowering Boston's girls.

Finding a bargain these days is far more streamlined than it used to be - no more clipping coupons around the kitchen table! Couponing apps are all the rage with influencers on social media who are helping their followers save a buck or two as we deal with high prices on just about everything. Julia Belkin, the Boston woman behind Freebies and More on Instagram and TikTok, joins Nichole to share some tips and tricks.

The legendary poem about Paul Revere from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poignantly lays out the dramatic events that unfolded between Boston and Concord on April 18, 1775, setting the stage for the opening battles of the Revolutionary War. Revere wasn't the only man who made the crucial ride to warn the minutemen, but thanks to that poem, Revere's efforts became stuff of legend. Nina Zannieri, Executive Director of the Paul Revere House in Boston, joins Nichole to talk about the work to preserve Revere's legacy and the celebrations they have planned for the 250th anniversary of Revere's ride. This segment is the third interview in our new series, "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Tariffs have been imposed on Canada, Mexico, and China, impacting farm and dairy products like wheat, corn, cotton, chicken, fruits, vegetables, and beef. Farmers and ranchers have been voicing their concerns about this, saying if the tariffs stick, it could hike prices for farmers and consumers alike, and strain an industry that's already, in some cases, struggling to get by. Warren Shaw, the President of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and the owner/operator of Shaw Farm in Dracut, talks with Nichole about the potential local impact of these tariffs on farmers.

While the nation's big birthday party is coming up next year, in just a matter of weeks, Massachusetts will mark 250 years since the "shot heard 'round the world" - the battles of Lexington and Concord, which sparked the war against the British for American independence. The colonists were ready for the British that day thanks to careful planning and a group of militia members called the "Minute Men". Even today, the Minute Men's spirit is preserved by the Concord Minute Men, led by Captain Carl Sweeney. He talks with Nichole about what it's like to re-enact American history and their plans for this year's Patriots Day celebrations, and shares a bit of history, too. This segment is the second interview in our new series, "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

When we talk about Boston's history, it's easy to focus on the familiar stories of colonialism, the Revolutionary War, and the Founding Fathers. The true stories of the city aren't complete without the contributions of Boston's diverse communities, who have played crucial roles in shaping the cultural, economic, and social fabric of the Hub. Everyone250 is a new coalition of arts and cultural organizations ensuring those diverse stories are told as we look ahead to the nation's 250th birthday. Jeneé Osterheldt, Dr. Imari Paris Jeffries, and Brian Boyles, Co-Chairs of Everyone250, talk with Nichole about their mission and upcoming events. This segment is the first interview in our new series, "Revolutionary Roots", where we take a closer look at the stories, people, events, and local ties that connect New England to the nation's upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026.

Some big changes have been happening behind the scenes at two of Boston's best-known mentoring organizations, and you may not have even noticed. That's exactly how they planned it! Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts and the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston have merged in hopes of helping more kids around the region reach their full potential. Big Sister Association President and CEO Annissa Essaibi-George and Big Brothers Big Sisters President and CEO Mark O'Donnell share details about the merger with Nichole and talk about what this means for mentoring access around Eastern Massachusetts.

Back in 1958, passenger rail service came to an end between Boston and the South Coast of Massachusetts, leaving cities like Taunton, New Bedford, and Fall River without train access to the largest city in New England. Now, decades later, South Coast residents are about to get that access back, as the MBTA is starting up service in late March. MBTA General Manager Phil Eng joins the show to discuss the long-running project, what riders can expect, and what comes next.

Each and every day, Jake Prusha, a member of the US Coast Guard stationed in Boston, takes part in a grueling challenge called the "Murph" workout, which honors a Navy SEAL who was killed in Afghanistan back in 2005. Prusha's doing this for 100 days - not to get fit, but to raise awareness of members of the military and first responders who are grappling with mental health challenges. Jake talks with Nichole about his story, why this challenge means a lot to him, and how you can help him raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. (Find Jake on Instagram at @jakeprusha.)