A DECADE of MORNINGS Part 2 by Monte Belmonte

A DECADE of MORNINGS Part 1 by Monte Belmonte

This week I announced that I would be stepping down as morning host at 93.9 The River and the bulk of this final podcast will be me and the listeners reflecting on the end of 17 years of waking up together. Plus some of the same shenanigans I’m usually up to on this podcast. Like drinking wine. Talking to a Congressman. Word nerding and astronomy. But I say to you podcast listeners what I say to my listeners on the air, thank you for spending time with me. It’s been an honor. This is the final week of mornings.

First off, thank you for helping us raise $509,034 for the Food Bank of Western Mass, with donations still rolling in. Congressman McGovern on how he feels after Marching and on the Democrats new leadership in The House An early abolitionist with ties to Northampton who you’ve likely never heard of, apart from her Thanksgiving song. Merriam-Webster’s Word of The Year and some of the runners up. If the Food Bank March didn’t show you how generous a community we are, wait until you hear about The Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage. Port wines for the holidays and more.

The March for The Food Bank XIII draws nigh. We’ll hear all about how hunger impacts our area. Exactly how the Food Bank helps organizations like our survival centers. How hunger impacts veterans. Where health care and hunger meet. And changing the policies around hunger. Plus Congressman Jim McGovern-the OUTGOING chair of The Rules Committee-who will go with us the whole 43 miles of the March. And a couple of non-March related things too. Like words. And wine. And the moon.

Congressman McGovern on the red ripple and on how the death of his party has been greatly exaggerated. The Doctor of Rock, Steve Waksman, on his new book The History of Life Music in America-From Jenny Lind to Beyoncé. We know who Beyoncé is. Who is Jenny Lind and why is she important to Northampton? The kids from Wildwood Elementary providing us with an FAQ on the March for the Food Bank. When to call in the cavalry vs when to call in the calvary with the Word Nerd. Mr. Universe on climate change and Brian Eno. Wines for Thanksgiving and more.

Congressman McGovern on the midterm elections. Is this Democracy’s last chance in the US? MA Ballot Question 4-The Work and Family Mobility Act. A Roundtable look at why so many people, people who usually can’t agree on anything, agree on this. The sounds of Mars with Mr. Universe. Dog restaurants with Dr. Steve. How to pronounce words like pronunciation with Emily Brewster from Merriam Webster. Halloween shenanigans and Pinot Noir with The Wine Snobs and more.

Congressman McGovern on whether or not the Democrats have thrown in the towel for the midterms. Question 4 on the MA Ballot and why it is important for our immigrant neighbors and our farmers. Women supporting women entrepreneurs in Northampton through The Resilient Project. Women helping mothers who are artists with the MICA festival. Oat milk and omakase with the Word Nerd. And heading back into Rose season with the Wine Snobs.

Maria from Sesame Street. She’s coming to OUR neighborhood this weekend. A spooky Halloweeny boat ride on an underground river that runs just under the city of Hartford. The most controversial food word Merriam-Webster has ever put in the dictionary with the Word Nerd, who also offers color commentary with me on the radio of an adult spelling bee. And guess what? That color is blue. Three Sicilian reds with the Wine Snobs.

One man’s obsession with Star Wars has led to a one-man show where he performs all of the first three Star Wars movies in an hour. I’ll talk to that one man, Charles Ross. One man’s book of poetry was picked up from a used book bin by Sheryl Crow, and she used his poem to write one of her biggest hits. I’ll also talk to THAT one man, Wyn Cooper. Plus, we’ll hear about why Saturn’s rings are so incredible, new words in the dictionary and Italy’s grape with a thousand names.