New England Weekend

Food safety is all over the headlines right now, and not just because we're getting ready to make our Thanksgiving feast. Not one, but three E. coli outbreaks have been making the news, and there are a lot of questions about how these outbreaks happen. Dr. Shira Doron, Chief Infection Control Officer at Tufts Medicine, returns to the show to talk with Nichole about the outbreaks and offer advice on food safety through the holidays.

While we have yet to see some snow, that's not stopping many of us from decorating and getting into the holiday spirit! The city of Peabody is working with local businesses, including Granite Coast Brewing Company, to hold their annual Holiday Stroll on Saturday, November 30th. Plenty of fun activities are planned, and there will be all kinds of snacks to enjoy, too! Granite Coast Marketing Manager Amy Luckiewicz shares details about the event with Nichole on this week's show.

Since the 1980's, demand has been growing for the comprehensive assistance that Women's Lunch Place on Newbury Street in Boston offers women experiencing homelessness. As more and more women find themselves without a place to call home, the day shelter opens its doors to offer a warm meal, clean clothes, a fresh shower, and much more. They're now asking for help to get some critical repairs done so they can keep offering this help for decades more. CEO Jennifer Hanlon Wigon joins Nichole on the show this week to talk about their mission and need.

If you haven't started your holiday shopping yet, you are ceretainly not alone. We're getting into peak shopping season, but you may not be as willing to shell out cash this year on presents due to high prices and inflation. Each year, Boston-based Deloitte does a survey on our spending trends, and the results may be surprising. Anthony Jardim, a Principal at Deloitte, joins Nichole to break down the numbers and trends.

With so many veterans facing mental health challenges and isolation stemming from their time in service, they often find they can't access the meaningful connections they need to stay in a healthy place. Sunday, November 17th is National Warrior Call Day, a time when we take a few minutes to reach out to the veterans and service members in our lives and ask them how they are really doing. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is a co-sponsor of the Senate Resolution marking the day, and she joins Nichole on this week's show to talk about it.

November is National Entrepreneurship Month, and this is the time when we shout out all our small business owners working hard in our communities to chase their dreams. It's difficult work and comes with a lot of challenges, but many owners say it is just as rewarding and completely worth it. Steven M. Stroum of Framingham has had quite a bit of experience and is sharing his dynamic story through his memoir, "Success and Self-Discovery". He talks with Nichole about his journey and offers up some advice for those who want to start on their own entrepreneurial path.

When you hear talk about hospice, you're usually talking about humans, not pachyderms. However, on the South Coast, Ruth the elephant, who's been living for decades at the Buttonwood Park Zoo, is entering hospice as she nears the end of her life. Ruth has been a highlight at the zoo for generations, with residents from all over the South Coast and beyond coming to spend time with her. Zoo Director Gary Lunsford talks with Nichole about her health conditions and the decision to transition her care.

Whether you're taking part in Medicare Open Enrollment for the first time or reviewing your current plan, there are plenty of changes that can be difficult to navigate. Renee McInnes, CEO of NVNA and Hospice in Norwell, is here on the show share valuable insights on how to maximize your benefits, avoid common pitfalls, and make informed decisions on coverage for the upcoming year.

New Bedford's fishing industry has been a cornerstone of the South Coast economy for centuries. It's also led the city to become a melting pot of traditions and culture, as people from all over the world come to the city to find their way into the industry. This month, the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center is opening a new exhibit to focus on those workers' stories called "Casting a Wider Net". NBFHC Director Laura Orleans and Project Manager Emma York join the show this week to share the details of this comprehensive exhibit.

While the weather in recent days has been incredibly warm, even record-breaking at times, winter is coming sooner than later. Experts say now is the time to get your heating system ready and make repairs, but what if money is tight and you're worried about paying for your heating bills? Enter the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, which offers much more than just financial assistance to families in need. Beth Ann Strollo, CEO of Quincy Community Action Programs, breaks down the details with Nichole this week.