So That Reminds Me

On this episode of the So That Reminds Me Podcast, co-hosts Dennis Hackett and Ryan Feyre welcome special guests Mark Gionfriddo and Maureen Sullivan to discuss the return of The Big Broadcast, a live 1940s-style radio show coming Saturday, March 7, with performances at 2 and 7:30 p.m. inside Chapin Auditorium on the campus of Mount Holyoke College. They share what audiences can expect from this unique blend of classic entertainment, live sound effects, vintage storytelling and nostalgic fun. Tickets are available at Odyssey Book Shop, online, and at the door. The Big Broadcast is also the sponsor of this episode.

Dennis and Ryan also break down the latest local headlines, including a developing legal situation involving a business in East Longmeadow, ongoing fallout and updates surrounding Tracye Whitfield and leadership tensions in Springfield, and the region’s seemingly endless stretch of winter weather.

Inside Springfield City Hall: Tracye Whitfield on City Council Leadership, Priorities and Controversy

In this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet sit down with Springfield City Council President Tracye Whitfield for an in-depth conversation about leadership at City Hall, the council’s priorities, and the challenges facing Springfield.

Whitfield discusses her role guiding the Springfield City Council, key initiatives shaping the city’s future, and an ethics issue tied to a recent council vote that has sparked local discussion. The interview offers insight into how municipal decisions are made and what residents should know about transparency, governance and accountability.

Ryan and Tyler also break down major developments across Western Massachusetts, including significant changes to the financial structure of Holyoke’s municipal government and a growing fiscal crisis in South Hadley.

• Welcome: 0:14
• Super Bowl Banter: 2:08
• What’s News In Western Mass: 5:56
• Tracye Whitfield: 19:53
• Wrap Up: 50:25

Western Mass. Wings: Our Picks for Super Bowl Sunday

Did you know that Americans are expected to eat roughly 1.5 billion chicken wings while watching the Super Bowl? To help you prepare the perfect game plan for your big game snacking, So That Reminds Me broke down some of the best places in the Pioneer Valley to get wings! The crew also dives into some classic debates — drums vs. flats, blue cheese vs. ranch, bone-in or boneless? Leave your foam fingers at home because this episode will definitely get a little saucy!

Also, in What’s News in Western Mass., review some of the region’s top stories, including the impending closure of Blessed Sacrament School, a challenger for state Rep. Nick Boldyga’s 3rd Hampden District seat, and how the bitter cold and massive snowfall totals have impacted the area.

• Welcome 0:13
• What’s News in Western Mass 5:11
• Western Mass Wings 22:07
• Wrap Up and Go Patriots 56:08

On this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Dennis Hackett and Tyler Garnet talk with John Sacerdote of the Amherst Railway Society about one of New England’s most anticipated annual events — the Railroad Hobby Show.

Held January 24–25 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, the Railroad Hobby Show is the largest railroad-themed trade show in the United States and draws hundreds of enthusiasts each year with model railroad layouts, railroad collectibles, vendors, demonstrations, and entertainment. Sacerdote shares what makes the show unique, how it has grown over the years, and why interest in model railroading continues to span generations.

Welcome: 0:15

What’s News In Western Mass: 3:01

Railroad Hobby Show: 11:38

Wrap Up: 39:04

On this week’s episode of So That Reminds Me, Artistic Director Steve Hays joins host Chris Maza to talk about the Boar’s Head Festival at Trinity Methodist Church in Springfield, a recreation of a medieval festival celebrating the Epiphany. Their conversation explores the history of this beloved seasonal production, how it has evolved over the years, and what continues to draw audiences back. Hays also offers insight into the creative and logistical work that brings the festival to life, along with what attendees can expect from this year’s presentation.

• Intro: 0:12
• A brief history of the Boar’s Head Festival: 3:05
• What attendees can expect: 5:15
• The logistics of putting the festival together: 8:05
• Steve Hays’ creative approach to the festival: 10:41
• Diversity of the cast: 12:56
• Timing of the festival and connecting church and community: 14:26
• Continuously improving and tweaking the presentation: 17:06
• Ticket information: 18:44
• Steve Hays favorite parts of the festival: 19:30

Join So That Reminds Me for our end-of-year look back at the stories that defined Western Massachusetts, as co-hosts Chris Maza, Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre and Tyler Garnet review the biggest local headlines from the year that was. The four explore how federal actions impacted the local economy, health care, and programming, revisit notable political scandals, and break down some of the most interesting local election campaigns and results. The episode also highlights major school building projects — both recently completed and just getting started — along with other attention-grabbing storylines that kept you reading and listening all year long.

• Holiday Prep and Stranger Things: 0:11
• Federal Impacts on Western Mass: 10:53
• Local Election Campaigns and Results: 19:57
• School Building Investments and Debates: 52:51
• Holyoke’s Receivership Exit: 1:03:55
• Governor’s Staff Member’s Arrest: 1:06:57
• Courthouse Proposals: 1:13:16
• WESTCOMM Opens: 1:17:58
• New North Citizens Council Drama: 1:21:47
• Longmeadow School Library Arrest: 1:28.10
• Southwick Racial Bullying Settlement: 1:30:34
• Looking To 2026: 1:33:06

On this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Dennis Hackett, Ryan Feyre, and Tyler Garnet break down the new A&E docu-series “Family Lockup,” which brings viewers inside the Hampden County Jail in Ludlow, Massachusetts. The series follows incarcerated participants and the family members who voluntarily join them behind bars for an intensive program designed to confront past harm, rebuild trust, and create a path toward recovery.

Overseen by Hampden Country Sheriff Nick Cocchi, the program challenges each family to face trauma, cycles of addiction and determine whether reconciliation is possible.

Our hosts examine the show’s impact, problem areas, approach to rehabilitation, and what it reveals about families on both sides of incarceration.

Intro: 0:12

Premise of Family Lockup and initial impressions: 14:38

Reality vs. sensationalism: 19:52

Does the program work?: 21:42

Did this need to be televised?: 24:40

Dr. Jeff Gardere’s impact: 29:29

Highlighting the jail’s shortcomings: 34:39

Would you participate in the program?: 38:00

As the holidays approach, the spirit of giving takes center stage, and few organizations represent that spirit more than The Salvation Army. In the Pioneer Valley, the annual Toy for Joy campaign is entering its remarkable 103rd year, continuing a legacy of bringing holiday cheer to local families in need. In this episode of So That Reminds Me, co-hosts Chris Maza and Dennis Hackett are joined by Danielle LaTaille, social services director for The Salvation Army, and Capt. Stacy McNeil, Springfield Corps co-commander. They share an inside look at the growing needs across our community, the stories behind Toy for Joy, and how local generosity continues to make a life-changing impact season after season.

• Intro: 0:09
• Welcome, Danielle and Capt. Stacy: 9:00
• Toy for Joy’s longevity: 10:50
• Capt. Stacy’s impressions as a newcomer: 12:02
• Broader impacts of Toy for Joy: 13:36
• Toy for Joy’s focus on literacy: 16:49
• Toy for Joy timelines and logistics: 18:31
• Importance of volunteers: 23:27
• Other Salvation Army programming: 25:44
• How to support the Salvation Army and Toy for Joy: 28:50

In this special bonus episode, So That Reminds Me co-hosts Chris Maza and Ryan Feyre are joined by Sarah Gumaer, marketing director for the Springfield Boys & Girls Club and one of the key organizers behind one of Western Massachusetts’ most beloved holiday traditions: the Festival of Trees. Running Nov. 28 through Dec. 14 at the MassMutual Center, this annual celebration transforms the venue into a sparkling forest of creativity, community spirit, and seasonal magic.

Sarah shares the stories, planning, and purpose behind the event, and how the festival not only brings joy to thousands of visitors but also supports the Boys & Girls Club’s mission throughout the year.

• Intro: 0:11
• Sarah Gumaer and the Festival of Trees: 5:23
• The festival’s 25 years of growth: 6:56
• Programming the festival supports: 8:02
• Importance of community support and involvement: 10:28
• Favorite and memorable trees over the years: 14:15
• Looking to the future: 18:28
• Hours and admission: 19:41

NEPM’s Monte Belmonte is gearing up for the 16th annual March for the Food Bank, a 43-mile trek from Springfield to Greenfield raising awareness and support for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. Before he hits the road, Monte joins So That Reminds Me to share the story behind the march, how it’s evolved over the years, and why its mission feels more urgent than ever amid today’s uncertain times.

• Intro: 0:12
• Beginnings of Monte’s March for the Food Bank: 5:27
• COVID’s impact on the march: 8:00
• Monte’s drive to keep the march alive: 9:25
• Planning the march: 11:19
• Importance of community support: 14:07
• The march’s impact given current events 15:55
• Addition of the Berkshire Mini-March: 17:12
• Monte’s costumes: 18:37
• Where does Monte march?: 21:36
• How can people get involved?: 24:41
• What Monte is most looking forward to: 26:41