Today on the podcast is a conversation I recently had with state Sen. Jake Oliveria that was broadcast over Focus Springfield. We talk about what’s going on in the Legislature and his opinion about the ballot questions facing Massachusetts voters next month.

Also I get a bit peeved at actions in Springfield that resulted in the removal of a 136-year-old granite bench from a historic park.

This week on the podcast, I get to discuss local and state races with a guy whose political acumen I admire and respect, Matt Szafranski. Matt, an attorney and writer,  is the founder of Western Mass Politics and Insight blog (https://wmasspi.com) and has been writing about politics since 2006.

We talk about the outcomes of the recent preliminary and what’s coming up in November besides the presidential election.

After that discussion I’ll share my opinion about the sale of the historic Paramount Theater in downtown Springfield

Hi folks. Every now and then I will be featuring an interview with someone who isn’t from Western Massachusetts and this week is one of them.

I traveled up to the Mountains of Madness in Vermont to talk movies with my friend Stephen R. Bissette. For those who may not be familiar with him, Steve is a highly acclaimed and very influential artist whose work on the "Swamp Thing" comic book as well as his own creations such as "Taboo" and "Tyrant" have earned him fans around the world.

He is also as movie crazy as I am – perhaps more so if that is possible – and has contributed commentaries to many DVDs and Blu-Rays, most recently to the Vinegar Syndrome releases of two classic big monster films “Gorgo” and” Reptilicus.” He and I have collaborated on two commentaries – those for the animated feature “Fritz the Cat” as well as “The Lady and the Monster” on the recent collection of Republic Studio horror films released by Kino Lorber.

Steve has written several books about film: one  about David Cronenberg’s movie “The Brood,” as well as several volumes about Cryptid Cinema – movies that feature in Steve’s words, “Bigfoot, Bayou Beasts and Backwoods Bogeymen.” His books are available on Amazon.

I brought my high school scrapbook to the meeting as I thought it could spur a conversation about a once great summer tradition, drive-in theaters. And I was right.

The ads in newspapers for the movies playing at the local drive-in fascinated me as a kid as many were movies of which I had no knowledge. I used stare at them and wonder, “What is this thing?” Even after I got my driver’s license, I wasn’t able to go to the drive-ins as we had a family farm and staying up late at night just wasn’t prudent.

Of course I watched movies at every other time I could!

So go to the concession stand and get some snacks, adjust your car seat, hang your speaker on your window and get comfy for a trip back to the drive-in on this edition of The Ink-stained Wretch with G. Michael Dobbs.

And yes, that's an actual drive-in speaker I'm holding in the photo.

In this week's program, I will be presenting a recording of the debate I moderated for Focus Springfield between incumbent state Sen. Adam Gomez and challenger Malo Brown, a member of the Springfield City Council.

There’s not a lot of local races here in the region but this is an important one. If you live in Springfield or Chicopee I hope you take time to listen.

I want to emphasize the statement Councilor Brown makes about Gomez being incarcerated is simply not true. It’s difficult as a moderator to fact-check live, but I want to make it clear the statement is inaccurate.

And if you want to watch the debate, you can at https://focusspringfield.com/state-senate-debate/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE1wvlleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHSw9LfVHDg9_5YEdsa1dLlKKflj-h-fSM7pPTnweE1I78QfOsDyxsMMGAA_aem_FTka4402VPRYkHDw2XYsfg

This week on the podcast I speak with John Dobrydnio of Amherst, who, in my book, is a real renaissance guy. John describes himself as a monster kid, who is someone who fell in love with horror films at a young age and has been enjoying them his entire life. He loves them so much that he has been hosting, along with his friend Marty Caron, their own horror film show called Graveyard Cinema since 2016.

It’s seen on more than 20 cable access stations in Massachusetts and it streams nationally on The Monster Channel (https://themonsterchannel.com).

But John is also a life-long music fan who has recently released his own new music (which can be seen on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCps7h53qoOmttROWazdSokA ). As Johnny D and the Moonlighters, John’s music reflects the songs he heard in his youth.

And we talk about both music and horror films in this interview.

I also relate my experiences at the great vintage film ferstival CapitolFest in this episode.

Springfield photographer Chris marion is just not well known in the region, his work for the National Basketball Association has brought him new heights of recognition. He has literally been all over the word for the NBA. I spoke to him at his studio in the Gasoline Alley complex in Springfield. https://www.chrismarion.com

I also recorded a story about Cookes, the internationally known cannabis company, coming to Springfield. The long anticipated business is going into the South End on South Main Street. 

Many people in the greater Springfield area have wondered about the former MacDuffie School property. It was sold to John Foley in 2011 to continue its educational mission.

To be clear the name MacDuffie and its curriculum was acquired by a company that established a private school in Granby, MA at the site of the former St. Hyacinth’s Seminary.

I recently sat down to interview Angelene Huang the woman who worked with a group of investors to purchase the school and her Head of School Beth Moriarty for Focus Springfield. We sat in Angel House one of the buildings on the campus that is being renovated. Some of the buildings have been closed and still reflect the damage of the 2011 tornado. Huang is intent on reopening all the buildings.

The two women met at the New York Military Academy where Huang had been brought in to revitalize that school. After her success there she wanted to do the same at another school.

Please watch this edition of Government Matters on Focus Springfield (it will be available on-line), but right now you can listen to our conversation.

For my tip this week, I'll tell you about two great books about aspects of movie history you may not have considered.

"Ethernight Club" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

"Maple Leaf Rag" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This week on the program we will have Chris Maza. You may know him from his role as a long-time reporter and now managing editor at Reminder Publishing. Yes, Chris survived working with me for years. You might also know him for his podcast called Maza’s Musings.

We are talking about another of his endeavors – helping foster kids and their families through the work of All Our Kids, Inc.. The seventh annual Homebrew Showcase for All Our Kids will take place at Paddy’s Irish Pub on Saturday, July 27, 2024, from 12-3 p.m. The Pub is located at 1060 Wilbraham Road, Springfield.

This beer-tasting event is a lot of fun. Entry at the door is $20. Additionally, raffle tickets can be purchased in advance online. Designated drivers receive free entry, though a donation is appreciated. This is a 21+ event.

“Maple Leaf Rag” and "Ethernight Club" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

We have a two-fer with interviews this edition with one about politics and one about a local artist.

First up is State Sen. Adam Gomez whose district includes much of Springfield and part of Chicopee  and who is up for re-election. He is being challenged by Springfield City Councilor Malo Brown. I had the opportunity of speaking with Gomez on “Government Matters,” the program on Focus Springfield that I host. Steve Cary, the executive director of Focus Springfield, graciously allowed me to share the audio here on this podcast. 

If you want to learn more about what legislation Gomez supports, go to https://adamgomezma.com.

Springfield’s Ken Harris is a writer, an actor and a puppeteer and he has a new one-man show he will be performing three times in the region. The show is “Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard” and it is playing on July 21 at 1 p.m. at the Castle of the Knights in Chicopee; on Aug. 3 at 6 p.m. at Gasoline Alley on Albany Street in Springfield; and on Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.at Holyoke Media, 1 Court Plaza, Holyoke. To learn more go to his Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kenneth.harris.16547. 

Bob Charland has become a bit of a legend in Western Massachusetts and northern Connecticut through his non-profit organization, Pedal Thru Youth.

Originally starting as an effort in his home’s garage to repair donated bikes and get them to kids who want a bike but can’t afford one, Bob and his volunteer staff now have programs including getting backpacks of necessities to homeless people, baby clothes to those who need them and now medical equipment. 

He works with the Hampden County Sheriff’s department, various municipal police departments, emergency food pantries, schools and other organizations to get these items to people who really need them.

Bob is a humble guy who is far more interested in helping someone out rather than in public praise. I appreciate him taking some time from his labors to sit down in his huge headquarters in West Springfield.

Pedal Thru Youth can be reached at its website www.pedalthruyouth.org

Plus this week, I rant about faith and politics and offer a tip about a great breakfast place.