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Meet Billie Farrell, the first female commander of the USS Constitution Museum, and then grab a beer at #GreenfieldMA 's Four Phantoms Brewing. Here's your first look at the stories we're featuring tonight at 7:30pm on New England Public Media and live streaming at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

We were sick of the cold and the snow, so we set up shop in the tropical oasis known as the Durfee Conservatory at UMass Amherst for this week's episode. Catch it Thursday at 7:30pm on New England Public Media!

In “Frankie the Caterpillar,” western Mass author Harlene Simmons tells the tale of a young caterpillar who overcomes his fear of change – and finds a new friend on his journey. Watch the full interview here:bit.ly/3yKtmsT

Meet Tara Gorman, ARTOONIST365, and JaJa Swinton, three of the artists featured in ‘Something Extraordinary’ on display at Westfield State University. In the mixed media exhibit, 8 artists of the African Diaspora converge to examine the Black experience through their unique creative lens.

Head to Dwight Street in Holyoke, where local artists can sharpen their sketching skills at the inclusive, women-led Go Figure Drawing Studio.

Since 1978, the @SonsOfErinWstd have fostered Irish culture in western Mass, including creating one of the most popular entries in the @HolyokeParade: the float that carries the Westfield Colleen and her court through the streets of the Paper City.

Amateur artists and seasoned professionals alike can sharpen their figure sketchings skills at Go Figure Drawing Studio in Holyoke.

Visit the inclusive, women-led studio tonight at 7:30pm on New England Public Media and streaming live at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

.@SonsofErinWestfield & Go Figure Drawing Studio...here's your first look at the stories we're featuring tonight at 7:30pm on New England Public Media and live streaming at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

Author Harlene Simmons stops by to chat about her debut children’s book, Frankie the Caterpillar, tomorrow at 7:30pm #onNEPM -TV and streaming live at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

Just in time for St. Patrick's Day, we’ll get a history lesson from the Sons of Erin – and a sneak peek of the highly-anticipated Westfield St. Patrick’s Parade float – tomorrow at 7:30pm #onNEPM -TV and streaming live at nepm.org/connectingpoint

“Something Extraordinary” delves into the process of visual storytelling and examines Black history through a creative lens. Meet three of the artists featured in the Westfield State University exhibit, Thursday at 7:30pm #onNEPM and live streaming at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

Join us for a special St. Patrick's Day toast from the IrishCulturalCenter and on this week's show! Catch it Thursday at 7:30pm on New England Public Media and streaming at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

A trove of 4,000 antique glass plate negatives were bound for the trash – until photo preservationist Terri Cappucci saved them. The collection of vintage images, called “Somebody Photographed This,” reveal what life was like in western Mass over a century ago.

For Women’s History Month, Zydalis Bauer sat down with Park Ranger Susan Ashman to learn more about western Mass’ own version Rosie Riveter – the WOWs (Women Ordnance Workers) that kept the machines running at the National Park Service's Springfield Amory National Historic Site.

Tucked in Springfield, the @forestparkzoo is a hidden gem that’s home to a variety of exotic and native animals – including Superb Owl’s Owl of the Year, Clint Screechwood. Local kids can even get a hands-on lesson in taking care of animals at one of the zoo's week-long camps.

At the IrishCulturalCenter you can enjoy the music, flavors, and traditions of Ireland year-round, not just on St. Patrick’s Day. And, you don’t have to be of Irish descent to grab a pint of Guinness or join in on one of the best traditional Irish sessions on the East Coast.

At the IrishCulturalCenter, you might notice a small room tucked next to the bar. And while the “snug” is currently a great place to grab a drink with a small group of friends, it was traditionally used as a place for “respectable” women to enjoy a drink – without being seen in a pub.

It sounds like something out of a Dr. Suess book, but did you know there’s a zoo right here in Springfield?

Visit the Zoo in Forest Park and learn what it takes to be a zookeeper at one of their zoo camps, tonight at 7:30pm #onNEPM -TV and streaming live at nepm.org/connectingpoint.

The IrishCulturalCenter & Zoo in Forest Park...here's your first look at the stories we're featuring tonight at 7:30pm on New England Public Media and live streaming at nepm.org/connectingpoint.