"A week after his release from prison, Al Kitchen is found dead beside a bicycle on a back country road. Al served 18 years in prison for beating a well-liked man to death during a botched robbery, but most everyone in this small town is unwilling to forgive him. Nobody feels Al could have changed from the reckless guy they knew although he believes he has. They prefer he died in prison, and they make sure he knows that upon his return to Holden..."

On this edition of Writers Read Us Stories They Love, Denise Schwartz sits down with mystery & thriller writer Joan Livingston to discuss the writing process for her new novel, The Unforgiving Town, as well as share some choice excerpts from the text. How did Joan conceptualize a sequel to The Sacred Dog? Why return to Holden, one of Joan's fictional Western Massachusetts towns, specifically? And of course, how does one make a character as flawed as Al Kitchen relatable to the reader? Sit back, relax, and listen on for answers to those questions and more, as well as several thrilling passages from Joan Livingston's new novel: The Unforgiving Town.

Purchase The Unforgiving Town here:

https://www.amazon.com/Unforgiving-Town-Sequel-Sacred-Dog-ebook/dp/B0GR1FWRS3

Be sure to subscribe to the Backyard Oasis Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Produced by Alex Audette

Recorded at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Jan Maher is a local writer, creator and co-founder of LAVA, a community arts center in Greenfield MA. In this episode, we learn more about Jan, her life and art. And we explore Jan’s thoughts about creativity.

Jan’s latest play, Phoenix will be read at LAVA on June 5. On the Boards: "A Rare Sight" + "Phoenix" - The LAVA Center

She will also adapt her stepfather’s classic sci-fi story “I, Gardener” as a radio show with a live audience at LAVA on June 17.

Here’s a link to her website where you can read more about her and subscribe to get email updates: Jan Maher

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Henry Balzarini

Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Named a Publishers Weekly Editor’s Pick.

“Lost between the ancient wisdom of 13th-century China and the unraveling of his modern life, one man must solve the ultimate koan: how to live in the present...”

A haiku magically transports Zen student Stephen Maine to 13th-century China where he encounters Zen masters, experiences koans firsthand, and begins a romance with a beautiful sword maker that threatens to upend his present-day marriage and to keep him in the 13th century while sharing the body of a Japanese monk who is an important figure in the history of Zen.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Community colleges are more than just classrooms; they are hubs where generations collide. In this special episode, host Denise Schwartz speaks with GCC's Associate Dean of Community Engagement Judy Raper and GCC student Carly Mahowald to discuss the social infrastructure that keeps us connected. We’re moving past 'old versus young' headlines to explore how proximity, shared goals, and genuine curiosity can dismantle stereotypes and build a stronger, more resilient community.

Photo credit: Denise Schwartz interviewing Judy Raper [Photograph]. (2022, February 25). Retrieved from https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/c534jk588

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Produced by Will Copeland and Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Gloria Ratcliffe, alumnae of Greenfield Community College/MS. Americana Waves podcast and Professor Emerita Anne M. Wiley of Greenfield Community College have a conversation about AI and its impact on you. We discuss the types of AI, how AI works, and some of the concerns how AI has potential harmful social impacts on humans. We also discuss how AI uses data servers that contribute to environmental degradation.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Gloria Ratcliffe

Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

"With the innocence of young eyes and with the perspective of a long life well lived, Wright gives us this sweet, loving memoir full of wonder and mystery that is our world."

- Ken Burns. filmmaker

Jonathan A. Wright takes us around the world in his coming-of-age memoir based on his boyhood diary entries and deep memories of a 9-month journey with his family across the globe in 1962 and 1963. It explores his awakening to privilege and inequity and starts him on his commitment to justice and inclusion.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Produced by Alex Audette for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Enter Smith College from Elm Street onto College Lane in Northampton and stroll down the hill towards the Mill River on your right. On your left you have arrived: the Botanical Garden of Smith College with outside flower beds, a pond surrounded with diverse wetland plants, and the Victorian style greenhouses of The Lyman Plant Conservatory.

Join Anjali D’Souza, Manager of Engagement for the Gardens and longtime docent, Bill Copeland for a conversation with Christine Copeland about how this Northampton treasure grew, what if offers to Smith College students but also young and old alike in the larger Pioneer Valley community and hear about plans for the future.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College BackYard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Photo credit: Will Copeland

Links:

https://garden.smith.edu/

https://garden.smith.edu/news-events/news/angela-dsouza-mat-18-joins-botanic-garden-manager-engagement

Hosted by Christine Copeland

Produced by Will Copeland for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Western Massachusetts resident Larry McFarland calls himself a travel enthusiast. And indeed, he has traveled to some thirty countries from the age of 54 to his current age of 70.

In this episode, Larry describes his journey, both in mind and miles. He addresses solo vs. group travel, planning a trip, safety and financial considerations, and regales us with a few anecdotes from his jaunts.

Speaking of jaunts, you can find Larry’s travel photos and stories at

https://Jaunticles.blogspot.com

Larry also suggests the YouTube channel “Gathering No Moss” for even more travel info for older adults.

Photo: Larry McFarland

Hosted by Henry Balzarini

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA